How good of a deal is this?

VolksytheBug · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject: How good of a deal is this?

I've always toyed with the idea of shipping a rust-free VW from Texas or Cali to avoid the rusty junk around here in PA. Is this a car a really good deal for 5500, or am I missing something?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1316277
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tacochris · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:18 pm Post subject:

He does offer a cheaper option if you switch to the steels and caps...maybe take that option and see if it will offset shipping costs. In my opinion, at 5500 plus shipping you will be paying high top dollar for a 63 model. ....however it does "seem" like a nice car but I couldnt buy a car thats been "restored' without personally seeing/touching it first.
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Boom · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject:

Tacochris is my hero.
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TequilaSunSet · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

Sober reality... the 2am take home would have been a no-way at 10pm. The same applies to VW in person vs. internet photos
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sportin-wood · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject:

There's no way I could ever buy a bug just off of pictures and a brief description. In person is the way to go. With that said, I can't help but wonder why there aren't any pictures of the motor posted? The rear apron looks after market - my '63 had the "H" apron. If you have no problem committing to a sight unseen (in person) purchase, at the very least see if they'll take a short YouTube video of it inside & out, running, being driven, and the motor running & revving up. $5500 might not be a bad deal if everything's in good condition, but there's always room for negotiation. Good luck!
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Dustin B · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:02 pm Post subject:

If your really serious about the car talk to him on the phone, ask lots of questions, have him send lots of pictures of everything and all angles.

Those aren't the best pictures and from that add alone I wouldn't buy it. He doesn't say if was been in an accident, how the aprons are, if all the electrical works.

Its not easy buying a car so far away. Also check for any feedback here on the samba.

I just bought a beetle for $7500 that was 2200 miles which he told me everything was solid, all wiring was prefect and working and the car would need nothing. Just get in and drive. Well when the truck dropped it off there were problems rite out of the box. One Headlight didn't work due to crossed wires, speedo cable was not hooked up, speedo doesn't work properly and needs rebuild, link pins are worn out, I had to clean all the terminals to the turn signals, tail lights, and license plate light to even get them to come on. Carb was leaking fuel and needed to be rebuild, valves were super tight causing it to run on three cylinders. Pluse he took some parts off that I thought was coming with the car. That's just off the top of my head.

Ask lots of questions, get lots of pictures, get to know the person your buying from,
and if at all possible have someone inspect it for you.

Dustin
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Original paint and patina extravaganza http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187156

cory464 · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:33 pm Post subject:

buy a plane ticket, if you are serious, fly out and look at it, $500 for a ticket and a night in a hotel is cheap insurance. if the seller is legit he will meet you at the airport. could save a lot of heartache.

eggman95 · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: How good of a deal is this?

offshores · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject:

Your description of "rusty junk" makes it sounds like you'd be taking a fresh water fish out of a lake and throwing it into salt water.

OLD VW NUT · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:44 pm Post subject:

$5500 and the guy can't be bothered to wash it and take better pictures? What else did he feel he didn't need to bother with? In my area it looks like a $2500 car unless someone can verify the no rust claim. I see rust in the less than revealing picture of the motor. A picture of the bottom of the pan would be nice too. And the words "Other than that there is no rust repair" doesn't say "no rust" - it says there has been no rust repair done to the car other than the battery area.

Better read it again.
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mykidsbug · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject:

Rustforlife · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 3:04 am Post subject:

andk5591 · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:38 am Post subject:

OK - here's my suggestion and it has worked for me. Look at how long the seller has been on the samba. If its the same day that the ad was posted, then be wary. And also look at their posts. Sometimes you can find posts about the car they are selling and it can be insightful.

I did the seller research for you. Guy has been on here for years and from the posts, looks like a pretty serious enthusiast and a real nice guy. I had paid a little over $4K for a barely running, interior gutted freshly painted shell from California and was satisfied with the deal. To find an north east car and get it in the shape that the listed car is, would cost you a bundle.

If I was looking for a car like that right now, I'd might consider buying it. But as mentioned, talk to the owner.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT - its gonna cost you about a grand to ship the car. Get it insured by YOUR insurance company before its shipped - I had a car damaged by a shipper once and had a "slightly" lower purchase price on the bill of sale. Used their insurance. They only cover the damage up to the "purchase price". (So now consider what you can find within a shorter driving distance for $6500.....Maybe a couple hour drive south will get you a similar or better car)

On the other hand, its about a 24 hour drive. You could buzz down there and rent a 2 wheel car dolly and tow it back or use a tow bar.
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drs1023 · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:47 am Post subject:

You need to do what most are suggesting to satisfy your self when the car is off loaded into your driveway. Visit the car before buying. Otherwise, you will always be wondering why you didn't ask more questions over the phone, why didn't you ask for a picture of ...whatever, or saying,"Well, it could be worse". My example is this:

I bought a kit car off eBay some years ago. Despite the questions, answers, plenty of good pictures and the 95% honesty of the seller in the description, the engine didn't run as well as I had expected. I drove 900 miles to pick it up and tow it home, but I wish I had made the trip 3 weeks earlier to actually see and drive the car. The shiny intake and carb appeared polished, but it was actually just paint. The carb was totally shot, the DP manifold boots were bad, and the engine smoked more than just "occasionally". The reason the generator light wasn't on when running was that the light wasn't EVER on - blown bulb! Because I could fix all the bad stuff myself, my total investment was still pretty much a bargain, and I ended up with over 5 years of driving a fun car.

pwmcguire · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

I say you have to see it in person. I'm a hands on guy, Even if I buy it on the internet, 95% of the time i have seen it in person

VolksytheBug · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject:

Wow guys! Thank you so much! You VW experts make me feel like a have a ton to learn! Cool

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1970 Savannah Beige Beetle - Volksy
1965 Piper Cherokee 180 aircraft

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Boom · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 11:24 pm Post subject:

Rustforlife · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:08 am Post subject:

andk5591 · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:35 am Post subject:

Gotta tell ya - the more I learn, the more I need to learn..... Laughing

_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

sportin-wood · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:39 am Post subject:


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