About to join the vw family again wich would you choose

[68 T1]

I'm looking at 3 bugs in my area one is a 72 standard bug needs full restoration but is complete he wants a ridiculous amount for it ($2000) I'll try and talk him to a couple hundred bucks. 2nd is a 72 super beetle comes with two running engines and is complete but needs some work $1777. 3rd is a 74 super beetle complete says it run when it was parked 5 years ago has some dents but is in the best shape asking $2000.

I got out of the Vw community in 2010 when I went to miatas but now after wrecking my 91 miata i'm looking for something with a little more room and that's easier to get in and out of.

[[email protected]]

A lot has changed in the VW world in the last 15-20 years, and a lot has changed in 8 years. You're lucky to have vehicles to look at in those price ranges. In PA you would add another $2k-$3k to those asking prices.

I'm all in for offering less to try for a better deal, but offering 10% of someone's asking price will most likely end ALL future negotiations, and have you told to leave in an unpleasant way. For the 72 Standard, Imo, if your not wanting to pay at least 60% of the asking price, move on.

Non-running vehicles have to be really desirable, or in really nice shape otherwise for me to pay up. For the non-running 74 Super, you're going to have to look it over, and decide what has to be done to get it back on the road. I've had more positive than negative experiences with non-running vehicles. They all ran when parked, but it could be anything from a condenser that could have died, or a broken rod that got the car parked. I would think of a value you would pay for the car in perfect working order, and see if you feel the repairs needed could be done for the difference of the projected value, and the actual cost of the vehicle.

The 72 Super looks like the best deal parts/money wise.

Also consider the 68-73 cars seem to have the best aftermarket following. 74-on has fewer sources for aftermarket parts for things unique to those years, and 68-earlier have considerable price increases on parts.

[Coffee Freak]

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

Can't tell you which one to buy because I won't be there with you and all I have is one sentence descriptions, but I'll just run through my thoughts with a 'points' system if you will:

Score the three cars against each other: (Best/Most= 3 points, Good/Some=2, Worst/Least =1)

Main points:
Solid pan & Frame?
Solid body?
Solid removable body items (fenders, hood, decklid, etc)?
Does the engine run in its present state?
When did it last run/drive?
Are you able to push/roll it while in neutral/handbrake off?
Can it stop under its own brakes?
Can it drive under its own power?
Does it reliably shift back and forth from 1st-Reverse-1st-reverse-1st?
Needs the least mechanical work (not including normal maintenance items)?
How extensively has the car been taken away from stock? (check distributor, carb, air cleaner, fans shroud, suspension) [if done well this is not an issue, but a lot of people permanently alter the car and you are now stuck either continuing what they've done or have a lot of work to revert to stock or do what you want with the car otherwise]

Bonus round (test drive):
While driving, hows the handling?
Does the engine deliver adequate/smooth power?
How quiet is the transmission?
Shift smoothly and without excessive force to get into gear? (clutch and shifter)
If a super beetle, at around 45 MPH, does it have the shimmy?(standard automatically gets 3 points if it makes it to the test drive)

and finally...

Which one 'feels right'?



Add up those points and I think you'd have a decent idea.


Ultimately, it's your decision and those are all reasonable prices (at least I consider them so- as I sit here in the "Rust Belt")
_________________
1973 Standard Beetle
1600DP AK case
Solex 34PICT3 Carb
Bosch DVDA 205AJ Distributor

[vamram]

I won't go thru another list of what to look for, the guys above have provided a pretty thorough listing. I'll add my personal experience -

In my small sample size, I've owned a '64, '66, '72 Standard, two '72 Supers, and a '74 Super. Personal opinion warnings: Out of my group of cars, I prefer the '72 model years...generally speaking. HOWEVER - I would seriously look at the '74. The only reason I favor my current '72 Super is that it's suspension feels better, but I have done a lot of work to get it solid over the years. The '74 has a much better dash area (no air leaks into the passenger compartment), a defroster that really works, better designed seats, a much easier to get to fuse panel and fuse panel wiring, and is much easier to steer/maneuver in tight spaces, say for example in a parking lot. It also has the later transmission which runs lower RPMs at slightly higher speeds.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[joey1320]

As posted above, VW prices have gone up over the last 5+ years. With the insane prices of the earlier cars, the trickle down effect is for the later models to go up in price too.

I talked about it here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=681225&highlight=

Regarding your question, I would follow the above list and see which one fits your style better. They are all about the same price range, so it all comes down to how much work they need to be finished.
_________________
**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[68 T1]

I like standards better but this one needs a full restoration. If yaw want to look at them go to Shreveport Craigslist and search VW Beetle and you'll see the ones I'm looking at.

[sb001]

[joey1320]

[sb001]

[joey1320]

[68 T1]

Yea by full restoration I mean interior floor pans the motor maybe it's a typo and he meant $200

[Buggeee]

72 super all day long. Looks real straight and the rockers are clean even at the jack points.

The 74 has some wicked bubbling going on in the lower quarter in front of the passenger rear wheel, has been repainted all over the fender beading meaning a quick and dirty cover over, and there isn't a straight panel on it.
_________________
1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[VW_Jimbo]

I would choose the one with the least rust. That part of restoration can be the most expensive and destructive.
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Danpa]

DONT' FORGET TO CHECK THE "DEATH FOAM" AREAS!

Pans and channels are doable for most, not so with the DF.

Dan
_________________
67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[ROCKOROD71]

[Zundfolge1432]

All three look like a pile of..... keep looking maybe go west and buy a rust free car

[68 T1]

Someone just posted a 69 for 6000 I'll try to talk him down what do you guys think. He is going to email me pics.

https://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/d/1969-vw-beetle/6567099107.html

[hitest]

[Zundfolge1432]