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platatomi Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2012 Posts: 465 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:10 am Post subject: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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My VW was my first car and I still drive it, but have felt it necessary to get something more modern for long commutes and hot weather.
This is my experience/luck so far...
The very frequent, or constant, problems I have seemed to have with two good, used cars since has really made me appreciate the bug.
My first modern car was a VR6 Jetta, which I was happy with, however it suffered several failed coils, failed ignition switch, leaking radiator, bad sensors, overheating, and eventually catastrophic failure of the auto tranny after less than two years of me owning it. So much for that over-engineered pos. A reasonable 130k miles when I bought it.
Next I got a 97 Maxima stick shift which I have heard is legendary for reliability, only 100k miles and immaculately maintained. After a year of ownership, in addition to initial repairs it needed when I bought it: four coils have failed, starter failed, oxygen sensors failed, knock sensor failed, and it has an ongoing overheat problem that I haven't been able to diagnose. Even worse, some of the coil failures have not triggered the CEL or indicated any problem so I have driven many miles dumping raw fuel into the exhaust, so my CAT is probably burned up too at this point. The last coil to fail was brand new so it is killing them somehow...
Now I'm not saying cars don't need maintenance and parts do go bad eventually but all this just seemed to be much more than it should have been so far.
So yeah, I have never had any of these failures(edit: did do ignition switch) on the bug(it doesn't even have most of those parts) except overheat, and just realized the big picture of all of this. How has your luck been with aircooled vs other stuff? _________________ '69 Beetle daily driver, fixing things as I go...
Update -
No longer daily driver but still fixing things... |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12452
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 6:30 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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The truth by the numbers most reliable Suburu, Toyota, Lexus. Just yesterday on an extended road trip I enjoyed 90mph, AC, Leather seating, every creature comfort while getting 26mpg. 😀 |
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ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 8:25 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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... my experience for reliability and overall comfort, while getting great mileage is by far, Honda Civic and Accord... VW BUG was a great around town daily, 50 years ago. _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16801 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 9:41 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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vw automatics are made out of glass anyway, so yea, they break...
coil packs are the new ignition wires...they degrade. mostly because people use the wrong/junk plugs....or the coil pack is over worked trying to jump a 9 foot gap on a worn plug.
aftermarket (cough autozone, napa etc) electronics are JUNK. oem stuff lasted 100k+ for a reason.
02's are a wear item as well. so....welcome to the world of new "points and condensers"
I'm with zund....like my vw's love my audi's and Volvo's _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31266 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:01 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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platatomi wrote: |
My VW was my first car and I still drive it, but have felt it necessary to get something more modern for long commutes and hot weather. |
I agree, we need good AC here in Arizona. For commutes between Prescott area and Phoenix, I drive the 1998 Frontier we bought in 2004 with 100K on it, so the kids would have a vehicle to drive to practices and work, and force them to learn manual transmissions (they practiced on my 1971 VW). That Frontier now has 232K on it and has air bags, ABS, safety features, and better power, mpg, and AC than my 1988 Mazda B2200 Cab Plus which has 215K, "OK" AC, no power at all.
I bought my "vehicle for the future" back in 2011, a 2004 Frontier King Cab with 90K on it, the last year a Frontier could still fit into my garage. That's my nice vehicle and we take that on vacations. Those 3 trucks and my 2 VWs are all standard shift and 4-cylinder.
But - in the words of my youngest - driving the VWs is "funner" !!! _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9879 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:44 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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My trucks have all been diesels and go into the 400,000 to 500,000 range. Very little maintenance beyond fuel filters and oil changes, religiously. Have not had a tranny or engine go bad. Did have several injectore go bad on the newest truck, but Chevys warranty covered them. The 82 Chevy had a injection pump go south on it at 100,000 miles. Took it to the dealer and it was replaced for free! Found out that day it was still under warrenty! It went another 300,000 miles on that pump before wearing out.
The Toyota is the next car that requires maintenance. Last week we replaced all 6 coil packs. 500 dollars out the window.
The others are Jeeps. Lots of maintenance. I typically spend four hours every weekend maintaining the other cars in the household.
The Bug is cheap to maintain, is fun to drive but I do not depend upon it and it sure cannot handle the 6 tons of tools and materials I carry around town, everyday! It also cannot fit 7 adults comfortable, like the Highlander or the Cherokee. And the AC is soooo nice in all the cars during the summer.
But I love the Bug. Always my first choice to drive in town. _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17962 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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The girl who boards her horses with us just spent $10,000 rebuilding her Ford diesel! She says it does have 400,000 miles on it though. We hauled my cows to The Auction Yard Thursday with here big fancy rig! _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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platatomi Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2012 Posts: 465 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:01 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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Sounds like we've arrived at similar mindsets but some of you maybe luckier than me so far. I totally feel the same, wish I could drive the bug if, not so hot, etc.
Oh about the coils and plugs, I've checked mine and the plugs are the correct part, look great and are gaped correctly so I'm just stumped on that one. Hope it's not more pervasive electrical problem. _________________ '69 Beetle daily driver, fixing things as I go...
Update -
No longer daily driver but still fixing things... |
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kurt912 Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014 Posts: 158 Location: The Woodlands Tx
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:00 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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What are coil packs and knock sensors? (See signature) _________________ 1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
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mark tucker Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009 Posts: 23937 Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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other cars?? shit do I need to update and get another car other than my bug??I agree ac would be nice....real dam nice...hmm 90 amp alt and a 500 btu should be cheeper than a new car...crap then I would have to work on my bug and install it....hmm I need to look for one of those window cooler thingy!!! |
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ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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mark tucker wrote: |
other cars?? shit do I need to update and get another car other than my bug??I agree ac would be nice....real dam nice...hmm 90 amp alt and a 500 btu should be cheeper than a new car...crap then I would have to work on my bug and install it....hmm I need to look for one of those window cooler thingy!!! |
yikes, in Florida and no a/c... how do you do it? _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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Sharp64 Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 5305 Location: Central Florida
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:30 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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ZENVWDRIVER wrote: |
yikes, in Florida and no a/c... how do you do it? |
From mid June to late September early morning drives or after the sun goes down. Rest of the year it’s not bad. I cannot imagine how anyone drives one of these as a daily down here without AC. Hell, I end up changing shirts 2-3 times a day some days even driving my Jetta because I’m soaked with sweat going from the car to the house or running errands that require me to me outside. Since the ACVWs reside in the garage it sits outside 24/7. Probably 120 or more inside some days. _________________ 1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17962 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:34 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
vw automatics are made out of glass anyway, so yea, they break...
coil packs are the new ignition wires...they degrade. mostly because people use the wrong/junk plugs....or the coil pack is over worked trying to jump a 9 foot gap on a worn plug.
aftermarket (cough autozone, napa etc) electronics are JUNK. oem stuff lasted 100k+ for a reason.
02's are a wear item as well. so....welcome to the world of new "points and condensers"
I'm with zund....like my vw's love my audi's and Volvo's |
Tram & Tramsdisciple rebuilt my squareback engine & AT about 6 years ago & they still both run good/don't leak! He told me the parts to rebuild the AT in his Passat cost $3000+. He ended up tearing it out & putting in a 5 speed! _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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mark tucker Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009 Posts: 23937 Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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I get in and go.it dosent take long before your own cooling starts working. my issue now with it is....the pass side window regulator took a shit a few months ago and....I dont feel like effing with it I got a new regulator the twin lift type for 65 or so year, since my car has them effing cali windows...and...I dont feel like changing doors either.I just drive the shit out of it every day.( I have 1 nos door still in primer,wish i had 2) |
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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5445 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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In the last 3 months I drove my Tacoma pickup once because I needed the bed. All the rest of my miles have been in the '57 Bug. My first car was a '60 Bug and I've owned at least one Bug for most of the 35 years since I bought it.
Like most cars, they are reliable if well maintained. They need more regular maintenance but most of it is less expensive, and easy by design. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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Used low mileage single owner Toyota Corollas and Camrys found on Craig's List have been tremendous for us. The one major "must-do" is timing chain replacement around 70,000 if the car has one. Otherwise, 4-cylinder simplicity and regular maintenance means long, reliable service for my two daughters, my son-in-law, my wife, and her two sisters. _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt. |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26740 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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Every car off the assembly line is not quite the same.
There are better ones and worse ones.
Ignition drivers are ALWAYS going to fail eventually, and like most electronics they have a life of so many cycles and/or so many years,
and,
the hotter they are......the shorter the life.
I'd say.....20 years is ok life for that kind of coil unit.
You could spend 1000$ in parts into your 1997 "beater" and sell it out of frustration, and the next owner might have 5 years of easy flying. I have a friend that's done that a few times.
Look at what is in the junkyards. lots of dodge neons and subarus. The neons usually have complete engines, the subarus mostly have complete bodies. It tells a lot. i wonder how many maximas have coil packs? |
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oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12632 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 5:10 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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In my view the only thing that makes an old VW reliable is it's simplicity. If it ain't there it can't fail!
If you want all the bells and whistles expect to pay for them both in initail cost and to keep all that junk working over the years. |
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kpf Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2017 Posts: 847 Location: California, US
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:48 am Post subject: Re: appreciate my bug's reliability more every day |
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Generally, all cars are reliable when they're new. Over time, various parts wear out, fail, or get out of adjustment. If you are willing and able (see below) to restore or replace every such part, and keep everything properly lubricated and adjusted, then the car will continue to be reliable.
The trouble with modern cars is that, more and more each year, they are designed specifically for a limited overall life, which wreaks havoc on the able part of willing and able. An ACVW was designed to last for a certain amount of time/miles between overhauls, but in that era, VW did not fight if an owner wanted to keep overhauling and driving forever. Here is one small example of how things are different today in the planned-obsolescence era: BMWs have their Condition Based Service computers programmed to stop working after 189,000 miles. Other examples include NLA, yet copyright and/or trademark protected parts (patents only last 20 years, but trademark is forever). _________________ 1971 Super Beetle |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31266 Location: Hot Arizona
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