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paulsw62
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2018
Posts: 4
Location: San Jose, CA
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 Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 7:06 pm Post subject: Ghia purchase advice |
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Hi,
New user, hope this is in the right area...looking to buy my first Ghia, I'm obsessed. Year, color don't matter. Would like as close to original interior as possible (not pimped up). Obviously good engine, close to no rust as possible, Budget @ $11k tops. What do you think of this ad/what should I ask ?
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2194142
Thanks everyone! |
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sputnick60
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3914
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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paulsw62
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2018
Posts: 4
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:57 am Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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| Thanks Nicholas, great advice. Will try to reign in the enthusiasm over common sense. I did look over the Buyers Guide, lots of great stuff. |
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hazmatty3614
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2016
Posts: 252
Location: Wanaque, New Jersey
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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I bought mine a year ago almost to the day. Lots of work has been done. All I can say is that the $6,500 car I bought, now has about $6,000 of work into it. I doubt I could get $12,500 for it. Close, maybe.
You pay for the car on the front end or the back end. How much blood, sweat, and tears is up to you.
Thankfully, If you opt for doing some work, this site is an amazing resource to assist you. |
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hazmatty3614
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2016
Posts: 252
Location: Wanaque, New Jersey
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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| Also, this looks a lot like my money pit. Look under the carpet everywhere you can. New interiors and carpets are a great way to cover up rusty areas. Specifically the pans and under the rear seat. Fold the rear seat down and look under the luggage compartment floor where it meets the backseat. Mine was a mess there. |
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KGCoupe
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2005
Posts: 3580
Location: Putting the "ill" and "annoy" in Illinois
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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| hazmatty3614 wrote: |
I bought mine a year ago almost to the day. Lots of work has been done. All I can say is that the $6,500 car I bought, now has about $6,000 of work into it. I doubt I could get $12,500 for it. Close, maybe.
You pay for the car on the front end or the back end. How much blood, sweat, and tears is up to you.
Thankfully, If you opt for doing some work, this site is an amazing resource to assist you. |
The phrase "Pay me now, or pay up later" was never more true than when it is used in reference to purchasing a Karmann Ghia. 
If you intend to perform any necessary mechanical and/or body work by yourself and you either have the necessary skills or are capable of picking them up, then you'll have no problem quickly locating a suitable project Ghia.
Then if you value your labor at $0/hour, when it's all said and done your total investment will probably stay within your stated budget.
However if you will need to hire out any necessary mechanical and/or body work, then you'd be wise to take all the time necessary to locate a Ghia with as solid a body as you can reasonably expect to find some 40+ years after the newest one came off the production line.
That in itself presents yet another challenge, as when you look at Ghias that have already been "restored" and wear a fresh coat of paint you never really know what sins lurk below unless there are lots of photos documenting exactly what was repaired and just how well that work was performed.
Mind you, I'm not trying to discourage you and squash your dream by any means.
I'm just trying to steer you away from the many potential pitfalls that await the uneducated and uninitiated Karmann Ghia buyer.
Lastly, I would be remiss to not at least draw your attention to the ad placed by long time Samba Ghia Forum member iowegian listing his beautiful 1961 Karmann Ghia for sale ...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2208598
Chuck is as honest as the day is long, and if his Ghia is not a good fit for you and your skill level then he won't hesitate to tell you so.
I wish you the best of luck with your hunt, and remind you to never hesitate to call upon the Samba Ghia Forum's collective knowledge and ask for their informed opinion. |
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kurt912
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2014
Posts: 158
Location: The Woodlands Tx
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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| KGCoupe wrote: |
| hazmatty3614 wrote: |
I bought mine a year ago almost to the day. Lots of work has been done. All I can say is that the $6,500 car I bought, now has about $6,000 of work into it. I doubt I could get $12,500 for it. Close, maybe.
You pay for the car on the front end or the back end. How much blood, sweat, and tears is up to you.
Thankfully, If you opt for doing some work, this site is an amazing resource to assist you. |
The phrase "Pay me now, or pay up later" was never more true than when it is used in reference to purchasing a Karmann Ghia.
If you intend to perform any necessary mechanical and/or body work by yourself and you either have the necessary skills or are capable of picking them up, then you'll have no problem quickly locating a suitable project Ghia.
Then if you value your labor at $0/hour, when it's all said and done your total investment will probably stay within your stated budget.
However if you will need to hire out any necessary mechanical and/or body work, then you'd be wise to take all the time necessary to locate a Ghia with as solid a body as you can reasonably expect to find some 40+ years after the newest one came off the production line.
That in itself presents yet another challenge, as when you look at Ghias that have already been "restored" and wear a fresh coat of paint you never really know what sins lurk below unless there are lots of photos documenting exactly what was repaired and just how well that work was performed.
Mind you, I'm not trying to discourage you and squash your dream by any means.
I'm just trying to steer you away from the many potential pitfalls that await the uneducated and uninitiated Karmann Ghia buyer.
Lastly, I would be remiss to not at least draw your attention to the ad placed by long time Samba Ghia Forum member iowegian listing his beautiful 1961 Karmann Ghia for sale ...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2208598
Chuck is as honest as the day is long, and if his Ghia is not a good fit for you and your skill level then he won't hesitate to tell you so.
I wish you the best of luck with your hunt, and remind you to never hesitate to call upon the Samba Ghia Forum's collective knowledge and ask for their informed opinion. |
This is all very good advice, especially the availability of that '61 coupe which I very much want even though I already have a nice '69 Ghia.
_________________
1964 MG Midget MK1 Monte Carlo Replica
1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1972 Mercedes 250 Coupe |
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paulsw62
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2018
Posts: 4
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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Thanks for all your insights folks! I originally was going to get a '71-'76 Porsche 914, but after reading about all the problems with injection or something, and that Porsche parts are so expensive, it brought me to the Ghia. But now Ghia's are harder to find in good condition. I don't suspect that spending more ($19k+?) would buy me less problems ??
Last edited by paulsw62 on Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Larmo63
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2015
Posts: 338
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: Ghia purchase advice |
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I own a 914-6 and a '66 Karmann Ghia. The /6 is fun and really fast, but the KG is cooler in an indescribable way.
I like this car for the money, but I'd have to inspect it.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2191620
_________________
Lawrence
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‘61 Mango Green Single Cab
'62 Pearl White Ragtop sedan
'66 Ruby Red Cabriolet
'86 Porsche 911 Carrera |
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