Beetle as first car?

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Hello all, Im going to be looking for my first car soon and im really looking into an older beetle, i would really like to find a '67 or below. Ive read alot online and they do sound kind of like a handfull but I think the reward of driving it would be well worth it. I would be driving it quite a bit 7 days a week and was wondering how one in good condition would hold up with every day driving. As far as maintance goes between me and my dad I think we could do all the mechanical stuff so I dont see that as a real big problem. All my friends say im crazy for wanting a car that doesnt go "fast" but it will probly be for the best that way =D Im just wondering if theres anything that i should know before i consider an older beetle for my first car?

[VWAdam]

Well I am 16 and have been into VWs since I was little. I have a 1971 Beetle that I drive every single day and on long trips. I have had it since June 2001. My friends thought I was crazy too but they have had their newer cars as long as I have had mine and some of them have already needed major repairs and the only thing I have done to my Bug is tune ups and a header exhaust. Maintence is easy, and most repairs are too (unless something needs a machine shop).
Just make sure the Bug you get looks like it has been taken care of, mine definately was and I think thats why it is so reliable.

[superwhit]

Hey, beetles Kick ***! I'm a college freshman now, but I bought 2 71' superbeetles a little over a year ago with the intent of ending up with 1 running bug. The 1 had an interior, transmission and engine, and some other parts, and ran good... but it had been in an accident, and had battery acid eat away the passenger side floor.... Upon later inspection, the frame was completely toast. So I spent last summer transfering parts to a frame (the other car... nothing but the frame). I had never worked on a car before and pretty much did this by myself. The car is running well, and I am quite pleased with it. If I can put the car together, anyone can, as for the engine, it is one of the easiest in the world to work on, really basic construction. As long as you don't want lots of power, a stock VW is a very reliable first car as long as you keep up with maintinence simply because they are so simple.. nothing to break. Although if you change your mind later.. it's quite easy to get larger cylenders, deck out the engine with a balanced cam shaft.. etc.. perhaps a turbo? So if you ever wanted to race your best friends honda...

[[email protected]]

Of the years you mentioned, I would recommend a '67 as it has a 12-volt electrical system. Also, the '70-'74 Beetles are great cars as well. Parts are plentiful for all except some of the one-year only body parts on the '67. I drove nothing but Beetles all through college and for the past 20+ years since. They are actually very simple to repair and I've found them to be very reliable. Problems usually happen with the older electrical parts such as starter motor, generator, shorts in wires, but once you've replaced some of those 30-year-old parts, you'll have a reliable daily driver. If you want more power then go for a 1776 cc and twin Kadron carbs and header. There are many suppliers of replacement parts...try CIP1.com for example. Good luck in your search!

[VWAdam]

Hey if and when you get a Bug post a picture of it on the gallery for everyone to see.

[bigtoe]

I had a 67 Bug that I drove from 1992-2000. It still ran great when I sold it. I wish I had kept it. I replaced the heads after 6 or 7 years and the trans. 4 years after I bought it. It never gave me any trouble. It ahd the 1500cc engine still. It was reliable so I never bothered with changing it for a bigger one. I installed a .009 distributer and a single quiet pack. Otherwise completely stock.