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I want to buy a Volkswagon Bus. - Page 2

post #16 of 31
5/23/09 at 11:52am
I forgot to mention that rust is the killer of old cars. So if you see rust attack it right away, the repair will be much cheaper. You do not have to make it look good (paint job) but you must stop the rust in its tracks. You may want to read on POR15, it works. Good luck.
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post #17 of 31
5/23/09 at 11:59am
I love old vw busses, and even so, my recommendation is to get a much more recent american camper instead. You'll pay way more than they're worth (as transportation) because of the nostalgia attached to the old campers. The heyday of the $600 reliable bus is long past.
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post #18 of 31
5/23/09 at 12:03pm
True but they last forever if maintained. For example the transmission on my 1970 But is going strong after 385,000 miles, the steering box was replaced after 375,000 miles. Not bad if you ask me.
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post #19 of 31
5/23/09 at 12:08pm
But they're still death traps that handle poorly, can barely stop, get poor gas mileage, and have trouble maintaining highway speeds. If you are emotionally invested in them, they're great, but there are less expensive ways to get safe, reliable transportation you can sleep in.
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post #20 of 31
5/23/09 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikemonkeys View Post
I think I found one.....

the interior is in nearly perfect condition
And it already has the obligatory peace symbol on the back window. You're all set!! Good luck!
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post #21 of 31
5/23/09 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk View Post
But they're still death traps that handle poorly, can barely stop, get poor gas mileage, and have trouble maintaining highway speeds. If you are emotionally invested in them, they're great, but there are less expensive ways to get safe, reliable transportation you can sleep in.
Welcome to classic cars. Of course, the "trouble maintaining highway speeds" depends on your model, but otherwise that's true of all of them.
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post #22 of 31
5/23/09 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the constructive advice!

Rest assured, this will not be a daily driver, but more for weekend tinkering and camping outings. I have a hard time sitting still.

I can't wait......I have a couple people I want to look at it first and then I"ll make the guy an offer if everything pans out. I"m super excited!
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post #23 of 31
5/23/09 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk View Post
But they're still death traps that handle poorly, can barely stop, get poor gas mileage, and have trouble maintaining highway speeds. If you are emotionally invested in them, they're great, but there are less expensive ways to get safe, reliable transportation you can sleep in.
Not my experience, I am getting 32-33 mpg on the highway and my Beetle stops on a dime w/ 4 wheel disk brake conversion I did in 2003. As far as handling I replaced the stock shocks w/ gas charged KYB shocks, installed a larger sway bar and four radials replacing the bias ply tires. No it does not handle like my Corvette but it is no slouch either.
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post #24 of 31
5/23/09 at 2:05pm
So you're saying if you replace the engine, brakes, suspension, and tires, a beetle is a good car?
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post #25 of 31
5/24/09 at 9:06am
Get one with the Mystery Machine paint scheme, they come with a free Great Dane.
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post #26 of 31
5/24/09 at 9:17am
Needs a blown V8 or 911-turbo engine swapped in
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post #27 of 31
5/24/09 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by buddhashenglong View Post
Get one with the Mystery Machine paint scheme, they come with a free Great Dane.
wrrrhat wwwraggy?

My buddy has an '81 that is pristine. He bought it from a nice old guy in Saranac Lake, NY who pretty much used it to take his grandkids out for ice cream in (garaged in the winters). We've used it to stay in at festivals and it's proven to be a really reliable vehicle, although not in the NNY winters (for obvious reasons). I would go for one of the early 80's models with very little wear if you can find one, as they seem to last very well.
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post #28 of 31
5/24/09 at 10:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by grawk View Post
So you're saying if you replace the engine, brakes, suspension, and tires, a beetle is a good car?
Correct! No different than tweakers do with their Audy TT's, Corvette's, Supra's, 350Z's, etc.

Part of the issue w/ old VW Beetles is that many of us remember them at the end of their useful life. Many of us bought them used while in college and could not afford to maintain them properly thus the bad memories some have. Also for some reason that only VW can answer they chose to not install disk brakes in the USA bound cars while they did so in Europe.

I am a big proponent of the Beetle and other air-cooled vehicles due to their simple design, cheap available parts, lots of customization, and curb appeal (at least to me). They have their quirks but try to buy an steering box for a any new vehicle for under $100, or a new transmission for under $400. Yeah, it is not going to happen.
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post #29 of 31
5/24/09 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsx_23 View Post
Needs a blown V8 or 911-turbo engine swapped in
Here is an example of a Pre-67 Bus w/ a Porsche 911 Turbo drive-train. It is very fast!

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post #30 of 31
5/24/09 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikemonkeys View Post
...worm and dry place to rest your head.
Just watch out for that tinworm!



I've always had a soft spot for the old bugs. One of the first cars I drove was a '67 bug... back when I was 14. My cousin owned it and would take me to parking lots to drive around. It'd be nice to have one to tinker with, but I've already got an old Mercury Comet (my first car!) and an RX-7 (FC3S) to fool with.
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