Super Beetle Pricing

[VwJay]

As my current daily driver continues to rapidly age I find myself thinking about a replacement. I don't want to DD the 67. I can't bring myself to drive it on the harsh winter days like I originally planned. A Super Beetle however I would. So my question is this. Realistically how much should a driver quality or driveable super project cost? What's the cheapest you could buy one before it's a money pit. I'm not talking show cars. Mild rust ok, originality not a concern. Cosmetics not a big deal. Just a reasonably solid running or light project car. The kind of car you'd have fun with but not get too worked up about drivingit like it was meant to. What should that cost?

[Raj]

Id find a shitter that's at least rusty as possible. Even with a bad motor. Toss a $500 motor in it ( find one locally or toss some new P&C's and bearings in a tired one) and roll it as it. Done.
If you find a good deal, For under 1K you driving aircooled thats good on gas, and has cheap insurance.

I like the way you think and think its a great idea. Keep looking on CL and by word of mouth... the deals are out there and are had by those that do the legwork.

[Glenn]

Get a late Standard. It's much easier to fix any front end problems.

[Raj]

Get a late Standard. It's much easier to fix any front end problems.

stock super drives like a caddy...... downside is that a the upper strut towers NEED to be solid in order to not have the ' shimmy'. A cheap super will prob have rotted towers..... thats the rub.

Kinda with Glenn on this.... a std bug might be what you'll likely end up with.

[VwJay]

Raj you hit the nail right on the head. I want a super for all those reasons. Plus I've never owned a super. I'd like to see what they're like. I keep hearing the handling is much better. A true bonus for a long distance DD. Plus super parts seem to be everywhere and fairly inexpensive. The McPherson struts don't scare me. Also a German look super would be a slick driver.

[Glenn]

So you want a 1303 and not a 1302?

Just so you know Super specific parts are hard to find and not reproduced. The dash, switches and air vents are not available. Supers are identical to Standards from the B pillar back.

[VwJay]

Yes, if I get one I want a curved window. I want to expirience everything a super has to offer. I would still consider a standard for the right price. But I really wanted to give a super a try. Mainly because of their lower value and the lower guilt level I'd feel should anything happen to it.

[Markus]

Is the rusty strut tower a difficult repair or is it just a matter of welding it in new?

[Raj]

Is the rusty strut tower a difficult repair or is it just a matter of welding it in new?

depends who you are, what your skill set is/ what parts you have available.

Or my biggest question.... WHY? spend your time on a non fat chick! hehe

[Raj]

throw 400 at him and be done with it.

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/4359885873.html

[VwJay]

That's a bit of a project, but factory sunroof.....hmm

[Raj]

That's a bit of a project, but factory sunroof.....hmm

Its got the floors, includes a motor that you just need to build. Grab some fenders and your golden. Could be an easy one.... then again.... if the channels are shot, keep looking. 69 is nice bc it has no shock bumpers, but has IRS. and like you said... sunroof

By the way.... supers require a different tow bar. All significant others or significant others to be need to be well versed in what tow bar to bring when they get 'the call'. Throw in a narrowed beam car in the mix and it can get dicey. Its better to keep it as simple as possible.

[VwJay]

I shot him an email. We'll see what info comes back. Not sure I want a "project" but for the price range this car fall in. I could find myself not saying no.

[Brown]

How much are you looking to spend? It seems like on the samba for a good running SB around here the price is around $5,000. I saw a couple on Craigslist that said they were running condition for about $3,500.

[Tom]

http://www.superbeetlesonly.com/

[VwJay]

Well I haven't decided what I'm willing to spend yet.

[Glenn]

throw 400 at him and be done with it.

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/4359885873.html

This guy might take $200,000
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... id=1611633

[EDNCAROL]

Jay for a daily driver in and out of the city I would take a S/B with a auto stick any day of the week.

[VwJay]

Yeah I'd like to avoid the autostick if I can. I don't mind shifting.

[Glenn]

You can still shift it.

[VwJay]

Just for sheer curiosity sake. What kind of MPG could one expect from a properly tuned upright engine equipped Bay window bus? Easy driving, 50-60 highway

[Raj]

Just for sheer curiosity sake. What kind of MPG could one expect from a properly tuned upright engine equipped Bay window bus? Easy driving, 50-60 highway

dont like where this is going. Like the idea of a bay... not for a dd.
a) its a box on wheels, prob not great mpg
b) bug will get better mpg
c) parking it will be tougher than a bug
d) will be harder to find a 500 $hitter that requires minimal cash to get running/ keep running.
e) front impact is a bitch/ minimal crash protection
f) body damage is a given... id rather see a banged up fatty bug than a bay.

[VwJay]

Raj, I would never get one. Unless it was once in a lifetime type deal, which I never see. And thing I'd be willing to buy would be a terminal cancer patient. I found a interesting 67 on CL but not sure I'm ready to spend that much yet. I probably jump on a $500 special in a minute. Just not seeing them.

[Raj]

Just not seeing them.

I dont even look at ads for anything with 4 lugs, but will keep my eyes peeled for you!

[VwJay]

Raj, I'll gladly take another 5 lug car. I just figured SB are cheaper and why not for a DD. But a cheap, rusty but driveable 67-down. Sign me up.