Thanks for the info! Don’t plan on taking it on the highway, more of an around town cruiser. Used to have an 80s Camaro that I sold 10 years back foolishly.My first car (circa 92') was a 74 super beetle. I drove it for 2 years until I traded up. The car was dead simple and there was very little to actually break. Back then, there was still a reasonable supply of parts from both NOS and new production from South America/Mexico. I don't know what the part supply looks like today.
The engine is very very simple and easy to work on. There are a ton of books on how to work on it along with the rest of the car. It has heat but no A/C originally. If yours has A/C, it is going to be a slow poke.
The only issue I can see today is keeping decent highway speeds. That car was never really designed to travel at a sustained 75 miles per hour. Back in '92 speed limits were about 10 mph slower so the car handled just fine. At higher speeds, the old school brakes (drum) and manual steering don't give the same margin of error that more modern cars give. I really didn't like taking that car up past 70.
I love the car, but would question driving one today. The Karmann Ghia is a much better choice. The later ones had disc brakes. The vehicle was also far more aerodynamic so it handled speeds up to 80-90 just fine. Ask me how I know....
The Beetle and the Ghia are basically the same engine, same transmission and similar frame with a very different body.
Thanks for the info! Don’t plan on taking it on the highway, more of an around town cruiser. Used to have an 80s Camaro that I sold 10 years back foolishly.
One of the reasons I was interested in one was because of what you said earlier. A car that could take a beating and maintained by the owner mostly.I drove a '74 Super Beetle for about eight years or so. Some will tell you to avoid the Supers but they handled better, had twice as much luggage space, and had a bit more space up front with the fishbowl windshield.
You are talking about a car essentially from the 1930's era. They were designed to be driven on unimproved roads and maintained at roadside garages with a few basic tools. Mechanically very simple and durable. Drives like a go-cart. Can be maintained by the owner for the most part. Has character.
Performance is pretty terrible by today's standards. 0-60 in 15+ seconds. Top[ speed 81 mph. Cruising speed about 70 mph. Weak four-wheel drum brakes that fade when hot and suck even more in the rain. Safety almost non-existent. Prone to rust in places. Heating system involves passing hot air over the air-cooled engine into the passenger cabin. Heating is dependent on engine speed and may be inadequate to clear the windshield in winter. Rust in the heat exchanger system means exhaust and carbon monoxide can be ducted into the passenger compartment. Brilliant. The fuel line from the gas tank to the engine is made of cloth covered rubber which can rot, leading to gasoline leaking out over a hot engine which can cause a fire. The gas tank sits in front of the passenger compartment, so think about that for a minute.
Frequent maintenance required. Valve clearance adjusted manually every 3K miles. Oil changes every 3K miles. Brake adjustment every 6K miles. Tune up every 12K miles, but often more frequently, IIRC. We are talking about mechanical breaker points that must be adjusted using a feeler gauge. Manual single-barrel carb where you adjust idle speed and mixture with a screwdriver.
For an old reliable beater car to drive around town, I think I'd rather have something more modern like a 2005-2008 Toyota Matrix.
I would consider it more of a hobby or enthusiast vehicle than daily transportation nowadays, to be honest. It's been a long time, but getting parts is probably more difficult these days. Something is always needing attention on a car that old. They can be very fun cars, for sure, but as a daily driver I would think about something else.One of the reasons I was interested in one was because of what you said earlier. A car that could take a beating and maintained by the owner mostly.
Didn’t stop to think about the other issues you mentioned though, I guess there’s no way to modernize those components then is there?
My favorite VW, probably my favorite vehicle, was an '81 VW pickup. 5 speed manual....fun memories in that little truck!I had a VolksWagon for a short time.
They make the BEST Dune Buggies though!As far as the engine goes, my mechanic says it’s just like working on a lawn mower.
My wife has been talking about us getting an electric vehicle. We don’t drive much though but I still like the idea.Surprised that B&B doesn't have a "Burning Rubber" subforum.
The thing is.... cars have gotten better. Modern cars routinely go 100K miles with basic service: oil changes, brakes, and tires. With good care and some additional major maintenance/service (timing belt, other fluids, etc...), 150K is easily attainable.
We are about to purchase out first BEV. No oil changes and electric Vehicles routinely go 100K miles before needing a brake job. Battery life/longevity (not range... separate discussion) is basically a non-issue. Cabin air filter and tires are the about the only items we expect to replace in the fist 100K (maybe more... but didn't look past that).
Why is this germane to the topic of a classic car? Well... these old cars actually... aren't that great for those used to modern amenities (yeah... I'm getting soft). Not sure how many of us last with them as daily drivers. That's why the resto-mods are so popular.
We're buying the BEV but I've been lobbying my wife for a muscle car (V8, manual, limited slip)... I think the next few years will be the last opportunity for me to scratch that itch before they start to disappear.