Volkswagen Beetle

Posy

At the moment, I'm taking driving lessons and waiting (and waiting...) for my driving test. I have a car to practice in; my folks old Peugeot 106 but when it comes to getting my own car, probably the end of the year, what I really would like is an old Volkswagen Beetle. For years I've had my heart set on a yellow beetle and it's always been my dream to own one.

However, the practicalities. I know very little about mechanics- I can only change a wheel, fill up the oil etc, and don't want a car that's going to be too unreliable, breaking-down wise. Also, since these aren't made any more would I be hard pressed to find spare parts or get repairs done?

I don't know if it would be more to insure such a car, if the lack of power steering would be problematic considering my driving inexperience or what condition most old beetles are in. Any advice would be greatly received.

junkyard

Parts won't be a problem, they're loads of suppliers there and even VW are still supplying as far as I know. The first thing you should do is drive one and see if you really like it and see if it would suit you as a daily driver. The down side is rust and fuel bills, they're not light on fuel. Rust is the biggest problem considering they're pushing on now age wise. If these things aren't a problem for you then go for it but my advice is buy the best one you can find. JustinOval knows everything about Beetles around here as far as I'm concerned, I'm sure he'll help you out if you want to contact him. Good luck with it if you buy one.:)

Abelloid

Cheers Paddy, I've picked up a bit over the years owning beetles but I'm no expert
For the best advice I would say get involved with the clubs, there are a few now covering all of Ireland, and you'd be surprised
how many people are driving theirs daily with many doing all their own maintenance and repairs.
There are forums for each club and you will often find the same people jon all of them, check them out they don't bite-

www.southernvolksfolks.com
www.eircooled.com
www.nboc.org (NI)
and
www.type2ireland.org (mainly campers but covers all VWs)

PS: I know somebody that's spent more on repairs to their 106 than I spent on buying my latest beetle.;)

G Luxel

not all of them are old, yesterday I spotted a 04 beetle. I thought maybe I was imagining it but it said 04 - xx - on the plate. It was a mexican built model.

deckie27

I drive a '73 1300s as my daily drive
and am a member of 2 of the clubs mentioned above,
Most parts are cheaper than modern cars and the mechanics are very simple
If you can do a little you could learn the rest
People are always will to help.
For example http://eircooled.com/showevents.aspx#VWWorkshop
Also Some restored Beetles are in better condition than they were new

Abelloid

Don't insult the mechanics, many of them do a fine job

folkswagen

Karyn wrote:

At the moment, I'm taking driving lessons and waiting (and waiting...) for my driving test. I have a car to practice in; my folks old Peugeot 106 but when it comes to getting my own car, probably the end of the year, what I really would like is an old Volkswagen Beetle. For years I've had my heart set on a yellow beetle and it's always been my dream to own one.

However, the practicalities. I know very little about mechanics- I can only change a wheel, fill up the oil etc, and don't want a car that's going to be too unreliable, breaking-down wise. Also, since these aren't made any more would I be hard pressed to find spare parts or get repairs done?

I don't know if it would be more to insure such a car, if the lack of power steering would be problematic considering my driving inexperience or what condition most old beetles are in. Any advice would be greatly received.

Hi Karyn,
good luck with the lessons and the driving test:)
We have a '67 beetle which is used daily and I also have a '70 beetle which is nearly ready for me to drive:)
It is hard to explain the attraction of the beetle but so many love them still - I am a member eircooled, the new club for all aircooled classic cars and campers etc and there is a great forum on there for support and advice and a bit of craic:cool:
Hope you get yourself a nice beetle:cool:

Boomer23

Hey

i own a 77 which is my every day car, and other then a couple of small issues its been a dream. Its also a great first car as its easy to drive, cheap to tax and insure and looks savage!

i actually have mine for sale on carzone for 2500 if you are interested, my family is growing and need a family car

Henry Ford III

Are they slow?

Abelloid

Henry Ford III wrote:

Are they slow?

Beetles? Not as slow as many people think, I was surprised when I first drove one, although that was a 1600.
Don't forget they only weigh around 880 kgs

garlad

Nice one for sale here:
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=11093&cat=2

Kersh

Heres mine..



VW engine/box/suspension...

Abelloid

Nice , what's the engine/gearbox spec?

Bradidup

Karyn wrote:

At the moment, I'm taking driving lessons and waiting (and waiting...) for my driving test. I have a car to practice in; my folks old Peugeot 106 but when it comes to getting my own car, probably the end of the year, what I really would like is an old Volkswagen Beetle. For years I've had my heart set on a yellow beetle and it's always been my dream to own one.

However, the practicalities. I know very little about mechanics- I can only change a wheel, fill up the oil etc, and don't want a car that's going to be too unreliable, breaking-down wise. Also, since these aren't made any more would I be hard pressed to find spare parts or get repairs done?

I don't know if it would be more to insure such a car, if the lack of power steering would be problematic considering my driving inexperience or what condition most old beetles are in. Any advice would be greatly received.

.......................................................................................................

My 2nd Car was a 1967 Beetle in 1989, Great car. They are rear wheel drive hence stearing is so light you dont need power steering at all. Mechanics are simple, no need to check or top up water!!!, Engine & gear box can be removed with just 4 bolts!!!. Could be possibly insured as a classic car now that most are now over 30 years old now although i have seen a few fresh Mexican models that are still i believe made in pueblo.

Things to look out for when buying are door hinges, the metal can rot holding the hinges, under the chassis for rot, running board mounts etc. however there is nothing that cannot be got.

From a safety point of view thay are not as safe as a modern car as there is virtually no front end protection to absorb impact such as an engine block or airbags and the steering colume would be lethal in impact, one reason why my mother sold the car and got a modern one!!!. They can also be "tail happy", ie rear end can swing around on a sharp bend particularly in the wet!!, had a few close ones!!!.

Frank.

Dustpuppy

Hi,
i have a 1967 beetle driving it every day, with some modifications, like fiberglas front and back, no back seats and a 1.7 liter engine.
It is realy fast!
Look at www.wexford-beetles.com
If someone need parts, just ask. I can get every part and mostly new.

Cheers

Dusty

Eoin

This one was posted on the motors forum over the last day or two, looks like an interesting one!