First time classic car owner - nearly!- advice please!

ashmac

hi
just looking for advise. i have always wanted a VW beetle and i think it is time..i am 37. had a look and found this: and LOVE it!!:):):):)
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Volkswagen/Beetle/1300-S/200933194883371/advert?channel=CARS
i have never got a classic car before. it seems quite cheap?
also, i wanted to do an online check. what is motorcheck.ie like?
any advice would be hugely appreciated as i really dont want to be ripped off on my lifelong dream!
thanks!

CamperMan

doubt you will find much about the cars history on motorcheck sites as it is an import,

nice looking, clean car.. the stickers let it down.....

read about what to look for here http://hubpages.com/hub/Beetle-Purchase

ashmac

Thanks! will have a read.
how do you know its an import?

TigerTim

ZV plates.

T.

Big Nasty

You might be better off buying from a club enthusiast TBH

ashmac

sorry that was prob a stupid question.
do you know where the plates are from?
will i have to re register it?
that motorcheck.ie says it checks cars from UK. is that true?

macplaxton

ashmac wrote: »

sorry that was prob a stupid question.
do you know where the plates are from?
will i have to re register it?

ZV is over 30 years old, and has been registered recently in Ireland, so it is already registered here.

ashmac wrote: »

that motorcheck.ie says it checks cars from UK. is that true?

I'm sure they do if you provide them with a UK registration number. That should be on the Vehicle Registration Certificate next to J.4. "previous registration number"

carchaeologist

Its a Carlow ZV plate,and a pretty good one too,for a five digit:rolleyes:.

Main thing with a beetle is make sure the heater channels,basically the sills under the doors along the side of the car (1) Are actually there (2)Work (3)If they have been replaced,that the work has been done well. Its a body off job to do these properly.

Dades

Yeah looks a nice one apart from the stickers!

Would look better with an older style reg plate too (with ZV regs they don't have to conform to the same standards 'normal' car plates do...)

Fiesta

That particular Beetle has been on sale for a little while, can't remember exactly how long, but I have ssen it advertised in the last few months.

Ownership hasn't changed in last 3 months either....

ashmac

"Would look better with an older style reg plate too (with ZV regs they don't have to conform to the same standards 'normal' car plates do...)"
sorry with stupid question but that do you mean by "standards"???

i rang the garage..the guy who owns/works there was the previous owner! he said he bought it for his daughter and she didnt want it?? or was too young to drive it?? cant remember which!!

bugsntinas

that's a nice looking bug aprt from the stickers.have you spoken to the seller yet?if not ask if it's been restored or had any work done as a nice shiney paint job can hide awful things.if it's been for sale for a while try and get the price down aswell.

krissovo

I have had one eye on that bug as well, the price looks ok and I would say its market rate for an import. I would try and find a enthusiast to give it a good look over or even ask on a club site like www.eircooled.com as it may well be known in the community.

Dades

ashmac wrote: »

sorry with stupid question but that do you mean by "standards"???

Most cars plates have to conform to a standard - i.e. black numbers on a white background with the EU flag.

However cars over a certain age do not have to have the same restrictions and can have plate styles that match the period they are from (or others).

Here's an example of the popular silver on black look:

2.8trooper

be very very careful buying a beetle lots are very badly "restored" i have owned a few and tackled almost all jobs and they can rust very badly were carcheoligist says,really find someone who knows beetles specifically and bring them with you to view,to someone who knows were to look it will be obvious within 10 min of looking around the car if its good or not,engines are good and reliable but check for end float on the crankshaft again someone who knows there stuff about beetles will know what this means.dont be fooled by looks these can be expensive to repair properly like all old cars.

Henry Ford III

carchaeologist wrote: »

Its a Carlow ZV plate,and a pretty good one too,for a five digit:rolleyes:

Zig and Zag would have loved that plate

ashmac

update!! just talked to another guy in that garage. the car doesnt work!! it needs "a bit of work" done to it!! basically a disaster for a first time classic car owner. also on the home front there is no support!! i think i will wait and buy off a owners club. does anyone know of any beetle owners clubs in Ireland?
on that note: thanks to everyone who answered my questions. i will save all the info. and i WILL be back to ask more when i finally buy my bug!!! thanks!
:):););)

bugsntinas

not so cheap then!try www.eirecooled.when you get the right one you will fall for it.i got one from the uk off ebay for £460.told only needed 2 small 1 inch plates welded.got it home and it had hardly any floor behind the rear seats:eek:.she went like stink and i loved the old girl.good luck and keep us posted.