How do you decide wether to let them go

Milly33

Hello

In a bit off a dilema...My poor bug who Ive had my fair share of troubles with is really mmm falling apart as such..First the excelorator peddle came off, still drivable, then the cable snapped and when my dad was fixing that he put his foot through the passengar floor panel Oh tis gas..

So, mm now the big decision is on too let her go or not, I am all for doing her up proper style cant wait but mmm well I suppose i dont have any money which could be a problem but then I would be so heartbroken to see her used for parts or thrown in a ditch somewhere... I saw an advert on the paper the other day selling a VW 1300 1973 wagen which he woudl consider taking in a project car for instead of cash seemed like a sign, but then I had a whole carrie nightmare the night after and me wagen was not happy about it...

What do you think when do you give up on them or do you

SilverBell

Milly33 wrote: »

Hello

In a bit off a dilema...My poor bug who Ive had my fair share of troubles with is really mmm falling apart as such..First the excelorator peddle came off, still drivable, then the cable snapped and when my dad was fixing that he put his foot through the passengar floor panel Oh tis gas..

So, mm now the big decision is on too let her go or not, I am all for doing her up proper style cant wait but mmm well I suppose i dont have any money which could be a problem but then I would be so heartbroken to see her used for parts or thrown in a ditch somewhere... I saw an advert on the paper the other day selling a VW 1300 1973 wagen which he woudl consider taking in a project car for instead of cash seemed like a sign, but then I had a whole carrie nightmare the night after and me wagen was not happy about it...

What do you think when do you give up on them or do you

Depends what exactly is falling apart. Accelerator pedals falling off are relatively minor, and maybe a bit of maintenance, frequent attention can keep on top of those things. Holes in the floor are in a different league though, and the car might need a further look round to see if there is any more rust, especially in critical areas. After that, you will be able to answer if the car is worth keeping or selling on.

Older cars need a bit more attention anyway, goes with the territory! But you get to drive a car with character!!

On the other hand, if you just fancy a change, there is no rhyme or reason to letting the car go or keeping it. Its personal.

bugsntinas

that's a good question.i sold my bug last year and still regret it in fact i sold me other one about 5 years ago and seriously regret it.firstly make sure you do want to part with the poor bug because you will regret it.i had a pedal snap many years ago i just got another and drilled thru the floor and bolted it in place just so it could be used.if money is tight why not just get someone to weld a plate under the f loor and seal it?save up ya money and one day get her sorted and you'll be glad ya did.as for the one forsale seems a bit odd that someone would be selling a good car for aproject tread carefully.

Milly33

Helllo

Oh but I really really could not see myself without her..I was looking through done deal there and saw a few pics of people selling parts of a vw, which is great for me but man it would break my heart if i sold her and someone used her a scrap or if i spotted her in a ditch someday...

I thought twas all doom and cloom there but actually thinking about it the most expensive thing I thing would be getting her resprayed when all done and getting the inside redone ( now I have very high hopes that i will find someone to do this cheap but well so dont burst me bubble here)... The floor defo I shall have to get a whole new floor for it, but her wings are fine no rust and the back as such, she will need a new bonet cover and defo a part where the engine goes...Doors should be fine too and roof..

With the pedal I did bring her to a local welder and haha he said in fairnes if he bolted anything down it would probably just fall off as tis badly rusted underneath, I think why is because the passengar side there is a hole down by the heater which was suppose to have be welded a while back but driving through a big puddle guess what it wasnt so that probably wasnt the best...

Have you ever seen either of the bugs you sold again bugsntinas...Or do you keep track of them... I know they can be a bit of trouble sometimes but god you have to love them..My manfriend drives a 11 car and it doesnt even feel like your driving anymore fine they are fab for long journeys and for comfort but northing best the class of the bug and the fun you get out of them...

bugsntinas

you really don't want to get rid of her do you so at least you've answered that part for yourself.floor panels can be bought easily enough from here or the uk.if you can't afford to get her welded up so she is watertight have you thought about just applying some fibre glass mating over the hole just to stop the water getting in?again only a temporary measure before the purist moan:)
don't see anything of my bugs:( the one i sold 5 yr ago went somewhere near dungarvon,waterford i think.the other i sold for 600 and a week later the buyer who said he would look after her sold it for 1100.don't see her either which is a good thing really.

wax

My first beetle was rotten. Absolutely rotten. I had plans to restore it but when I began stripping it down I realised just how much would be involved. I eventually saw sense and parted ways with it. I've since bought another solid one and I love it more than the first. While I know your first is always special, sometimes common sense needs to prevail. If you decide to just repair the floor it will lead to other problematic areas showing up. Beetle restorations can end up in thousands of pounds. Patching up for now won't last if you really want to keep it long term. Either decide to bite the bullet and restore properly or get rid and buy another for a fraction of the price. This may sound harsh but I speak from experience - I do love my beetles. Just trying to look out for someone who sounds like myself a few years ago.
There's many Cork members on Eircooled.com I'm sure if you went on looking for a viewing/evaluation or put pics up online either here or there, people would be in a better place to advise. Beetle parts are fairly cheap but unless you can do all the work yourself it will turn into a money pit

Dades

I think a common reason for people deciding to "let them go" is the knowledge of an imminent crippling bill!

That first puff of exhaust smoke... for example!

spooky donkey

I think when they start getting dangrous to drive then its time to say good bye.
We had a 75 MG BGT that when we sent for a respray the painter spotted it was a rust bucket way beyond safe for the road we killed it off. Got our money back on the parts we sold, but in the end the car had to die, was a sad day indeed.

Milly33

Oh no I am getting sad reading back on some of the chat..Pants the old bug packed up again well due to a lot of things and now I must make the decision.. Has anyone had any dealsing with a welder who lives out the Macroom road on the right hand side of the road (sorry I know a bit vague but I do not have his name handy) he said he would weld the floor for me but then the mechanic says she needs more but then to go for it if i want

carchaeologist

Do ye still have the Zodiac Milly33?

Milly33

Thats odd how do you know about the Zodiac!!

carchaeologist

Milly33 wrote: »

Thats odd how do you know about the Zodiac!!

That car has been around a long time!:)

Milly33

Sorry for reviving but said I would update.. She has been through many breakdowns since. Manage to find a welder who while he done a great job he uped the price but did not tell me this until he called to say it was ready, and refused to hand her back untill i paid him over double what he quoted. Not impressed with him would not recommend. Got her back on the road and the engine gave trouble again was told by the mechanic that it was really about to go and I needed a new housing and all that goes for the engine..She finally packed in there about three weeks ago and i was weak . Said I would chance sending a quick email to Emilios and well he his my knight in shining armour. He drove all the way from kildare on no promise now of me doing anything and took the car away to give her a full look over. Got a price back for just the engine and a price to do all this plus whatever else is wrong with the car. There is a long list but it seems do-able and not badly priced at all for what i was thinking. Im just waiting to see if I manage to get cleared for a small loan and Ill have her back on the road..Fingers crossed

oceanman

well done, hope it all works out good after all your effort.

Milly33

Thank you I cant wait to have her back driving great. I got a few snaps of the new engine a few days ago. It is so annoying trying to post pics on this ill see if i can manage it

Milly33

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93617224@N07/8580087708/in/photostream

Milly33

wait here we go this link should bring the four picshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/93617224@N07/

Milly33

Milly33 wrote: »

Sorry for reviving but said I would update.. ........ Ill have her back on the road..Fingers crossed

That's class.

Well done, congratulations and best of luck

Are you out in Co Cork? Can't remember the last time I saw a Beetle in Cork City tbh.

Milly33

Thank you, cant wait to have her back now although twill take another 2 weeks if I get the mula sorted will know on Tuesday fingers crossed. Just kinda outside but not too far, Douglasish area. There are a few around the area there is a dark purple one around Victoria road and a gold coloured one also..

Milly33

Finally got the money sorted for this after a bit of a dose with the union but she will be back next week. Here are a few pics of her new bonnet and nicely painted bumpers..Got sick of looking at the rust on them.. She has new seat belts and an electric window washer.>electric haha never thought id see it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93617224@N07/

kasper

Milly33 wrote: »

Finally got the money sorted for this after a bit of a dose with the union but she will be back next week. Here are a few pics of her new bonnet and nicely painted bumpers..Got sick of looking at the rust on them.. She has new seat belts and an electric window washer.>electric haha never thought id see it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93617224@N07/[/QUOTE]


nice work will it be ready for the summer ?

bugsntinas

she looks nice and shiney.

Milly33

Oh yes most defiantly he is giving her the once over today and ill hopefully be picking her up tomorrow cant wait.. Yeah she is looking good now, next step will be the interior but I can get away with that for another while

kev1.3s

I can't see any pics!

Milly33

Not to sure what happened does this work http://www.flickr.com/photos/93617224@N07/

kev1.3s

Yep, pics look fantastic! well done.

Milly33

Thank you, really looking forward to having her back. The bonnet didn't have the VW badge before so that is new quite liking it

Tommyboy40

Glad you didn't let it go. Have a look round this site http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/index.php
Lots of bug info including a must read thread about the restoration of the 6th beetle prototype http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340552&highlight=lithuania all213 pages of it

Wibbs

Tommyboy40 wrote: »

Lots of bug info including a must read thread about the restoration of the 6th beetle prototype http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340552&highlight=lithuania all213 pages of it

Tommyboy I am going to bloody well hunt you down and... After the hours going through that thread, you b..... Nah, brilliant thread, amazing story and restoration and well worth the read. Incredible to think what may still lay out there.

Milly33 great to see she's going to see the road again. Good luck with her going into the future. Looking back I'm sorry I let my early 80's Ford Capri go. Learned to drive in that car and inherited from my dad thereafter. Put many the daily miles in her right up to the late 90's. Still remember the great driving position and seats in her. Recaros, none of your muck. No power to speak of, but maybe that was best for me learning.

Milly33

Thank you Tommy jes theres a load of information here. Might be handy I think I am going to try tidy her up inside by myself..Only minor bits but I am sure I could manage it. this will be perfecto to guide..

She's back now, driving like a dream.

Took her for a spin the first time and I was a little worried as she was so quite, the steering wheel wasn't shaking and just felt different. Until I realised just how bad she had been driving before.

I know tis bad but got her up to 60ish there on the super high way felt like she had flames or something coming out the back (back to the future in a wagen haha). Delighted I decided to keep her, even himself says Im not the same when she is gone. Theres nothing like driving a classic. Most shine her up at the weekend and will get a few pics thanks for all the kind words and help

kev1.3s

Milly do you have any pics of her before the restoration?

Milly33

Hi Kev, mmm to be honest the ones up are probably the best, one of them is the old engine and then the new one in. It was mostly work done underneath the car so I defo don't have any pictures of that im afraid. Shes still running like a dream