buying advice and info?

[dub0528]

hi i've loved bugs for ages and finally got my girlfriend to say i can get one(yes that is sad)on the conditions i find out some costs.

now i have got a grand to get one and 500 to get it on the road.
insurance for 100 quid
now the fun stuff..
if its not tax free how much am i looking?
also what they like on fuel i'm looking at a 1300

hope you dont think i'm to sad and that you can help..

thank you dub

[Metalflakedave]

hi i've loved bugs for ages and finally got my girlfriend to say i can get one(yes that is sad)on the conditions i find out some costs.

now i have got a grand to get one and 500 to get it on the road.
insurance for 100 quid
now the fun stuff..
if its not tax free how much am i looking?
also what they like on fuel i'm looking at a 1300

hope you dont think i'm to sad and that you can help..

thank you dub

I'd go for tax free if you can, you would need 1973 or older so you will have plenty to choose from. Ideally I would go for a flat screen torsion bar model, not a 1302/3 as they are not as popular and look a bit ugly in some cases, although they do have technically more modern suspension, yet it is more expensive to replace.
Tax won't be dear if you get one to tax
fuel on a standard single carb will be 30-35 mpg. I get that with my weber all day long, but with twin carbs you may get slightly better than that. Aim around that figure. You will get a fairly good project for a grand, you just might end up spending more than 500 in the long run.

Make sure you get a good un though there are plenty of rotten bugs out there for a grand! - Make sure the body is SOLID - forget the mechanicals they don't matter. They are easily replaced by a novice mechanic in most cases, the body is another story costing lots if you are not skilled in paintwork and welding. If the common areas are all good solid metal you will probably be on a winner. Any more info - just ask :thumbs:

Dave

[dub0528]

thats the most help i've had over 6 sites thank you.
as for the 500 thats my starter to make sure its legal.
hope to get one ready for camper jam fingers crossed..

thank you

[Metalflakedave]

thats the most help i've had over 6 sites thank you.
as for the 500 thats my starter to make sure its legal.
hope to get one ready for camper jam fingers crossed..

thank you

Thats nothing mate, your very welcome, there is a wealth of info here in my head lol just ask!!!:D:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: if you wana know where to look on the body, or owt like that or wana send a pic of a bug your looking at, im often about on here!

Dave - PM me if you like

[dub0528]

nice one dave thank you dub

[1302L]

I'll let Dave tell you the technical stuff, but my advice would be to look at a few and don't buy the first one you see (unless it is very good:p).

I bought one back when i didn't know much and it ended up needing a lot of welding (heater channels, new rear valance, floorpans) then i had to replace doors and bonnets and decklids, it all starts to mount up and any budget you had is long gone. this was the first beetle i looked at when i wanted to buy one.

The second beetle i bought was solid and mechanically sound and cost just a couple of hundred more than my first beetles original price, and has cost a lot less in the long run.

there are some very good bargains out there, just take your time. Once you have bought a beetle you will never look back:D
Good Luck!
Cheers

Kev

[graemey lad.]

Bodywork is deffinatley more important on bugs.Dont be afraid to have a good poke around under the vehicle inside (lift the back seats and have a look under the battery etc) .Take a small magnet to check for filler and dont be afraid to give it a good old prod along the cills and inner wheel wells and just about everywhere else.Dont worry too much about mechanicals as these are easily replaced .However rotten bodywork can be difficult and expensive and time consuming to repair.So take your time and you will find a good with your budget. Good luck.

[dub0528]

you've all been really helpful definatley found the right site

[jolimoly]

Best to spend as much as you can on the right solid car in the first place, even using your repair budget too as buying a decent car for 2k is better than a basket case for 1k when you will end up spending the next six months of your spare time and another 2k on it fixing it up!

Ultimately consider the style you want to acheive first and never buy the first car you see, try to look at a few before making a decision, remember that the older the car, the more rare and probably more expensive it will be, this can apply to parts too, a 1970's beetle is probably a good safe bet for a first car.

Finally, as above, if you find a car you like ask for advice before buying to check troublesome areas as they are sometimes hard to spot, even the smallest looking problem could be masking a much more serious problem underneath and missing them could be very expensive.

Happy hunting, be aware once you have owned one beetle they will be with you forever.....

[jolimoly]

Tax fee would be best (its a great feeling to get your disc for free each year) the car must have been built (not registered) prior to 01/01/1973 for tax exemption.

Fuel consumption for a 1300cc driven normally would be probably in the low 30's mpg.

[sixsprings]

I'd go for tax free if you can, you would need 1973 or older so you will have plenty to choose from.

1972 or older

[Metalflakedave]

1972 or older

Well, yes - date of manufacture - 1972 is the cut-off date but the car can be registered 1973 onwards as mine is an 'L' - 1973 registered car but is still tax exempt as it was manufactured in July 1972.:thumbs:

[dub0528]

ok i'll baer all that in mind thank you

[essexbeetle]

All I can say is keep an open mind on your budget!! When i was 19 my Beetle nearly bankrupted me!! I'm now 40 something and have only just bought another one so watch this space. Anyway your girlfriend doesn't need to know this!! My missus has horses which cost a fortune so I can get away with it!!
I suppose it depends what you want it for. I'm lucky this time round as its my hobby as I'll only be driving it in the summer months (hence paying 6
months Tax around £60). I expect to spend more on it then I'll ever recover if I sell it but what the hell.
Try the Haynes beetle and transporter restoration Manual, it has a good section on buying tips. I found it quite useful. You can pick them up on e bay for around a teener.
Good luck

[nobbysnuts]

there is one thing I can also suggest and thats find out your nearest local club and pop along explaining what you are trying to do, our local people are very friendly and helpful, so hopefully your local club can help and possibly put you on to a decent car to look at. It's got to be worth a try they might even pop along and view one with you, that way you don't get too exicited and buy the wrong car.

[ciscokid]

Just dug out my V11 reminder for last year and it cost £115 for a years tax on my 74 1300 beetle. I dream about tax free beetles ahhhhhhhhhhhh:)
I have bought a 75 1200 for £650 and yes it needs a fair bit of welding etc but thats part of the fun :confused: Right up to the point I set my trouser legs on fire:o
Chris