Anybody here drive a classic VW?

[HoboJoe]

For your first car get a junker, old cars take so much work and money and you really just dont want to deal with that when your just starting off with cars. Couple of my friends got old 70's vehicles for their first cars, fixed em up and everything, but then realized they were dumping every last cent they made into them. Now most of them are sitting in their backyards while they drive a much newer vehicle. Classic cars are cool and all, and working on them is fun, but for a daily driver, classic cars aren't always the best choice unless parts are very common (i.e. the beetle like someone was talking about earlier) and attainable at a cheap price, cause even junkyards try to rip you off nowadays, well at least here anyway.

[nickfil]

WTF are you talking about? You're a 16 year old kid whose parents are pretty much buying him the car of his choice and you want to talk about work ethic? And business practices? What in the hell do you know about those things?

ha. Clearly you don't remember being 16.

also- this isn't a bait to tell me about your blue colar 16 year old self. I don't really care. Just making a quip.

[The Apprentice]

What im saying is if you want a VW get a beetle and save yourself some headaches later on.

EDIT: Just noticed your question about leaded gas. No. I recommend using premium though, and search for a gas station that doesnt use a gas/ethanol mix. It terms of maintaining it, just make sure to change that oil and keep it filled, change the fuel filter fairly often, and take it in about once a year to a professional to have the valves, timing, and carb adjusted.

I can't get a beetle, for this reason:
I'm actually well aware of the fact that I can get a much nicer looking beetle for the same money I can get a bus with. My parents are happier with the bus because it has higher ground clearance.

Just found this on that samba site I linked to earlier...



"From 1973, the Transporter was built to withstand standard U.S front impact tests for passenger cars, with the driver able to survive a head-on collision at 52km/h, despite there being no engine in the front--a remarkable feat."

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=103567

[miked]

Well if you don't run into shit im sure you will be fine.

I am a fan of all classic VW's though so I wish you luck in whatever you find. For your FIRST car though I wouldn't recommend a VW at all though. I love my car but I have been late to work many times due to little problems that happen with any old car. Mine has a rebuilt engine with a new carb, distributor, alternator, clutch, brakes and tires. I have also rewired the whole car. If I have this many problems with mine, no telling what your in for with any old bus you can find.

[The Apprentice]

Thanks for the advice. I'm torn at this point, because I know if I pass this up, I won't be able to get one for myself until I finish my education, but if I get one now and there's serious problems, I'm stuck with it.

[h8b1llg8ts]

My first car was a '69 VW Bug ... it had a solid engine and ran fine. From a parental side a pre '76 car is a perfect car for kids. Their cheap, easy to fix (no electronics), and easy on the wallet when it comes to insurance.

Take miked advise. Remember that they are air cooled. I ran my first engine to the ground but a quick rebuild for $600, four bolts, and a heavy duty floor jack I was back on the road. And there are a lot of clubs out there and old timers who love to chat and help young kids. Also, keep in mind these cars are not for the long haul but when your a teenager money isn't that kind to you yet so around town on a couple of bucks, this car will do fine.

At first, I hated my car. Even left it on the side of the road when I got my brand new Mustang years later And eventually it was towed and gone forever. I regret that so much. Not that I would ever drive it again but because I learned a lot about cars from that VW. Now I have my daily driver a '02 Focus (family so I had to trade in the Mustang) but my heart is all classic. There simple, classic, and an attention whore.

My collection:

'53 Desoto Firedome
'58 Edsel Citation
'60 Ford F100

Good Luck!

[fast]

No way, you have a citation. Thats awesome.

All I can say about a VW Bus is buy the repair book and a good set of tools. We had one as a family car in the 80s and early 90s, and I helped my old man take that thing apart more times than I want to remember. Ironically, our 84 Landcruiser and 69 Jeepster (sadly both now far gone) were more reliable. But if you are set on a VW, I suggest the Baha bug. It is very distinct and easier to maintain - enginewise atleast.

I am just waiting for a VW based Gazelle within six states from me for under 4k to pop up. I know they are out there...

[Scooter]

Well, I'm certain your parents know full well you won't be doing any street racing with a VW Bus. They are painfully slow and drive like, well, a bus.

Any decent used more modern car would be an infinitely better choice. "Cool" is great but better left for later in life when you can afford to maintain it. Anything modern enough to have computerized fuel injection and engine controls will be MUCH more reliable and thus more fun to own since you won't be working on it all the time.

I've got plenty of classics, two 1965 Chevelles, a 1969 Chevy pickup and a 1964 GTO, but it has taken me a long time and lots of money to get them into "enjoyable" condition (and two of them are still works in progress).

[Scooter]

What im saying is if you want a VW get a beetle and save yourself some headaches later on.

EDIT: Just noticed your question about leaded gas. No. I recommend using premium though, and search for a gas station that doesnt use a gas/ethanol mix. It terms of maintaining it, just make sure to change that oil and keep it filled, change the fuel filter fairly often, and take it in about once a year to a professional to have the valves, timing, and carb adjusted.

I can't get a beetle, for this reason:
I'm actually well aware of the fact that I can get a much nicer looking beetle for the same money I can get a bus with. My parents are happier with the bus because it has higher ground clearance.

Just found this on that samba site I linked to earlier...



"From 1973, the Transporter was built to withstand standard U.S front impact tests for passenger cars, with the driver able to survive a head-on collision at 52km/h, despite there being no engine in the front--a remarkable feat."

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=103567

That's really great if you hit something large and flat and hit it straight on. I don't think it would fare so well when hitting something like a power pole or something more pointy like the front or rear of another car. Especially after it has accumulated 35+ years of wear and tear and corrosion.

[Jrecee]

I wouldn't put any stake in vehicle safety information from the 1970s. We have come a long way since then. For example. . .airbags.

Also I think writing off pontiac as a brand entirely because a lot of people around you own one of their ugliest and crappiest rental fleet cars is a dumb idea. At $5000 I guess you're not going to be able to get one of the cool pontiacs new but still.

At $5000 max you're definitely in a situation where you have two choices: either buy a reliable "boring" car or a "cool" car that will cause you immense headaches.

I'll give you some advice though, buy the boring car. In 2 or 3 years from now you will not want whatever car you have now anyway, guaranteed. Even if it's a VW Bus with a 425hp hemi. You'll have an easier time getting the civic/corolla/whatever off your hands, and you won't have spend thousands (yes thousands) in maintanance costs on the "classic". Then in a few years you'll have enough money for a down payment on a car you really want.