Keep the VW? I need some advice please

[jgerock]

So far, only a few folks have inquired about buying my '72 Std. Beetle that I labored over since 1993.  I know the economy sucks, but there has to be someone out there that wants a nice reliable car that is really fun to drive.  A guy in FL really liked the car a few weeks ago, but I haven't heard back from him after a couple e-mail exchanges.  Guess he found something else.   It hasn't been put on ebay (yet).  I'm not a fan of that site.

I have bypassed the famous "sellers remorse" a few times before after my wife and I moved several times, but I kept the car knowing I would probably never find another one that was in the same condition as mine.

My wife sometimes hints that she would like a Ghia, but if I sell the VW, I most likely would end my VW relationship (at least for a while).  The same thing happened in 1988 after I sold my '75 Beetle.  I swore off VW's until 1993 when I literally stumbled across the '72 sitting at a shop under a blue tarp.

Reading about long-time VW owners that never sold their cars makes me wonder if I should just keep the '72. 

Please help me!  Once a car nut, always a car nut. 

[Donny B.]

Keep it.  I have had my '66 since I bought it from the original owner back in '84.  My wife won't let me sell it.  I was driving it when I met her and we've been together for 26 years.  I have a couple of friends that sold their cars and they regret it to this day...

[GaryW]

Keep it.
I shoud have kept my 1st bug a 1955, and I should have kept my 2nd one a 1967. But I really wish I still had my 1955 beause it was my first car and my fist bug.

[Kathy Lachance Post]

Keep it!  I wish I would have kept mine...

[jgerock]

Thanks for your opinions.  I was working on the car at my parent's house in October 1993 when their neighbor introduced me to his co-worker who later became my wife (in June 1995).  My wife and I have discussed the "sale" many times, but I have found another BMW that I want but cannot afford to buy it (plus need the space!) without selling the VW. 

This is my 3rd VW and I've done so much to it I am ready to let someone else enjoy it.  How often can you go out into the garage and not have to do anything to a car? 

[65bug]

jgerock,
    They are so dam inexpensive to insure, register and drive! NO SMOG CHECKS!!!!!
      Keep it and use it for a grocery getter if anything!
    I just got my new tags for my 65 and it was like 80.00. And California is a absolute rip off!
    I insured it for 15000.00 stated value again w/ collectors car insurance. 237.00 for a year!!!
    I love it and it's cheap transportation. With my 2165 and my goodies I am in hog heaven.................lol

[jgerock]

Car is now for sale on autotraderclassics.com.

A few parts just arrived this week for my next BMW project.

[Eric Harris]

Jim,
Please keep that car!  There aren't many nice solid ones left in NoVa (I know, I just moved overseas after living in Stafford for 4 years), especially a late model standard (non Super Beetle) version.  You also have a lot of nice Berg parts on it as well that soon may not be available anymore.  If space is an issue, maybe you can store it (I know a great place in the area...my '67 is waiting for me in a climate-controlled facility) to free up some room in your garage for your BMW.  I predict that you will have some "serious" seller's remorse if you sell your VW, especially in the great condition that it is in now and since you have owned it for almost 20 years.  If you do decide to sell it, please wait at least 3 years until I come back from Okinawa so I can get first dibs on it....

Eric
Okinawa, Japan

[arnolds64]

Keep it. That is one fine looking bug. Besides they are relatively cheap still to fix and the value is going up. Also there are no computers or OBDII so when the Feds want to track you they can't. LOL!

[jgerock]

Sorry guys.  The VW must go to make room for a future BMW project.  I just wish there was more VW action around here.  It was great in the '80's and '90's, but has dwindled down severely in the last decade or so.  Most folks keep them locked in the garage.  I take my car out on the weekends and get some nice compliments (especially about the color and paint job), but it seems the VW water-cooled crowd doesn't even acknowledge the older air-cooled cars.  I'm not interested in any recognition, just a friendly wave or even talking to another xx owner at the gas pump, store, etc.

I have many good memories owning and driving Beetles since 1982 (and working on/riding in Buses, Ghias and some Type III's). My wife is OK with my decision - although I think she really wants the space in the garage for her car.  

I may not completely sever my VW relationship.  I may replace my 12YO Honda Accord DD with a new GTI (Candy White, DSG, Autobahn package).  Here are two GTI's at the local VW dealership - we are having too much rain on the east coast.

 

[Turnip]

Sounds like you've made up your mind but, I have to chime in with my vote.....keep it!  I built a cal look '67, sold it, regretted it badly, luckily stayed in touch with the buyer and bought it back 4 years later.  Too many memories building/driving that car when my kids were young.  It's here to stay.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[maui]

Your car is really nice so keep it. I got mine in Jan 1976 from 1st owner and if I get rid of it I might never get another. Jus like you said.

[bugninva]

go for the 02's, I wish sometimes I had stuck with them... Like the dual sidedrafts, I have a set(dells) in the basement, minus one carb I sent to a vw guy for his turbo project...

[John P]

Since you've asked...

If you sell it, you will have TWO BMWs, which isn't much driving diversity. And another project with more work.

If you sell your Honda and buy a new GTI, the difference in money will likely come close to your Beetle, not just in the purchase price difference, but also in the dreaded depreciation department (and your GTI will depreciate like an aging super model).

But your VW won't depreciate, is done, and cheap to insure and enjoy (total cost of ownership). Find a new way to enjoy it. Or park it and put a cover on it for some time until the flame reignites. If you jump back in and buy another old VW, you will be starting at square one - deja vu all over again - and everything will be compared to your red Bug. And its a hell of a lot more money to redo a VW in 2013 than it was in 1993.

Desire is the basis of discontent. Take it for a spin, pat the dash, and feel fortunate to have such a wonderful car.

Assuming that you haven't already sold it. 

My 1.5 cents,

J

[amchair67]

I've often thought about selling my '90 Mexican Bug, but haven't been able to bring myself to do it. I am not really a fan of something this new, but over the nine years I have had it, it has been totally reliable. I remember the times I took it off roading with my now ex girlfriend when living in Arizona (quite possibly the only time we really got along LOL), and how it has managed to not break down when times were tight. Driving it to St Louis and back for concert in the same day during a snowstorm, or to the UP in Michigan during another snowstorm for a weekend of skiing when other cars and SUVS were in ditches. Now, it gets me to my shop and back every day, and we  use it at work now for delivering parts and such to jobsites. It is no longer the near mint condition, 30,000 mile car it was in '02 when I bought it, but I know that every time I get in it and turn the key, it's ready to go. Sometimes I realize I probably really don't need the car-I have other VWs, but whenever I go to advertise it, I stop before hitting "Post"

[jgerock]

Points all well-taken.

The new GTI is most likely out due to our current financial situation.  Just had the Honda serviced yesterday to fix check engine light (new evap. purge solenoid and canister next to gas tank) and the shop found two minor oil leaks (oil filter housing and oil pump).  My wife and I were not expecting that high of a repair bill, so that car must be sold within the next year.  Cannot complain too much after 214K miles and 12 years of ownership since new.  Will start looking for another pre-owned DD.

The VW just doesn't "do it" for me anymore when I drive it.  Sure it sounds great and is reliable, but the stock seats don't hold you in place and the suspension rides a little stiff and jerky for my 45 YO body.  My wife barely rides in it - she prefers the much better ride of the BMW.

As far as a new BMW project, I already have a ton of parts that were either removed from my 73tii during upgrades or I have spares just in case (engine, transmission, driveshaft, wheels, trim, etc.).  I can easily find a nice car out West to start with.

I've had some renewed interest from my FS ads, but nothing has panned out.  I may just keep it if no-one wants to buy it (that is part of the problem - cannot sell a customized car).

[madoski]

The VW just doesn't "do it" for me anymore when I drive it.

I can identify with that.  I've had my Bug garaged for a year or two now, and I'm probably going to sell it soon.  I've been driving a Saturn coupe for my daily commute, but as it has over 300k miles on it, I need to start looking for a replacement.  The most fun car I've ever driven in a Ghia, so I've found a '69 to focus my attention on to replace the Saturn and the Bug.  I won't be that much work to get it to where it's driveable.  I think the main probem I had with my Bug was lack of power with the stock engine, so maybe I'll shoot for more cc's with this Ghia.

[bugnut]

I'm in a slightly different situation.  I've got a '70 project Bug that I've put lots of sweat equity into over the last eight years, but I'll opt to keep it and, if things don't pan out in finding another decent case for my 2017 build, sell all my performance engine parts.  My disgruntlement comes from a two-year engine build in which ultimately the case I built it upon turned out to be a steaming POS.  I absolutely refuse to spend 800 plus bucks on a new case; I can't justify blowing that kind of cash on a hobby in one fell swoop.
I recognize, though, that the car is solid (even if it is still ugly and needs paint, lol) and don't want to start all over with another car, so when it comes down to cases the car will stay and all the hot rod junk will go.

[jgerock]

I hate to say it, but if you put big money into a performance engine, you have to start with a new case.  I farted around with old junk for many years, wondering why I'd have to pull the engine every year to replace or fix something that I'd just bought the year before.  I got so fed up with the single Dellorto 40 DRLA on my old 1641 engine, I sold the entire intake set-up and went back to a single Weber replacement carb, used stock dual port intake manifold and Bosch 205 vacuum advance distributor.  I'd even run a stock oil bath air cleaner in the winter months to keep the intake from icing up.  When I decided to build another VW, I started with the most expensive stuff first - the engine.  My many Berg and CB parts have been wonderful investments.

[madoski]

I hate to say it, but if you put big money into a performance engine, you have to start with a new case.  I farted around with old junk for many years, wondering why I'd have to pull the engine every year to replace or fix something that I'd just bought the year before.  I got so fed up with the single Dellorto 40 DRLA on my old 1641 engine, I sold the entire intake set-up and went back to a single Weber replacement carb, used stock dual port intake manifold and Bosch 205 vacuum advance distributor.  I'd even run a stock oil bath air cleaner in the winter months to keep the intake from icing up.  When I decided to build another VW, I started with the most expensive stuff first - the engine.  My many Berg and CB parts have been wonderful investments.

Sounds like if you ever do sell your car, you should pull the engine and hold on to it.  Put a stock 1600 in it instead.

[Eric Harris]

"My many Berg and CB parts have been wonderful investments"

Jim, I couldn't agree more!  Hold on to that car! (at least for another 3 years until I get back from Okinawa....)

Eric

[bugnut]

I hate to say it, but if you put big money into a performance engine, you have to start with a new case.  I farted around with old junk for many years, wondering why I'd have to pull the engine every year to replace or fix something that I'd just bought the year before.  I got so fed up with the single Dellorto 40 DRLA on my old 1641 engine, I sold the entire intake set-up and went back to a single Weber replacement carb, used stock dual port intake manifold and Bosch 205 vacuum advance distributor.  I'd even run a stock oil bath air cleaner in the winter months to keep the intake from icing up.  When I decided to build another VW, I started with the most expensive stuff first - the engine.  My many Berg and CB parts have been wonderful investments.

Oh, I learned my lesson, trust me.  Lol.  I figured if the case wasn't warped or cracked and everything was inspected it would be good to go.  Didn't even consider the material getting soft and not holding thread inserts and such, but I learned a vital lesson for sure.

[jgerock]

I got a nice inquiry from my ad on the Samba.com, but when the guy called me last Saturday night during dinner, he didn't want to buy MY car, but wanted my advice on which on-line ad service to use.  Seems he had a nice Super Beetle he wanted to sell.  Just what I need, more competition.   I would never do that to someone.

I'm going to look at a '71 BMW next weekend for a decent price.  Wish somebody would buy my car!!

Here are the keys.  Tag color indicates "orange".  Original color of my car was Clementine.


Car even has a new fuse box

Under back seat