Would This be Sacriligeous?

[Pushing Fifty]

I haven't been here for awhile, and thought I'd drop in. A few months ago, I came close to buying a New Beetle, but ended up with a Passat instead. My wife would have killed me if I'd brought home a 2-door as a primary car. Anyway, I'm a huge VW lover and have been in a club since 2002. At that time, I had a 1996 Golf and joined. Soon afterwards, I realized I was the only one without a classic air-cooled model, so I bought a 1969 Beetle from a fellow member. It had a rebuilt 1600, new floorpans, new tranny,and decent paint. The interior was a mismatch, so I did a temporary "poor man's" resto by spraying the upholstery black. For the past 4-5 years, I've won many trophies at shows with this car...BUT, in 2005, problems began to surface. Things like timing problems, backfiring, oil leaks, and perhaps worst of all, exhaust fumes entering the cabin. These issues have been addressed over and over but still persist. My exhaust leak was determined to be from rotted heater boxes, so I replaced them in 2006 at a cost of about $500. The other day, my club went on a 100-mile cruise and the exhaust leak returned with a vengeance. I had to roll both windows down, open all flaps and endure cold, miserable 50-degree rain to avoid CO2 poisoning. I am getting very frustrated with all of these recurrent problems. I'm considering selling the car and getting a more modern water-cooled VW such as a used NB or Golf. I love the old air-cooleds and grew up with them, but even a basic Golf is like a Cadillac compared to an old air-cooled model where comfort is concerned. I imagine I could get $4000-5000 for it as is, and then look for a $8000-9000 used NB (or Golf). I have no mechanical skills whatsoever, and to restore my old Beetle to the shape I'd want it in would cost about $8000. Would you move into a more modern VW as a second cruiser for club outings or keep your "roots?" I have been spoiled by the water-cooled models, and now consider the old air-cooleds to be very primitive. What would you do? I'm thinking I could still drive a "Beetle" without all the hassles of no heat, valve adjustments, fried points, etc.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by Pushing Fifty

I haven't been here for awhile, and thought I'd drop in. A few months ago, I came close to buying a New Beetle, but ended up with a Passat instead. My wife would have killed me if I'd brought home a 2-door as a primary car. Anyway, I'm a huge VW lover and have been in a club since 2002. At that time, I had a 1996 Golf and joined. Soon afterwards, I realized I was the only one without a classic air-cooled model, so I bought a 1969 Beetle from a fellow member. It had a rebuilt 1600, new floorpans, new tranny,and decent paint. The interior was a mismatch, so I did a temporary "poor man's" resto by spraying the upholstery black. For the past 4-5 years, I've won many trophies at shows with this car...BUT, in 2005, problems began to surface. Things like timing problems, backfiring, oil leaks, and perhaps worst of all, exhaust fumes entering the cabin. These issues have been addressed over and over but still persist. My exhaust leak was determined to be from rotted heater boxes, so I replaced them in 2006 at a cost of about $500. The other day, my club went on a 100-mile cruise and the exhaust leak returned with a vengeance. I had to roll both windows down, open all flaps and endure cold, miserable 50-degree rain to avoid CO2 poisoning. I am getting very frustrated with all of these recurrent problems. I'm considering selling the car and getting a more modern water-cooled VW such as a used NB or Golf. I love the old air-cooleds and grew up with them, but even a basic Golf is like a Cadillac compared to an old air-cooled model where comfort is concerned. I imagine I could get $4000-5000 for it as is, and then look for a $8000-9000 used NB (or Golf). I have no mechanical skills whatsoever, and to restore my old Beetle to the shape I'd want it in would cost about $8000. Would you move into a more modern VW as a second cruiser for club outings or keep your "roots?" I have been spoiled by the water-cooled models, and now consider the old air-cooleds to be very primitive. What would you do? I'm thinking I could still drive a "Beetle" without all the hassles of no heat, valve adjustments, fried points, etc.

Well due to my height and size.. I definitely say the New Beetle is a more comfortable car to cruise in, and when you want to let'r rip, it's got the power.

I'd love to have an old Air Cooled some day, but I'd put in better seats (more comfortable and better designed, adjust the rails further back).

But in my opinion, save the old beetle for fixing up over time, and get a limited edition (i.e. Color Concept) New Beetle to bomb around in

[warren]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

But in my opinion, save the old beetle for fixing up over time, and get a limited edition (i.e. Color Concept) New Beetle to bomb around in

i agree...since you've replaced the heater boxes, you're probably not that far away from eliminating all the reason(s) why you're getting exhaust into the car...

don't know if you've seen rob and dave's aircooled volkswagen pages
http://www.vw-resource.com/ but i've found this to be a great info repository...and they've got a ton of info on Aircooled exhaust systems.

good luck!

[wawalker]

I basically did the same thing when I bought my 1998 NB new. I was tired of dealing with the OB's shortcomings in the comfort area and the constant attention cars that old require. I will tell you that you can never get the OB experience completely out of your system--I have missed mine since I sold it. Do what you think is best for you, no one else knows better.

[dgoldbe2]

I have a 74 Thing in my garage that will never be sold. ACVW's are a special beast, that everyone usually regrets selling.

As far as the exhaust leak, you did buy the German or Dutch heater boxes, right? The Brazilian ones are not good for very long. You don't have your location listed, so I will assume that you are in an area that sees salt on the roads.

Get the heavy duty heat exchangers from Europe. You won't regret it. Most importantly, during the winter, wash the underside of the car, regularly to get the salt off.

[Pushing Fifty]

I'm not sure where the heater boxes came from, because I have a mechanic do the work for me. I don't even know how to change a spark plug. But, I never drive my air-cooled Beetle from Nov-April. I live in Wisconsin, where we have 6 months of winter every year, 3 months of rain, and 3 nice months; June, July, and August.

[xscribe]

First you have to get "how to keep your volkswagen alive" < that is a book about your vw. Second I don't understand if you changed out the heater boxes you get smoke inside your car. Third you realize that car was designed in the 30's right? Slow, "unsafe at any speed", and able to four regular people if two of them were midgets. (I am about 6 foot 2 and I fit nicely in my old beetle) Fourth point. points are a blessing and a curse. If the points go you can fix them easily even on the road. I have and I am not mechanically inclined either. If I can do it you can too.
btw I just built my second aircooled engine and it ran! Now I got to fix the car for it! Goog luck and don't give up!

[swell]

Yeah I'd hang onto your old aircooled bug and get a 98-02 VB or a Golf, I'm sure you could score one under $4k. Mine was 6,000 but it's low miles (42k), there was just a '98 listed online for 3k with 100k miles.

[72SuperBeetle]

In all honesty aircooled VWs are high maintenance vehicles compared to modern water cooled cars. I have owned my 72 super beetle for the past five years and have since accepted the fact that in order to be reliable you have to constantly check its vital signs, change its oil, and talk really nice to it. I also own a NB, and if anyone inquired as to how the two compare I would let them know flat out: Yes, the NB is more comfortable, rides better, safer, and is much quieter and reliable than the old. It is also quicker and has better handling than a stock old bug. However, as to which is the more fun to drive, hands down the old bug wins every time. As you know, driving an aircooled vw is an experience that cannot be matched by any watercooled VW.

What was my solution to increasingly expensive aircooled repairs? Buy a water cooled that was reliable and safe, and drive the heck out of it while I perfect the 72.

Good luck with your decision man,
-Tim

[xscribe]

water or air cooled you get what you put into it. my new beetle requires my attention once in a while. the old bug is an old car and an old piece of technology so it requires more time and energy out of me but driving it is a more rewarding experience. there is still no worry free car that I am aware of so i have my aaa membershiop up to date.