Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?

Im not sure what questions to ask the seller about the car. I also dont know if I will be ripped off. Any suggestions for a girl, so I dont look stupid or get stuck with a lemon?Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?Look for another car and avoid this one. Just kidding. If you like this kind of a car, go for it.

The main thing is to have a car (any used car) checked by a good mechanic. There are mechanics specializing in Bugs, take the car to one of them BEFORE your buy.

When you call a seller, the first question to ask if they let you take a car to YOUR mechanic. If they refuse, do not even look at this car.

Even if you like a car a lot and it seems fine to you, spend another $50 and have it checked by a mechanic. If you have a mechanic friend, it's even better.Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?
If you plan to depend on it every day,seriously,the first thing to look for is a good mechanic who lives near by and a wrecker service.You're going to need them a lot.They are really cute machines,but technology has advanced since they were built.Think Asian,maybe?Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?Make a checklist, its the best way to make sure you dont forget anything



First off, as for cosmetics, look for the obvious. Rust, deteriorating headliner, doorpanels, etc. Look at all the lines on the body, where the doors mate up, where the hood meets the fenders, etc, make sure there is an equal space all around those, thats a good way to catch shotty body work.

As for the engine, directly under the car, if theres a ton of oil under it, dont get it, you dont want a VW that leaks like a siv. They will leak, so as a matter of fact, if you dont see any oil at all, look around their property for large oil spots, because they probably moved the car. look in the engine compartment and make sure all the cooling tin is there make sure its in good condition, and all there. Make sure the fuel hoses are all okay and dont look like they are going to crack. When you drive it, make sure the transmission feels strong, drive it through all of the gears. check all of the lights, (headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc) Also while youre driving the car, listen for any wierd noises, and make sure it feels solid on the road and doesnt want to wander all over. If youre getting a super beetle (they came out after 71, but not every bug after 71 is a super beetle), they are designed with a strut-style front end, and they tend to be a little bouncier, thats normal

Thats all that I can think of, if you have any questions, email me to my profile and I'll be happy to answerIm going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?
They are really neat and cool cars. Good gas mileage, go anywhere including off-road, and just plain fun. The heaters suck, though and they do have quirks you will have to ignore, put up with, or get fixed. Avoid fuel injection (they tend to catch fire real easy) and McPherson strut front suspensions ('70 %26amp; above 'SuperBeetles', they rust out).

Make sure it has floors, a small trunk and gas tank in front, and a little engine in back, it steers, drives, shifts, and stops good and you will have a good on/off road sweet, fun little car that will run forever with care.Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?wow. so many uninformed people trying just to score points....



i have a 71 super beetle. not as collectible as a standard, but i like mine just fine. a super beetle has struts in the front end, and the spare tire sits flat. a standard beetle has a spare that sits on an angle, and used no struts in the front end.



typical places they get a little rusty are under the back seat (where your battery is, by the way) and the bottom of the doors, and in the wheel wells.



for the best info i've been able to scare up on old school, air-cooled VW's, go to www.thesamba.com lots of outstanding advice there. lurk the site for a little while, then join up. it's the best thing you can do for your situation. great people, great experience, and all vw freaks. don't worry, a girl can buy a car, too! make sure the one you buy runs, stops, all the lights and horn work, check the condition of the dash board (typically worn) and the seats (typically worn out, espcially if it has seat covers on it)



enjoy your bug, there is nothing like driving one. they handle well (even in snow and ice), but they have a few built-in-issues. for example, i have to carry an ice scraper in the winter time for the INSIDE of my windshield becuase the heater doesn't work for poop. will have this issue addressed one way or the other BEFORE next winter, i assure you!!!



also, i recommend the book by john muir, referred to as the idiot's guide. don't worry, anyone at your local vee-dub shop knows what i'm talking about. it will save you gobs of money.



bugs are easier to find than fast backs, convertible bugs are harder to find than sedans, especially in good condition.

also, try to contact your local volkswagen club for contacts.



good luck, and happy motoring!



p.s. mine has over 350THOUSAND miles on it, and it usually starts on the first try. original engine, too. get one. you'll love it!Im going to buy and old VW bug or fastback. What should I look for and what should I avoid?
LOL, good luck finding any parts for that fastback that aren鈥檛 going to put you in the poorhouse.



If you aren鈥檛 ready to be out tinkering with your car at least 2 weekends a month, DO NOT buy an old anything.



On a related note, I鈥檓 selling my Jaguar for a cool $2500, any takers? ;)
hi, the main things to look for on a vw is mostly the pan (which is what the body sets on) the floor pans and heater channels are bad for rusting out! make sure no one has just patched them but they should put new floor pan haves in! that's about it besides the running and driving and that's all up to you! vw's are very fun cars i have a 1968 beetle for an everyday driver and drive it more than my new 04 ford f-350! i also have a 1965 beetle drag car/streetcar,and built my g/f a two-tone pink and white 68 beetle!