1973 Volkswagen Beetle Standard from North America - Comments

- Clutch bowden tube ruptured.

- Master cylinder failed.

- Upholstery was nonexistent.

- Rust on the floorboards.

- Main bearings and engine case replaced.

- Gas tank rusted out.

- Cracked windshield.

- Coil fried.

- Throttle cable broke.

Well, what can I say? The car had 550,000 miles on it when I bought it in 1993 for $200. I drove it over the space of three years over 50,000 miles and it never left me stranded. 400 mile trips were no problem. And my dog liked it.

All of the repairs that were done to the car over the time I owned it only added up to about $1500. So I had $1700 in it, and I sold it for $1200.

Let me break this down for you: I drove a car for 3 years and only spent $500, not including tune-ups and gas.

Would I buy another air cooled VW? Hell yes. I already have.

This guy is right on the mark. VW Type 1's are the best car around. But remember, the way your car works depends a lot on the person who owned it before you, and the person before them, ect. Bottom line is- take good care of your beetle and you'll do just fine. -Rob.

I quite agree with Rob. I bought my first car - a 1973 Super Beetle and it was by far the bet car I have ever owned. I am on car number 30. Have a great day!

I also agree, the only reason that I sold mine is because I live in New Orleans, and I NEED A/C!

1973 Super Beetle, best car ever made period. Our family bought it new (I had it for 16 of those years). I really regret selling it.

Sounds like everyone is happy with your car. It was good to read some good stuff. My son bought 1973 standard and fixed it up, but I was so worried about the safety of it. It is a cool bright yellow. If someone would post a comment regarding safety it would be appreciated.

Well, the one the reviewer had sounds like it was pretty unsafe, mostly because it seemed to be all rusty and worn out. A 73 Beetle in good condition is probably no more or less safe than anything else from that era. Hope your son wears his seat belt though. Driving habits have a lot more to do with safety than the kind of vehicle driven.

Won't get into whether newer cars are safer or not. That seems to set off a lot of people who frequent this site. Not opening that can of worms, no sirree.

I have a 1973 beetle that we bought new. The best story I have about it is when I pulled out a Land Cruizer that was chained up all around. Threw the chains on the bug and pulled it right out. The odometer quit at 43k in 1975. I rebuilt the engine in 1985. My kids learned to drive a stick in it in 2003. (My daughter is the only one of her friends that can drive a stick). What a wonderful car. It has warned me from time to time that it was about to die, but always got me home to make repairs. Plus you can still get parts!

I agree that these cars were among the greatest affordable cars one could buy. I owned a 73 super beetle for a number of years. If a semi hadn't broad-sided it I would still have it to this day.

In 2005, we decided that our second car would be the air cooled Beetle, simply because we like the build of the car, and from anecdotes from those who love it, an air cooled Volkswagen is fun to have.

Since secondhand and not well-maintained when we bought it, we experienced engine troubles on various occasions, all because we did not subject it to thorough check-up. We learned the nitty-gritty of its maintenance based on every trouble we experienced.

Today, while we still need to fully restore the body, we are happy with its performance as a ride we use in going to church and family outings.

Our 1200 air cooled beetle is reliable now with the TLC that we give him. By the way, I call him "waka."