30th Nov 2007, 10:49
Well I bought a 73 super beetle from my grandfather and despite what that guy at the top said I worked on it myself, with no prior knowledge and I'm only 18. i love driving it and if you can't work on one then get a golf cart because that's the only thing that's easier to work on.
13th Jun 2009, 14:46
Come on now! This car was 18 years old when you bought it, and it had 115,000 miles on it. How can you condemn Super Beetles based on that?
They were superb cars, and were VERY EASY to work on.
Next time you buy a car, maybe you shouldn't buy one that was old enough to vote.
14th Jun 2009, 13:08
I agree with 13:21. If for some reason you feel compelled to buy a 1973 vintage car, virtually anything made by Ford, Chevy, or Dodge is a superior handling, driving, accelerating, and riding car that offers better reliability and is just as easy to work on. Only an eccentric would seek out a 1973 Beetle as a daily driver. You'd be better off with a 1931 Ford Model A, though the Model A would actually be more reliable and rugged.
22nd Jun 2009, 13:26
I agree it's a terrible car! I've had BOTH beetles (1972 and 1999) and guess what? The engines blew up on both, how fabulous!
23rd Jun 2009, 15:35
Had a brand new 73 Beetle got me all through college and cost 2K. Also had bought a second in our family, a new 74 that my dad had as a daily driver and he kept til 1990. I drove them both in freezing weather great in snow and across Florida in intense heat. Did not miss the lack of A/C, plenty of air ventilation. Came out well ahead owning these.
24th Jun 2009, 09:10
I had a 1970 Beetle (111 Sedan) and I owned it until 2001, and still got $2500 for it. Great cars!
23rd Aug 2009, 01:49
13:08 I can't quite agree with you. The 70's domestic vehicles may have been superior to a Bug, but that's where it ended. Superior handling? These cars were known for their terrible handling! Don't get me wrong, the 70's domestics are nice to look at, but they were by no means good vehicles.
23rd Aug 2009, 11:01
My family is STILL driving 1970's Dodges, and I strongly disagree with anybody who says they are not good vehicles. Still on the road after +30 years --- what the heck do you want?!?
24th Aug 2009, 07:36
1970 model year was the best year of the American cars. No emissions, refined drivetrains and suspensions on ours. Camaro, Firebird, Pontiac GTO Buick GS, Olds 442, Mopars all engines. My family and friends lucked out and should have never sold for the stupid odd even gas embargo; same effect as the import gas scare a couple years ago. Many sold great domestics for early Civics with bone jarring 12 inch rim econo hatches to save gas in 73 and 74.
24th Aug 2009, 09:14
How many times have you rebuilt the engines and transmissions? You leave out details. Even if your cars have never had any rebuilds, the fact that you leave out the concept leads me to believe that they have not lasted as long as you say they have.
24th Aug 2009, 15:49
None. They have original engines and transmissions. I know you don't want to believe it, and want to attack my credibility by stating that I don't give enough details, but this review is not about MY cars. Giving detailed info on our 1970s Dodges in the middle of a VW review would be out of place. You can choose to disbelieve if you like, makes no difference to me.
My daily driver is a 1973 Dodge; my dad still drives his 1975 Dodge; my 1971 Plymouth is still a weekend cruiser though not driven daily. Even the 1970s Dodges that we had in the '80s and '90s went 200,000 miles on the original engines and transmissions (1977 Dodge van, 1976, 1977, 1980 Volare, 1974 Monaco). Where did you get this idea that old American cars need multiple engines and transmissions? I never heard of such a thing, unless maybe a high school kid decided to buy a rebuilt Jeg's engine to build a hotrod. Some people know how to take care of cars, and some don't, I guess. The ones who don't complain about how everything breaks, and the ones that do have years of stress-free, enjoyable driving.
26th Nov 2010, 10:30
OK, I must stop laughing so I can type. "not easy to work on", wow and I bet working on lawnmowers are the same as working on new BMWs right? I had a 73 Super. Yeah it broke several times, considering it was 30 years old when I got it. That's expected. My throttle cable broke once, replaced in a couple minutes. Easy. You and your friend are the engine hoist. What are motor mounts? What's a radiator? LOL, best car I ever had. Annnnd it floated... The Germans aren't crazy.
3rd Jan 2011, 01:12
I agree that Beetles/Superbugs may not be great handling smooth cars however people who buy them are not looking for that.
I have a 73 Superbug and I have done plenty of work on it because when I bought it it was a basket case. I changed the floor pans, repaired the rust and resprayed it. Now when I drive it it is the most satisfying fun drive I have ever had and I hardly have to maintain it. It can sit in my garage for a few months and will start easily after a few cranks of the engine no worries.
They are simple transport from a car that is almost 30 years old, so expect things will break. Yes the interior is brittle, for example the window regulators etc, but that engine is a work of art so reliable when treated right.
The VW engine is easily the best engine ever made.
So reliable and simple. If there was a car available in Australia today that had that engine, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Sadly this can never be the case due to pollution and safety laws. :(
5th Mar 2005, 10:34
Nonsense, the pre-1998 Beetle is one of the easiest vehicles to “work” on. It is a pleasure and honor to restore these unique automobiles that still get much deserved attention. Its technology is simple to understand and requires very few parts. The parts may not be highly available at your neighborhood auto parts store, but they’re out there—search with devotion.