Comments: 1-15, 16
Engine blew a head gasket.
Starter failed.
Throttle cable broke 3 times.
Light switch replaced.
Headlights replaced.
Generator replaced.
Clutch cable broke.
Speedometer, odometer housing failed.
This car was fun to drive overall, but I learned quickly that VW beetles were not the "easy-to-work-on-cars" many people told me they were.
In addition, the vehicle nickeled and dime'ed me to death with all it's problems right up to the day I sold it.
Rubbish! They are very good cars.
VW Beetles are great cars, of course you are going to have to fix some things on a car that is 27 years old, what did you expect.
I think, that is you are going to buy an older car it is going to need some work. Most people skip certain inspection or replacement intervals. I myself am a professoinal mechanic. I bought a 77 Dodge pick up, and I have yet to change the front wheel bearings, but I change all of the fluids every three months, even the radiator fluid, and the spark plugs and wires. Check the car out very well before buying, and maintain it religiously. I do it to my girlfriend 73' Super Beetle as well. Love your car. Take good care of it. Even then like to tonight things will happen, like the clutch cable breaking in traffic.
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.
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.
Succeeded in Europe post-war because nothing else available for the price. If the UK army hadn't rebuilt the Wolfsburg factory it never would have been made. Rootes and Ford were offered the factory and both turned it down saying the car was crap.
succeeded in USA post war due to Detroit's failure to comprehend that people wanted cheap basic A to B transport.
Taken in a 1950's context, not too bad a vehicle, but really should have died out by 1960 - unfortunately by then the powers that be had twigged that the car was a rip off of a pre-war tatra and VW was fined almost into bankruptcy.
Underpowered, thirsty, evil handling, cramped, noisy overpriced little rot boxes.
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.
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.
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!
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.
I had a 1970 Beetle (111 Sedan) and I owned it until 2001, and still got $2500 for it. Great cars!
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, 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."
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?!?
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.
"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?!?"
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.