Actually, I owned two 1969 Beetles over the years (1969-78) and (1977-1999). The first one I bought new and drove 160,000 miles; the second one had 92,000 miles when I bought it, and I donated it to a charity as salvage at 485,000 miles.
Each "swallowed" #3 exhaust valve at approx. 160,000 miles, requiring new engines at that point.
I had constant stalling problems with the original California-required 30 PICT-2 carburetors. I replaced the carburetor on each car with an older model 30 PICT-1 unit, but had to install a 31 PICT-3 carburetor on the second car in 1996 in order to pass the required bi-annual California smog inspection.
The first car developed severe body and frame rust from being driven on salty roads in upstate New York. The "coup de grace" for it was hitting a young deer in 1977, causing the entire left
fender, front bumper and luggage compartment to collapse. A few months later, I consigned the vehicle to that great equalizer of all things automotive, the scrap yard crusher.
The second car served me well for over 20 years, as I moved to California, where road salt is not a problem. At 178,000 miles, it too swallowed a valve, and I installed a factory rebuilt engine with "stellite" (hardened) exhaust valves. This engine ran perfectly for over 300,000 miles with only routine valve adjustments and tune ups. Finally, shortly before I consigned it to a charity, both the engine and transmission developed severe oil leaks, which would have required replacing both the engine and transmission.
The second car, despite being in road-salt-free California, developed severe rust in the floor pan under the battery and in the storage well behind the back seat.
In 1995, the windshield wipers began to spin on their anchor spindles, making it unsafe to drive in wet or damp weather. I understand this was due to a design flaw which was subject to a NHTSA recall and to a redesign for the 1970 model year.
The second car also showed complete deterioration of all the upholstery and the headliner. All these factors together contributed to my decision to donate it to a charity for salvage instead of trying to sell it.
The engine oil cooler seals generally started to leak and require replacement every 60-70 thousand miles. It was always a half-day task to change these $4.00 parts.
Twice one of the three forks on the clutch pressure plate on the second VW broke, requiring replacement of the entire clutch assembly even though the disk showed very little wear.
Several times, the throttle and clutch cables or their pivots on each car broke, causing me to have to "jerry rig" a way to drive home.
When the second car was over 20 years old, the insulation on wiring in the engine compartment, to the back-up switch on the transmission, to the master cylinder and to the starter solenoid became brittle and began to break off, causing several shorts and, in one case, resulting in a "fix it" ticket for inoperative brake lights.
A couple of times, the generator brushes suddenly wore out due to roughness on the armature, necessitating replacement of the generator.
The tires on both cars, especially the second one, always lasted over 100,000 miles, always with a very even wear pattern.
Except for replacing the shock absorbers every 40,000 miles as a form of routine maintenance, I never had any suspension or alignment problems with either vehicle.
Likewise, the battery always lasted 5-7 years in each car.
I replaced the second VW with a 1997 Geo Prizm (mechanical twin of the Toyota Corolla). Although the Prizm weighs 600 lbs. more, it gets 10 miles per gallon better fuel economy (35-42 vs. 25-33 for the VW), accelerates and climbs hills more readily and requires far less service. Adjusted for inflation and standard features, however, the Prizm ($16,000 in 1997) cost 50-100% more than the Beetle ($1,700 in 1969).
Thank you for your review. It was very helpful in my decision to acquire a bug for my son. He has saved his money and I am really proud of him, but he read your review and decided to take more auto mechanic classes. I am truly grateful for your honest and informative review.
I have owned three air-cooled Beetles over the years, as well as a Geo Prizm. You give an accurate review.
The Geo was certainly more reliable overall, however the VW's possess a certain charm and personality unmatched by other vehicles.
You have mentioned that hitting a deer caused extensive damage and lead to salvage yard – what a car!! – What is crash rating on that type of vehicle? -1/4 of a star frontal 1/10 of a star side @30 mph - just for that thank God that most of them retired to be rebar for construction - that's what they're good for.
For a 1.5L engine 2 person car with weight of 1500 lb max 28mpg highway that would be considered a gas hog now days.
That’s if one is crazy enough to get in to 1. Imagine a fender bender with hummer or expedition - an image of soda can squished gets associated.
God bless, and value your life.
The last comentor just doesn't get it.
Sounds like the Beetles were really great cars for you; the mileage you speak of would take you to the moon and back. Of course mileage wise they don't compete with a car designed in the late nineties. The fact that a car initially designed in the late thirties was continuously produced (and evolved) until 2003 is pretty amazing. More amazing is that all of the things you spoke of being wrong with the second Beetle and causing you to donate it are still today repairable with readily available parts. An ultimate form of recycling.
Kudos for you.
My first-ever car was a used 1969 Beetle which I bought in 1972. It could be a tough car to drive in our northern Minnesota winters - inadequate heater and defroster, always wanted to swap ends on icy roads. But it was well-constructed out of quality materials. The shifter, clutch, brakes, etc were all great and it was a fun car to drive in good weather. Occasionally dangerously slow, say if you had to accelerate from a standing start on a freeway entry ramp that went uphill (pray there's a driver who'll slow to let you in), even though I kept it tuned to the teeth. All in all a car that was cheap to own and easy to maintain. I don't know about other drivers, but I managed 30+ mpg all-around, and 35-37 mpg highway by keeping it under 60mph. Beetles got excellent gas mileage if you drove them the right way. I had it for about 6 years; remember it fondly.
Hi All..
Greatly appreciate your comments... I'm from sunny Singapore, and is looking fwd to purchase my first car soon and leaning towards the beetle. was not sure and know nobody that owns 1 here...
with the reviews provided, I'm more prepared on what to expect as the millage climbs and my colourful days pass by..
-thanks, Zai-
Your VW Beetle 1500 is the best Beetle throughout its history.
Her balance between performance and reliability is gem, I think.
Her 1493cc/44bhp (DIN) flat4 engine has tremendous performance, going up to quasi 150km/h (93mph) despite manufacturer data of 125km/h (78mph)!
It is the boon of fine tuning of a Solex 30 carburetor and simple exhaust layout. That's triumph of engineering.
In fact, she cruises sprightly and much faster than the Renault R8/1100 and the Morris 1100 of similar engine power.
Along with it, her 12V electric seems quite reliable, compared with pre-1966 1200/1300 Beetles.
In comparison with your 1500 Beetle,1302S/1303S the "Super-Beetles" are more powerful yet somewhat unsubtle in my opinion. These last-stage Beetles are incarnations of struggle with terminal cancer, frankly speaking.
The quote of "terminal cancer" is hard competition with Japanese econoboxes as Corollas, Datsun210s, and Civics in this case.
I admire the gem of VW Bugs,1500 made in 1969!
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