1974 Volkswagen Beetle from North America - Comments

Starter

Starter

Battery

Clutch Pedal Shaft

Heater Gate Spring

Ran out of Gas (a few times)

Tires

Shocks.

I bought the car for $500, no rust, rebuilt engine, no dents, California car. Drove the car everywhere. My brother (who drove the car for 4 years) took his wife to Quebec City in winter (smart?). Out of 4 cars that went there, one returned, the Beetle. The others had engine block problem, related to -60 degree nights. I gave the car to my best friend (I junked, sold or donated all other cars I had in order to keep friends), helped him restore it and 10,000 dollars later, with 2.2 liter 150 hp engine the show car was back on the streets. Women and children loved the Punch-Buggie. CUTE is the word. Passangers loved it. Starter failed a few times, but push-start is fun-2 friends or downhill. Best car ever engineered. Handled like s^%$, top speed was 70 mph before resto, and 80 after, fun factor was always 10. After resto, Mustang and Corvette owners cried at stoplights for the first 25-50 feet anyway. Not much fun to drive on windy day over Pulaski Skyway. At 50 mph it took all my skill and some praying to keep it in its lane. The car is now with my best friend in TN, doing about 100 miles per week as alternative to Ducati 748SP or Dakota P/U. In 8 years between my brother and I, we spend a total of 1700 dollars in maintenance and parts. I used only Mobil 1 since I had so much extra money from maintenance reserve.

Summary: unsafe, poor brakes, unstable at high speeds, unstable at low speeds in cross-winds, scary in rain if pushed hard, poor defroster, great heat. Best damn car I ever owned. Fun, cheap, etc.

I got to say that you are the kind of beetle lover I'd like to hang out with! I totally agree with all that you said :)

I have a 74' beetle that my mom drove 5 miles every day to teach elementary school for 14 years. It spent it's life in the garage and is held dear to my heart.

Great review Steven J.! Peg A.

I recently purchased a 74 Beetle as well, looking forward to getting it on the road. Reading your comments make me want to work harder at getting it done!

I found a great deal on a 1974 Beetle in Detroit, Mi back in 2000. Paid $2000, put in $1000 & sold it for $5000 in 2002. I missed the car ever since, very sorry I sold it. Last week, the car crossed my path again and I re-bought it. When I get too old to drive it, it's going to one of my kids.

Hay, the story sounds interesting as well as the comments. I have one my self. It gives me more insentive to keep it. It's bright orange!!! I have a sister that doesn't have her drivers yet and ma and pa want to keep it for her to learn on. Plan to keep it as a second vehicle sometime. I had it over last winter and was incouraged that it would be fine in the snow. They are rear wheel drive and the motor is on top of it.

I just bought One. I absolutely love it! Granted the brakes are drum and a little bit harder to stop than with disc brakes, but it's nothing you can't get used to. Plus it's really not too bad on gas. It's my first car, but I'm already in love with it. I think I'll be holding onto it for a while. I don't think I could part with my little Yellow Bug!

I love my bug!!! Fairly good on gas, but one small tank. Now the heater... it works...just not for a bit. Once it gets going it REALLY works (or so far it has), but it doesn't near as cold here as it would in some of the prairie province's or eastern states. what I've read has been great. Also my first vehicle and plan to use it as a second someday.

Ya I hate that, I'm in the parking lot getting into an orange 73' Super Beetle, "Ohhh!!! sooooo cute!!!" I'm a guy so I don't take that well.