I fear something has come over me and im developing a sweet spot for the type 3.
At the moment its just in the weighing up the options stage, but id like some more info before i start getting serious about it.

basically, i love my beetle to bits and would like to give her the full makeover and love that she deserves, but am finding it impossible to do that when i rely on her to get me to uni some days, and then to work and back every night. You just cant start a resto when youre driving the car you are restoring!

some really nice type 3's have caught my eye lately, and im thinking i could do with the longer wheel base and extra space (i really really like the squarebacks!!!) but before i go around looking for one, i need to know a few things.

1) its going to be my daily driver. i usually just do short trips around the city, but i also like to do long weekend trips (around 200 odd kms) are there many problems with overheating/breakdowns... just general reliablity issues?

2) fuel consumption? (big point there... city driving and all that)

3) rust issues? where do i need to look.

4) fixability? are parts hard to get and how much difference is there between general maintainence of a beetle and a type 3? (I like to do all the little jobs myself, learn to do the bigger jobs and be a stickybeak at the biggest jobs. Oil doesnt scare me and i love to get really dirty!):thumb:thumb:thumb

4) whats the ride like compared to a beetle? any handling and suspension issues?

5) can i get a decent one (totally stock) for under $3K? (id love to find one between 1.5-2.5K)

sorry for the long post but i need to really think about this...

Type 3 handles better and cruises nicer than a beetle ever will

Type 3 wheel base is exactly the same as the beetle and kombi

You can sleep in a square though

They run fine and are just as reliable as the beetle will ever be.

Type 3's are a funny thing. sometime you can't give them away, other times you can't get enough of them .....

i like squarebacks

do it like this :party:party

hey starbuggy, do you have a set of carbies for one?

i think there a good thing not quiet a bug but smaller then the kombi,
i just bought the one off this forum 2 days aog..
cheers

buy neville off 2Guns!:bounce he needs a new home

I have driven a fastback('72 auto) everyday for the last five years (thanks to Splittychick), but I have never driven a Beetle so I cann't make comparisons. To address your questions
1)Never had o/heat problems. This isn't a common problem on type 3's with standard motor that I'm aware of.
2)I get about 300km from 30L of petrol, but I think my carbs are pretty r/s.
3)Same as any 30yr old VW. Look in bottom of doors, floor pan in rear, sills under doors, bottom edge of rear quarter panels. Another thing to check is the condition of all the rubber wear eg door, boot, window and bonnet seals. If these are in poor condition it's a good bet water has entered and caused RUST, plus they're bloody expensive.
4a)I believe general maintenance is pretty similar. If you can do little fix jobs on a Beetle, a T3 will be no prob. I believe some T3 specific parts can be more expensive and a little harder to find. Keep in mind that many parts are common to T3 and Beetle.
4b)See Brads comments
5)I believe market value according to Shannon's is approximately $3,500 at the moment, but don't quote me. Your best bet is to start looking through the Trading Post, they do come up reasonably often, and go and have a look. Or buy one from somebody on the forum. I think you'll be lucky to find a 'decent' one under $2,500, but it could happen.

I agree. It took me about 6 months to find a good one come up. So be patient and it'll happen. There great for a daily cruizer.

twoguns... i dont have a set of carbies for one, and im not sure how well the 40dcn off my bug is going to fit gorgeous notch you have there!!

also, some more *stupid* questions... i bought a set of lowered adjustable koni shocks for my bug a few months ago, wondering if i would be able to use them on a t3? do all t3's have dual carbs?

keep the info coming... its either i get a t3 to drive and spend good time and care on the bug, or i buy the bug a new engine and have nothing to drive around in for a few months while she gets the quick fix.

Get a type 3!!!!!!!!!!!

They are a great daily driver. Have had no problems with overheating in my fastie, and it is over 10 years since the engine was rebuilt.
Mine is driven more locally than on long distances as it is the daily driver and get around 300 k to a tank. My carbies are also "r/s", but hey hopefully they will be rebuilt before Valla.
As for the rust, Purple T3 has listed it, but also check under the lining in the front boot. I had one rust out in there because the water would get in and just lay there. The rust was so bad I had to wreck the car as it got into the main frame. You do live and learn!
Maintenance is the same with any car. Look after it and it will go forever.
There are a few on the site for sale at the moment that seem good value for money. Take your time and look around, and only buy it if it "talks" to you.

Kathy

I had a fastback for 10 years, they are a much better ride, quieter, cruise at 70 mph easily, I can honestly say its the best car I ever owned - I sold it 6 months ago and I miss it every day.

go the Notch

Get a Type Three!!
Well...um .....JUST 'CAUSE!!
but make sure it's IRS and twin carb. as these are best bits, 1969 was the best year too.
You'll find the Squareback irrestiably practical but the Notches, we all know, are the cutest!
Fastbacks are for people who can't resist the coupe-back streamline effect

Each to his/her own as the rest of the mechanicals are same, as for the rust, just use a damn magnet and your knuckles!!

MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY'RE STILL A VEEDUB!

Rock-on!

I've been through exactly the same thing....Had Bel....Needed another daily driver to carry larger stuff...the dog...easier for my mum to get into...maybe camping etc..Soething to get me around and pick up stuff I needed for Bel's resto...

I got Dr L my Type 3 Sqback

He is a goer...I love him....Not as recognizable on the road as a beetle....no where near the reaction (if any) from other drivers or pedestrians....but he is a dude...great to drive...and such personality!!!!!!

Downfall is the paying of two of everything...rego...insurance...services, etc.......

Type3's are very reliable...I have no problems but then I never miss a service....

Dr L is rust free but does need new rubbers....Now I have two cars to look after and preserve...That's the thing...you'll love them both equally......After Bel's resto Dr L needs some maintance to keep him nice.......I have the window rubbers ready and a new paint job planned (minor to Bel's)...I can't neglect him...(it's all gets doubley addictive )...(how do you spell double e? )

I have two loves...my Type 1..and my Type 3.....:kiss

Go for it!!!!!!:thumb

Good luck with the decision!!!!:sandrine