Hey guys, I've been following post on the forum for a bit, and I've tried to learn as much as I can before posting this.

I've been looking to get a Beetle, I've wanted one for years, I don't have a large starting budget at the moment, about $2000. I'm in the Bundaberg Area and have found a project for just under $2000.

What they have for sale is 4 Beetles, There is one that's almost complete, with what seems to be a reupholstered interior, it's quite nice, carpeted floor, cloth seats with no tears or anything, the storage space behind the seats has been carpeted, and the battery tray under the back seat looks clean of rust. Drivers floor has some surface rust in it but I didn't see any flaky stuff or holes, I believe the dash has been covered in vinyl, in the front boot there's some rust holes in the spare wheel holder thing. Up the back of the boot there's a mess of wires that look like they're connected to the dash, is there supposed to be a mess up there? The engine bay looks tidy, considering the engine isn't in there.. It's got some nice looking alloy wheels with new tires. The engine is sitting out of the car on a table, but I think it's been in the weather a little bit though. The front boot bonnet thing? is rusty but there's a rust free bonnet on one of the other cars. The sidesteps aren't on it, and for what I can tell are the heater channels (in behind where the sidesteps were) are rusted near the front of the front doors. There's a superbeetle and a regular beetle that're quite rusty right in the body and floorpan, and one that's not so bad on rust, including what looks to be a replaced spare wheel holder. The paint on them all is pretty shit. I own a 5" grinder and an Arc welder, I know a bit about sanding and painting, and a little about welding but have never done anything on a car before. I believe they've all been sitting for a couple of years. All 4 cars have all the suspension stuff and transaxles in them, there are 3 motors, 2 of which will crank but don't turn over. There's quite a lot of other things in the guys shed to go with it.

What I need to know is, how much work is really ahead of me, do I need a MIG Welder for this stuff or can an arc do the job at all? Considering these cars have been sitting, what will need to be replaced, what's the rough sort of cost I'd be looking at to get something like this on the road? Would I be better off buying something already finished? Is there any advice you can give to someone looking at their first VW?

Hi
Well, they don't sound like a good project to me...
Supers and Non Supers are different from the door hinges forward...
I would keep looking about...
You are better off with one fairly good car than 4 bad ones..
although the first one doesn't sound too bad with a good interior.. that is a start...
If the engines have been in the weather they may have water in the oil... and really need to be pulled down to see what damage and whether they can be cleaned up etc easily or are gone too far?? at least You can turn them over so they aren't seized... but there are many other things that could be wrong..
Cars sitting out in the weather isn't good...
could be a lot of rust You cannot see..

My thoughts

LEE

My advise
Leave that mess alone and buy a reasonable beetle in as original condition as possible.
There are so many little parts that get removed during projects, many that never get replaced on an unfinished project. You won't know what it missing or not and to buy replacement seals and rubbers starts to add up real quick.
My suggestion
Pre 1967 for looks and that old school cool
68-72 for better electrical 12V, ball joints over link pin front end and still a nice shape
72-76 BJ/IRS bug would be my pick
72 on Super bug. Strut front suspension for better handling and all supers have IRS.

If you don't know how to easily spot the difference in body shapes start chatting to someone at a bug show near you or a beetle mechanic. You're not going to buy a show stopper for 2k but should be able to get a working and functional bug. Stay away from metallic paints and look for original. My 2c all the best

G'day and welcome

I would stay away from them as well.
Sounds like a lucky dip and "could" be good value if you knew what you were after and knew what was being sold.

just to throw some figures around, you would have to consider the motor is stuffed and you will need $1k with clutch etc to get it going

I would be guessing it has all sat for a while and you will go through another $1k doing all the fuel hoses, brakes, rotors, drums etc etc.

Then there is the rust you talk about and then there is rego.

I cant see you getting it on the road for much under $6k

For that money there are plenty of bargains.
You might need to travel a bit though.

Get your head around what you want.

Early 60's for kool factor, but be prepared to pay.
A 55/56 oval sold here the other day for $9k - and that was a great buy.

Late supers for something that is half modern and handles.
These are the cheapest to buy and parts are cheap.
But they loose out on kool with the purists - but the German Look crowd love them

Anyway - ask more questions

Arc on body rust repairs would be brutal heat wise, and just keep blowing holes.

It would have to be a mig job. However, if you went that way, you'd be best to just rent one rather than pay half a G when you are ready to slam out the rust repairs.

Kennards might do a cheap lease for Migs.

Without seeing the car, you'd want another $2G's at least for bits/pieces for rwc. Tyres, brakes, link pins, seals, bushes, steering components, shocks the rwc cert and $360 for rego would easy reach/topple that, and thats DIY cost not workshop.

Sometimes if you aren't in a rush, just buy it, and make it work. Thinking too far ahead causes fluster and you never know whats coming up. It took 6-7 years to turn my $250 granny-spec beetle to a rwc baja, and that was without finished paint. I was a uni student though (time rich, money poor). iF I knew it would take that long, i probably wouldn't have done it, but looking back i have no regrets; its been a journey.

If you are motivated you'll make it work regardless of condition. Keeping that motivation up is another thing all together!

PS: Refrain from EMPI cheap parts, Urethane and try to reuse as many original components as possible. Nuffin supercedes original german quality.

My advice. If you REALLY want a beetle. the deal sounds good. grab the lot. concentrate on the one with the least amount of rust. Grab the best stuff off the rest for your project. Sell the rest off to pay for a nice (150A +) mig welder. Bobs your Uncle. My2c

10 different people...10 different opinions

I'd recommend save more dollars and get one that is already on the road, but there are lots that are full of rust so be VERY careful before you purchase, or ..... well, buy the projects and learn as you go, but you need to be prepred to put in plenty of effort

Opinion number 7.

Approach it like you would a house renovation,.. do your budget before you start.

Rust and previous doggy repairs are your number 1 enemy.
Unless you can do these repairs yourself costs can escalate quickly.

If you need a rebuilt engine and or gearbox and can't do it yourself,.. get a quote from a reputable vw mechanic before you purchase. (You might get a shock how expensive they can be.)

Think about how much you are ultimately prepared to spend over all. (and what look you want it to look like,.. i.e. show room condition, original condition, or 'rat rod')

If money is an issue,.. A running car, in road worthy condition (or very close to it.), in original paint (so you can see any rust and no hidden doggy repairs) is your best option.

It's not hard to exceed the cost of a new car bringing an old bug (or any old car for that matter.) back from the dead,.. unless you are in the trade and know what you are doing.

Of course we all love to see a new project started so long as it gets finished.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I didn't realise how costly getting it back on the road could be, but forums are here to put the dreamers back in line (sometimes) I think I might take the advice that most of you agreed on, I'll leave them where they stand and I'm gonna save for a few more months and get something a bit more complete.

If anyone else is interested, I found the cars in advertised in the City Coast and Country Trader, the address to check them out is 12 De Gunst St, Bundaberg, Qld. The phone number is 0406 328 073. I hope it's alright for me to share that information on the forum.

Further to opinion number seven.
I am a builder
budget then double it. No one knows what is really envolved ahead of time apart from those who k ow it back to front. That is why I get paid well to estimate projects. (i have stuffed up to k ow better now).

You will sink a good few thousands on a resto even if you get a good base. If you have heaps of time then it may be worth it.
But you may be better saving up for a few months-a year and keeping watch.
4k will get you a nice driver.
6k will get you a nice driver that looks great.
9k will get you a nice ovla that is pretty tidy and will go up in value, or it will get you a tidy tidy large rear window beetle.

yep buy one already done, saves u heaps of time and money.