Hey everyone,

So i'm looking at getting another beetle as a project car for me. I want to start with something like my first beetle, a 1972 1300cc with only 3 owners b4 me, and work on her slowly. Thing is i'm still fairly new the beetle scene and its been a couple of years since i last sat behind that VW crested steering wheel. So could all you old hands at this let me know if this could be a little outta my range at the moment. Is it as relativly easy as all my mags and books tell me it is? I did all the servicing on the old bug, but thats about as far as my mechanical skills take me. When i go out looking to buy a new beetle, should i go for an rusty demon or a recently restored one?

If you have the money I would go for one that is finished. Restos always cost more than you can get back if you sell it, you have to buy welders sheet metal fabrication tools and all new parts. If you want a car you know every inch of and will last you another 20 years its the way to go, but like I said, rebuilding any car from the ground up is a very expencive proposition. When you can get a good 60's Beetle for $3500-$6000, you have to wonder if it's worth the hassel?
Rob..

Sweet, thanks for idea's Rob. I'm still kinda leaning away from buying a completed restored car as, like you said, i would love to get to know the new baby intimently, every inch. But i think the expense of a ground up resto is a little overwhelming to.. might have to find some middle ground :thumb

Having a ponder last night about this, (like I think of anything else besides beetle ) can you save money when getting a professional to do stuff like rust repair but doing all the surface prep work, like stripping the old girl down and taking her off to be sandblasted and resprayed and all that. or is the savings so minimal that its not worth it?