To say that I am shocked at what Bugs are fetching these days is an understatement but then I realised that alot of them are now over 40 years old.

Although I am a Ford man now I have always had a soft spot for The Peoples Car so, as posted in the new members forum, I plan to get one to mildly modify for a "play" car. I have sort of set my mind on a '68 or later to get IRS but that is as far as I have got.

I rang the Beetle Exchange in Canberra today and asked them what they wanted for a unregistered '68+ beetle and they told me anywhere from $1800 to $3000 depending on condition. I was a bit taken aback when I heard this as I am used to dirt cheap E series Falcons. I mean I picked up a whole 98 EL wagon with rear end damage for $400.00 and transferred everything except the doors into my ED wagon (which BTW, I paid $450.00 for).

So I need a reality check on what to expect in the VW Beetle world and would appreciate some advice.

Cheers

I think your best bet is to do an Ebay search on beetles. That way you can see prices people pay. If you are registered u can save searches . I am sure its possible to get one for around a grand but you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Also keep your eyes out for bugs in peoples yards. Thats how I got mine. I just left a note in the guys letterbox and we striked a price up, that we were both happy with.

I took a while to come to my Beetle and have been looking for another car for a friend that does not use the internet,

from what I can see, and please correct me if I am wrong here but:

$2000 and under is going to buy you a real project car, rust, dents, mechanical issues, unregistered.

$2500-$3500 will get you something reasonable, maybe some rust issues, nothing major, although still costs $$$ to fix, what you would call an average example.


$4000-$6000 should get a pretty clean example, with only a few small issues.


$8000 should net you a mint example that has been lovingly looked after and cared for since new.



Sure there are exceptions to these, but I think that is a rough guide to go by.

Sounds right. As I said tho, use EBay to see prices people pay as a guide. I dont say use EBay. But always a good idea to keep your options open, as can sometimes get a last minute bargain if you wait to place a bid in dying seconds. I personally avoid EBay and look in forums like this for things.

Thanks guys, still a bit surprised.

My aim is to find a beetle that needs work. I am not one to shy away from work and am quite prepared to get in the thick of it, many years of building offroad race cars has prepared me for that. This will be a long term project and for all I know that car may end up in my daughters hands (she's 10 now)! I have learnt from my Ford projects that it is cheaper to buy a spares car than to buy pieces however in the beetle world I wouldn't say no to car without engine etc.

Going on prices, I have an ebay search in place. One of the cars that came back with this mornings search is this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270363351785&ss...

So, from what you're saying, the $4K buy it now price is reasonable for a car like this? Hail damage, peeling clear, ripped seats etc etc

Cheers
Bruce

Dont be in a rush. Your better waiting for the right car otherwise you could be paying way too much for a POS. Way better off with a good base at the right money. Something like a semi auto for $1500, irs, german body etc and then set up what you want with it, or a half built project is often a good starter. My 2c

if your shocked at beetle prices be glad your not looking for a split screen kombi

these days the ones that go for less $6000 most sane people would send to the crushers
seriously, project ones are lucky to be found for under $5k

ohyeah semi autos are easily converted to manual
the only hard part is the earlier ones often didnt have the cnoduit for the clutch cable in the central tunnel and fitting that is a right royal pain in the arse

Quote:

Originally posted by Joel if your shocked at beetle prices be glad your not looking for a split screen kombi these days the ones that go for less $6000 most sane people would send to the crushers seriously, project ones are lucky to be found for under $5k