| [ Total Views: 103607 | Total Replies: 58 | Thread Id: 80773 ] |
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 Laverda Bomber
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| posted on December 11th, 2009 at 10:19 PM |
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A Beetle for a P Plater
Ok Folks,
I know you lot are probably the wrong crowd to be asking this as i am actually looking for a balanced response but here goes.........
Should i buy my 16yo daughter an old beetle as her first car????
Pros and cons?
We live 50km out of town so it would do a few k's.
Fire away......
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:14 PM |
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They are good daily drivers if you maintain them. These are not modern computer manufactured vehicles. they require regular human maintenace to
achieve their best. Depending on how old you intend to buy will determine how much input you will need. As a first beetle I would suggest a '68 plus
as they have disc brakes,larger glass,sealed beams,safety steering column,3 point seat belts,2 speed wipers,better suspension. Rust is your biggest
enemy, then crash damage, then bad maintenace. Luckily you can buy EVERYTHING you need to rebuild/maintain the car. Good Hunting 
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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cam070
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| posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:29 PM |
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From a learning to drive point of view, and my experience learning on a bug, if you can drive a bug everything else seems easy. I wouldn't say they
are the easiest cars to learn on, with no power options.
Getting back into one after years without one is weird.
Something else to consider is, will she appreciate it? If so that makes the maintenence a lot easier.
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STIDUB
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 12:30 AM |
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i learnt to drive in my bug  best thing i ever did/was forced to do,
now love dubs, my suggestion would be go 68> though, & supers are a decent option (especially if you want a toy later on) if your down that
way, from looking on here, edgeworks L bug/1303 is an awesome buy, location would help alot as there is probably a friend of friend that knows of a
good dub locally off here
ps, they are forgiving, for a learner thats a good thing  just make sure
the brakes & suspension is in good condition & it will be right, rust as perviously mentioned is the downside, find one with good body/pan
decent engine & box & your onto a winner, the downsides are, she will probably hate no air con, or power steer, or silence while driving but
honestly even my sister learnt to appreciate that while learning herself.
ask plenty more questions on here though because the year makes a HUGE difference & fine tuning can make a world of difference to transform a shit
heap to an awesome daily, the key is simply maintainence wouldnt hurt
for her to learn that either
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member
STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress
Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.
The above are personal views, no more, no less |
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DaveCarter
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 02:46 AM |
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I learnt to drive on beetles and now drive a superbug and wouldn't have it any other way. Learning to drive in a car with no power steering, no abs,
a short shift kit and a car that may break down has made me a much more mechanically empathetic driver. Instead of just driving on oblivious i listen
to the engine in my car, i can jump in my friends cars and drive if i have to. Things like that are invaluable and another plus is that beetles
aren't really quick enough for your daughter to get herself in to trouble. She will also get the respect for driving an older car, especially a
manual 
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71-BEETLE-SEDAN
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 06:27 AM |
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I learnt in a beetle and am glad i did. Ever since i started driving it ive learnt aloot about the mechanics of them and how to maintain them and also
to do some repairs verry quickly.
Like mentioned before they are forgiving, and ive also learnt how to controll a slide because of my bug. And now i can get in nearly any manual car
and drive it with ease.
And beetles do have air con, there is too flaps in front of the windows, they are reffered to as vent windows
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 Bizarre
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 06:39 AM |
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IF you decide to go this way then buy a post 1973
disc brakes
collapsable steering column
BIG tail lights that others can see
IRS
high back seats
Not as cllectable but MUCH easier to drive
It WILL take a while to get it reliable
Just make sure your daughter is comfortable with the prospect she MAY be stranded once and a while
Futue te ipsum!!!
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Bizarre
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 06:40 AM |
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I sought of agree John with the air bag bit
We are going through that with my son and wife
My opinion is to spend money on an advanced driving course
That is the best safety device
Futue te ipsum!!!
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Laverda Bomber
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 07:05 AM |
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Good responses guys.
I've talked with my daughter about it and she reckons a bug is her dream car.
We have just bought a 77 campmobile (See First Post by Newbie) and have been tidying that up ready for rego.
A had a Dormobile splittie 15 years ago that i sold and have been kicking myself ever since. Know where it is, still unrestored, but chances of ever
getting it back are slim.
Had 2 trips around Europe as a young fella in Kombies and my dad had a late 60's wagon when i was a little tacker.
Hence my attraction to them.
Tried to convince my missus we should be an all volksie family when we first got married but she wouldn't come at it.
My 18yo sun is a dreadlocked surfie with an econovan who wishes it was a Kombi. Funnily enough it was me who talked him out of it as i new the
reliability might be an issue and he is not mechanically minded.
My daughter is no different but she probably won't be doing weekend surfing trips too often so i reckon the bug closer to home might be an ok option.
And if it doesn't work....I'll just keep it and get her something else.
We have a brilliant mechanic and i like tinkering and am reasonable with the spanners having been into bikes since i was a kid so between me and my
mechanic i reckon we could do it justice.
I am quite partial to superbugs to so your comments re later model benefits all add up.
Keep the comments coming.
Bomber
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Bizarre
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 07:18 AM |
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Super parts are cheaper as well
Elephant foot tail lights $30.00
Oval hearts $500++++
Futue te ipsum!!!
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71-BEETLE-SEDAN
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 07:31 AM |
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i would d an advanced drivers course
and when im driving my car i know im gunna get hurt if i crash so i drive more carfully
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NuZo
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 07:46 AM |
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just let her know, yes beetles look "cute" but they have no aircon, no power steering, no electric windows, none of the luxuries alot of young girls
expect from cars. but if she is really set on one, then go for it.
like many others, i learnt to drive in my beetle. once u master a beetle, you CAN drive anything...
Just as per usual, shes young, dont let her do silly things.
Great cars
GL HF!!
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 barls
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 08:23 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by 71-BEETLE-SEDAN
i would d an advanced drivers course
and when im driving my car i know im gunna get hurt if i crash so i drive more carfully
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i think they should be mandatory for all p plater. i learned to drive in a bug and a lada. if you can drive ether of them you can drive anything.
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Joel
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 08:44 AM |
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gotta agree with most of whats been said here
later models are much safer cars, more common and also parts are cheaper and easier to get
to all the people saying that learning in a bug you can drive anything thats a load of CRAP!
these people need to get out and drive a few more older cars
just cos bugs dont have power steering or brakes and are old doesnt mean there hard to drive, they're one of the easiest things to learn in
an old 3onthetree holden/ford with no steer from the same era takes alot more skill
geez i did my years as apprentice parking in overcrowded carparks in LWB hiaces and expressvans with no windows in the sides and no steer
that is like parrallel parking the friggen titanic with a blind fold on
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DylanTheDubber
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 08:46 AM |
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She will love it as her first car but because shes learning an L bug (super bug 73 onwards) Will be ideal as it has better handling from its front
strut suspension and a dashed dash for safty. There great cars to learn on but if the 50 km is going ot be an issue than go for the l bug.
From Dylan
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donn
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 08:49 AM |
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My sons' first car was a Lada 4x4, great car to drive and would go anywhere (while it was going) he also did an advanced driving course and although
he has a very good driving record with only one speeding fine and no accidents (in his 30s' now) after the driving course he did think he was gods
giift to driving and his attitude changed for the worse for a while. I would have to agree with IN2VWS though, my thoughts are that she will get sick
of the VW pretty quickly especialy if she has had or gets experiencedriving a more modern car, but trying to change the mind of the young around to
what you personaly think is usualy like pushing the probervial up hill with the pointed stick. Good luck with your decision.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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ian.mezz
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 01:19 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Laverda Bomber
Good responses guys.
I've talked with my daughter about it and she reckons a bug is her dream car.
Keep the comments coming.
Bomber
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No
Dream car
While your out driving around this weekend count how many people you see driving a old beetle 
I would always recommend to buy a Toyota,hyundai, Kia or laser or something like that before I told someone to go buy a 40 year old car its just
common sense.
and how much money you have to buy a car.
If buying her a new little car ,Hyundai getz or kia about $1200o new
auto air, power steer. and good on fuel
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 01:38 PM |
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Statisticly everyone dies. 100% Its the time between birth and death that is important. If you are not here to follow your dreams then what are you
here for? to become a programmed drone. Make sure she DRIVES her dream car so she makes an iINFORMED decession on her purchase. My car is 49 years old
and never been in an accident. There is only one reason for that = the driver(S), not ABS,SPC, seat belt tensioners, traction control and air bags. I
see a lot of people who drive their cars like they WANT to test out their safety devices. The facts are 98% of cars NEVER use their secondary safety
systems. And they still pull alot of dead people out of cars with airbags (ask your local towie) My2c
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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h
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 03:35 PM |
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my 2c
sure get her an old bug for week-end good times and fun and learning how to fix it up (they all need fixing)
and anothery daily hack like a hyundai or equivalent that she can be safer in (air bags etc)
that she can wreck whilst doing the learning curve bit
for me i wouldnt want my darling 'when i have one' to be learning in an old car that they dont make any more
we have moved on in relation to safety and thus should be utilised on a daily basis
you cant beat air bags ABS etc when it comes to cheap safety
ok thats 4 cents 
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DaveCarter
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 03:56 PM |
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I got this argument from my mum when dad bought me a beetle. "Why doesn't he drive something newer and safer" rah rah rah. Then when the beetle was
off the road getting a respray and i had to get a corolla to get around in, she was happy. Even though it had no airbags or abs and was more powerful.
People have it in their head that newer = safer but until you start buying cars from the mid 90s, your daughter would be just as safe in a beetle and
im sure she would be happier. Plus good luck finding a car with air bags and abs in good condition for cheap.
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:04 PM |
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Quite simple really. All the safety devices in the world wil not save you if you get yourself into a situation where they need to activate. Idiot
drivers kill themselves and others everday on our roads. Smart drivers do not require them. They drive within the boundaries of the vehicle they are
driving.if you are unlucky enough to be hit by one of these idiots then maybe you will make it, maybe you won't. lifes not a guaranteed outcome.
Would you sit in a Hyundai and get rammed by a Landcruiser at 70mph and hope your airbags protect you? Why do they make cars that can do 300kmh when
the national speed limits 110KMH?
interesting logic?
| Quote: | Originally
posted by IN2VWS
.......interesting logic.......
Why do they have ABS or airbags at all then????
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Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:17 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by LUFTMEISTER
Quite simple really. All the safety devices in the world wil not save you if you get yourself into a situation where they need to activate. Idiot
drivers kill themselves and others everday on our roads. Smart drivers do not require them. if you are unlucky enough to be hit by one of these idiots
then maybe you will make it, maybe you won't. lifes not a guaranteed outcome. Would you sit in a Hyundai and get rammed by a Landcruiser at 70mph and
hope your airbags protect you?
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yes korean crap at 70mph rather than my old beetle without seat belts any day of the week for me
over the years i have found on very rare occasions that ABS has cut in and helped me avoid horror smashes when i have you know answered the phone,
changed a cd or a tune on my ipod, having WW3 with my missus or opening a beer etc
smart drivers arn't always smart and are not always in 'on' mode unlike active safety built into modern cars..
its unfort a fact of life and anything that can help avoid a horror smash/injury has to be good
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:23 PM |
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Sorry H the outcome would be the same. Fire hose time
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:25 PM |
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agreed - RIP all.. can somebody get me the number for 000 please..
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DaveCarter
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:33 PM |
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To be fair though ABS becomes almost un needed if you teach your daughter how to break properly. Instead of teaching her to rely on ABS to save her
when she brakes to hard, teach her to back off the peddle when she hears it lock up. Really the argument of whether or not to get one comes down to
the decision between safety in an accident or teaching her the best ways to avoid one
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:34 PM |
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Back on subject. Get her the car that makes her happy and with in her budget. Buyers choice as it should always be.
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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HappyDaze
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 04:45 PM |
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| Quote: | My opinion is to
spend money on an advanced driving course
That is the best safety device
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That's about the best advice you'll get!
I sent our boys to Peter Finlay when they got their licences. They are now in their 40s, and survived those dangerous first few years. That was
probably one of the best investments ever!
Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 05:17 PM |
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Why not look at a second-hand New Beetle (2000-onwards)? They have the same cute looks as the original Beetle, but have a modern Golf 4 platform and
running gear underneath. They have ABS, airbags, etc etc. Older ones have 2.0-litre 85 kW Golf engines which are strong and reliable, and they come in
manual or auto. They are a perfect 'bridge' between the classic air coolers and modern VWs.
Ian wash your mouth out with soap - No Hyundais or Kias or Toyotas thanks.
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ian.mezz
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 05:54 PM |
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ok try this exercise
Go into a Repco , Autopro, Autobarn stores and ask for some 1970 vw service items
Then ring a few Auto service centers and ask about getting some work done on a old 1970 vw bug
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ian.mezz
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| posted on December 12th, 2009 at 06:09 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Phil74Camper
Why not look at a second-hand New Beetle (2000-onwards)? They have the same cute looks as the original Beetle, but have a modern Golf 4 platform and
running gear underneath. They have ABS, airbags, etc etc. Older ones have 2.0-litre 85 kW Golf engines which are strong and reliable, and they come in
manual or auto. They are a perfect 'bridge' between the classic air coolers and modern VWs.
Ian wash your mouth out with soap - No Hyundais or Kias or Toyotas thanks.
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I imagine to buy A decent bug these days you would pay between
$5000to $8000
for that sort of money you could buy 3 to 4 Hyundais
and when one brakes down just leave it on the side of the road and go buy another one
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