I NEED somebody to talk me out of this

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
11/18/2014 at 22:32 • Filed to: None

And I'm being serious. I'm itching SO BAD for another Baja Bug. It's only a matter of time before I pick another one up. Here's what I'm thinking and why I need a level-headed opinion.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So my Subaru needs fixin. It's been sitting in my driveway for the past three weeks while I gather the funds to get the transmission rebuilt. Driving the Datsun every day reminds me how much I really love driving old cars. They deliver a driving experience that new cars just can't match.

I'm thinking:

1. Get transmission rebuilt
2. Sell Subaru for nearly what I paid for it
3. Buy Baja Bug and use as new DD
4. Have some money left over from selling Subie to put into Datsun/VW work

It's been two weeks since I found this Baja on CL and I just can't get the thought out of my head.

Maybe I'm just missing this guy. Seriously, tell me why this is a bad idea.

DISCUSSION (55)

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:35

Dude get a Torino or Fairlane.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:35

Here's an idea: I buy that Baja so you can't.

But seriously. SELL THE SUBIE AND BUY IT YOU FOOL.

bob and john > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:38

because rear engine, RWD and no ABS isnt exatly a safe option....

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:43

Do it.

CRider > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:44

As if it'll go fast enough for any of that to matter.

CRider > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:44

Why did you sell the last Baja?

Coty > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:45

Dude you know what I'm gonna say.

bob and john > CRider
11/18/2014 at 22:45

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:46

I daily drove my Baja last winter and I was fine. I know how to drive these things in shitty weather so that isn't going to stop me! haha

Big Bubba Ray > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:46

DON'T YOU DARE BUY THAT BAJA

I'll sell you the subie haha

Big Bubba Ray > Coty
11/18/2014 at 22:46

Oh, you're no help haha

CRider > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:47

You're right, he should get a motorcycle instead.

Big Bubba Ray > CRider
11/18/2014 at 22:48

I sold the Baja so I could fund getting a Datsun. Bought the Baja insanely cheap, got it running (really well at that), made very minor improvements and made a pretty good profit off of it!

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
11/18/2014 at 22:48

But I can't afford something like that! And they wouldn't fit in my garage either haha

Big Bubba Ray > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/18/2014 at 22:48

Not helping! But I appreciate the input haha

I might have to very seriously consider this.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:48

Nah, I'm looking more for an SUV. But sell it and buy the Baja dammit!!

Coty > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:49

Two Beetles, a Fastback, and a girlfriend with two Beetles. Yeah buddy, let me just tell you the good word of Subaru.

wafflesnfalafel > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:49

bugs are cool - but before you buy one, have someone show you how fun it is to pull the plugs, or take the wheels off, or get the window washer system to work.

bob and john > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:49

hey, you asked for someone to talk you of it.

ok, next: car will rust
you cant count of other idiots not crashing into it. you really wanna destroy a baha because you wanted one and had to winter driv it? no you dont.
carbs and cold. LOL.
how hard is it to find replacement body vparts for a Baja? I honestly have no clue
its still slow as shit
my motorcycle has better windscreen wipers then those twigs.

bob and john > CRider
11/18/2014 at 22:50

Ural......JUST SAYIN. THERE IS NO NEAR MY DAD FOR 6500!

Big Bubba Ray > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/18/2014 at 22:51

Fair enough it was worth a shot haha

I'm very seriously considering doing this. Maaaaan being car obsessed is tiring!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:52

Or if you can find a BRAT...

Big Bubba Ray > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:54

Haha all good points but all things I coped with last winter!

Some of the idiotic little things are what make old ass cars like this such a blast to drive. It's always a new experience.

Shit snacks I'm basically talking myself further into this.

Dusty Ventures > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:55

I cannot in good conscience talk you out of this. That Baja is GORGEOUS!

Big Bubba Ray > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/18/2014 at 22:58

BRATs are nonexistent in and around St. Louis....at least last time I looked. My brother really wanted on for his first car but there were none to be found!

bob and john > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:58

exactly. stop.

you want to be safe. you hahve the datsun to DD in the summer. treat your self to luxury of FI. the beauty of AWD. the grace of heated seats. and the fact that you wont feel like a dick when someone else crashs into your car.

CRider > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:58

I saw a Ural once, complete with sidecar. At a Harley dealer of all places.

Big Bubba Ray > bob and john
11/18/2014 at 22:59

There ya go. Those are convincing points haha

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 22:59

I miss ours. It was awesome.

bob and john > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:02

also, the fact that if something break, you dont need to be on your back in the cold, unforgiving garage and can just drop the car of at a dealer and let them fuck with the dam thing.

Birddog > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:03

"Here's what I'm thinking and why I need a level-headed opinion."

Problem 1, "thinking"

Problem 2, "level headed opinion"

#2 made me laugh pretty hard.

It's an illogical car, rationalization dosent apply. I'm not saying it should be an impulse buy but if the value is there it should be a snap decision.

However I'm often very, disastrously wrong so..

Take that with a grain of salt.

XJDano > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:03

Time, money, & space. It's usually 2 out of 3. But if all 3 come together I don't see why not.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:05

You Sure~?

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:09

Kinja'd!!!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:11

Dude, fucking buy it. I just watched the Dirt Every Day episode with the Baja Bugs. Do it. You know what you're getting into and you know it's a great idea. If you don't buy it, I will be forced to send you 2002 ads.

Dsscats > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:21

That's gorgeous and CHEAP! DO IT

Dsscats > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/18/2014 at 23:24

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR BRAT!

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
11/18/2014 at 23:26

Ooooooh that is cool! I don't know if I'm ready for a American steel yet. I like my goofy little imports haha

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/18/2014 at 23:28

Haha I'm very seriously considering it! I'm going to get the Subie fixed beginning of next week and if the Baja is still available....I'm going to go for it.

Big Bubba Ray > XJDano
11/18/2014 at 23:28

Good point.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dsscats
11/18/2014 at 23:32

It was a '78, it ran, had an awful blue interior, and my Dad paid $275 for it. While all of my friends had 4 wheelers, I had that. I was not envious, I had way more fun. It handled really well(offroad at least, wasn't registered), and was pretty quick for 67 hp. We sold it for $800 to a guy that was looking for one to restore, while we desperately needed the money, so at least it went to a good home. I would love to have one as a daily driver. I ran that thing to the ground. I overheated it more time than I could count. No stock vehicle should be able to handle 60+ on a rough field, but it did, and it did it well. It's how I learned to drive sideways. It's how I learned to drive a manual. It's how I learned to tune a carb. I miss the damn eyesore. It was the most fun $275 could buy.

Kinja'd!!!

Here it is in all it's faded, powdery painted glory, along with our manual 240 parts car that we had while our 240 still ran.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:32

you know you want one

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:42

If you miss it, buy this . You could do some simple work and flip it for $10k.

BoulderZ > Big Bubba Ray
11/18/2014 at 23:48

Nope, that is a fabulous plan. You gain a Baja bug, get rid of a Subaru, and get money ahead for further VW and Datsun work. That's solid progress, that is.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
11/19/2014 at 00:05

So far away from me! But there is another burgundy tii for sale around STL. Only problem I see with it is square tail lights. Would be a fun, cool flip though.

Big Bubba Ray > BoulderZ
11/19/2014 at 00:07

All very good points.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
11/19/2014 at 00:28

I'm actually warming up to square lights. If matched with euro bumpers I think it's a handsome look.

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > Big Bubba Ray
11/19/2014 at 08:02

1. Get transmission rebuilt

2. Sell Subaru for nearly what I paid for it

3. Buy Baja Bug and use as new DD

4. Have some money left over from selling Subie to put into Datsun/VW work

I don't understand why you didn't do this from the beginning. Do it.

TotallyThatStupid > Big Bubba Ray
11/19/2014 at 10:44

Not that I regularly look, but I don't seem to see a lot of clean baja bugs. Therefore I have no wisdom for you in your quest to not buy this.

Spasoje > Big Bubba Ray
11/19/2014 at 20:53

Do it!

Sorry.

Michael Maguire > Big Bubba Ray
11/20/2014 at 22:31

It was put on craigslist two months ago and it is winter...might get a pretty good deal on it and you would be left with a pocket full of cash. Sorry, can't help talk you out of it.

Big Bubba Ray > Michael Maguire
11/20/2014 at 23:45

Haha you, like everybody else, are no help! I emailed the seller yesterday and it is still available. After I get the Subaru fixed next week, if it's still available, I think I'm going to go for it!

Michael Maguire > Big Bubba Ray
11/20/2014 at 23:57

hopefully after I get the chance to drive the subaru! Fingers X'd

Big Bubba Ray > Michael Maguire
11/20/2014 at 23:59

Haha if I got the Baja, I would gladly teach you in that! Baja's are hard to drive, but if you can get that down, you sure as hell can drive anything! I taught my younger brother how to drive stick with my last Baja actually.

Michael Maguire > Big Bubba Ray
11/21/2014 at 00:08

wow that would be amazing. I've maybe only seen 1 or 2 in person in my life on the roads. That would be a cool story to tell...how'd you learn to drive stick? Oh, on a classic baja bug