I said goodbye to my Baja Bug this weekend

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
04/21/2014 at 11:32 • Filed to: None

Well, it happened, you guys. The Baja was sold on Saturday.

I'm sad to see it gone, but I'm hoping to have another fun car in my garage by the end of the year. That's the goal, at least.

I only owned the Bug for a short period of time (since December) but those four short months taught me more about cars and car ownership than I could have ever imagined. I picked the Baja up in December after running across it on Craigslist one night. I saw it the day after I discovered it online and purchased it just a few days later.

To be honest, I had very little experience working on cars before I purchased the Bug. I'd only done simple tasks such as changing brakes, air filters, and oil, but the Baja required much more than that. I purchased an extremely poor running car because the previous owner didn't know how to make it run well, and I got it for a great price because of that.

After puttering home on three cylinders the night I purchased it, I parked it in my garage and just stared at it for a few hours. I had a very limited set of tools, almost no knowledge about the car I had sitting in my garage, and frankly, I was scared of what I had just bought. Over the next few weeks, I picked up about $500 worth of tools, parts and repair manuals so I could get the Bug running how it should.

I spent countless hours in my garage working on the Baja and getting it into a mechanically perfect state. My hard work paid off and the Bug became as reliable as it could be. I really began to love the car.

Driving it around town was always a treat. Nobody in St. Louis owned a car like mine, and that made the car even more special. Driving to work was fun. Cruising down the highway going 75 on the way to class was pants shittingly scary and something that everyone has to experience. Flooring the go pedal in first gear all the way to 30 m.p.h. made the engine scream and lifting off the throttle produced a series gunshot like backfires. The Baja brought a massive smile to my face every time I started the engine.

The Baja was extremely fun and it taught me a ton about ownership and cars in general. If something was wrong with the car, it wasn't as simple as taking it to a garage to have somebody else fix it; I was responsible for diagnosing and fixing the problem. The Bug was an insanely fun car to own and I hope that a few years down the road I can pick up another one.

The new owner of the Baja is a true gear head and he too owned a beautiful Baja until about three weeks ago when somebody ran a stop light and hit him head on. When he first stepped into my garage to check out my car, I could see his face light up. I pushed it out of the garage for him, started it up and told him to go out for a rip around the neighborhood. He gladly obliged, jumped in the drivers seat and nearly peeled out of my driveway out of excitement. 15 minutes later, he returned with a huge smile on his face and asked if he could take the car off my hands right then and there. I of course said yes, he gave me my full asking price, and handed over the cash just like that.

5 minutes later, the title was signed over to him and he was on his way.

I loved the Baja Bug because of how unique and fun it was. The car taught me plenty and was also a huge help in saving for my next car. I made a tidy profit off of it and all the money I made is already set aside for whatever it is that will be in my garage next.

For Sweden and Raph, I'm sorry to leave you guys alone on team Baja Bug, but it was fun while it lasted. I left the Oppo sticker on the rear window of the Bug when I sold it, so maybe if we're lucky, the new owner will discover us here and post updates on it.

This is the current, empty state of my garage. I woke up this morning and left for class, half expecting to still see the Bug in there on my way out. I only had the car for a short period of time, but it's still strange walking through my garage and not seeing it there. I'm sad, but also looking forward to my next car.

That is all, Oppo. Thanks for reading!

DISCUSSION (47)

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:35

Orlove should have bought this and used his for parts. Yours looks like it was in great shape.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:36

You need a bmw 2002.

For Sweden > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:36

Team Baja Bug will soldier on!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:47

I feel 'recommending' this post doesn't fit the tone. Sad times, but hopefully you'll move on to something better :)

Big Bubba Ray > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
04/21/2014 at 11:48

Been looking into those! All the 2002's for sale around me are rusted pieces of shit. I'm planning on saving around seven grand for my next car and I'm not sure I could find one that really floats my boat for that price. I'll just have to see what the future holds!

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/21/2014 at 11:49

The body sucked. I think Orlove's body was in better condition, but everything else on mine was awesome. I got it into great shape for very little money.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:50

how bad can it be? yours is a color

Big Bubba Ray > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/21/2014 at 11:50

Haha I understand not wanting to recommend a somber post, but thanks! I think by the end of the year I should have more than enough saved to get something really awesome. That's the plan, at least.

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/21/2014 at 11:51

Haha ya I definitely had that on him. The floors really needed to be done. I don't know if you caught this post that I did last week, but you can check out all the rust and what not if you feel so inclined.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:53

I am looking at some currently but they are all rusty.

Coty > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:54

:'(

Big Bubba Ray > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
04/21/2014 at 11:55

They're definitely in rough shape. I'd probably have to travel somewhere south to pick up an example that's still in good shape.

Big Bubba Ray > Coty
04/21/2014 at 11:57

I know, sad day indeed. I have plans for more cool cars in the near future so I'm not too sad!

Hopefully one day I can own another air-cooled VW cause it was a damn fun car.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 11:58

oh wow I missed that body rust. I guess this was a 10 footer eh?

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 12:00

Poor thing....I feel you though it was a cool car! maybe this monster can take its place? http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4426435746…

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 12:01

I found three for $2500 if I get them I could sell you one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 12:18

Time for something a with a bit more power! Maybe another off-road oriented car with a flat four. Comes in WRC Blue and usually has gold wheels...

Kinja'd!!!

Coty > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 12:35

Get a Fasty!

Meatcoma > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 13:39

Kinja'd!!!

Some kind of crazy bacon big wheel here!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 13:40

Sad to hear. I read the story on my phone in class and it was depressing. I remember posting a few weeks ago if I should sell my car. You commented that I should hold onto it, but I was still skeptical. A day after that post I wondered why the hell I would sell it. After reading your story, I really have no desire to sell my car.

I wish you the best of luck finding your next fun car. I would agree with Vdynamo and recommend that you try a BMW 2002. It's a fun car and easy to work on. I read your comments and 7K is plenty to get a clean one. You might have to travel to get it, but there are many nice ones for $4-6K. Hell make a rally 2k2. Also, it's worth noting that a Beetle is actually bigger than a 2002. Here's a picture of my uncles 72 next to my 71.

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/21/2014 at 14:04

Sorry for the bummer of a post! But I'm glad I could talk you into holding on to your 2002. It's a beautiful car and because it's in such nice shape I wouldn't be surprised if you passed it onto your kids well into the future!

A 2002 is definitely on my list of cars that I might want to pick up next. I'm saving a bunch to find one somewhere in the south because cars rust a lot slower than here in St. Louis. I'm really looking forward to finding a car somewhere far from where I live, flying to buy it and then road tripping home. Hopefully it all works out! But thanks for reading!

Big Bubba Ray > Meatcoma
04/21/2014 at 14:05

It's my brother's! Haha its basically a Big Wheel with wheels on the back that swivel so you can drift it around. I'm 6 foot 2 so waaaaayyy too big for it, but occassionally I'll squeeze on to it and fly around for a few minutes haha

Big Bubba Ray > Coty
04/21/2014 at 14:06

Haha I need something actually fast! They're awesome cars, but I'm looking for something that's relatively quick and that handles well.

Big Bubba Ray > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/21/2014 at 14:07

God, if I could afford the insurance on a WRX I'd be really tempted to pick one up!

The only reason I got an Outback without a turbo is cause the turbo jacked the insurance up too much. I pay $1,000 a year for my N/A OB and I've got a clean driving record. A WRX would bleed me dry haha

Big Bubba Ray > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
04/21/2014 at 14:08

Tempting, but I'm going to hold out until I've got plenty saved up! haha

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 14:10

I will give you a great deal I will probably rebuild the engine also. I might also make performance parts for them.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 14:11

Not a problem. If you want a good 2002 check out bmw2002faq.com. I don't know if you remember any of them, they were posted in my old post, but a really clean one selling for $5,800 and another older restored one for $6,500. Both green.

Big Bubba Ray > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
04/21/2014 at 14:13

Well damn. If you end up doing that, let me know because a 2002 is high up on my list of next possible cars!

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/21/2014 at 14:14

Mmmmmm I love green cars and I do remember that post. I'll definitely give that a look and see what's out there! Thanks!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 14:17

I will I might cast carb adapters so you can run a 4 barrel on a 2002 I will definitely tell you if I do this.

Coty > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 15:04

Fasty with EJ swap.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 15:14

Ah good. So long as it was a voluntary decision. So often it seems that people are forced to sell cars they enjoy due to circumstance.

Got anything in mind?

Big Bubba Ray > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/21/2014 at 15:16

Ya I'm fortunate that I can afford stupid cars like the Bug.

I'm hoping to pick a 240 or 280Z next. The guy that bought my car already found one for me haha so I'm gonna look at it soon.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 15:46

Yeah, I know the feeling :) I'm lucky I've got the space and funds to muck about with my Spitfire.

A Z would be very cool. They're eminently affordable in the States, but ludicrously expensive over here. Utter rust-buckets got for £10k+, and it's £20-30k for a good one.

They didn't sell many here and I couldn't work out why until I read a contemporary review. It got panned by the press in the UK, phrases such as 'if we knew this was the standard people were working to we wouldn't have been so harsh on the MGC'. I think the suspension was softer over here so the handling wasn't as sharp, and the price was much higher compared to the competition than in the States.

Dusty Ventures > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 16:28

Since you said the new owner's a gearhead you should consider sending him a message and inviting him here :)

Big Bubba Ray > Dusty Ventures
04/21/2014 at 16:38

I unfortunately didn't even think to mention Oppo! I'm hoping he wonders what the hell the Oppo sticker on the back window means and maybe he'll google it and discover us! Haha

Dusty Ventures > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 17:02

Kinja'd!!!

Somehow I doubt that will work...

Big Bubba Ray > Dusty Ventures
04/21/2014 at 17:36

haha shit, I'm still gonna hold out hope that somehow he makes his way on to here!

Big Bubba Ray > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/21/2014 at 17:45

Holy shit that's expensive! I can't believe rusted out examples are selling for that much.

I hope to pick one up that's got very minimal rust or all the rust taken care of. I'm a mechanical guy, not a body work person so pretty much the only requirements are that the body is right and tight and that it's a stick haha

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
04/21/2014 at 17:49

Ya it's a bummer that it's gone but I know I'll have something wild soon enough!

For some reason I can't get your link to work! Haha

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 17:59

Yeah, it's the rarity that does it. I think I've only ever seen 3 for sale at any one time, country-wide. Maybe one in every 5 will be RHD.

I much prefer working on mechanicals to bodywork as well. I can do both pretty competently, but it's just more satisfying bolting things together than sitting there endlessly flatting down the same panel.

Local Miata Bro > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 19:44

You should buy one of the V8 RX7s for sale in STL before I blow all of my money on one

Big Bubba Ray > Local Miata Bro
04/21/2014 at 19:50

V8 RX7 in STL?? WHERE?

I'm sure I don't have the money for it yet, but I'd love to see it!

Local Miata Bro > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 19:52

There is one in Wentzville for 2500$ it's on craigslist

Big Bubba Ray > Local Miata Bro
04/21/2014 at 19:57

Just found it! That thing would be insane to drive around haha

Local Miata Bro > Big Bubba Ray
04/21/2014 at 21:02

Words cannot describe how much i want to just blow all of my money on that thing

thebigbossyboss > Big Bubba Ray
04/22/2014 at 08:42

You sir are awesome. Keep calm and motor on friend!