Ask oppo: birthday gift edition

"AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop" (ac-2-shoes)
08/06/2018 at 19:19 • Filed to: None

Oppo, my 14th birthday is coming up, and I have a question: Should I buy this Beetle shell with motor and trans for $500-$900 as a combination birthday and Christmas present?

DISCUSSION (39)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:21

Do you want to spend $5-10k getting it road w orthy?

MM54 > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:23

Do you have somewhere to keep it? Are you capable of doing the work it needs to be roadworthy by the time you are able to drive it (or able to afford having it done) ? Is it still going to be of interest to you in a year, two years, three years? If so, consider it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:24

I mean I would. But I’m stupid

DipodomysDeserti > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:25

Yes you should. You are one of us, spend your parents’ money while you have it.

wafflesnfalafel > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:27

I’m lazy, so I wouldn’t - but heck, whatever float’s your boat. I came home from the hospital (after being born) and learned to drive on the same 1970 Beetle so I have a soft spot in my heart for those . My 13yo nephew is fixated on Kia Souls - look at any of them?

lone_liberal > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:30

I wouldn’t because the parts needed aren’t going to be very common in junk yards anymore so you’ll have to buy everything through forums, eBay, the aftermarket etc. and there are a lot of parts involved even in a Beetle. A car that’s complete but needs work would probably be cheaper in the long run. But I hate Beetles so take what I say with a large number of grains of salt.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
08/06/2018 at 19:33

5-10?!? I don’t think It would cost that much what with most of the mechanical parts included

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > MM54
08/06/2018 at 19:34

I would buy it as a project with my dad to be my first car

Spridget > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:35

For VWs, the mechanical stuff is the easy part; they made millions of these engines and there are plenty of parts. Finding all of the various, random trim prices and interior pieces and getting them all together is the hard part.

CB > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:35

I wouldn’t. You’re turning 14, keep saving up so you can get something more rad later on.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > wafflesnfalafel
08/06/2018 at 19:35

I’m fixated on GT86’s. You’re nephew is fixated on souls? He’s not very Jalop, is he?

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/06/2018 at 19:35

No worries, that accounts for virtually every one on oppo

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > CB
08/06/2018 at 19:36

I’m saving for a Toyoscio baru , would that be better

TheJWT > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:38

Ima keep it real with u chie f

vicali > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:40

Ewww. For a super? Nope..

MM54 > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:41

If he’s on board, go for it.

I come from a bizzaro world where I taught my dad about working on cars instead of the other way around.

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > MM54
08/06/2018 at 19:41

So do I, but he’s succeeded me

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:42

I mean if you feel like doing all this work on a Beetle then my suggestion would be to find a wrecked Toyobaru-- this is such a terrible idea on my part. Here's an idea: A60 Supra body then poof a 2JZ into it and R154 stick. A70 works too. No, that idea sucks too. Umm.... Boosted Civic to smoke the ricers at your school? I'm just spouting ideas, I'm pretty sure you'll be better off with the Beetle tho. But boosted Civic is a pretty realistic idea....i think

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > TheJWT
08/06/2018 at 19:42

You forgot the deep fried muppet meme

AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
08/06/2018 at 19:44

My dad already owns an 8th gen civic we rebuilt together, but he’s deciding on selling or saving it for me

wafflesnfalafel > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:45

Nope - you are correct! He the “oppo”site of his daddy who had done Neon cup and rallied Imprezas. GT86s are cool - I tried a BRZ on for size but I don’t really fit...

Die-Trying > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:46

Kinja'd!!!

a guy can do a whole lot with a volkswagen.

the critters are still fairly common, although they are starting to slowly dry up...... what you are eyeballing is a superbeetle, and have a bit different suspension than the older beetles. that is a nice price all day long. looks like the body is nice and straight. if it comes with glass, even better. does it run?.......

those older cars are way underpowered by todays standards. they MIGHT make 70hp. but if you are willing/able to work on it, its a good buy........

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:48

I like this idea. However I think this is a not wise idea.

XJDano > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 19:57

Short answer, no.

Frenchlicker > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:01

I wouldn’t recommend it. However if I had the time and money o definitely would. You can;t find a semi solid one with an engine for that price in the Midwest.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:01

I’d say go for it, but I’m also an enabler of the worst habits

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:09

You are looking at a car that doesn’t run, probably for some unknown reason. You are looking at needing a full rebuild and going through of every system on the car. It needs a new fuel system, new electrics, a new interior, new glass, new suspension, new brakes, and many other things. It looks nice and shiny and has something that may or may not be a working drivetrain in the back but it needs a full rebuild before being road worthy.

jimz > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:16

I’m with MM54. if the fam is on board, and you have a place to keep stuff while you work on it, then it might be a neat project.

but- just like any other “project”- in the end expect it to cost at least 3x as much and take twice as long as you plan for ;)

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:41

That’s a bad idea. Save and buy a decent Honda or Toyota and enjoy having functional cheap transportation . Then save up for a Toyobaru.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
08/06/2018 at 20:42

These are all terrible ideas.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 20:46

link?

My family has always had a project car. So in the words of peter egan “asking me if, is the same as asking if the pope has anything positive about catholism.”

To quote my dad when buying my 911sc “i’m not going to say you should buy it, but I’m definitely not going to stand in your way”

Som things to consider, do you have tools? does the engine have good compression (a sign it doesn’t need a full rebuild )

I have brought 2 914s back on the road and the one thing is it isn’t the major costs it is all the $ 20-$ 50 bits that add up. While rebuilding we laughed cried and yelled, but looking back I have no regrets. With that I have to go with turbo charged squirrel, be prepared to spend maybe 5k to get back on the road properly. Looking at that it could easily cost over a thousand for glass.

fhrblig > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 21:28

Do you want to be able to regularly drive to and from places? Then no.

I understand the appeal, but a project car as your primary mode of transportation is a bad time. If I’d gone that route in high school, I’d have been miserable. I had a boring car but I had an absolute blast with it. Can’t go off on driving adventures with your friends if you have to be constantly working on your car. Plus, if you’re going off to college in a few years you'll want a reliable car.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
08/06/2018 at 21:30

Thanks. I try

MrDakka > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 21:36

Here’s a better idea. Invest that money in Amazon/Apple/tech stock and in a bout a decade, sell your shares and buy a real Volkswagen.

Kinja'd!!!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 22:24

You should find a rail buggy if you're near somewhere sandy. That way you can actually legally drive it.

Spoon II > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 22:40

I love beetles, so I can’t be trusted. But yeah, if you want to build something fun up, totally go for it!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 22:44

Glass and rubber seals cost more than you think.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 22:47

I just bought a 84 Rabbit partly because any running flat windows Beetle is too expensive. Maybe look into Mk1s?

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > AC2 - The Now 15 Year Old Jalop
08/06/2018 at 23:16

Dude, just save your money. This will cost way more to get running. I remember being 14 and wanting project cars (I almost bought a 302 foxbody with a head gasket issue) at 15 but I thank my lucky stars I didn’t. You don’t want to be broke this early in the game.