Probably a dumb idea

"The Dummy Gummy" (dummygummy)
10/08/2018 at 08:30 • Filed to: vw, bug, beetle, BOGO

A lady I know is selling her 2 mint 1973 VW bugs for sub $10k. The one car I really like, but she’s selling it as a duo. Seems like a great deal, but spending my money on two is probably a dumb idea.

My pricing knowledge isn’t too great on these either. I feel like the bug market is pretty saturated compared to the bus; and not nearly desired as a car. But they are kept so well that it’s hard to pass up.

Edit/repost: Since the first post, I went back and discovered these are actually Super Beetles. I’ve also f ound !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (this price is for the 2, not individually) !! So I’m not sure if this deal is that great. Thanks for all the tips everyone.

DISCUSSION (24)

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > The Dummy Gummy
10/07/2018 at 22:31

If you were in Oz...that much money would get you most of a good one . But not two.

Either way, do it. It won't make you rich but you won't be stuck with two for long.

The Dummy Gummy > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
10/07/2018 at 22:38

Honestly that’s how I feel. The one I’m in love with and unloading the other could at least cover/supplement most of the cost for the other. My hesitation comes with the fact my wife really wants an addition on the house and this would just lock up money a bit longer ha.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > The Dummy Gummy
10/07/2018 at 22:43

Best do some research and present a solid argument then for the transaction...good luck.

Dusty Ventures > The Dummy Gummy
10/07/2018 at 22:45

Buy them, sell the one on The Samba . It should go quick

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Dummy Gummy
10/07/2018 at 22:51

Biu ld the addition yourself. The money you save would pay for both bugs and a Porsche engine swap

vicali > The Dummy Gummy
10/07/2018 at 23:25

Even if they are both super nice $10k for two late beetles (tell me they are not supers- please) is too much..

Keep looking.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 06:35

You could buy them both for $10K and I bet you could get more than $5K out of the second one if it’s in good shape. You’d be getting a profit out of it that way. I mean, even if you got $7K for it, that’s another $2000 towards your house addition.

Would she buy it if you swung it to her that way?

The Dummy Gummy > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
10/08/2018 at 07:22

This is a fair assessment. I j ust get excited because I love bugs/buses, and would love to have one of each. I need to remove my emotions.

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/08/2018 at 07:24

Building an addition myself is not an option, but I wish it was. I work too much. It’d probably take 20years to finish.

The Dummy Gummy > vicali
10/08/2018 at 07:25

Definitely not super beetles. The one has some clear coating issues on the hood too. You’re right. My mind was talking him down to $7-7.5k but I don’t see it happening.

The Dummy Gummy > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
10/08/2018 at 07:29

Oh my wife is crazy patient with my shenanigans. I honestly don’t know how I got so lucky. She’d be okay with the purchase (and is actually the one who brought it to my attention because she knows my affinity for old bugs/vanagon’s ) , it’s more a fear on my end. I’m extremely diligent with the utilization of our capital, but this purchase is tugging at my emotions.

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 07:41

lol it took me like 6 months to build a couple bookcases (not IKEA, they were custom)

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 07:47

I've had one of each. Perhaps I'm not really a car guy. Though to be fair, there was a time when both the bug and the buses were deeply uncool.

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/08/2018 at 07:56

I totally get it. I’ve been trying to build an outdoor shower for two years now....still haven’t picked up the wood haha

Life gets busy.

The Dummy Gummy > vicali
10/08/2018 at 08:12

So I looked back at the pictures because I wanted to be 100% they weren’t super because she made no mention of it. She said it was just the regular beetle . But they are super beetles. The spare tire is flat in the frunk. Now I’ve really made it more complicated in my mind haha.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 08:37

I can understand that. I look at it from the angle that you could likely sell the second Bug for more than you paid for it, so even though you’re buying both and spending $10K, that’s $5K per bug and with a profit of let’s say, $2K, you’re still only paying $3K for one bug then (even though that is a lot of money)....if it tugs at your heartstrings, there’s nothing wrong with that. :)

The Dummy Gummy > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
10/08/2018 at 08:45

That’s honestly how I was treating it too. The fear is not getting back the original value back of both if I’m overstating the value of the two in my head (just hate being down on investments haha) . I tried researching the prices range wildly on TheSamba ($3000 -> $20,000) for the same year and model (different color).

The Dummy Gummy > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
10/08/2018 at 09:05

I envy you. I wish I lived in that time. They’re so expensive now haha

vicali > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 09:26

Nope nope nope... supers are not the beetles you are looking for..

The Dummy Gummy > vicali
10/08/2018 at 09:52

Oh really? I thought they were better? They had more space and better rides. Are they outcast because they aren’t original and have a flat roof line?

Die-Trying > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 13:27

the front suspensions are different. the older ones had a torsion bar set up, and the supers had struts......

The Dummy Gummy > Die-Trying
10/08/2018 at 13:58

Right, but I heard that helped with the death rattle and made the turning better. The only negatives of supers came from die hards that didn’t like the change. I was wondering if it was an issue of resale or actually just a bad car. Thanks for the knowledge!

ranwhenparked > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 19:12

Like all old cars, condition is everything. Would you spend more than $3,100 each bringing the 2/$3800 cars up to the same level as the 2/$10,000 cars?

vicali > The Dummy Gummy
10/08/2018 at 22:14

Supers are different- front struts, curved windshields, more room inside, more fuel injection, more emission controls, more safety etc etc. They were newer, ‘modern’ cars in 72.. not s o lovingly referred to as fat chicks because as they added metal and emissions to the car they didn’t give it any more engine.

Supers with worn bushings give you your speed wobble up front. Most people looking for beetles want simple easy classic models- pre 67 with the old bowl lights are most sought after, before 58 are ovals and not for the front of heart or wallet.

My favourite is a 66- old style with the 1300 and things like 4chanel brakes.. 60-63 have smaller windows all around- but are also 1200 36hp and 6v..

Original is great- rust is bad. M odded during the 80s is bad too..

Not many people are out there searching for super beetles- I would say the market is a tenth of standard beetles. Like I said $ 10k for two Supers is way over priced. They go for $2-3k each in nice shape, less if they need work.