60's Bug dependability? (Noob Questions)

How much money do you want to sink into it?

It might be worth keeping both. Only putting money into the bug when you can afford to.

4play (@\|/@)(.\~/.) the N.W. USA and the winters can get a bit nasty in the height of the> season. I also drive 15 miles one way to school and work per day. I hear> the heaters are shitty. True? How about general reliabilty? Will I have> to spend more time in the garage than on the road? (Again, generally> speaking). The car will be basically stock (until I get more funds). How> about driving on the snow? Given the above info does it sound feasible> to use this car as a daily driver? Oh, and how about interstate driving> - is 65-75 mph something that this car will be able to tolerate? Are> there any readily available trans kits that could change the gearing or> add a 5th/6th gear to permit freeway speeds? Any thoughts are very much> appreciated. Thanks, I really appreciate it. This information has proven> hard to find online.> >

I've never heard anyone say anything good about the heaters in a bug. The only person I know of who has used one as a daily driver in recent years wore multiple layers of clothing during the winter.

The reliability isn't bad, if only because the car is so simple that there's not much on it that can break. Still, you do have to consider the age of the thing. That's an awfully old car to be depending on every day. I doubt that you'll be spending more time in the garage than on the road, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it left you stranded a couple of times.

As small and light as they are, you're probably not going to feel too comfortable driving 75 mph down the interstate in the winter.

It would be a shame to get rid of it though. My vote is that you keep it but avoid putting money into it when funds get tight.

-- Mark Sokos Electrical Engineer, Computer Geek (er, programmer), and no talent bum musician

I've honestly never had problems with the heating system in the bugs I've owned. It seems to be just me though, so who knows. I did grow up in alaska so that could be part of it I guess.

The only problem I've had with the heating system is de-icing the windows, just not enough airflow to do that. A few swipes with a scraper though and that problem is gone.

Running the heaters on a wet day are bad too, the windows fog up something horrible. Have a little chamoi to wipe that up with no fuss though.

Beyond that though, once the engine is warmed up and you're on the road, the heaters punch PLENTY of heat to keep the passengers warm. Obviously it's dependent on keeping the RPM up. Eventually you may even find yourself trying to bleed off heat because they do such a good job warming the cabin.

I tend to crack one of the windows (did this in alaska too), letting the moist air escape fixes the foggy windows problem quite well.

My heaters work GREAT! My bug cruises at 80+ with no prob (but i have a 1776cc Engine) Of course, i don't see snow where i live. My stepdad (from sweden) made a comment about how the kids with bugs during the swedish winters, would put sandbags upfront to help steering. Not a bad idea at all if you think about it. ~Peace~Justin

Hmm, I'd say it would depend on the condition. I can tell you that there's a world of handling difference between a stock '66 and a stock '69, though. I nearly fishtailed my '66 today going around corners doing speeds I normally do in my '69. As to heaters, my '69, which is still pretty original, works great. Even with the extra ventilation from worn-out 30-year old weatherstripping, I can still keep the interior hotter than comfortable. My '66 was owned by someone who didn't appreciate the heaters, apparently, as everything is disconnected or removed. *sighs*.

As to reliability, if you're willing to maintain it yourself, it should be no problem. They're really pretty simple cars - the older the simpler. If you have to take it to a shop to do every little maintenance item, though, it'll nickel and dime you to death. Same as any other car, I guess, but IMO aircooled VWs generally need more maintenance than your average watercooled domestic or import - more rapid oil changes, frequent valve checks/adjustment, etc. If you're willing and able to maintain it yourself, I think VWs make fine daily drivers. Very economical, and pretty reliable if you keep them within their operational parameters (no excessive engine or vehicle speed, riding brakes, etc.).

As to freeway speeds, I th> Ok, I'm currently building a '66. It was a complete basket case when I

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 09:13:42 -0500, "TerryB" left Mt Vesuvius in a state of jealous awe as he began spewing from the mouth thusly:

You misspelled "Always" as "Somethings." *cough*

-- Travis (Shaggie) '63 VW Camo Baja...

corrodes the vessel that carries it.

THAT DOES IT.............................................lol

You so funny, now cough up a better excuse than "My batteries were low" the next time you go mudd'in!! I need pictures!!!!

Best heater I ever had in a Bug was when I took a length of vacuum cleaner hose, connected it to the duct under the rear seat where the hot air came in, ran the tube up under the passenger rear and front seats, hung it on the dash with a piece of coathanger wire, made a little aluminum deflector to spread the warm aor over the windshield, and MAN! Best defroster ever!! Would melt ice off the windshield pronto, after the engine warmed up!

I thought maybe I should re-duct the driver's side and run the hose up inside my coat! :-) I think I just had it coming up to under the driver's seat. Still, WARM!

I'm surprised no one has said it yet but driving a bug in the winter will kill it quickly. I drove two winters with my 75 in BC, Canada where bugs do not rust, they rot. By the time we sold him he had no heater channel on the drivers side. You are in the northwest also, I am not sure where exactly you are but the main problem here is that the climate is too wet in the winter. These little cars can't handle it. If you are farther east then me it's going to depend on how much salt they put on the road when it snows. Salt does nasty things to bugs also. You can consider some serious rust control ie. por 15 etc but even still I would recommend keeping your truck for the winter months and driving your bug from April to October. When I did drive my bug in the winter I never had a problem with heat, I just wore a hat and gloves because most of the heat seemed to be around my feet.

My 65 is very reliable. Does your 66 have the 1300? They are pretty reliable little engines, very good for scooting around town etc. I do 60 comfortably on the freeway in my 1200.

Anyway that's my 2 cents. I will be parking my 65 in October and climbing back behind the wheel of our rusty 79 westy.

-- Anna

65 Bahama Blue Bug "Bebe Jones" 79 Auto Westy "Avy"

I live in the NW to. (Everett) my bug is a daily driver. I drive with the window down daily. My heater melted the pickup clamp of my timing light so I had to cut it off. If you fixed it up right it will be more dependable then a newer pickup. One, you can fix it yourself, usually on the side of the road if something unforeseen does happen. your pickup is only dependable until the computer or some stupid sensor craps out.

I drove my bug from Everett to Portland and back every weekend for a month and a half. I had no troubles. ( where in the heck does the freeway get up to 65 around here? ;-) )

My engine is a pure junk engine. It has parts from 5 different engines. how is this for an engine recipe:

worn case of unknown miles, the speedo was un hooked at 38,000 for a noise problem crank and rod set of unknown condition (different engine) two flat top pistons one dished piston from one engine one dished piston from another engine mixed rings from bad pistons to good pistons (broke some rings installing pistons so I just took some off of a bad piston) used mixed up jugs used cam mixed up cam followers original oil pump head from swap meet head from who knows where all put together on the tailgate of my late P/U truck in the driveway. Been running for 16 months now with no breakdowns. that includes a bunch of trips to portland and back.

psy wrote:

I used my '71 1302 regularly during winters until it was stripped down for an overhaul last year. Here in the UK we frequently have temperatures below freezing and I've got J-tubes, so there is *no* heating at all. Apart from the fact that you need gloves and have to stop every mile to scrape the ice off the windscreen (inside and out), I nnnnnever had a problem. ;o)

-- athomik

It's not just an old car. You are just the new owner! Take care of it for the next guy.

Max

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 23:05:36 +0100, "athomik" left Mt Vesuvius in a state of jealous awe as he began spewing from the mouth thusly:

I'm with you. I've just about decided that I'm gonna leave my j-tubes on forever now and just suffer through the cold every now and then to drive my bug during winter. I'm also about this --->

kill it quickly. Salt does nasty things to bugs also.

Hmmm Anna, could'a sworn I said something about that... :o)

G