My mom wants a classic beetle!

[MetalHead-944]

My moms wanting to relive her youth and get an old beetle. I think itd be cool to have a porsche and beetle in the driveway, plus id love to fix one up for her. But Ive never driven let alone worked on one (and Ive worked on alot of cars!!). And I have a few questions.

1. Im looking for one she can start driving the day she gets it. With only problems that can be fixed without having to take the car out of commision for anymore than a weekend. I do know she wants a manual(did they even make autos?)and she'd prefere one from the 60's. Whats she looking for cost wise?

2. How much are parts for one? Body and Mechanical. Is it an easy car to afford, and fix?

3. Driving- How do they drive? Especially in the rain since were in florida and its the summer. Are they a good daily driver?

4. Engine- I know there not fast, but can an air cooled engine stand up to the heat down here.

5. Add-ons- Can A/C be added?

Thanks alot for helping out! Its greatly appreciated
Oh ya! How many people can a beetle seat legally?
Thanks again

[Gunngee]

Anything from the early 60's makes for a cool beetle. As for my opinion on daily driving, well I live in canada and I will never own one as a daily driver ever again but that's mostly due to the cold winter and having to scrape the windshield as im driving down the road. If you get alot of rain go over the heater channels and the heater boxes very closley and make sure that everything is intact and working. The windows have a habbit of fogging up. Driveability is nice, very fun to drive I was never bored. Parts are generaly reasonably priced and the car is very easy to fix. I used to be able to drop my motor in 20 min. Changed my tranny in one evening after work in time to eat dinner. Not to sure about AC add-ons as for heat, make real sure all the engine tin is intact and well sealed. also you may want to look into an external oil cooler. Oh and yes there were automatics but they were an auto stick shift. You still shift gears but there's no clutch pedal. Hope this helps and this is of course my opinion only so take from it what you want. Good luck !!!

[BoatCop]

Ditto what gungee said.

Prices for classic Beetles vary depending on several factors. Condition being number 1. Customization being number 2, with a fully restored Bug bringing upwards of $10,000.

For a dependable daily driver, plan on about $3-4,000.

There is a company in San Diego called International Conditioning Enterprises that sells an A/C kit for the Bug for around $1,300.

I drive my VW year round in the Arizona Desert, so heat isn't a problem for these cars, as long as they aren't pushed too hard.

Check The Samba for an idea on prices for BUgs. You can check nationwide, or just in your area.