Buying a classic beetle in 2025
Discussion
Hi all
Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
KMR3997 said:
Hi all
Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
Many years ago I had a white H registered 1300. A colleague and friend was totally ‘into’ Beetles and very knowledgable. One thing he stressed was that they are fairly easy to ‘ spoof up’ but can still be a mess underneath: heating channels, sills, etc. Also, as you know, the public in general thought Beetles were bombproof, whereas they were simply better built than mainstream British cars. I’m out of touch with prices, but 10k sounds realistic for a good, but not garage queen example.With rarer cars, pricing is a bit of a guessing game. I looked at a few ads purporting to offer classic Beetles before posting, and the majority were selling the new shape, Golf in a party frock one which has aged badly. I would be careful of a very recent restoration, and as you suggested look for one that has stood the test of time. Apart from Mike, another friend is a Beetle fan ( has a yellow Karmann cabrio)and he claims that the F registered era was the best ‘vintage’.Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
Edited by Lester H on Tuesday 13th May 10:02
If I was spending £10k on a Beetle I'd be looking in the 1968 > 1973 era. These are the early ones with upright headlights, you get more for your money with these than you do with the earlier (albeit slightly prettier) ones. The quality seemed to get worse after that, once VW started making Golfs they seemed to loose interest in the Beetle.
I would favour an original honest car over something that had been recently 'restored' or blown-over. The trouble with Beetles is that people can't resist bolting all kinds of gaudy stuff onto them. The Beetle was the most carefully and thoroughly engineered car you could buy, tested for over 1,000,000km by the German army before production started and then continuously and carefully refined throughout the decades after that. Why someone with a Halfords socket set and a copy of Volksworld magazine thinks they can do better I'll never know. I've worked in a garage that repairs old VWs on and off for quite a few years and the nicest cars to drive were always the original spec ones.
Avoid / ignore the 1302, 1303 etc. They are not proper Beetles and can be tricky to source certain parts for. The original 1300 (single port, 'F' engine code, made up until 1972) is a nice, sturdy car which is easy to keep on the road, but it is best to buy on condition rather than look for a particular model.
I've included a picture of mine, its a 1959 model that has done over 200k miles on the original engine / transaxle and with minimal bodywork repairs. Beetles are tough if they are properly looked after.
I would favour an original honest car over something that had been recently 'restored' or blown-over. The trouble with Beetles is that people can't resist bolting all kinds of gaudy stuff onto them. The Beetle was the most carefully and thoroughly engineered car you could buy, tested for over 1,000,000km by the German army before production started and then continuously and carefully refined throughout the decades after that. Why someone with a Halfords socket set and a copy of Volksworld magazine thinks they can do better I'll never know. I've worked in a garage that repairs old VWs on and off for quite a few years and the nicest cars to drive were always the original spec ones.
Avoid / ignore the 1302, 1303 etc. They are not proper Beetles and can be tricky to source certain parts for. The original 1300 (single port, 'F' engine code, made up until 1972) is a nice, sturdy car which is easy to keep on the road, but it is best to buy on condition rather than look for a particular model.
I've included a picture of mine, its a 1959 model that has done over 200k miles on the original engine / transaxle and with minimal bodywork repairs. Beetles are tough if they are properly looked after.
Have had one in the past and while not something I would be after myself, I do understand the attraction to these cars. As above a proper good look under the shiny paint would be a must on these.
Had a quick look and this is up for the sort of money you are talking about and this advert is providing a good level of detailed pics of the underside and I would suggest that this looking pretty honest, with nothing looking to be hidden.
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1873064
Had a quick look and this is up for the sort of money you are talking about and this advert is providing a good level of detailed pics of the underside and I would suggest that this looking pretty honest, with nothing looking to be hidden.
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1873064
Had an Apple Green 1600 GT Beetle about 20 years ago and really enjoyed it, paid £3.5k at a Bug show in North Weald.
Prices now seem to be anything from £3.5k to £35k and everything in between, so £10k should get you something sorted and decent.
Edited to add: https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1878480
Love that!
Prices now seem to be anything from £3.5k to £35k and everything in between, so £10k should get you something sorted and decent.
Edited to add: https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1878480
Love that!
Edited by vixen1700 on Tuesday 13th May 14:45
Had one for 10+ years now, not driven it for 3 years nearly 4, life and kids get in the way frequently. Purchased my 1966 for £2500 all them years back, no idea what it would be worth now.
I have a thread on here if your interested in following, not that it gets regular updates.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have a thread on here if your interested in following, not that it gets regular updates.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
KMR3997 said:
Hi all
Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
Mathewson's have a modified 1959 one in their next auction. It's only a 1200cc but it looks nice. It's lot number 84 on the 21st May. Looking to get back myself back into a classic VW, haven't been involved in the whole VW car scene for almost 10 years now.
Looking at beetles at the moment but what are prices like these days? What age should I be able to get a decent one for 10k?
Should I look for a recently restored or aim for something that's had work done many years ago but is still holding up?
What should my expectations be for a 10k bug be?
Cheers
It's nothing to do with me.
Cheers for the replys
I did actually own a project beetle many years ago but it just ended up being too much so I passed it on.
I still have a welder and do a bit but I'm strictly looking to avoid a project, I remember the front bulk head being a issue, under the rear bench in the corners and obv the floor pans but what's the most common places to start looking for potential rust issues?
I remember the front bulkhead and under the bench being too areas that I found rust I wasn't expecting
Quite keen to go a bit more aware of the potential issues this time, the last one had a patch "repair" that turned out to be cardboard with silicone around it and painted black!!
I did actually own a project beetle many years ago but it just ended up being too much so I passed it on.
I still have a welder and do a bit but I'm strictly looking to avoid a project, I remember the front bulk head being a issue, under the rear bench in the corners and obv the floor pans but what's the most common places to start looking for potential rust issues?
I remember the front bulkhead and under the bench being too areas that I found rust I wasn't expecting
Quite keen to go a bit more aware of the potential issues this time, the last one had a patch "repair" that turned out to be cardboard with silicone around it and painted black!!
Hi OP
Just been through this process and out the other side.
I've had a long line of older cars - see my garage for details.
I decided on a classic Beetle for the following reasons:
- They're inexpensive to service and parts are readily available
- They're air cooled and rear engine'd like a 912/911 (of which I have had 7!)
- They ridiculously practical, especially with a roof rack, which was important to me as a Dad of 3
- They cost buttons relative to other "classics" of the same vintage
I looked at the pre 60s stuff (too classical looking for me), mid-60s stuff (nicer headlamps), and late 60s / early 70s (loads of them), and settled on a 1966, which incorporates the nicer looking earlier headlights with some of the later running gear - so a happy medium.
I'm no mechanic or bodywork guru, so finding a restored one was important to me. However, recently restored ones presented as "new" old cars with zero patina so I was very much put off them on closer inspection.
I was delighted to have found and purchased a 1966 Beetle 2 months ago. I am the third owner and it has all of its service history and a stamped service book from new. The car was restored well in 2000, so is still pretty solid, albeit with some patina which gives it a bit of character.
At the time of the restoration, a 1500cc "H" code engine was fitted, and so paired with its shorter ratio original gearbox, I would describe it as spritely and a joy to drive on a b road.
Obviously - I am in the honey moon phase here so take my views with a pinch of salt, but I really do think that for £10K, they offer an awful lot of charm and character for the money. And of course.... The general public absolutely love them.
In the last 2 months, I've spent a little money adjusting the frunk catch mechanism, tuning the carb, and replacing the distro which was on its way out. It is now running like a little sewing machine - with a lovely "chirp" as you accelerate.
One thing to note… and this as important to me.
- The original carb is enclosed, whereas I saw lots with exposed aftermarket Mexcican carbs. These allow the fuel/air vapour to escape the engine bay from what I could see, and so they were considerably smellier than my one in traffic. I don't think I've smelt "fuel" in mine once - even with a full fuel tank!
- My engine is very dry underneath, and so it looks like it has never leaked oil into its heater channels. As a result, the cabin of mine smells OK, whereas some that I saw would smell pretty "oiley" when hot once the heater channels heated up.
You may not be sensitive to stuff like this, but with 3 daughters and a very patient wife, I certainly am (!) Especially as quite a bit of my driving involves sitting in London traffic sadly.
Enjoy the hunt.
NP
Just been through this process and out the other side.
I've had a long line of older cars - see my garage for details.
I decided on a classic Beetle for the following reasons:
- They're inexpensive to service and parts are readily available
- They're air cooled and rear engine'd like a 912/911 (of which I have had 7!)
- They ridiculously practical, especially with a roof rack, which was important to me as a Dad of 3
- They cost buttons relative to other "classics" of the same vintage
I looked at the pre 60s stuff (too classical looking for me), mid-60s stuff (nicer headlamps), and late 60s / early 70s (loads of them), and settled on a 1966, which incorporates the nicer looking earlier headlights with some of the later running gear - so a happy medium.
I'm no mechanic or bodywork guru, so finding a restored one was important to me. However, recently restored ones presented as "new" old cars with zero patina so I was very much put off them on closer inspection.
I was delighted to have found and purchased a 1966 Beetle 2 months ago. I am the third owner and it has all of its service history and a stamped service book from new. The car was restored well in 2000, so is still pretty solid, albeit with some patina which gives it a bit of character.
At the time of the restoration, a 1500cc "H" code engine was fitted, and so paired with its shorter ratio original gearbox, I would describe it as spritely and a joy to drive on a b road.
Obviously - I am in the honey moon phase here so take my views with a pinch of salt, but I really do think that for £10K, they offer an awful lot of charm and character for the money. And of course.... The general public absolutely love them.
In the last 2 months, I've spent a little money adjusting the frunk catch mechanism, tuning the carb, and replacing the distro which was on its way out. It is now running like a little sewing machine - with a lovely "chirp" as you accelerate.
One thing to note… and this as important to me.
- The original carb is enclosed, whereas I saw lots with exposed aftermarket Mexcican carbs. These allow the fuel/air vapour to escape the engine bay from what I could see, and so they were considerably smellier than my one in traffic. I don't think I've smelt "fuel" in mine once - even with a full fuel tank!
- My engine is very dry underneath, and so it looks like it has never leaked oil into its heater channels. As a result, the cabin of mine smells OK, whereas some that I saw would smell pretty "oiley" when hot once the heater channels heated up.
You may not be sensitive to stuff like this, but with 3 daughters and a very patient wife, I certainly am (!) Especially as quite a bit of my driving involves sitting in London traffic sadly.
Enjoy the hunt.
NP
IP, where in the country are you? It might be worth speaking to a wrll respected specialist to see if they know of any cars coming up for sale, they might also be able to inspect a potential car for you.
I've been away from Beetles for a few years now, but really hankering after another one I the next year or so.
My old snotter
I've been away from Beetles for a few years now, but really hankering after another one I the next year or so.
My old snotter
Fast Bug said:
IP, where in the country are you? It might be worth speaking to a wrll respected specialist to see if they know of any cars coming up for sale, they might also be able to inspect a potential car for you.
I've been away from Beetles for a few years now, but really hankering after another one I the next year or so.
My old snotter
I'm in Northamptonshire, not a bad location to travel in all directions I guess.I've been away from Beetles for a few years now, but really hankering after another one I the next year or so.
My old snotter
hmm didn't thinking of the specialist route, I'll have a look online.
I did enquire about a beetle yesterday.
1970, fully restored 2 years ago, pictures wise it looked spot on.
My only concern was the previous owner restored it, then sold it within 6 months, now the current owner has owned it 1 year and is selling up. Seemed like a red flag to me but maybe im reading too much into it
nickpan said:
Hi OP
Just been through this process and out the other side.
I've had a long line of older cars - see my garage for details.
I decided on a classic Beetle for the following reasons:
- They're inexpensive to service and parts are readily available
- They're air cooled and rear engine'd like a 912/911 (of which I have had 7!)
- They ridiculously practical, especially with a roof rack, which was important to me as a Dad of 3
- They cost buttons relative to other "classics" of the same vintage
I looked at the pre 60s stuff (too classical looking for me), mid-60s stuff (nicer headlamps), and late 60s / early 70s (loads of them), and settled on a 1966, which incorporates the nicer looking earlier headlights with some of the later running gear - so a happy medium.
I'm no mechanic or bodywork guru, so finding a restored one was important to me. However, recently restored ones presented as "new" old cars with zero patina so I was very much put off them on closer inspection.
I was delighted to have found and purchased a 1966 Beetle 2 months ago. I am the third owner and it has all of its service history and a stamped service book from new. The car was restored well in 2000, so is still pretty solid, albeit with some patina which gives it a bit of character.
At the time of the restoration, a 1500cc "H" code engine was fitted, and so paired with its shorter ratio original gearbox, I would describe it as spritely and a joy to drive on a b road.
Obviously - I am in the honey moon phase here so take my views with a pinch of salt, but I really do think that for £10K, they offer an awful lot of charm and character for the money. And of course.... The general public absolutely love them.
In the last 2 months, I've spent a little money adjusting the frunk catch mechanism, tuning the carb, and replacing the distro which was on its way out. It is now running like a little sewing machine - with a lovely "chirp" as you accelerate.
One thing to note… and this as important to me.
- The original carb is enclosed, whereas I saw lots with exposed aftermarket Mexcican carbs. These allow the fuel/air vapour to escape the engine bay from what I could see, and so they were considerably smellier than my one in traffic. I don't think I've smelt "fuel" in mine once - even with a full fuel tank!
- My engine is very dry underneath, and so it looks like it has never leaked oil into its heater channels. As a result, the cabin of mine smells OK, whereas some that I saw would smell pretty "oiley" when hot once the heater channels heated up.
You may not be sensitive to stuff like this, but with 3 daughters and a very patient wife, I certainly am (!) Especially as quite a bit of my driving involves sitting in London traffic sadly.
Enjoy the hunt.
NP
Lovely looking bug, looks like a great find 👍👍Just been through this process and out the other side.
I've had a long line of older cars - see my garage for details.
I decided on a classic Beetle for the following reasons:
- They're inexpensive to service and parts are readily available
- They're air cooled and rear engine'd like a 912/911 (of which I have had 7!)
- They ridiculously practical, especially with a roof rack, which was important to me as a Dad of 3
- They cost buttons relative to other "classics" of the same vintage
I looked at the pre 60s stuff (too classical looking for me), mid-60s stuff (nicer headlamps), and late 60s / early 70s (loads of them), and settled on a 1966, which incorporates the nicer looking earlier headlights with some of the later running gear - so a happy medium.
I'm no mechanic or bodywork guru, so finding a restored one was important to me. However, recently restored ones presented as "new" old cars with zero patina so I was very much put off them on closer inspection.
I was delighted to have found and purchased a 1966 Beetle 2 months ago. I am the third owner and it has all of its service history and a stamped service book from new. The car was restored well in 2000, so is still pretty solid, albeit with some patina which gives it a bit of character.
At the time of the restoration, a 1500cc "H" code engine was fitted, and so paired with its shorter ratio original gearbox, I would describe it as spritely and a joy to drive on a b road.
Obviously - I am in the honey moon phase here so take my views with a pinch of salt, but I really do think that for £10K, they offer an awful lot of charm and character for the money. And of course.... The general public absolutely love them.
In the last 2 months, I've spent a little money adjusting the frunk catch mechanism, tuning the carb, and replacing the distro which was on its way out. It is now running like a little sewing machine - with a lovely "chirp" as you accelerate.
One thing to note… and this as important to me.
- The original carb is enclosed, whereas I saw lots with exposed aftermarket Mexcican carbs. These allow the fuel/air vapour to escape the engine bay from what I could see, and so they were considerably smellier than my one in traffic. I don't think I've smelt "fuel" in mine once - even with a full fuel tank!
- My engine is very dry underneath, and so it looks like it has never leaked oil into its heater channels. As a result, the cabin of mine smells OK, whereas some that I saw would smell pretty "oiley" when hot once the heater channels heated up.
You may not be sensitive to stuff like this, but with 3 daughters and a very patient wife, I certainly am (!) Especially as quite a bit of my driving involves sitting in London traffic sadly.
Enjoy the hunt.
NP
I have a 66 ragtop.
Great fun and good vibes from other road users especially bikers.
I was really surprised how well my much lowered bug handles. i really wasn't expecting that.
1500cc and it is definitely fine in modern traffic. I drove and wouldn't consider a standard 1200.
Parts are cheap so buy the most solid you can.
Pre 66 is a sweet spot with sloping front fenders and tank filler under the front clam.
My mate has bought a similar one so we can go for drive out and shows which is cool
I paid £6.5k which is starting point for a decent bug.
Thanks to Chivz for the photo the day we collected it
Great fun and good vibes from other road users especially bikers.
I was really surprised how well my much lowered bug handles. i really wasn't expecting that.
1500cc and it is definitely fine in modern traffic. I drove and wouldn't consider a standard 1200.
Parts are cheap so buy the most solid you can.
Pre 66 is a sweet spot with sloping front fenders and tank filler under the front clam.
My mate has bought a similar one so we can go for drive out and shows which is cool
I paid £6.5k which is starting point for a decent bug.
Thanks to Chivz for the photo the day we collected it
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