Possible Addition to the Family

[misszora]

Hey all!

I am going to test drive this bug tomorrow and would love to have a checklist as far as the key things to look for. It's really pretty and I know I will get too excited to think of everything.


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=594137

[Amskeptic]

Hey all!

I am going to test drive this bug tomorrow and would love to have a checklist as far as the key things to look for. It's really pretty and I know I will get too excited to think of everything.


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=594137

Nice looking car. And it has my Squareback's light blue/offwhite color scheme.

There are many things to check for, it is a big list, but can be done discreetly by a mechanically knowledgeable person.

Pop a valve cover and look for black-to-dark caramel on heads.
(evidence of overheating and oil change neglect)

Check for engine seal (just an insight on the life this car has had)

Pull #1 green coil wire at coil and crank engine, you want steady pulses.
(a noticeable rthymic uptick in starter rpms is a low compression cylinder)

Check for oil leaks, cleanliness and exhaust leaks (all of these checks are no reason to reject the car, they are to inform you and maybe soften the sale price)

Jounce the front and the rear bumpers, the car should settle within 1 1/2 oscillations, any more > shocks.

Step very firmly on brakes, hold, lightly release a tad, press again, repeat. (if the pedal sinks, master cylinder is bad.

Wiggle the steering wheel back and forth in the straight ahead position and listen look for slop.

Got a Muir manual? I can't get the whole list done before daylight.
Colin

[misszora]

good morning,

that should get me started - THANK YOU!
I think I've already decided to pass on this one but I'm still going to drive her. She looks almost exactly like my '74 and it brought back a lot of cool memories. I haven't really driven a bug since my accident 4 years ago and I get squirmy in smaller cars.

I think I need to stick to one vehicle (Miss Zora) and hire you on June 27th! (that date was available last night anyway).

Thank you!

- paige

[Amskeptic]

I think I've already decided to pass on this one

It looks to be a very nice looking car, reasonably priced.
Colin

[IFBwax]

Colin that is a great list. Is there anyway to convert that into a sticky? I'd hate to see all that good information get lost into an obscure post.

[misszora]

Copy. Paste. Print. Laminate!

[misszora]

It looks to be a very nice looking car, reasonably priced.
Colin

Yes. My thoughts, too. I'm feeling guilty about Miss Zora - I should attend to her and keep her running. I can't afford to do both. If I buy the bug, Miss Zora has to go. The whole point of me selling the Vandejo was to downsize and focus on the white van. I still only have one parking space and no garage. Why can't I just win the lottery??!!!!!!

=D>

[IFBwax]

I think it's obvious Paige, you got the bug. The VW bug.

[misszora]

I think it's obvious Paige, you got the bug. The VW bug.

Yeah, I got it bad. It kinda sucks though - it's kind of the same reason I won't go to the humane society. I'll bring them all home!!!

[Amskeptic]

Colin that is a great list. Is there anyway to convert that into a sticky? I'd hate to see all that good information get lost into an obscure post.

That list was aborted due to late-night fatigue. If I finish it, then it could become a technical article. As could a bunch of things around here. I still have to post the door rebuild article with pictures. The center pin article is buried somewhere, the wheel bearing article is somewhere around here, the body rust/paint on the fly article is in here, and we need to round 'em up and get them into the technical articles Sluggo, Sluggo?
Colin

[misszora]

I am in love. Will post pictures momentarily.

[IFBwax]

I am in love. Will post pictures momentarily.

Paige has got a boyfriend, Paige has got a boyfriend. And it's painted blue.

[misszora]

OK, I probably didn't take as many as I should have.

The interior is super clean and super dry. No evidence that is ever leaked water. I could see that she does drip oil but I checked the dipstick and it is full and clean which I thought was good since he drives to and from Newberg every day. I tried to take a couple pics of underneath. The seller was way cool about me crawling all over it and looking under. The undercarriage looks really good. She had a lot of get up and go, started right away, the brakes felt good, steering was solid, she sounded really good.

Again, I am an impulsive kinda gal and I know I didn't ask all the right questions.

I got a really good vibe off of the seller (Tim) who has had buses and bugs in the past when he lived in California.

The mechanic that has worked on it since Tim bought it last May has good reviews online. I will probably call him as well.

Here's another cool thing . . . Tim wants a PROJECT VW VAN!!! He says he doesn't want a fuel-injected one but I think he needs to meet Miss Zora so we can talk a trade deal.

anyway. . . here are the pics.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/11913775@N06/235965

any input will be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
- paige

[dtrumbo]

Was that an oil filter I saw????

[hambone]

Nice looking Beetle. Looks clean.
I don't think I'd get rid of a bus for a Beetle tho, they're just too damn functional and roomy. Unless you never plan on leaving the city again!
Beetles are pretty tiny. 4 adults pretty much max em' out. They're great for around town tho, and get good gas milage.