20 replies to this topic

[andy]

So my wifes poeple mover is on trademe. She is reasonably keen on either a VW beetle or an older mini for a daily. Duties would be dropping kids too school/kindy a a couple of trips over the bridge into town. I guess my biggest concern is for the safety aspect with the kids and her getting out braked by late model ABS cars etc. I know all the arguments about back in the day how every body got around this way and I subscribe to them as I was one of those people. The budget should be 6-7K so what are peoples thoughts and opinions? Whos doing this already? Pros and cons?

Thanks.

[cletus]

dunno how youd go space wise going to a beetle or mini, after having a big people mover

plus the safety aspect would put me off.....

have you thought about something bigger/valiant is answer to all your problems

[Seedy Al]

VW shoul be all good man
Just maybe aim for an early 70's onward with a disc brake front instead of Drum, as these will more than likely take some maintance to keep nice and braking true,
However, for the better part The old VW's are no power house, so going fast is not a common problem
may just take some practice, keeping following distances sensable,
But seirsouly, in my old work I had mums turn up all the time with VW and mini dailys and they never seemed to have problems

[andy]

dunno how youd go space wise going to a beetle or mini, after having a big people mover

plus the safety aspect would put me off.....

have you thought about something bigger/valiant is answer to all your problems

Id like to go for an Escort or Cortina or even a Valiant (are you saying you'll sell me yours???) but there could be theiving scumbag issues. Ive just scored a 7 seater Ford for full family duties so having two, seven seaters seems greedy! The kids are 12, 7 and 4 so still reasonably compact. Rear seat belts are probably going to be another issue. I hate sounding like a grown up!

[andy]

VW shoul be all good man
Just maybe aim for an early 70's onward with a disc brake front instead of Drum, as these will more than likely take some maintance to keep nice and braking true,
However, for the better part The old VW's are no power house, so going fast is not a common problem
may just take some practice, keeping following distances sensable,
But seirsouly, in my old work I had mums turn up all the time with VW and mini dailys and they never seemed to have problems

Good info thanks. Yeah the 70's Beetles would be the choice it's just a shame they don't look like the mid 60's jobs. A 1275 Clubman mini would be nice too.

[Llama]

Crash safety would probably be the biggest concert compared to normal cars I would have thought. Considering they are so popular you wont have any trouble if/when things break, which is good for a daily.

[bulletz]

I and quite a few mates have aircooled vw's for daily drivers (males & females).
Keep on top of maintenance and they are a great reliable vehicle.
If they do break down it tends to be something simple and a quick fix .... not like if your cambelt goes!

[10Speed]

it is only a couple of hundred dollars to upgrade a 60's beetle to front discs...

but seat belts in the back will definitely be an issue... even my 74 Variant didn't have them...

but when my bug is finished it will be a daily...

[Toucan]

I'd say if you have a garage to keep it warm and dry overnight then a well maintained old car is just as easy to daily as a new car. Only when they are left outside will you struggle with starting and de-icing etc. Belts can be installed and certed

[k-trips]

Good info thanks. Yeah the 70's Beetles would be the choice it's just a shame they don't look like the mid 60's jobs. A 1275 Clubman mini would be nice too.

Don't look by the old BMC 1300 - they have 4 doors, they haul along well, not too overpriced, good bootspace. plenty of parts available and IMO quite cool...

[zep]

I daily'd a 73 Beetle for years and it was great. Probably broke less than a jap import (the only major the whole time was a snapped accelerator cable). I often took people in the back seats, and if you're just jetting around town, mileage will be fine - we got to chch and back for the VW nats one year so over the bridge is nothing.

[Borgweiser]

I use a 64 Kombi daily, admittedly that is rather new for me but no problems driving wise.
Reliable as anything, made from thick steel too the old VW's
Mini's on the other hand, would not recommend

[Seedy Al]

Mini's on the other hand, would not recommend

That

[flyingbrick]

for some reason all chicks who drive beetles seem to be hot. I say do it.

[Borgweiser]

Hot chicks drive VW's, MILF's drive Peugeot's
I have conducted research

[10Speed]

btw some one should mention driving an old car is not like driving a new car - and compared to a beetle your AE86 is a new car... make sure your missus drives one before you commit to the idea...

[Simon]

My aunty decided she wanted one so she got a mint one from a collector down south.
Cousin has been daily driving it for a few months and I don't think she has had any issues other than moisture in dizzy so it wouldn't start one day.

It's an immaculate one and has been well looked after though. I guess if you bought a rough one then expect it to be less reliable.

As mentioned above, you have to drive it like a Vw Beetle, not a new car.

[cletus]

and compared to a beetle your AE86 is a new car....

andy = not andyling, two very different people, haha

[andy]

and compared to a beetle your AE86 is a new car....

andy = not andyling, two very different people, haha

bahahaha. I'd say thats an understatement Clint! Can't imagine andyling is married with 3 kids. I've told her she would need to drive one before proceeding further. Current concern is the person who has bid on the toyota without placing any questions let alone calling me or veiwing the car. Do people actually buy cars this way? Also has some bad feedback.

[andy]

Hot chicks drive VW's, MILF's drive Peugeot's
I have conducted research

Weve had a couple of 306XSI's and would probably trade again.