So, its been awhile since ive been on here. Wow so much has changed in my life... umm i was tired of my job in Illinois, so i found a job in southern california and moved here.. now i have a 75 mile or so commute each way to work. so im looking for a good gas milage car, but cool to, and i hear that a good tuned classic beetle can get 35-45 mpg.. ive found a couple around here but i cant find a decent forum anywhere.. so does anyone know anything about them or where i can look up anything.. thanks guys

Try checking out a Baja Bug. That'll perk some interest i bet..
try GOOGLE

You won't get that much mileage out of one. My wife's Super Vert ('76 fuel injected) only got 36mpg on the highway between Denver and Amarillo.

My '66 Standard Beetle only gets in the mid 20's for mpg.

I work in an air cooled shop (classic beetle speak, since they're air cooled engines). All that we work on is air cooled engine equipped VW stuff. I say stuff, we don't touch the Trikes. Trike guys are weird. Or Busses. They're usually cobbled together worse than most.

If you want to explore the Classic Beetle scene, try The Samba (www.thesamba.com) and check it out. Be careful posting though, they're usually purists and don't like most any sort of modding.

Now, if you're wanting to do some cutting, grinding, driving, then check out Volksrods (www.volksrods.com). Those guys will put a hurting on you in a hurry. ;) If you're NOT into stock, then those guys will tell you how to cut, where to cut and don't worry about suspensions, they're for pussies!

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=222&pictureid=4064

Just don't expect crazy mileage out of one. And they're not cheap to fix up either.

Hell, if you lived closer, I'd just about sell you mine. Fresh 1600 single port with dual carbs, freeway flyer trans, good rubber. Just needs paint, a couple of seals (a mechanics car always needs something) and a little bit of time. She's my DD as well.

Unless you find a nearly all restored one they can be a pain. By now the newest one will be over 30 years old unless you find one of the Mexican semi-legal bugs. You would do better finding a diesel Rabbit or something like it if you want to commute on the cheap. If you have ever had to drive a beetle in the pouring rain for a couple hours you will realize thet they are more of a fair weather friend.

Or Busses. They're usually cobbled together worse than most.

That comment cracks me up. I used to work at a shop that did alot of VW work. The owner would get mad at me all the time when I refused to work on buses. They were always put back together with Jerry Garcia stickers and roach clips.and owned be some stoner who thought it was "rhythmic" sounding to drive around with #3 exhaust valve burned.

Just my 2 cents

Paul

Paul, now I know you're legit, #3 Exhaust valve. Gawd, we've been doing engines lately with the cold weather.

They're all fun. Still on the road with the cold arse weather. ;) Just have to wait about 10 minutes of driving time to get the heat, crack the wing window open and breath out through your nose or you'll the windshield up (not joking about any of these things).

And don't get in an accident. I sold my old Super to a buddies kid. Minor front end collision and he broke his nose on the windshield BEFORE the seat belt broke his collar bone. Only doing about 35 (according to the Police report).

I never got 30s in my 64... maybe 20..
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff217/drbandkgb/6-5-05057.jpg

i saw one the other day with some offroad lights and a/ts....looked pretty cool

I had a '59 that I traded for a fancy ass '68 Volvo 144S. Man what a difference!! Four wheel disk brakes, heat AND defrost. It even had two SU carbs!! I grew up with hippie parents and VWs. I really have no soft spot at all for them. They broke. They stink. They wobble and sway. They really were a mediocre vehicle. They were cheap though......
The only air cooled car I ever liked and missed was my old Honda 600. It made 36 hp from two cylinders! Take that Volkswagon!
OK rant over.... back to the thread.

Paul

Ok here goes......

Have you ever looked into an Alfa Romeo? Being in SoCal you can find a lot of them. For commuting you will probably want to stick with a hardtop. A ragtop is fun until the sun beats down on you or someone cuts it. They are easy to work on. Reliable as they come for an old car. Until recently I had at least one and as many as four at once as daily drivers for the past 18 or so years years. They love to be abused and will give back all the love you put into them. I am always looking to convert someone..... :)

There are many choices also. Two and four door. Expensive and cheap. Four cylinder or six. I can hook you up with some folks that can point you in the right direction if you are interested.
Here are some examples. The tan and the red ones in the same pic were the last ones I owned but not the last ones I will own ;)
Just a thought.
Paul

This was my 67 beetle I built and owned for nine years it almost brings a tear to my eyes everytime I think about it. Man I Miss that car.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r313/67vdubya/001-2.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r313/67vdubya/76ebb3d0.jpg

Sent from my iPhone

Ok here goes......

Have you ever looked into an Alfa Romeo? Being in SoCal you can find a lot of them. For commuting you will probably want to stick with a hardtop. A ragtop is fun until the sun beats down on you or someone cuts it. They are easy to work on. Reliable as they come for an old car. Until recently I had at least one and as many as four at once as daily drivers for the past 18 or so years years. They love to be abused and will give back all the love you put into them. I am always looking to convert someone..... :)

There are many choices also. Two and four door. Expensive and cheap. Four cylinder or six. I can hook you up with some folks that can point you in the right direction if you are interested.
Here are some examples. The tan and the red ones in the same pic were the last ones I owned but not the last ones I will own ;)
Just a thought.
Paul

Man I love Alfas, old and new. I wish they'd return to the US market like FIAT is. I love old FIATS too. Thinking about getting a new 500.

Nice '67!

If I have the fundage this winter, I'm thinking of taking the body off my '66 and having it media blasted. I'm dying for a decent paint job.

Thinking about getting a new 500.

I thought that that was the coolest car around until I saw one in person. They are just too damn small. The front seat almost touches the back and there is very little room in the front. My 78 Fiat X1/9 had more room in the front seats and more trunk space than the new 500. Heck, my '72 Honda 600 had more room. I'm hooping that they will bring the Giulietta in 2012 or 13. Doubt it but I will be all over one if they do.

Paul