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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy this car?

59 replies

marseille · 18/04/2023 05:16

This is crazy , but my mum and Grandma both had VW beetles. This one is for sale near me. I'm trying to convince myself that I will buy it for an investment.
Yes, I can afford it. No, I can't really as it's about a years worth of food spent.

To buy this car?
OP posts:
Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 05:17

Geez it's lovely though

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strawberryicecreamice · 18/04/2023 05:27

If you want it and can afford it and maintenance then yes.

Netaporter · 18/04/2023 05:43

Depends. Can you afford it really? Will it be garaged? If it is under 40yrs old it is unlikely to meet the expanded ULEZ zone (if that is a consideration). How long is left on the MOT? Whilst they are generally reliable, VW Beetles are notorious for rust on the floor pan which could be £‘s in years to come to pass the MOT. Is the mileage commensurate with the age of the car? I love a VW beetle, but suggest you do a bit of research with the owners club before committing to one.

Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 05:50

Yes I will clear out a space in the garage - thus getting rid of a lot of junk ( winwin).
No idea about the zones - not in UK

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 05:50

It's 1971

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 05:50

Mileage is huge - over 200k

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TrianglePlayer · 18/04/2023 06:01

I bloody love it. How much?

shutthewindownow · 18/04/2023 06:04

Either you can afford it or you can't. One or the other.

Netaporter · 18/04/2023 06:12

The mileage should be huge, it’s a 52 year old car. I doubt it’s a genuine mileage though as that equates to only 3900 pa. No more advice if you are not in the uk, except to say I don’t think that is an original colour?

Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 06:34

Yes just been resprayed . They said that in the ad. Also the seats and roof lining need to be replaced.

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 06:35

TrianglePlayer · 18/04/2023 06:01

I bloody love it. How much?

Roughly equates to 20k GBP. So not exactly cheap.

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 06:41

I asked my adult children. One said yes, one said no and one said up to you but there are better investments. Sigh . I can't buy it.

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Fraaahnces · 18/04/2023 06:42

All kinds of fabulous

Wakeywake · 18/04/2023 06:46

It's the kind of car you buy if you've got an interest in vintage cars and take it out for a spin now and then for fun. It's not a car for daily driving. It is gorgeous though.

AwaaFaeHom · 18/04/2023 06:48

That seems expensive for a car that needs work.

I have a friend with the same age of beetle, and it cost her a quarter of that.

AwaaFaeHom · 18/04/2023 06:49

(caveat: I don't know anything about if there are actually models that are worth that)

hotdiggetydog · 18/04/2023 06:51

Don't buy it, it's overpriced, the mileage is questionable and the terrible spray job will be hiding a multitude of sins.

Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 06:53

Wakeywake · 18/04/2023 06:46

It's the kind of car you buy if you've got an interest in vintage cars and take it out for a spin now and then for fun. It's not a car for daily driving. It is gorgeous though.

Yes I have another car for driving. This would hopefully be an investment and take it out for an occasional spin. I know it's expensive but all 2nd hand car are expensive at the moment here and I really , really like it. Wahhh! Wanted one for years. Wahhh! I realise I sound like a toddler - thus the wahhs.

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CleaningOutMyCloset · 18/04/2023 06:54

Old cars are lovely, I'm a huge fan, but you can't just buy it and leave it. Unlike modern cars they rust and don't like being stood.

Vw beetles are ace, but again they are air cooled, so will overheat in traffic. Unlikely to have power steering, so will be really heavy to drive. You're going to have to love it, to own it.

Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 06:54

hotdiggetydog · 18/04/2023 06:51

Don't buy it, it's overpriced, the mileage is questionable and the terrible spray job will be hiding a multitude of sins.

Well that's an absolute downer.

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Tradescantia252 · 18/04/2023 06:56

It's not an investment, it's a financial drain with all the maintenance involved. Classic cars are not vehicles, they are toys: something you do for love, not sense.

Old cars feel old to drive.... they're jumpy and noisy, the gearbox is weird, the heater won't work as well as a modern one would, seatbelts and headrests (if fitted) won't meet modern safety standards and neither will the crash rating. Breakdowns will be more frequent and expensive (the average AA man won't be equipped to deal with a 50 year old car), it will guzzle fuel and pollute the environment.

But if you know all of this, can afford the extra expense and still want it, then do it.

Netaporter · 18/04/2023 06:59

A respray isn’t like wallpaper. It won’t cover rust. It might be filled with bodywork filler tho. Seats and a new roof lining are mega money tho. (Roof lining especially). Are you in a European country? You can pick up a good example here way cheaper than £20k and drive it abroad. For context, I recently bought a 1980’s MB SL in great condition for less than that.

Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 07:00

CleaningOutMyCloset · 18/04/2023 06:54

Old cars are lovely, I'm a huge fan, but you can't just buy it and leave it. Unlike modern cars they rust and don't like being stood.

Vw beetles are ace, but again they are air cooled, so will overheat in traffic. Unlikely to have power steering, so will be really heavy to drive. You're going to have to love it, to own it.

Oh ta. I was thinking of garaging it and then driving it once or twice a month and keeping it registered. ALso thought of a cover to keep my damn cats off it!
My grandma drove hers into her late 70's so I think I can handle the steering . I am in the country so not a lot of traffic when I would take it out. Lady selling it says it has never broken down . SHe is second owner. I would be third.
Reading back I sound very keen. Last time I was this keen I bought a pony who is an absolute pain, but I love her. Oh dear.

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 07:02

Oh sorry, forgot to mention. Ad mentions complete rust removal. I would obvs get it checked out before I buy it, so am assuming that is true.

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Original poster
marseille · 18/04/2023 07:06

Oh and it's a super bug

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