NEED help deciding, Original Beetle or S13

[Shefx]

okay guys, ive finally saved up enough cash to get my own car, and ive been seriously thinking about it, now; i love both of these cars, but i need you guys to give me some advice on either one of these cars.

pre 1980's Beetle: Pro's:i love the look, fun to drive, rwd, rear engine, they are ALL manual, easy to modify, slow enough so i can floor it everywhere, and i can put FUKENGRUVEN on the back window

cons:no electronics, very bad heater (i live in canada), i'll HAVE to buy a new stereo system, really easy to break into, and i probably wont look too good in it considering im a bodybuilder :S, and last but not least, very underpowered.

s13 240, Pro'srwd, good looking car, it is said to be fun to drive, has a very nice engine, it has enough power available, power everything, good stereo stock, and most people have put aftermarket stereo in it, its a very repsected car in my "community"

cons: the price, and the high milege, thats about itt

plz add onOld Beetle, Or S13

[Holisticbeatz]

The S13 is a front engine, RWD. The horse always belongs in front of the carriage.

[float_6969]

I kinda think of the beetle as an economy car to just get you around town. If thats all you want, then go for it. But you probabally wouldn't be on this board if that was all you wanted. If you want a vehicle that has good handling characteristics and incredible power potnetial, then go for the 240.

[Shefx]

well thats your opinion, im a porsche guy so i kinda like the rear engine thing, but thanks for posting

[float_6969]

Well, I'm a porshe lover too, but there is a big difference between a porsche/240 and a beetle.

[InstantRice]

mid-engine ownz joo

[float_6969]

they are both rear engined vehicles

[Eklectrick]

why come to a nissan board and ask if you should get a nissan or a VW? I have nothing against the beetle realy, but seriously, do you think people here are gonna tell you to get the beetle? you are gonna find a strong bias towards nissan here. unless you are just looking for a nudge to get the 240. and what do you mean by listing the price for an s13 a con?? you can't afford a sub 3k car? availablilty should be more a factor, but then I don't see too many oldschool beetles for sale lately anyway. a friend of mine had a beetle, it was cool for the novelty, but the car sucked. cold as hell, slow as hell. get the 240.

[Shefx]

over here the cheapest s13 is 7000$ (about 5k), which has high km's, for 5000$ i can get a completely rebuilt beetle. The reason i postedon this board was to get people's opinion, i understand people will be baised but i also posted it on a vw board as well, just to see what some people will say, maybe someone here has owned a beetle, and can give me some advice, thats all i ask.

[float_6969]

we were without the information that you aren't located in the united states.

[Shefx]

its in the first post, but now everyone knows

[Eklectrick]

If the cheapest s13 you can get is 5k US$, you just gotta wait for another one. unless cars are generaly overpriced in canada cuz around here they go for 3k or less, and that includes the overmiled ones. if you need a car right now and your options are an over priced s13 and a rebuilt beetle, I'd say look for a third option, unless you reeeely like the beetle. cuz seriously, my friends beetle was fun to whip around in during the winter time, but it was cold as hell. I don't remember if the heater was broke or not, but I do remember the heating ducts came from under the seates and that was a big part of the problem. also I remember him driving on the freeway doing about 55 and saying, "the mechanic said this car shouldn't go above 40". Oh and the seatbelts didn't work either.

I started out my last post saying I don't have anything against beetles, but I guess I do.

[float_6969]

I bought my current 240 for $1200. It's a 1990 with over 200,000 miles on it. It was located in Mississippi and I drove it home to Kansas (close to 1,000 miles). 5G's just seems rediculous. I think you should do some more pricing.

[Shefx]

nobody here likes beetles enough to say anyting about them???

[Meantime]

well thats your opinion, im a porsche guy so i kinda like the rear engine thing, but thanks for posting

Think of the S13 as the poor man's 944 (although its reliability is way better, IMHO).

Beetles are neat and whimsical, but you probably will grow tired of it rapidly. Especially in Canada, the lack of a good heater will quickly have you cursing the little Bug. Meanwhile, the KA motor blasts heat like a furnace and warms up very quickly. And has double the horsepower, more room, a smoother transmission, better handling...need I go on?

This is not to disparage Bugs in any way, but if I had a choice between the two, it wouldn't even be a contest. S13 Wins!FATALITY!

[240marcuSX]

youre kidding right?? the beetle would be funny to ride around in though... and if the mileage is a con for the s13, imagine the mileage on the beetle.

[Shefx]

every beetle i have looked at has a rebuilt engine with WELL under 100,000km's on it, most of the s13's have over 200...

[klorocks]

ALL I WANNA KNOW IS WHO VOTED FOR THE BUG!!???

[Nathan]

1974 Porsche 914 Not too expensive, small car, great handling, has potential to be pretty quick and it's good looking. I think one of them might be my next project

[Bubba1]

Old Beetle:

+ can still get parts, cheap/simple to maintain, reliable if maintained well. floats in water, Rear engine good traction in snow,

- anemic performance, handles bad (instantaneous lane changes in cross winds), bad heater (air cooled engines have to be hot to generate heat, they just don't get hot in severe cold, defroster sucks too,. not much luggage room, uncomfortable on a trip.- no frills - I mean NO frills, and homely. Very much an economy car. not a far car to drive.

S13. + Faster, roomier, more attractive, handles better, just as reliable, and just as good gas mileage.

- not great in snow, but gives good drifting practice. Underpowered for cars in its class, though like a viper compared to an old Bug. Pretty easy choice. But, the S13 more like a reliable 924, not a poor mans 944. The Z matches up more with a 944.

I say S-13. much more civilized and fun

[Shefx]

thx alot bubba, that was exactly the answer i was looking for. I'll let you guys know what my final decision is.

[ace135cc]

i think you'll be better off with a s13, they look alot better, and a lot more fun. unless you like the "putt-putt" movement of the vw. personally, s13 would be more worth the money. i hear vw's are really reliable, but anything under 80s is pushing antique(if not already, not sure).

[Queamore]

Looks like everyone is going for the 240. I bought mine for 500 with a blown headgasket.

I think it would be more practical than the VW cause your gonna need the heat. Parts are alot easier to come by and there probably gonna be a little easier to fix especially since you have all these wonderful people here to help you if you need it. :jump