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Topic: quest for another vw opinions  (Read 8209 times)

Offline eakanator

  • Rome, Ga
  • Joined: Apr 2004
  • Posts: 254

quest for another vw opinions

« on: December 22, 2010, 09:59:51 PM »
Hi,
In the quest to find a VW thing, found this thing in Louisiana, originally suppose to have been running, but now questionable and still not sure about rust. It's possible I could trade him a good running 2002 yamaha Grizzly 660 4 wheel drive ATV.
Wondered if you guys could check out the ad on the Samba and tell me what you think and if it would be a alright trade if it worked out.  He had sent me other pics and even though he said it had no rust, when I zoomed in on the pics, looks like it was painted over with house paint and kind of pitted looking around the doors and the pic in the samba, the windshield frame looked the same way. in the pic below the frame was nice and white looking.
Just not sure about the motor and how much work would be needed.  Or maybe just find another good running bug to trade the yamaha for.

Thanks and would appreciate any input. also will attach a couple other pics that were sent.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1063128
Thanks
Ron
« Last Edit: December 23, 2010, 02:02:28 PM by eakanator »

Offline volksnick

  • Secretary
  • Club Member
  • Chattanooga
  • Joined: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 4304

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2010, 02:42:27 AM »
looks pretty decent. The ad says he drives it and it drives well, just won't idle. I'd say that can be fixed pretty easily. The photos you posted show a seemingly clean vehicle. I'd be a little curious about the water damage. Was it a katrina car? I'd ask more questions but probably proceed

Offline travisyoung

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2010, 07:42:14 AM »
it is hard to tell but things are getting pricey.  i think it sounds like a great deal, buit then again no one has bought it, a water damaged thing is not a bad as a 2001 passat that has 30 contriol module and relays, there is not to much to an old vw, the wiring can be repaired pretty easy,  i would not let my thing go for less then 8k, becuase i have a lot of sentimental factors there, if i was going to try to sell it i think i would ask around 6k.  it is really hard to say without seeing it in persan though,  some of the parts that are thing only can get expensive,  i had luck taking bearing and ball joints etc to mainly foriegn and matching them u to other bug and bus parts.  if you are done with the atv and want a thing sounds like a good trade.

Offline eakanator

  • Rome, Ga
  • Joined: Apr 2004
  • Posts: 254

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2010, 07:59:17 AM »
Thanks.
There is another one a little closer to home. The guy may consider trading, but more of a project, but said the thing has a good running engine. This a 73 model.
Didn't realize until got serious, that 73's have gas heaters and 74 have the floor channel heat.. Is there one better than the other?
thanks
Here is the link
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1041855

Offline travisyoung

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2010, 08:23:07 AM »
my buddy gene always seems to have a few, if you want i can call him and see what he has got, he lives in redbank

Offline eakanator

  • Rome, Ga
  • Joined: Apr 2004
  • Posts: 254

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2010, 09:41:40 AM »
Thanks Travis,
Would appreciate it.. Would like to get something at least with a good running motor and not to much rust.  If you'll let him know, I am looking to do some trading. Have a good running 2002 Yamaha 660 Grizzly 4 wheel drive I was going to sell for around 3K
or as mentioned before, if the Thing is in really really good shape, I have my BMW 2002 tii

Holler if you hear anything, I'll be in the Hixson/Middle Valley area Sunday to visit family.
thanks again
ron

Offline ASBug

  • Varnel, Ga
  • Joined: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 3032

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2010, 10:15:56 AM »
my buddy gene always seems to have a few, if you want i can call him and see what he has got, he lives in redbank
I am interested in a Thing as well, I'm having some nibbles on the Jeep and might haves some Cash next week.
-I'll get out of the OP's Cornflakes now.
KC

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2010, 10:49:50 AM »
Ron, I think I would be more concerned about the body and whats missing that would be  very hard and very expensive to locate . Stuff like top or at least the frame and side windows. The engine stuff is just Bug and is easy to get. The gas heater if it is all there would be the way to go. You have remember that the '74s with just the Bug heater will just have enough heat to keep you from freezing to death. Things are not insulated at all.
 I had the first Thing in Chatt. and drove it every day for 12 years. The gas heater ran great for all that time. When I sold it ,it had the original spark/glow plug.
  The bottom line here is to buy the best/complete body you can. The engine is a piece of cake as  well as the transmission. Come see us soon

Offline certdubtech

  • In the Garage...
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Posts: 3199

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2010, 11:00:23 AM »
Yup, all of what the Godfather said, Ron....

ALL thing specific pieces will cost you through the nose to come up with.  Find a decent, COMPLETE, workable body, and go from there.   ;)

Offline eakanator

  • Rome, Ga
  • Joined: Apr 2004
  • Posts: 254

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2010, 11:32:46 AM »
Thanks guys. Found out with the little BMW I have, how much parts have gone up since my last one back in 2000. Not like you can jump on JC whitney and buy a spare floorboard or the trim (you think it was made of gold)

After reading, I'm assuming the Thing parts are in the same boat, because they are becoming more rare, prices are being drove up.

It also sounds like unless I want to sink at least  2 or 3k into bring one up to par, maybe should just think about another bug, at least parts would be more available and reasonable.  I have looked and seen where windshield frames, wiper motor, the gas heater, etc are expensive.

ron

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2010, 01:00:44 PM »
One reason for the high-price parts is the fact that there was only about 25,000 U.S.A. spec Things sold here. In Mexico the Thing was called "Safari" and had the rear swing axle with reduction gear (Type-2) tranny, No heat at all, Type-2 tail lights. VW had to change the name when they came to the U.S.A, because Pontiac sued them because they had a land yacht station wagon called Safari . Yeah , they did have a lot in common  ;D ;D.  VW sat around trying to come up with a new name. Someone scream out and said " Well Hell ,What are going to call this damn thing." The rest is history or so goes the story ??? ??? ::) ::)

Offline eakanator

  • Rome, Ga
  • Joined: Apr 2004
  • Posts: 254

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2010, 06:27:13 PM »
Do you know if some things came without antenna's? Seen some on the Samba that don't have one, some on the drivers side and some on the passenger side.

Can't tell if that's lights in the rear bumper ? This 73 I've been looking doesn't have an antenna, even though it looks like it has everything else.
Sorry to be a PIA, but learning more about the ins and outs.
thanks
ron
« Last Edit: December 23, 2010, 09:05:38 PM by eakanator »

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #12 on: December 24, 2010, 12:13:20 AM »
Ron, That is a '74 thing not a '73 due to the air intakes .( no gas heater) unless the last of the '73s had that mod. Thing's didn't come with antenna's as the radio was added at the dealer. I'm not sure what you mean about the lights in the rear bumper.

Offline Russ

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #13 on: December 24, 2010, 02:45:30 AM »
Those appear to be just reflectors on the rear bumper.

Offline dubtech

  • Hixson
  • Joined: Apr 2005
  • Posts: 251

Re: quest for another vw opinions

« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2010, 07:09:08 AM »
VW Classic appears to have a few Thing parts left, a quick search found more than 50 listings for body parts.  The prices are all in Euros but they also include the 19.5% VAT which people in the U.S. don't have to pay.

 Part Number  Description  Type    Price (VAT included)    Qty
 181 801 245  protective plate   Genuine Part 23.74 €   
 181 801 251 A  frame   Genuine Part 47.08 €
 181 805 051 E  dashboard   Genuine Part 384.54 €   
 181 805 077 AG  luggage pan   Genuine Part 475.32 €   
 181 805 095  cowl   Genuine Part 82.41 €   
 181 805 451  cross panel   Genuine Part 169.56 €   
 181 805 467  cross member   Genuine Part 44.07 €   
 181 805 505 A  reinforcement plate   Genuine Part 319.11 €   
 181 805 583  locking cover   Genuine Part 38.72 €   
 181 805 587  reinforcement   Genuine Part 17.72 €   
 181 805 588  reinforcement   Genuine Part 17.72 €   
 181 805 637  tab   Genuine Part 2.95 €   
 181 805 721  mounting   Genuine Part 8.83 €   
 181 805 745  bracket   Genuine Part 12.35 €   
 181 805 745 A  bracket   Genuine Part 12.35 €   
 181 805 812  retaining panel   Genuine Part 13.35 €   
 181 807 151 A  overrider - bumper   Genuine Part 70.77 €   
 181 809 021  side panel   Genuine Part 321.11 €   
 181 809 085  side panel   Genuine Part 205.98 €   
 181 809 161  pillar   Genuine Part 141.53 €   
 181 809 162  pillar   Genuine Part 146.10 €   
 181 809 181 D  side member   Genuine Part 170.66 €   
 181 809 186  b-pillar, inner   Genuine Part 83.75 €   
 181 809 189  side member   Genuine Part 48.06 €   
 181 809 190  side member   Genuine Part 48.06 €   
 181 809 191  reinforcement   Genuine Part 293.55 €   
 181 809 192  longitudinal member   Genuine Part 293.55 €   
 181 809 231  pillar   Genuine Part 9.01 €   
 181 809 232  pillar   Genuine Part 9.01 €   
 181 809 243  pillar   Genuine Part 23.54 €   
 181 809 244  pillar   Genuine Part 23.54 €   
 181 809 291  filler plate   Genuine Part 24.04 €   
 181 809 293  water drain plate   Genuine Part 20.60 €   
 181 809 294  rear apron   Genuine Part 20.60 €   
 181 809 485  reinforcement   Genuine Part 29.43 €   
 181 809 635 F  bracket   Genuine Part 133.11 €   
 181 809 636 F  bracket   Genuine Part 133.11 €   
 181 809 811  intake air duct   Genuine Part 35.31 €   
 181 809 812  intake air duct   Genuine Part 35.31 €   
 181 813 121 G  cross member   Genuine Part 154.88 €   
 181 813 125 B  parcel shelf   Genuine Part 132.19 €   
 181 813 133  longitudinal member   Genuine Part 46.73 €   
 181 813 134  longitudinal member   Genuine Part 46.73 €   
 181 813 137  cap   Genuine Part 1.33 €   
 181 813 151 A  cover panel   Genuine Part 130.85 €   
 181 813 181 B  rear apron   Genuine Part 46.73 €   
 181 813 199  plug   Genuine Part 0.39 €   
 181 813 207 A  hook   Genuine Part 8.71 €   
 181 813 217  spring   Genuine Part 16.02 €   
 181 813 315  cross member   Genuine Part 65.43 €   
 181 819 187 A  footwell vent   Genuine Part 75.09 €   

Your query returned more then 50 results, please refine your search!
 

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