VW Bug...The Search Begins

Ever since I was 15 and got my learner's permit, I have wanted an old, yellow VW convertible bug. In my dream it is yellow with a black top. This vision has morphed to include me and Miner tooling around town in it, because I think he would just love riding in a convertible.

So, I have done some bit of research on the internet, and started looking. I've also made it known to several local friends...hell, I have told damn near everyone I know. This means from time to time people stop by and say, "I saw a bug in the paper..." but so far they haven't been convertibles, or the one that was supposedly in LeClaire that I never could find...something like that.


Well, today I went to look at this one in Sterling, IL which is about an hour from here. I brought my friend Garrick along with me for the company and to help make sure I didn't make an impulse purchase of this magnitude. When I forwarded this picture to my friend most knowledgeable about VW's (Mike Quinn), he pointed out a few things to look at. A few little dings (yep, they were there, and some chips on the passenger side rear fender that were touched up poorly but no big deal, too). He also pointed out something with the rubber around the driver window...it was just "tucked in" to the channel the window goes down in, no biggie. And what appears to be a second bumper gasket on the rear bumper (driver side). It does look like there are two gaskets there from what I can tell. Almost as though the bumper on the driver side had been pushed downward or something. Not sure what to make of it. The engine looks clean, and had been recently serviced according to the owner. There was a leak of some sort that Garrick saw while we he stayed back while I took it out with the owner. Garrick didn't way anything while we were there, and I didn't notice. It shifted great and drove nicely, so no complaints there. The number one best part - no rust underneath at all. This owner as well as previous 2 kept it garaged the whole time and had not driven it in the winter at all. The other best part - the top is in great condition. The headliner has a few spots that are damaged, but not badly. The odometer doesn't work anymore apparently...so no real idea how many miles are on it, and the owner believes it's the original engine. I do know it sat for some time (several years) at one point in its life. I also know that it was once yellow and has been painted this red color that is apparently a stock Buick color or something.

So, I don't know if this one is the one for me. I want to see others...it's not like I need one RIGHT NOW (damnit!!) so I can take my time. Also, I don't know if $6700 is a good deal or not. So, in addition to my search for a bug, I am also looking for a Quad City local VW person who can help me decide what's a good buy and what isn't. I do have a good idea of what I am looking for, and what I can afford to spend, and $6700 is certainly within that budget...but I don't want to spend it if the car isn't worth it.

So, basically, the search had only just begun. I'll keep you faithful readers posted on what I find.