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Posted by: erikstoll Dec 27 2006, 03:20 PM

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=399043

comments, etc? im new to the idea of purchasing one, but it doenst seem to be in too terrible of shape.
Thanks
Erik

Posted by: ws91420 Dec 27 2006, 03:25 PM

Not much info there. No wires on the engine. Need to see what shape the floor pans are like under that carpet.

Posted by: erikstoll Dec 27 2006, 03:27 PM

no wires on the engine means...? wont be running or?

sorry, i dont know much about stuff like that

Posted by: ws91420 Dec 27 2006, 03:33 PM

no wires from the distributor cap to plugs so the engine will not run in that state. so no telling when the motor actually last run.

Posted by: erikstoll Dec 27 2006, 03:34 PM

good to know, that would be a nice fun tow back to reno

Posted by: r_towle Dec 27 2006, 04:31 PM

look harder, you should be able to find a running driver for that kind of money.
Like a 914, they suck to get parts for, so buy two.
Rich

Posted by: erikstoll Dec 27 2006, 04:35 PM

not what i wanted to hear living in an apartment and all.... dmanit

guess ill wait till i move into a house w/ the car obsessed g/f this summer

Posted by: r_towle Dec 27 2006, 04:40 PM

let me be more specific, and it might make you feel better..

The interior is unique. front seats are from the beetle, sometimes...

the Exterior body is unique.

the driveline, front suspension (to a point) and the rest of the car is from the beetle or bus or ghia parts bin.

Motor is bus, sometime with djet..sometimes carbs.

So, find a car with a nice body and a really nice interior...
For me the interior would be key, the body can be fixed, but the interior would end up costing big bucks..

Rich

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Dec 27 2006, 05:30 PM

Run away! Water leaks and no air filters on engine = shortened lifespan. Way too much work needed on that one...

Lurk on the vwtype3.org email list (it's free!). Maybe ask questions, too

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Dec 27 2006, 05:43 PM

Nope. Seats are T3 only. Except 1973 (last year car was produced) where the seats are unique to the T3...but first year Golf seats will bolt right in


Front suspension is T3. Fan housing and cooling tin is T3. No T2 (Bus) parts. Tranny nose cone is T3. Tranny is basically a T1 unit but with different gearing, of course, for the "bigger" motor. Some parts are T1 (easily found) and many are T3 only.



No. Motor is closer to the T1 (Bug) except for the cooling tin and fan housing. All USA models came with FI (fuel injection), D-jet. European (includes Canada) came with carbs or FI.

Owning a decent T3 can be as much work as owning a 914...I own both so I can make the comparison Both can get on your nerves and be a tad spendy until everything gets ironed out. The T3 won't handle like the 914 nor go as quickly but the 914 won't carry you, the family, and all your camping gear off-road for the weekend. Each has their place. If you are comfy with the 914 4-cylinder engine then you'll find the T3 engine/tranny a piece of cake! More space, easier and cheaper to provide hp enhancements, and dropping the engine is waaaaay easier than a teener...but what isn't

Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 28 2006, 09:58 AM

keep looking. i think the blue 71' pictured on p.3 would be a much better car for not much more money.

k

Posted by: ThinAir Dec 28 2006, 10:46 AM

Since Toby owns both, he's clearly got the most intimate knowledge of these things. My own sentiment is that unless you are already into Squarebacks, this is a good one to pass on.

If you really want a Squareback,I have an acquaintance there in Flagstaff that had one for sale last Fall. I don't know if he still has it, but I can ask. He was asking something like $2300. It had been recently repainted and ran well. The interior had a few issues, but nothing that you couldn't live with and get to when you felt comfortable.

The thing about Squarebacks (and Fastbacks) is that the front end changed (in 70 or 71). Early models had round "bullet" turn signals and a more rounded nose. The early models are the better looking (IMHO) and are more desireable for those who are into these cars.

I would have bought that Squareback myself except that it was a late model and I really don't have a place for yet another car (too many 914s already).

Posted by: hmeeder Dec 28 2006, 11:24 AM

IMHO you'd also want to swap transmissions.

Those automatics were crap and the car couldn't get out of it's own way downhill with a tailwind.

Posted by: kdfoust Dec 28 2006, 11:32 AM

What was the deal with the automatic in those cars? I dated a girl in high school who... Uh, wait, wrong story.

I remember this 411 that a neighbor had. It seemed like they were always wrestling with the shifter when driving but it was an automatic...were those automatic clutch trannies like the sportomatic?

Later,
Kevin

PS - I browse 411 on the samba myself. It must be because of that girl in high school...

Posted by: erikstoll Dec 28 2006, 02:32 PM

I just want to thank you all for all the help and information, you guys seriously kick ass.
I dont know what I would do without such a great group of folks to get knowledgeable advice from on cars such as these.

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Dec 28 2006, 06:02 PM

The T3 used a TRUE automatic transaxle, NOT the auto-stick like that of the Bug. And the T3 automatic shifts smoothly and works very well...when maintained...just like any other car. My girlfriend liked my T3 automatic better than her 2002 Passat 2.0t automatic. My friend Brian has an automatic T4 and it shifts even more smoothly. The automatic tranny can handle upto +200hp And being Borg-Warner inside means you can still get parts.

The T3 automatic I used to own:
http://www.icbm.org/cmgallery/thumbnails.php?album=29

More details on her:
http://www.icbm.org/erkson/personal/vw_auto_72/