QUOTE(r_towle @ Dec 27 2006, 02:40 PM)
let me be more specific, and it might make you feel better..
The interior is unique. front seats are from the beetle, sometimes...
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
QUOTE
the driveline, front suspension (to a point) and the rest of the car is from the beetle or bus or ghia parts bin.
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.
QUOTE
Motor is bus, sometime with djet..sometimes carbs.
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