Beetle convertible Help

[pirategaz]

OK...I´m looking to buy a Convertible Beetle as a present for my wife... It wont be an original convertible budget wont stretch that far. Can anyone give me any advice on what to look out for... defects, common problems, right questions to ask etc...
Any advice would be much appreciated...

Thanks everyone

[mk1coopers]

I'd say the first thing to check is that it's registered correctly, if it's been cut about it it may well fall foul of the DVLA 8 point rule, you could then end up having the number plate taken away and having to BIVA the car to get it back on the road (assuming you are in the UK)

[pirategaz]

Actually am in Spain...
But raise a very good point thank you

[aeropilot]

pirategaz said:

Actually am in Spain...
But raise a very good point thank you

Yes, you need to check whether a 'conversion' is OK, as from what I've heard from a few ex-pats that have taken their modified classics to Spain with them, they've run into all sorts of issues.....

[Rich135]

The chassis is one of the biggest trouble spots, so check underneath the car and underneath the back seats (where the battery is located) for rust, rust and more rust.

Mechanicals are fairly robust and cheap/easy to fix, but rust is your biggest worry.

[pirategaz]

Thank you will check

[pirategaz]

aeropilot said:

Yes, you need to check whether a 'conversion' is OK, as from what I've heard from a few ex-pats that have taken their modified classics to Spain with them, they've run into all sorts of issues.....

Very true much tougher here on modifications and if you wanna kit car... forget it

[Mike-tf3n0]

Only buy a proper Karmann built Beetle Convertible or the later VW built cars. Many aircooled Beetles have been turned into convertibles and they are all rubbish and probably dangerous. The Karmann cars have chrome framed side windows and the little 'Karmann' badge on the side behind the front wing.

[grumpy52]

Rust ,rust , rust and more rust .
Not just all the usual bodyshell stuff but all the heater channels that move heat from the engine bay can cost a fortune to repair as they are labour intensive and tricky to do well .
Lots of chopped about death traps in the past were passed off as genuine original cars .