Classic mini or classic beetle?
Discussion
This is not a what car thread but I was just interested to see what the PH consensus was on these two iconic cars. I have driven neither but have travelled as a passenger in a tuned classic mini cooper which seems like it would be fun. However, for some reason that I am not sure of, as a kid, I always wanted a Beetle and wasn't really into minis (the Herbie effect possibly). They were both designed as basic transport but completely different configurations. The Beetle was probably more of a sales success but the mini probably more impressive from an engineering point of view and more fun to drive. The mini seems more relevant now (small, small engine, economical) than it did in the 80s/90s, as it seemed relatively expensive then and you could get more power and space for less money. A classic mini cooper would make a nice DD for my current circumstances (probably cheaper to run than my Impreza) but something in me still fancies a classic Beetle for pootling about in! So, would it be a classic mini or a classic beetle and why?
I have had a few of both, the thing with the mini is that it was made up to around 2001 where as the beetle can only be had up to 1977 with RHD, unless you dont mind buying a LHD Mexician beetle, which were not a patch on a German built car.
I personally do prefer the Beetle but mainly because I have had less trouble with them over the years, the down point with the beetle is the heater as it works with heat exchangers which take the heat off the exhaust and never work to well.
If you want a beetle I think the best ones were the 1303s (1600) which has creature comforts and drives more like a modern car as it has Macpherson struts or if you want the old school look try and find a 1500 Beetle which has the looks but a 12v electrical system and a alternator.
My last Beetle I had was a 1976 model on a old P reg which was Rhd but the run out models where quite basic as I think it was a 1200cc but it was reliable as any modern car just terrible in the winter as I could never clear the screen of ice lol.
I personally do prefer the Beetle but mainly because I have had less trouble with them over the years, the down point with the beetle is the heater as it works with heat exchangers which take the heat off the exhaust and never work to well.
If you want a beetle I think the best ones were the 1303s (1600) which has creature comforts and drives more like a modern car as it has Macpherson struts or if you want the old school look try and find a 1500 Beetle which has the looks but a 12v electrical system and a alternator.
My last Beetle I had was a 1976 model on a old P reg which was Rhd but the run out models where quite basic as I think it was a 1200cc but it was reliable as any modern car just terrible in the winter as I could never clear the screen of ice lol.
smugglersvin said:
I have had a few of both, the thing with the mini is that it was made up to around 2001 where as the beetle can only be had up to 1977 with RHD, unless you dont mind buying a LHD Mexician beetle, which were not a patch on a German built car.
I personally do prefer the Beetle but mainly because I have had less trouble with them over the years, the down point with the beetle is the heater as it works with heat exchangers which take the heat off the exhaust and never work to well.
If you want a beetle I think the best ones were the 1303s (1600) which has creature comforts and drives more like a modern car as it has Macpherson struts or if you want the old school look try and find a 1500 Beetle which has the looks but a 12v electrical system and a alternator.
My last Beetle I had was a 1976 model on a old P reg which was Rhd but the run out models where quite basic as I think it was a 1200cc but it was reliable as any modern car just terrible in the winter as I could never clear the screen of ice lol.
I will probably regret passing up the opportunity to buy one of the last RHD Mexican-built Beetles. It was a 2000 W-plate with 30,000 miles, metallic blue, Empi alloy wheels and a Webasto roof. At the time £5000 (trade price) seemed a bit steep to me but maybe I was wrong! I personally do prefer the Beetle but mainly because I have had less trouble with them over the years, the down point with the beetle is the heater as it works with heat exchangers which take the heat off the exhaust and never work to well.
If you want a beetle I think the best ones were the 1303s (1600) which has creature comforts and drives more like a modern car as it has Macpherson struts or if you want the old school look try and find a 1500 Beetle which has the looks but a 12v electrical system and a alternator.
My last Beetle I had was a 1976 model on a old P reg which was Rhd but the run out models where quite basic as I think it was a 1200cc but it was reliable as any modern car just terrible in the winter as I could never clear the screen of ice lol.
I guess a mini will be alot more plush inside as they have had to make them with walnut and leather to get shot of them, most beetles are rather sparten inside with metal dashboards and pvc seats and door panels, what I liked about old beetles were you could run them on unleaded without conversion.
Also I would think the mini would be more economical than a beetle but with minis they do rot on the subframes and the A pillers quite badly which they never seemed to bother trying to cure in the 40 odd years of manufacture.
Also I would think the mini would be more economical than a beetle but with minis they do rot on the subframes and the A pillers quite badly which they never seemed to bother trying to cure in the 40 odd years of manufacture.
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