What Gives?!?!

[fast70]

A beetle has been put up for sale by a local german resturant owner and I need help to access its estimated value. It is a 1972 Super Beetle and has various mods-
I will try to list most:

-Light metallic green paint (A BMW color bought directly from the plant in Germany)
-Porsche Fuchs- not sure of tire size but I know they are 7-9in
wide fr/rear (fairly new)
-Wide fiberglass fenders
-1776 engine 7000mi on rebuild (electronic ignition,dual 40mm carbs)
-New headliner
-New Beetle antenna and rear brake lights
-Front bumpers with integral signals
-BMW Recarro seats (heat and elec move not hooked up)
-Porsche steering wheel
-Reupholstered rear seat and door panels to match front seats
-Hideaway exhaust
-Lowered suspension and new front struts
-New speedo--goes to 130
-Flat fiberglass dash
-EMPI short shifter with rev lockout

However the car does have some faults:

-Large front end shimmy between 45-50ish
-Trunk not completed
-Paint oxidized in spots
-Passenger window binds
-Latch on passenger window broke
-Emergency light knob broke
-Parking brake does not work
-Will not idle
-Turn signal broke (does not return to off)
-Upholstery on passenger door panel popped off
-Antenna hole left open
-Seats hard to move and electricals not hooked up

Some problems that my friend found:
-Seats uncomfortable and hard to climb out of(partly due to lowering)
-No leg room in backseat due to large front seats
-Car scrapes on speed bumps or dips in the road

Asking price $6,000 US. Unfortunately I do not have that money to give up front right now nor am I looking to. I was just hoping you guys could give me your honest opinion and tell me what you think it is worth.

Sorry for the long post, I am just trying to be as thorough as possible with my description. I will try to get pictures as soon as possible.

Thanks,
fast70

[oasis]

I am not an expert on the valuation of VWs. I have, however, been searching intensely for the right one for the past ten months or so. When I saw US$6000 at the end, I laughed.

The thing that strikes me about this car is a lack of attention to detail.

Exhibit A: Special paint and antenna; yet, old antenna hole not filled and paint oxidized in spots.

Exhibit B: 1776 cc with 7000 miles on rebuild; yet, it won't idle.

Exhibit C: Special steering wheel; yet, turn signal won't return to neutral.

Exhibit D: Special tires, wheels and fenders along with a special lowering job; yet, it scrapes and shimmies.

Exhibit E: Special interior; yet, seats don't move properly and aren't hooked up plus one panel popped off.

Exhibit F: Special shifter and exhaust; yet, parking brake doesn't work. (I know these items aren't related to each other but it would seem to me one would take care of a basic requirement before adding another special modification.)

None of the problems are that big of a deal taken one at a time. (At least, I don't think so. Again, I'm no expert.) The pattern of problems point to a greater problem -- the owner. He shows there is no forethought or planning involved. A wowwie-zowwie mod possibility presents itself and he acts on it without regard to any ramifications. Then at 7000 miles later, he wants to dump it.

Sorry. I would rather spend half to two-thirds that amount on a well-cared-for '72 in stock condition than I would the same amount on his, much less the full asking price.

I hope I didn't come off mean but that's my opinion, and I am unanimous in that.

-René

[lightning bug]

Yeah, unless I know the person, I'm always hesitant to consider a modified car.

[bugsoup]

Sounds like Cal-Look to me. I would stay away. Not because of the mods he did, but how he did them. Like René said, most of the mods are wowwie-zowwie, they might be simple but they can look and work incredibly well if done right. I interpret this car to mean "my friends will think its cool becasue they don't know any better, but I'm not willing to: do the work required to make it function correctly, spend them money to get the parts I really want, or finish a job that I start. I think this guy bought a cheap car, put some "cool" mod on it and hope to sell it to a chump to make some fast money. Although he says the engine has 7000 mile on it, I wouldn't believe that. He knows there is no real way to prove otherwise and is hoping people don't think he is dumping an unfinished project.

That what I think anyway. Someone else might see it different.

[fast70]

Thats the kind of help I needed. Thanks guys! I had offered 4500 and he wouldn't take it so I'm not buying.

Thanks,
fast70