Attention Gerard/Brian-in-nz

Offer him a handjob and $500, should do the trick. Thats what Sean
does and it works for him.

samf wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I put the subject line up for the two NZers I know who visit here,
> but anyone else from Godzone is welcome to chip in . I am
> checking out a 1969 Beetle with a 1500 motor for sale in West
> Auckland. It has WOF and rego and has done 158,000 miles, with a
> reco job (I assume on the engine) at 100,000 miles. It's supposedly
> a one-owner car. What do I want to make as a ballpark offer to the
> owner, assuming the car is solid?
>
> Any thoughts appreciated
>
> Sam F.
>

Hi Sam

Sorry for the delay, I haven't checked in for a few days... I agree
with Brian regards $ range. Have you been and looked/crawled all
over it? Have a really good poke around for rust, particularly in
the all important heater channel/ bottom of A-pillar areas... its
the rust repair that will sting you. Good model though, I like them!
(as you know!). Great to hear you are still on the trail, I wondered
if the insurance woes might have put you off...

cheers Gerard

brian-in-nz wrote:
>
> Sam
> I don't really have much knowledge about the whole-car market at the
> moment. My guess it could be worth in the range NZ$2000 - NZ$4000 if
> there are no obvious problems. The market might not be too
> competetive right now (after Christmas) so why don't you just try
> them with a low offer (less than $2k). Make sure you check out the
> bottoms of the A pillars, lower door hinges, battery area etc for
> rust or signs of repair. I spent Monday with the RoadRat at Manfeild
> for a track day with the MG club. It drizzled all day. had a great
> time. Cheers, Brian
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I put the subject line up for the two NZers I know who visit here,
>> but anyone else from Godzone is welcome to chip in . I am
>> checking out a 1969 Beetle with a 1500 motor for sale in West
>> Auckland. It has WOF and rego and has done 158,000 miles, with a
>> reco job (I assume on the engine) at 100,000 miles. It's supposedly
>> a one-owner car. What do I want to make as a ballpark offer to the
>> owner, assuming the car is solid?
>>
>> Any thoughts appreciated
>>
>> Sam F.
>>
>
>

Sam
One suggestion is to take it for a WOF test at a testing station
which has a tough reputation, and point out your concerns to them.
They are usually pretty skilled at spotting a problem. Sometimes you
find a rust repair where someone has welded metal all over the place
with the body actually welded on to the pan. I am no expert about
this at all. I guess best take it to a speciallist is best. For
insurence, suggest u consider 3rd party only. Only about $100 for 6
months, and for an investment under $2000, it's worth the risk on
the car its self. Try STATE. Then upgrade after a year or two when
you might have invested a bit more in the car, and you have already
earned a no-claim discount so get a low rate. (appologies to readers
from other countries for the NZ-specific stuff). Remember the VW
Nationals at at Tauranga this Easter. I met a lot of Ak guys last
year in Wgtn. Had a great time. Took a trailer load of junk to the
swap-meet and came home with $800. Win-win. - Brian

samf wrote:
>
>
>
> Thanks! Apart from napolian, I'm pretty happy with the advice I've
> got - an offer under $2000 works for me. At the moment I'm trying to
> save up money to cover some cheaper insurance, and all the other
> repairs and costs that might crop up; I'm also wanting to hook up
> with some of the Auckland VWOC people to get some help (& a few
> VWists to meet up with too of course).
> I will be on the lookout for rust from the start - a year or two
> looking around at Beetles sure teaches you a lot. Brian, if I do
> find rust repairs (rather than rust pure and simple), is that always
> a very bad sign or just a warning to get someone skilled to look the
> car over?
>
> Cheers, Sam F.
>
> Gerard wrote:
>>
>> Hi Sam
>>
>> Sorry for the delay, I haven't checked in for a few days... I agree
>> with Brian regards $ range. Have you been and looked/crawled all
>> over it? Have a really good poke around for rust, particularly in
>> the all important heater channel/ bottom of A-pillar areas... its
>> the rust repair that will sting you. Good model though, I like them!
>> (as you know!). Great to hear you are still on the trail, I wondered
>> if the insurance woes might have put you off...
>>
>> cheers Gerard
>>
>>
>>
>> brian-in-nz wrote:
>>>
>>> Sam
>>> I don't really have much knowledge about the whole-car market at the
>>> moment. My guess it could be worth in the range NZ$2000 - NZ$4000 if
>>> there are no obvious problems. The market might not be too
>>> competetive right now (after Christmas) so why don't you just try
>>> them with a low offer (less than $2k). Make sure you check out the
>>> bottoms of the A pillars, lower door hinges, battery area etc for
>>> rust or signs of repair. I spent Monday with the RoadRat at Manfeild
>>> for a track day with the MG club. It drizzled all day. had a great
>>> time. Cheers, Brian
>>>
>>> samf wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I put the subject line up for the two NZers I know who visit here,
>>>> but anyone else from Godzone is welcome to chip in . I am
>>>> checking out a 1969 Beetle with a 1500 motor for sale in West
>>>> Auckland. It has WOF and rego and has done 158,000 miles, with a
>>>> reco job (I assume on the engine) at 100,000 miles. It's supposedly
>>>> a one-owner car. What do I want to make as a ballpark offer to the
>>>> owner, assuming the car is solid?
>>>>
>>>> Any thoughts appreciated
>>>>
>>>> Sam F.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>