--- Dan Wohlers <djwohls@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> 1. What are the "best" years? (reliability, are there years
> that I
> should avoid?, etc.)
>
> 2. What are the problem areas on the bugs?  I have heard bad
> stories
> about rust in the floorpans, anywhere else I should be
> watching?
>
> 3. Any other things I should know?

I've owned a '72 Super Beetle, a '61 Beetle (6 volts), and a '71
standard Beetle.  Each had its good points, but which you chose
depends on your priorities.

The '72 was the best daily driver and it had a sunroof.  The
McPherson strut suspension meant it handled well and its
over-sized rear tires meant I could cruise at 75.  Ok, it was
more like screaming at 75, but it would do it.  I even drove it
from AL to MI, some 840 miles one way, and besides the resulting
damaged hearing, I was surprizingly comfortable.  One thing to
remember:  People hate to move over to let a Beetle pass on the
interstate.

The '61 was my favorite.  It was slower and only had lap belts
which were bolted into the floorpan - useless since they would
rip right out during an accident - but it had this irresistible
charm.  I drove it daily for a few years in the Alabama humidity
and the occasional cold.  It would vapor-lock sometimes and had
no fuel gauge, but I wish I still had it.  In a mean way I
somehow enjoyed doing EXACTLY the speed limit and watched people
glare at me as they scrambled to pass me.  The license plate
said "DNTSQSH" - "don't squash".

The '71 was the best compromise between the other two with
decent cruising speed, the rugged torsion suspension and still
some charming looks.

If I were to do it all over again, I'd pick a '60 to '64 (the
small windows as they got larger in '65), put a 1776cc engine in
there with a freeway flyer trans, install whitewall tires, disc
brakes, sunroof if possible, pop-out side windows, install a
light-color interior and drive every day.

You live up north so undercoating the body installing a gas
heater for the winter would be a must.  Oh, and without forced
ventilation the windows tend to fog up when it's cold, rainy, or
snowing.  If you have the patience, they are worth it.

=====
Chris S.'85 Westy Camel -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/vws/camel/ '84 Westy Hershey -> http://www.knology.net/~vwghost/hershey/ '01 NB TDI -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/Beetle.jpg