Which one's better?? opinions wanted!!
 

It's looking cost prohibitive to plan on keeping my Mountaineer as long term transportation and a backroads flyer... Enter the cheap VW to take over :D . Which do you guys seeing the more capable FE vehicle and why? I don't see Myself doing a Kammback, so lets rule that out from the get go. Eventual plan would be to swap in a subie EJ22 for creature comforts and the power to push those bigger tires where I tend to take them. Also, i did a search and have read quite a few threads on the two different vehicles... Just want to hear some opinions and thoughts on these sweet little lifted jobs :cool:

Class 11 style (full fender baja) bug:
http://i.imgur.com/862HOKnl.jpg
Photo from "Sxuxrxf" over on the Samba



Class 11 style (full fender baja) squareback:
http://i.imgur.com/yMFpKp1l.jpg
photo from "Root Werks" also on the Samba


Thanks
~C

I'm going with the squareback not because I think it'll be a great eco-ride but because it's COOLER THAN ALL GET-OUT! :D

I'd go with the squareback myself, because there's more cargo (and in my case, dog - Mitt Romney I'm not :-)) space inside, instead of on the roof rack, so likely better aero while getting to those back roads.

I heart Squarebacks; wish I still had one. If aero is your "Thing" you could get the Type III Fastback.

haha That's the exact same reaction I had the first time I saw that car. I've also seen some pretty hefty claims of 30-40mpg hwy with these, don't know how legit that is though.




Very true, remove the need for the roofrack and you get instant aero improvement... I've often wondered about putting one of the LED light bars on the inside of the windshield like the new low profile cop cars do with their lights, then you really don't have a reason to mount anything to the roof.



I love those fastbacks... But finding one is the issue for me. I think a bug or squareback would be much easier to procure.


~C

I know my roof rack is like a boat anchor going above 40 mph. Always wanted a type 3 too. I'd get 28 mpg in my '65 beetle at highway. Thirty five should be possible with some effort. They run 11:1 afr factory generally with carbs but if you can get them around 13:1 they still run cool enough if you don't let the heads get too hot. They had a rack that went on bugs that leaned back way over the engine lid that mounted on the rain gutters. I thought about skinning one to conform to the template at the roofline like a thule trunk exept low to the around the back window.

God, that is a fantastic square. I think it's a toss up- the bug has a better roofline, but the squareback has flat body sides. Just get whatever's the best deal, in the best condition, and have fun with it.

How are you guys gonna talk about VW aero and not mention the Karman Ghia?
If you're gonna jack up a veewee and put mud tires on it, you can at least start with something a little aero-ish, lol!

Chillsworld, here's one for cheap in Georgia:

1971 karmann ghia classic.!! Rebuilt motor fancy exhaust. Wheels

Yeah I had the spare on the roof and I got almost 2mpg (hwy) better when I finally took it off and mounted it inside my SUV... So I totally understand the anchor :mad:

I had that exact same thought about the rack, but perhaps doing it to hold a full size spare as well... I've seen some neat configurations/uses for those racks while searching the interwebz.





Yeah it's been an inspiration for my imagination ever since I saw it years ago on The Samba. At this point, nothing I get is going to be in "good" condition in order to fit my DIY shady tree mechanic shoe string budget haha. But don't you worry, I'll definitely have fun with it!




I love Ghia's... But, being 6'4" the Ghia is less than optimal for me :( Plus I'm not sure if I can really go through with cutting and lifting my childhood sweetheart ;)

And the word "cheap" is a highly subjective term :p



~C

Humm... Now you've got me wondering about doing something similar with an 80-84 Subaru 4WD wagon. Could maybe bolt in a newer (e.g. fuel injected &c) engine...