Hello all. Since I discovered this site and upon reading up on all the info, your threads and see some pictures of your beautiful cars. I've decided to buy a used Spyder, is a 1998 Vintage.
I
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Hello all. Since I discovered this site and upon reading up on all the info, your threads and see some pictures of your beautiful cars. I've decided to buy a used Spyder, is a 1998 Vintage.
I
I
These cars are NOT FOR BEGINNERS they require a lot of fettling and servicing of the old school variety.
I've been driving/ riding classic bikes and cars for 35yrs plus and feel if your level of knowledge is ( How or what are valves)
time to buy a modern sports car.
Really you will save a lot of cash and heartache
but its your cash and if your heart rules your head we will see you driving a Spyder very soon
Good Luck
Magwa
I've been driving/ riding classic bikes and cars for 35yrs plus and feel if your level of knowledge is ( How or what are valves)
time to buy a modern sports car.
Really you will save a lot of cash and heartache
but its your cash and if your heart rules your head we will see you driving a Spyder very soon
Good Luck
Magwa
Mr. Maguire
I know perfectly what a valves are, I only don't know how to ajust it. I guess if some day I need to ajusted with all your experience, you can explaint to me how.
Cheers,
I know perfectly what a valves are, I only don't know how to ajust it. I guess if some day I need to ajusted with all your experience, you can explaint to me how.
Cheers,
I think you got me wrong.
I wasn't being 'funny' I'm not a rich guy either but the only way to learn is to do it.Thats whatever 'it 'is!
So buy and enjoy
an old saying goes:
"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT LIVING TO REGRET IS LIVING!"
and you will find that driving a Spyder is LIVING.
Magwa
I wasn't being 'funny' I'm not a rich guy either but the only way to learn is to do it.Thats whatever 'it 'is!
So buy and enjoy
an old saying goes:
"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT LIVING TO REGRET IS LIVING!"
and you will find that driving a Spyder is LIVING.
Magwa
Steve, my friend no hard feelings and I really appreciate your good help.
I'm just a little worried becuase I almost done with the deal and now little bad things about this cars (money burner) start runing in my mind, I think I need some suport.
But I still want to heard some members comments about, how expensive is to own a car like this.
Thanks
I'm just a little worried becuase I almost done with the deal and now little bad things about this cars (money burner) start runing in my mind, I think I need some suport.
But I still want to heard some members comments about, how expensive is to own a car like this.
Thanks
Pedro
My advice to you is; Buy the "Bug me video" series. Volume #1 has step by step instructions on how to do general maintenance like valve adjustment,tune up,oil change,set timing, ect. Volume #2 shows how to pull a motor,clutch. There are volumes on electrical parts,brake maintenance,tranny replacement. You can find them on ebay,or go to their own site at www.bugmevideo.com
Before I got my speedster,I did not do any work on engines other than changing the oil. The basic maintenance is easy to do.
To do the more compicated work you need confidence. Bug me video makes it look easy.
Anyway buy the general maintenance video first (around 15-20 bucks) and see what you think. Still is cheaper than a car.Also go to the library and get a book on VW engines.
Good luck.
My advice to you is; Buy the "Bug me video" series. Volume #1 has step by step instructions on how to do general maintenance like valve adjustment,tune up,oil change,set timing, ect. Volume #2 shows how to pull a motor,clutch. There are volumes on electrical parts,brake maintenance,tranny replacement. You can find them on ebay,or go to their own site at www.bugmevideo.com
Before I got my speedster,I did not do any work on engines other than changing the oil. The basic maintenance is easy to do.
To do the more compicated work you need confidence. Bug me video makes it look easy.
Anyway buy the general maintenance video first (around 15-20 bucks) and see what you think. Still is cheaper than a car.Also go to the library and get a book on VW engines.
Good luck.
Pedro I am just about to buy a Beck spyder. I have always and will always own finicky vintage machines and I love it. I used to have a 62 Karmann Ghia and I kept it in great condition thanks much in part to the book "How to keep your Volkswagen Alive: a manual of step by step procedures for the compleat idiot" by John Muir. This book is a must have for anyone how owns a VW. It is foremost a shop manual but you can actually read it cover to cover as it is quite entertaining. It definitely helped me tons... VW valves are nuthin try a 38' bmw flat head motorcycle (tons of slop and play in those suckers) hope this helps:)
t
t
I'm going to broach a point here that may upset a few people regarding the "reliability problems" of these cars. Many of the "reliability problems" are the result of pis$ poor assembly or materials. Putting a car together with worn out or poorly built parts and lousy workmanship will guarantee a breakdown.
I've had my car towed 3 times (and run it out of gas 3 times). Each of those times was DIRECTLY the result of our assembly mistakes. The gas issue, well that is a piece of junk fuel guage - but even that is largely my fault because I knew the guage was flaky and did not have the fuel can with me.
VW engines will require valve adjustments on amazingingly frequent intervals (compared to any other car engine I'm familiar with). Any car with multiple carbs will require synching those items. What makes that problematic is when the linkage is poorly designed or worn out making accurate adjustment a problematic headache. With good linkage, the carbs will not need synching for many miles after proper adjustment.
Suggestion? Definately buy a sorted car that someone takes LONG runs in. If the owner is willing to take a 1500 mile jaunt in the car, then obviously it must be pretty sorted because that is an absurdly long distance to call AAA for!
You might also consider a more "modern" engine such a subaru. Terrific power and like a subaru, extremely low maintenance. That is provided the builder has installed good wiring, good axles, good cables etc.
As for me, I'm currently plotting a 2,500 mile trip in the spyder the end of September.
And I expect it run without issue.
angela (not rich, not a great mechanic....)
I've had my car towed 3 times (and run it out of gas 3 times). Each of those times was DIRECTLY the result of our assembly mistakes. The gas issue, well that is a piece of junk fuel guage - but even that is largely my fault because I knew the guage was flaky and did not have the fuel can with me.
VW engines will require valve adjustments on amazingingly frequent intervals (compared to any other car engine I'm familiar with). Any car with multiple carbs will require synching those items. What makes that problematic is when the linkage is poorly designed or worn out making accurate adjustment a problematic headache. With good linkage, the carbs will not need synching for many miles after proper adjustment.
Suggestion? Definately buy a sorted car that someone takes LONG runs in. If the owner is willing to take a 1500 mile jaunt in the car, then obviously it must be pretty sorted because that is an absurdly long distance to call AAA for!
You might also consider a more "modern" engine such a subaru. Terrific power and like a subaru, extremely low maintenance. That is provided the builder has installed good wiring, good axles, good cables etc.
As for me, I'm currently plotting a 2,500 mile trip in the spyder the end of September.
And I expect it run without issue.
angela (not rich, not a great mechanic....)
Pedro, as far as less maintainance, i went with a watercooled spyder. These have a modern 2.0 liter VW/Audi engine in them. less fussing with carb settings, or as frequent oil changes. (please no fireballs from the rafters, i know its half the fun, just giving my man some options) I personally wanted something more reliable with less maintainace but still fast and fun. Mine also has a fifth gear for easier freeway cruising. Look at the link for Special Editions if you are interested. Also Fantastic follow-up service from Carey and his family. Don't get me wrong, there are always plenty of little things that pop up. But with a less "nervous" engine and good tech support, it makes this a fantastic fun car to own.
If Atlanta has a good aircooled VW specialty shop - they'll be happy and qualified to work on your car. It may even be somewhat of a "celebrity car" there - the shop I used locally was only too happy to keep/story my car for me for an extra week following some work, while I took an extended trip - they paraded their customers through the back room to see "The Spyder" - It's probably best if you learn to do the maintainance items yourself - but it's possible to farm them out. You'll not likely be putting on lots of miles - so service intervals, while frequent in miles, may be less frequent in weeks/months.
.
just my $0.02...
.
RickJ
.
just my $0.02...
.
RickJ
Thanks to all of you guys.
I really feel much better now, and I'm sure, I can count with all to do my repairs and maintenance.
Dustin, of course I like better the water cooled but it is probably more expesive than a regular one.
Pedro
I really feel much better now, and I'm sure, I can count with all to do my repairs and maintenance.
Dustin, of course I like better the water cooled but it is probably more expesive than a regular one.
Pedro
Pedro...
Just caught your posting...
I own Beck Spyder chasis 748, purchased new, now with about 13,000mi. on the odometer. I live in Gainesville, Ga., about 60mi. North of
Atlanta. If you would like to see the car and/or discuss the post delivery rework, I would be happy to help you.
Leon Chupp.
Just caught your posting...
I own Beck Spyder chasis 748, purchased new, now with about 13,000mi. on the odometer. I live in Gainesville, Ga., about 60mi. North of
Atlanta. If you would like to see the car and/or discuss the post delivery rework, I would be happy to help you.
Leon Chupp.
Pedro,
I've just caught your posting too. If you are still "on the fence" about what to do, my advice is don't be afraid of it. As long as your expectations are for recreation driving and not that you are buying the car to rely on as a daily driver you will have a great time with the spyder. And, learning how to do those recuring little things that need attention now and then, or even taking on the challenge of more adventurous modifications, all can make the spyder that much more fun to own.
My car has been on the flatbed only once, for a freak failure that could just as easly happened to a new Miata. Otherwise, it has always got me home -- sometimes popping, sputtering and in the wing/prayer mode; but always got me home. This is after 9000 miles on an engine that I built myself with no experience (NOT recommended if your motive is saving money -- you wont!)
To say these cars are primative is maybe overstating their evolutionary status and complexity. They're easy to learn how to work on and you will find lots of help from your new friends here and spyderclub.
If your expections are for something as carefree as a new Honda Civic, don't buy the spyder. If you want to enjoy something like the 1950's sports car experience, get the spyder.
Mark
I've just caught your posting too. If you are still "on the fence" about what to do, my advice is don't be afraid of it. As long as your expectations are for recreation driving and not that you are buying the car to rely on as a daily driver you will have a great time with the spyder. And, learning how to do those recuring little things that need attention now and then, or even taking on the challenge of more adventurous modifications, all can make the spyder that much more fun to own.
My car has been on the flatbed only once, for a freak failure that could just as easly happened to a new Miata. Otherwise, it has always got me home -- sometimes popping, sputtering and in the wing/prayer mode; but always got me home. This is after 9000 miles on an engine that I built myself with no experience (NOT recommended if your motive is saving money -- you wont!)
To say these cars are primative is maybe overstating their evolutionary status and complexity. They're easy to learn how to work on and you will find lots of help from your new friends here and spyderclub.
If your expections are for something as carefree as a new Honda Civic, don't buy the spyder. If you want to enjoy something like the 1950's sports car experience, get the spyder.
Mark
I'm certainly not rich, either. It does help to be mechanically inclined, and not afraid to try something unknown. I've had my Spyder 2 1/2 years, and have had to do nothing more than oil changes, and carb adjustments. I have added headlight grilles, seatbelts, faired mirror, etc.
Go for it!
Go for it!
Hey Pedro
I live outside Atlanta (near Douglasville, so does Chuck Beck) and have a Spyder. If you want to come by for a talk and a test ride, just let me know.
Daniel
I live outside Atlanta (near Douglasville, so does Chuck Beck) and have a Spyder. If you want to come by for a talk and a test ride, just let me know.
Daniel