Finally going to do it...

Hello all. I have been researching these little guys for quite some time. I have read a good portion of the posts on here and am convinced I have finally found folks I could blend well with. Enough of all that... I am in the military and deployed at the moment. I found out a few weeks ago the wife totaled the truck... opening up the oportunity I have been waiting 16 years for. I have decided to give her my 996 and go after the car I have always wanted. I was pretty much set on a Beck built (i really like the spare tire in the trunk) but am now seriously considering a good used VS with most of the bugs worked out. I live in the Phoenix area and would love to come look closely at(hopefully drive) a nice example of a VS and Beck. Of note... I know there are many more differences than just the spare tire in the trunk :) I will be returning from my deployment in about two months. Anyone willing to take me for a spin? Thanks in advance...

Thank you for your service, be safe and get back to the good old USA soon and welcome to the madness~

If you're ever in the Baltimore area, look me up.
My car's a POS, but it's better than a rental!
Thanks for serving!

William,

Thanks for doing what you are doing now. I did my part a long time ago in the early 70's. When do you get back/muster out?

Spare? I would NOT limit myself because of a spare tire. There is AAA you know.....;-) Are you looking for a original looking Speedster or a bit more Outlaw style?

996 is a nice ride for your wife.......;-)

get home safe
everyone here will find u a car
thank u for serving

There are some spectacular cars in the "Classified" forum here, including John Leader's outlaw. That said, should you find yourself coming through Charleston, SC on your way home, I'd be glad to offer some stick time in my Beck.

One reality check, though - If you plan to give your wife the 996 and use the Speedster as your daily driver, you might want to reconsider. These are more like four-wheeled motorcycles and aren't known for weather sealing or overall comfort. I've driven many miles on several long trips in mine, but for daily commuting I prefer something a bit more plush, particularly with A/C.

A space saver spare tire (the temp kind - not full size) will fit in most Speedsters. So I wouldn't be driven by that. A spare is like heat and a radio in a Speedster - luxuries! Fix-a-flat works fine.

Thanks all... I have been thumbing through the classifieds for several days. I love them all. The Outlaw is great... but I'm only looking to spend around 20K and prefer the standard look with bumpers and such... I have gone back and forth on that one for a while now. I'm still about 2-3 months from actual purchase time and most of the cars listed will likely be sold by then. But I just love looking at them. I fear once I get mine I will never leave the garage. Plus it gives me lots of ideas for what I want. I know these aren't cush and may be challenging as a daily driver... I never really liked listening to the radio while I drive (resulted in lots of nagging from the wife!)... I could live without AC... little to no rain where I'm at so unsealed doesn't bother me. I once bought a Jeep from a used car dealer in Las Vegas with NO top and NO AC. Rode to the base with a stocking cap and gloves in the winter... and loved it. Traded it in for my first P-car. A good used VS seems my best bet here. I may be getting ahead of myself but I love the deep burgundy with black top. I have to get one dressed in something other than silver... my last two P-cars were/are silver and I need to change things up. Despite how beautiful they are in that color.

I'm getting close to "doing it" too. Only thing is I see so many people selling after such a short time? what is it about these cars? they tempt you with the looks but suck to drive? Help me figure this out!

I'm also tempted to by an old Type II split window bus. I might need a shrink...........; >

Peter,
You need to read the thread - ready for a speedster replica? at the top of this section - everything you need to know and more...
Some people will not be happy - you just need to decide if you are one of those people. Hope you are - and welcome
Dale

Dale; I know ,I've been trolling this site for years and just can't get it. I probably will just have to buy a cheap one and see for myself...tough to re-sell though, as I see so many lovely ones up on Ebay,etc. The paralysis of analysis has taken hold of me,alas.

Peter, everything is tough to sell right now....in a normal market you can usually drive these and get your money back provided you keep it in good condition...
they have no creature comforts at the price you are looking for, and drive like a sports car from the 50's, which is what they are suppose to represent....
Half the fun of ownership is the people you will be cruising with.. at the risk of getting to sappy, this group rocks...and of course you are on the right coast...well maybe not that close to the coast, but weather wise, we drive year round, making the money spent more worthwhile...
Look for something in the mid teens..14-16K

Peter, several problem exist both with a Speedster and a 550 Spyder. The first is that many people don't realize how much maintenance is required.

Oil changes, valve adjustments, carburetor adjustments etc etc etc. Also, if you're not a mechanic then you'll either learn how to do the maintenance or you'll pay someone to do it for you. In addition, sometimes it's difficul to find the "right" mechanic. (this board will assist in issues that come up but it can't solve every problem) Since aircooled engines and carburetors are a thing of the past, most mechanics aren't familiar with these items.

Since these car's aren't built on an assembly line at a major automotive manufacturer they are prone to "bugs" Often times, electrical problems arise, fuel deliver issues, comfort, lack of current vehicle creature comforts, difficulty registering the vehicle, confined occupancy space, lack of storage, fear of leaving it parked on the street. Insurance issues and the list goes on and on. You'll see in most every Classified ad the words "well sorted" This means that many of the common problems that exist with Spyders and Speedsters has been solved. This doens't mean that they won't re-appear.

We've all been caught up in the appearance of cars and once you own it, it just doesn't suit your driving style. That's why so many cars are sold with so few miles/kilometers. Another big reason is the "significant other" issue. These include, it's difficult to get into and out of, don't like the wind messing up my hair, it's unsafe, it's uncomfortable and that particular list goes on and on.

You need to be absolutely sure it's what you want and also, you need the blessing and total approval from a significant other. If all these things are present then OK but, if even 1 issue is still prevelilent then you'll get so much pressure that you'll probably end up selling the car within 1 year of your purchase date.

One of the wise folks omn this forum likened Speedsters to 4-wheeled motorcyles. That's an apt description when it comes to weather protection and general creature comforts unless you spend large sums of money. However, that's a plus to many of us who want an alternative to the sanitized driving experience offered by most modern cars. Many of these are bought because of their looks. The buyer might take it for a short test drive on a sunny day and impulsivelty decide that he (or she) needs more of the thrill they enjoyed in the best of conditions. After one or two drives in worse conditions, or a couple of sorting issues, they finally realize that what they have is not a Miata with a high "cool quotient", but a hobby requiring full involvement. These cars require a willingness to experience life - at least the automotive experience - in a more raw form. Those who enjoy that can put many miles on their cars. I have driven my car ~25k miles in 4 years even though its a weekend toy. Jack Crosby has driven his all over the country, from coast to coast, and he's, um, well, older than I am ;-) Jim Ignacio has over 100k km (62k miles) on his car. Consider this a hobby into which you will need to become fully involved, and it could be a great move.

I just thought of another analogy for this: Some folks love owning a boat, while others are happy that they can get a ride in a boat once in a while.

I continue to love you folks for the thoughtful,earnest and inviting answers to my continual,if sporadic,questions. I realize I continue to "take" from you all; it's all I have to offer. I am reminded that my interests lie in wrenching, and comradery and driving. I do have some history with the VW aircooled cars.That's a lot of the draw here. I will save your answers and return to them when I start to ask myself the whys' again! The question arises: How do the builders stay in business?

"I am reminded that my interests lie in wrenching, and comradery and driving. I do have some history with the VW aircooled cars."

That sounds like tha battle's almost over.

Speedsters are a rolling hobby for individules that can and enjoy tinkering, his is part of the ownership process and something that is not for everyone. On the plus side, as long as you have basic tool knowledge and not afraid to get your hands dirty, there is good information herein to help you....this almost always includes smart ass verbal entertainment.

How do the builders stay in business?

Well, there's enough of a demand out there for cars that are different or unique that satisfying that demand keeps them in business. Several builders out there build a quality car with honest value, while several others are questionable (and you CAN NOT rely on paid advertisements to tell you which is which).

Plus, many people, OK, MOST people on here want their car to be unique from most of the other "Speedsters" out there. True, there seem to be a lot of red, black and silver Speedsters around, but there are also some cool metallics, some with unique graphics and so on, not to mention very different interior treatment from one to the next.

My biggest cautions (and I have two) are this: (1.) Invest in a decent (we can let you know on here which is decent and which is not), used, relatively inexpensive model, like a VS or a well-built CMC, to see if you and those around you really like the Speedster or Spyder experience. You'll pretty much know within a couple of months and then, if the car is not what you expected you should be able to sell it for your investment and walk away having had a least a little fun in it.

Secondly, not all builders are created equal - Very few complaints about quality of workmanship from Intermeccanica, Vintage Speedsters, Special Edition (the Beck folks), SAS or Alan Merklin, but after that you have to really scrutinize the builder's past history and whether you really wish to do business with them. Lots of history documented on this site, but you have to patiently search for it.

That's about it. If you like wrenching on something that's one of the most beautiful body lines and simplest engines ever made, then a Speedster just might be the one for you.

Good luck, and welcome to the "pre"-madness!!

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Beaufort

I have been convinced that I would not be disappointed if I selected Vintage Speedsters, were I to have a new-build. I won't comment on their local competition. How much effort is there to make the dash go all the way to the doors as on the originals?. That's a Vintage detail that just bugs me. Just doesn't look right to ME.

I will definitely need the support of this group and welcome it!

Thanks all in advance. It is time to make my donation I see!

I think I am in the VS price range if going new. It is what I meant to say

Peter
All this talk about tinkering, and how these cars need to be messed with is a bunch of B.S.
I have never so much as changed the frigging oil. I didn't buy mine to tear it apart to see how it runs, I bought mine to drive, I have a mechanic who's job it is to make sure it runs the way it's suppose to....
I bought carbs that don't need tinkering to keep adjusted, I don't wind my RPM's to the brink of distruction, and my cars has never sat on the side of the road in all the years I have owned either one.

Don't be scared off by a bunch of garage mechanics that have no business putting a tool to in their hands in the first place...
Unless of course you like being stranded on the side of the road...
IMHO.....

PETER
DONT BUY, ITS HELL TO OWN ONE OF THESE CARS AND THE PEOPLE YOU ASSOCIATE WITH ARE DESPICABLE.
TRY KNITTING OR BOWLING. YOU'LL MEET A BETTER GROUP.

Vince, what kind of carbs are you running and what is the engine displacement?

Gerd I thought you were selling your coupe . Is that why?

COUPE IS GONE

What next? Your coupe looked awesome. Saw it at JPS last summer.

Peter, I have Kadrons...motor is 1915cc...
It's simple....Webers suck, and anything past 1915cc leaves you open for issues with heat and a number of other things...
1776 or 1915 is plenty of power for those with normal size penises..
I never have a problem and neither do most of the other So. Cal. SOC'ers that I run with...
How many breakdowns did we have in Morro Bay? 1 that I am aware of and that was a spyder owned by a mechanic....
How many breakdowns did we have last week on our Morro Bay trip?
none that I am aware of...
The So Cal group runs on average once a month and you never hear of problems, I wonder why that is....

PETER IM YANKING YOUR CHAIN
THE COUPE IS SAFE AT HOME
BUT I AM INTERESTED IN BUILDING SOMETHING NEW
HAVE SOME GREAT IDEAS FOR A NEW KIT

VINCE I GOT A 2332 AND DUAL 44 WEBERS OTHER THAN A CLOGGED IDLE JET A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I AM PERPLEXED BY ALL THE CARB ISSUES PEOPLE POST. EITHER I AM LUCKY OR ITS GOOD I DONT KNOW SHIT ABOUT MECHANICS AND DONT TRY AND MEDDLE WITH MINE.

I THINK IM NORMAL SIZED.

Gerd, there is nothing normal about you...That said,
I love your coupe, and it is a perfect example of someone's personality transfering to their tub, and the fact that you have a mechanic who can tame that beast and that you know your limitations..
others on this site could take a lesson from that....
Did I just say something nice about Gerd? nevermind..

Peter, the whole point of my rant is that these tubs do not have to be a mechanical nightmare, some of these folks just need to tinker and that's what the problem is..
do not be scared off unless you are one of them..

What Vince said, times two.

Remember, that when you take a close look at what's under the sexy body, most of these cars are nothing more than the old, reliable aircooled Volkswagens of yesteryear. You know - the ones that were hot in the summer, cold in the winter and kept going and going and going...

William (AdomietW) - when you get back State-side, you should try to hook up with the SoCal faction of the SOC. We get out on cruises at least once a month and it would be great if you could coordinate a visit to SoCal on a weekend we're out driving our Speedies. You'd be welcome to check out any of the various manufactured cars at these gatherings. You can then make an educated decision of your choice.

Until then - Be Safe - Peace -Out!

Jim, I would love to. Infact I found a Beck at a dealership in San Diego I was planning on going down to look at. I would definately prefer to take one for a spin or even just ride in one from a couple different manufacturers. I'm counting the hours till I rotate back and will likely take you up on that offer in the near future.

William, if you come to San Diego, give the SOC a little notice and we may set up a cruise to meet you. If it is short notice I live up near Pendleton and would love to meet you and show you my car. Keep us posted when you return home.

Roger That!