Another senior moment!! Sorry. So can anyone on here help Ermintrude sort out her bug? Or offer storage?
If it is a genuine GT Beetle ( the colour is right ) then it is worth saving, I have seen worse ones rebuilt. Robert
She knows we love her! I can totally relate to the dilemma as Mrs Monkey was nearly in tears just reading about Erm having to contemplate getting rid of Dougal. Girls eh!
Im more of a "close to the wind" kind of guy. Ice is for drinks and as you know........ I don't.... oh never mind!
I think you have to look at a decision like this in the round: If you're attached to a car/bus/whatever then it has an intrinsic value (regardless of what's been spent in the past) As it stands, it has a market value...a project needing bodywork, cosmetics and mechanical work (factor in the hassle of advertising/selling/making arrangements to view etc.) Buying a 'cheap runaround' is never as cheap as you think...factor in higher insurance, road tax and imminent repairs (tyres, bits and pieces...the reason it was 'cheap') and associated concerns of running an unknown entity... The cost to repair Dougal will include everything to get him up to safe MoT standard...let's say £700 worst case scenario... A cheap runaround will be around the same....with no intrinsic value Dougal is probably worth around £800 as a project and at least £1300 as a decent running GT with T & T, needing cosmetics... I think you'd struggle to replace him for £700. Having met the guys at the garage, I understand why you have some reservations. They specialize in old Fords...Capris in particular, and by their own admission, they haven't really worked on old aircooled before, but before dismissing them, their hourly rate is incredibly reasonable, the garage is only 50 meters from where you work (so you can pop in whenever) and I think they'd be amenable to storing him as part of an ongoing job, rather than charging a separate fee. It's a guy and his son....the young lad is really enthusiastic about old classics, and even if he's not familiar with Beetles, he will be by the time he's finished...I'd keep him, but I'd have a good chat with Martin (when his old fella's not around) show him where all the info is available. There's no shame in using the internet for info....
Possibly the best bit of advise so far, even taking into account my witterings lol. Suppose it can be just down to better the devil you know. And you have a little reassurance about the guys in the garage also now