A close friend has both and is willing to sell me both. Problem is I can only afford one. The 74 Super Beetle has a 1600cc engine in it. The 89 CRX has a D16A6. Both aren't much work from running and both are in good shape.
A close friend has both and is willing to sell me both. Problem is I can only afford one. The 74 Super Beetle has a 1600cc engine in it. The 89 CRX has a D16A6. Both aren't much work from running and both are in good shape.
CRX, but is it a Sun Bug?
http://shinkindesign.com/sebeetles/sun.htm
Yep, CRX if it's going to be some sort of daily driver.
Bug. A thousand times out of a thousand.
tpwalsh wrote: Yep, CRX if it's going to be some sort of daily driver.
Nope. It's gonna be a toy with a turbo
In reply to DCharger68:
Definitely the CRX. I love bugs, but I've built a turbo CRX and driven a turbo bug. C-R-X.
Bug because the engine is over the drive wheels.
Oh wait....
Seriously? For me the less rust that is present, the more the scales tip towards the VW.
I'd prefer the bug.
I'm partial because I've got got a CRX with a GSR swap that's tons of fun. Vitara pistons + a junkyard T28 or Saab turbo = easy 200whp on a decent tune with the D16A6. Si models are fun, check for rust in all the usual places - rear arches, rockers, esp rear spare tire area, sunroof.
Resale on both is probably pretty good, I don't have much experience with bugs beyond knowing the aircooled engine is nothin to write home about. Edited for getting schooled on the aftermarket for bugs.
Bug if you want a cute cool cruiser that attracts attention.
CRX if you want a car that's fun to drive but looks like a generic old Honda to non-car people (read: all women).
dculberson wrote: Bug if you want a cute cool cruiser that attracts attention. CRX if you want a car that's fun to drive but looks like a generic old Honda to non-car people (read: all women).
That last bit doesn't apply to my girlfriend. 
anothernic wrote: I think there *might* be a better aftermarket for the rex (again no real experience).
not in a million years.. you can practically build a beetle from the ground up on aftermarket parts
dculberson wrote: CRX if you want a car that's fun to drive but looks like a generic old Honda to non-car people (read: all women).
;_; so true.
The first car I drove was a '74 beetle. That was later replaced by an '89 Civic hatch and then a 93' Civic Si.
Both cars can both be fun, but they are very different experiences.
The Beetle is really the last evolution of a 1936 design. I call it a good low velocity/high-speed car. Meaning that it feels like you are going much faster at 60 mph than the CRX will at 80. If you are looking for vintage European feel that can be made reliable and not cost to much maintain, It is a good chioce
The CRX is the 2 seat version one of the best handling mass market front-wheel-drive platforms. It is much newer design. You will have: - better high-speed stability - better brakes - better handling - better NVH - better HVAC - better gas mileage
If I the goal is a fast turbo-charged weekend fun toy, I would go CRX no question.
anothernic wrote: I'm partial because I've got got a CRX with a GSR swap that's tons of fun. Vitara pistons + a junkyard T28 or Saab turbo = easy 200whp on a decent tune with the D16A6. Si models are fun, check for rust in all the usual places - rear arches, rockers, esp rear spare tire area, sunroof. Resale on both is probably pretty good, I don't have much experience with bugs beyond knowing the aircooled engine is nothin to write home about. Might think about parts availability too; I think there *might* be a better aftermarket for the rex (again no real experience).
That's a no on the aftermarket. The AC VW aftermarket is probably second to Jeeps....it's massive. Not to mention forum support. thesamba.com is a monster forum that caters to AC VWs. I never thought I could find TOO MUCH info on something until I hung out at the Samba for awhile.
Cotton wrote:anothernic wrote: I'm partial because I've got got a CRX with a GSR swap that's tons of fun. Vitara pistons + a junkyard T28 or Saab turbo = easy 200whp on a decent tune with the D16A6. Si models are fun, check for rust in all the usual places - rear arches, rockers, esp rear spare tire area, sunroof. Resale on both is probably pretty good, I don't have much experience with bugs beyond knowing the aircooled engine is nothin to write home about. Might think about parts availability too; I think there *might* be a better aftermarket for the rex (again no real experience).That's a no on the aftermarket. The AC VW aftermarket is probably second to Jeeps....it's massive. Not to mention forum support. thesamba.com is a monster forum that caters to AC VWs. I never thought I could find TOO MUCH info on something until I hung out at the Samba for awhile.
They both have healthy aftermarket support.
Type Q wrote:Cotton wrote:They both have healthy aftermarket support.anothernic wrote: I'm partial because I've got got a CRX with a GSR swap that's tons of fun. Vitara pistons + a junkyard T28 or Saab turbo = easy 200whp on a decent tune with the D16A6. Si models are fun, check for rust in all the usual places - rear arches, rockers, esp rear spare tire area, sunroof. Resale on both is probably pretty good, I don't have much experience with bugs beyond knowing the aircooled engine is nothin to write home about. Might think about parts availability too; I think there *might* be a better aftermarket for the rex (again no real experience).That's a no on the aftermarket. The AC VW aftermarket is probably second to Jeeps....it's massive. Not to mention forum support. thesamba.com is a monster forum that caters to AC VWs. I never thought I could find TOO MUCH info on something until I hung out at the Samba for awhile.
while that's true... one has had a 40 year head start over teh other. 
Type Q wrote:Cotton wrote:They both have healthy aftermarket support.anothernic wrote: I'm partial because I've got got a CRX with a GSR swap that's tons of fun. Vitara pistons + a junkyard T28 or Saab turbo = easy 200whp on a decent tune with the D16A6. Si models are fun, check for rust in all the usual places - rear arches, rockers, esp rear spare tire area, sunroof. Resale on both is probably pretty good, I don't have much experience with bugs beyond knowing the aircooled engine is nothin to write home about. Might think about parts availability too; I think there *might* be a better aftermarket for the rex (again no real experience).That's a no on the aftermarket. The AC VW aftermarket is probably second to Jeeps....it's massive. Not to mention forum support. thesamba.com is a monster forum that caters to AC VWs. I never thought I could find TOO MUCH info on something until I hung out at the Samba for awhile.
I didn't say the crx aftermarket wasn't "healthy", but you're kidding yourself if you think it comes close to the AC VWs.
In reply to Cotton:
In my opinion, this is a moot point. The aftermarket is huge for both of them to the point that any difference really doesn't matter. I've never had a problem buying anything I need for any of my Hondas, and I shop almost exclusively at Summit Racing, since it's less than a mile from my house. They don't exactly specialize in Hondas.
Well I'm leaning toward the bug because my car club goes to shows and cruise ins and I'd like something people would look at and not think I'm a ricer
bravenrace wrote: In reply to Cotton: In my opinion, this is a moot point. The aftermarket is huge for both of them to the point that any difference really doesn't matter. I've never had a problem buying anything I need for any of my Hondas, and I shop almost exclusively at Summit Racing, since it's less than a mile from my house. They don't exactly specialize in Hondas.
It may be a moot point to you and some others, but I'm always excited when I find a great aftermarket for something I own. Finding parts for my 60 Beetle is so easy, finding parts for my old 944 turbo was probably similar to the CRX and pretty good, parts for my 73 Volvo 142? Sucks.
In reply to Cotton:
Well like I said, I have no problem getting parts for my CRX. So I guess I'm not sure what your point is. Are you familiar with the Honda aftermarket? I think it may be bigger than you think.
Yeah, I'm familiar with the Honda aftermarket....definitely enough to know it doesn't compare to the AC VW aftermarket. I guess it's hard to explain or I'm not doing a good enough job at it. Obviously stating the VW aftermarket is huge and that sometimes makes my life easier compared to all the other aftermarkets I deal with isn't enough. 
well.. when you can build a complete engine from aftermarket parts.. from the crank, block, and up.. that is a pretty good aftermarket.
The first car that I owned and drove was a 74 superbeetle with a type 4 stuffed into the back. I am not sure how I didn't kill myself with that car
dculberson wrote: Bug if you want a cute cool cruiser that attracts attention. CRX if you want a car that's fun to drive but looks like a generic old Honda to non-car people (read: all women).
+1 (but there are women into cars, I've seen 'em )
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