Old vs New School: Can a 1971 VW Baja Bug Keep Up With a New Honda Pioneer SXS in an Off-Road Race?

TFL Podcasts:

#honda #vw #bug

[Psalm]

Knowing how to drive the bug is important. You can’t baby them…which he does…because he’s scared. It’s in his voice 😂

[PaddyBoy]

Don’t matter how much better that side by side is it’ll never be as cool as that Baja Bug!
Great video guys!
Cheers Pat

[chriscon]

Love the sound that Baja Bug makes when you gun it!

[danielhomant]

The most notable thing is that a 50+ year old, lightly modified, 2wd road car is being compared to a brand new, 4wd, purpose built off road machine. And yet the VW is able to reliably compete.

Love my old 72 Wide Eye Baja. It has been through some serious pits and trails, never failed me.

And, unlike a side by side, can legally take it down any road and highway to drive it home.

Except for a heavily modified, purpose built Baja, a multi-purpose vehicle will always lose out to a dedicated, purpose built one. A Baja is just a modified car, and that one isn't modified much. A side by side is designed from the beginning to off road.

And they all lose to the Sherp anyway, heh.

[mhviper]

That bug is sweet, but man that oil filter is Vulnerable!!!!

[mehGyver]

The most consistent part of this show is that their comparisons are always Apples to Oranges. LOL.

Put the pioneer in 2wd at least.

[ShooterB]

This was a 100% unfair comparison. Since one is 4x4, and one is only 2wd, ALL tests should have been done in 2wd.

[wompa]

Thing is, you can drive the baja to and from the field. You'll have to haul the Pioneer. I grew up with rail buggies. God, I miss those things. 2-seaters and 4-seaters. Mostly VW engines but we did have one with a 1970s Porche motor. When I say "we" I mean the group of 4 or 5 families who hung out together.

[desertsavagery]

Between the two I'll take the Baja Bug 7 days a week. Honestly the Honda was on mud tires and the Bug was on what looked like a well worn set of K02s...swap those out for some KM3s or some MT Baja Boss MTs and I think it would've been even on the logs as well...minus the impending spinal compaction from the suspension in the VW 😂

[scottyellis]

What a great video, the Baja Bug is the coolest car I can remember seeing on TFL. And if Tommy had left the side by side in 2 wheel drive the Bug would've taken it.

[Rolling]

Brings back memories of my 1965 Baja bug that also used to be my daily driver.

[oddrocket]

Baja Bug and Manx Buggies just ooze classic cool. Very cool video. I want both!

[jasonhobson-by]

Looks like they’re having fun! As others have mentioned, the newer vehicle has a huge advantage with 4 wheel drive, but the big holds its own nicely!

[yeahman]

I know the K02s are great but some BFG KM3 or Nitto trail grappler MT would make the bug shine in that mud

Plus the poor man's posi mod could be good too
Always excellent content
One of the only youtube channels I never have to fast forward.

[Capricorn]

Tommy needs to quit cheating and leave the SxS in 2 wheel drive for a fair comparison!

[dalejones]

That is a really cool bug. Great video. Thanks guys

[bookooc]

love the bug. I had a bone stock '70 bug (in 1973) in high school, and I used it like a dune buggy in Jax, Fl dunes and trails. Never got stuck. I really miss that bug.

[matthewprather]

The Baja did a lot better than I expected! Cool!

[stevest]

1. Who drove down the highway to the course?
2. Who didn't get wet because of the rain?
3. Who didn't air down his tires to get some grip?
4. Who didn't giver the way you need to to drive a bug?

The bug and a heavy foot.

[JarmelSingsKaraoke]

Thanks Tommy and Brendan and all the TFL CAMERA NINJA'S....Have a good day everybody ✌️