Project Help! Opinions Needed. Baja Bug

Looking for some opinions and advice here guys. So currently I'm in college and have very little auto mechanical experience, although I come from a family that made their own custom hot rods . I really have a strong desire to learn and love off roading, recently I have been investing baja bugs and now I'm in a position where I could go 50/50 into one with my parents. I've been reading into them for a while and I believe a baja bug will not only be a lot of fun in the dunes, but a great place to start learning! I'm planning on buying a running one, I've seen them on craigslist range form $1700 to $3000 for the ones I'm looking for. Do you all think I should go ahead and purchase a baja bug?
Yes I know it can't off road as well as my current Tacoma does in mountains and other places, for a while I was thinking about doing a project Tacoma but I believe a baja bug will be a lot simpler, and nicer on my college budget. All help appreciated.

 

I think it's a great idea. Old VWs are great cars to learn on, and there are a ton of parts out there. They're simple and easy to work on, plus on a baja, everything's out in the open. I say go for it.

 

DO IT! Seriously easy to work on, tons of aftermarket goodies and are EXTREMELY capable for being RWD. I should have never got rid of my rail, but after some extremely hard hit against some rocks/trees the frame was toast.

 

Do it, i daily drove a 1960 baja with a 2276cc stroker motor, its pretty much a car that should snap in half with what you do to it but just keeps going. Its also fun embarrasing 4x4's in the mud!