If you like to tinker they’re one of the cheapest cars out there to keep on the road. Gotta keep those valves adjusted, though! (and track the valve stretch so the engine doesn’t inadvertently ingest a valve when they go out of tolerance). Not many cars that will outperform a Beetle in the snow, either, especially a Baja that has been raised a little.
I’m not, but I want to get more hands-on experience. My dad was terrible for car repair and didn’t teach me anything.