OT: New Beetle

[Brian in Tucson]

Sorry for the OFF TOPIC post.

I'm going to go look at an 02 New Beetle this week, even taking a dolly so I can tow it home. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/apache-junction-2002-vw-beetle-turbo/7034569145.html

Talked to the guy, the accurate mileage is about 160k, which might worry me in a turbo'd car. He says it has Arizona sun rash, the clearcoat is peeling some. The bushings in the shifter have been replaced, the rear upper brake lite is in the trunk, the passenger window needs new linkage. Says the timing belt and coolant pump have been replace.

Looks pretty nice, but I'm used to and impressed by the quality of Toyotas. New Beetles have a rep of iffy, unreliable electrics. I'm hoping all of the standard problems have been time tested out.

It's place in my life would be a project car and a funzy to drive. The price is pretty much chump change for me.

[78F350]

They are terrible cars. The plastics crumble if you touch them. The adhesive used hold the interior together lasted 10 years at best. The cast aluminum oil pan is designed to be the first point of impact if you bump a curb. I was really happy to sell the one that I had bought for my daughter.

...Then about a year after I sold it, it was wrecked by the kid who bought it and came back to me for the cost of a $225 towing bill.



Having it back wrecked and for basically free opened my mind to new possibilities. It's one of my favorite cars now:





https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/no-this-is-not-a-build-i-want-it-gone/137718/page1/

[husker boxster]

Think the biggest item with these is to stay ahead of the timing belt & water pump. Then you have shoddy interior issues - headliner coming unglued, door panels that come apart, and seats that wear thru. With that mileage, you may need to overhaul or replace the turbo.

[Brian in Tucson]

Thanks, I heard all that. Found another that I'm gonna probably buy tomorrow. Looks nice, doesn't need paint. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/phoenix-beetle-convertible/7039480124.html

A bit more money, but a hundred k less mileage, a coupla years newer, and a ragtop. All the things I would look for in a collector car. Does need a window regulator, and a replacement door card. Rear window has been reglued, and the timing belt and water pump were replaced 15k ago. Has good tires, too and a leather interior. Door card lookslike it might be sorta spendy.:troll: Taking my Autel to reset the airbag light whether I buy it or not.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by 78F350

They are terrible cars. The plastics crumble if you touch them. The adhesive used hold the interior together lasted 10 years at best. The cast aluminum oil pan is designed to be the first point of impact if you bump a curb. I was really happy to sell the one that I had bought for my daughter.

...Then about a year after I sold it, it was wrecked by the kid who bought it and came back to me for the cost of a $225 towing bill.



Having it back wrecked and for basically free opened my mind to new possibilities. It's one of my favorite cars now:





https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/no-this-is-not-a-build-i-want-it-gone/137718/page1/

very cool!

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Brian in Tucson

Thanks, I heard all that. Found another that I'm gonna probably buy tomorrow. Looks nice, doesn't need paint. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/phoenix-beetle-convertible/7039480124.html

A bit more money, but a hundred k less mileage, a coupla years newer, and a ragtop. All the things I would look for in a collector car. Does need a window regulator, and a replacement door card. Rear window has been reglued, and the timing belt and water pump were replaced 15k ago. Has good tires, too and a leather interior. Door card lookslike it might be sorta spendy.:troll: Taking my Autel to reset the airbag light whether I buy it or not.

If you want a collector car buy a nice early VW bug & install a Air cooled technology engine.

[thstone]

This is super cool! Nicely done.

Originally Posted by 78F350

[lkchris]

With these cars it seems a major part of the wiring runs through the radio. Replace your OE radio with something else and you'll have problems.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by 78F350

They are terrible cars. The plastics crumble if you touch them. The adhesive used hold the interior together lasted 10 years at best. The cast aluminum oil pan is designed to be the first point of impact if you bump a curb.

They did change the pans on the later cars, my '05 1.8T had a hybrid aluminum/steel pan, and since it was a convertible also had a steel skid plate. My '00 2.0 had all-aluminum, and I want to say my '07 GTI had a hybrid pan but I can't remember. But yeah, interior just falls apart if you look at it funny - plus the absolute worst soft-touch paint known to mankind.

Originally Posted by 78F350

Holy crap that's awesome.

Originally Posted by lkchris

With these cars it seems a major part of the wiring runs through the radio. Replace your OE radio with something else and you'll have problems.

I believe it's in the K-line that would need to be isolated.