Help! Not sure what I'm getting into

[soak]

Hi all,

I've been looking for a NB for a couple of weeks and now it looks like I'm getting really close to making a deal on a 2000 glx. I've never had a car with a turbo before so I'm not really sure what I'm getting into.

I've been reading in here and learning some things, but just thought I'd throw this out there...is there anything in particular I should be aware of? concerns? issues? problems?

thanks, I appreciate all the help!
-Mark

[HeatherBug]

Did you do a carfax on the car to make sure that it is clear of any accidents?

Having a turbo car is definitely a plus when you like the extra power! You shouldn't have any concerns or problems with the car. Just make sure that you check the car out completely before you buy it.

How many miles are on the car? Has the owner done all the services on it that it needs?

[dnyed]

I/we've had nothing but Turbo New Beetles. Two 1.8T 180hp Turbo S's, a 1.8T 150hp, and a TDI turbo diesel.

Your 1.8T will need either mid grade or premium fuel. I always use 91/92 octane. Other than that, it will be a ton of fun!

The look on peoples faces when they realize that the turbo spool they hear is coming from YOUR NEW BEETLE - Priceless!

[noR]

If you're getting it to modify and make faster better stronger whatever, keep looking. you'd want a '01+ 1.8t for that. The 2000 is fine (it's what I have), but has slightly smaller injectors and turbo housing; not a big deal unless you plan on cranking things up to their maximum potential or beyond.

If you plan on getting the bug and keeping it as it is; it's a perfect model.

It's old; find out when the vacuum lines were last changed; if they're still covered in cloth, they've never been changed. (it's cheap and an easy DIY; just saying, 8 yrs on those hoses ... they're leaking if they're still on there.)

It's old enough that I would think they should be 'okay' if you ask them to remove the hose on the intercooler. It's down infront/next to the front passenger side tire. That'll give you an idea of what condition the turbo unit is in; if it's VERY oily, it's got blow-by issues. If it drives fine then great, but if it's oily; that might give you leverage to force the price down.

Make sure you're happy with the transmission.

Look closely at the secondary air pump; it's on the driver side of the motor, near the intake manifold. It's plastic, and held together by rivets; it's common for those rivets to get wore out, or come loose. The DIY fix is to replace the rivets w/bolts & nuts. If the rivets are loose/falling out; you'll hear a loud banshee-like whine at cold start up; and when sitting at lights for long periods. (I forget, something like anytime it goes into closed-loop operation.)

You can check those hoses connected to it for holes too, they get old and brittle, develop lots of little pin-prick holes that eventually cause problems.

ask when the waterpump and timing belt were last changed, it's a $800-$900 service appointment that comes up every 80K mi or so.

Ask about the last tuneup (should be done every 40K).

Check the control arm bushings where they meet up w/the subframe, you're looking to see if you can see any tears or cracks in the rubber.

Hmm. That's all I got right now.

[Yurko]

noR is right on that stuff. Except for the vac lines. mine were replaced and they were cloth.

you also want to know what kind of oil and coolant they have been using. VW coolant is pink. The green and orange isn't the end of the world, but you want to avoid mixing either of those with the pink stuff.

the engine should have high-grade synthetic oil as well. If it's an automatic, the transmission fluid and filter should have been changed, but that's a reasonable DIY.

X1000 on the timing belt. I would also be hesitant if it was changed at a place that does not work on VWs, as that's what happened with mine and it went out because the tensioner wasn't installed properly (and they reused the old one). New tensioners, the water pump, and the appropriate bolts should be used when changing the timing belt. otherwise it's a ticking time bomb that will cost you 3 or 4 grand when it goes off.

[soak]

It would be great if there was a checklist of some sort already made up that could be printed off that consisted of the main things to check for/ask about when looking at a used NB. It would be very helpful!

Thanks for all the replies. This was exactly what I was looking for...if anyone has anything else, I'm all ears!

HeatherBug,
I do have the CarFax...it was in a small accident that the owner informed me of and all was supposedly repaired correctly. I will check it out...haven't seen it in person yet...it is about 5 hours away. The car has around 90k miles on it and supposedly services have been done. Only 2 owners.

dnyed,
Thanks for the tip on the gas...noted!

noR,
I'm not concerned with adding mods too much. Timing belt & water pump supposedly replaced.
Will check for these things...
--vacuum lines
--oily turbo
--secondary air pump rivets
--tuneup
--control arm bushings

Yurko,
Supposedly has always had synthetic oil. It's a manual.
--double check the timing belt was replaced

Keep 'em coming! Anything else?

Thanks!!
-Mark

[billymade]

If your really serious about buying a particular car, it couldn't hurt to have a professional independent volkswagen/european shop or even the volkswagen dealer check it out; it could save you from buying something with a major mechanical issue, that would require expensive repairs. Get someone that KNOWS these cars; generally they all have similar problems, that if they are a experienced volkswagen tech, they will see over and over again; they should know what to look for. I would have them scan the car with a vw scantool, get a overall inspection, road test, see if it passes any required smog tests in your area and even a compression check, is a good idea as well. You can never be too careful; once you buy it, you own it! The key is to really have a realistic sense of what condition the car is in and eliminate any after sale surprises! This also, can have the added benefit as a negotiating tool, as you can ask for a lower price in light of the needed repairs; if you decide your willing to buy the car as it is and fix what is wrong with the car. Good luck!

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

?

OP: Do as billymade has said. If you aren't knowledgable with these cars, it can come back to haunt you. But you can find a good deal on a great condition beetle turbo for around $8-10K with less than 90K on the clock. Just make sure someone (hopefully a pro!) checks it out first that has experience with the 1.8T engine.
When you have a good running 1.8t, life is good! These cars really are fun to drive, great handling, and do last for many thosands of miles as long as they are maintained.
Good luck pal!

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

What? No authoritative comments to make in bold blue? You're slipping.

[soak]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Originally Posted by wawalker

What? No authoritative comments to make in bold blue? You're slipping.

Well, I don't quite get this, but I really appreciate those of you who have taken time to share some good advice. If anyone else has anything they can share that would be helpful, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
-Mark

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I wouldn't waste brain cells on it Soak, just a little dark humor.

What are your overall plans for the car and is it a manual or automatic?

Transportation only?

Will you be modifying upgrading etc., etc.?

[soak]

First of all, I wasn't looking for a turbo, I just happened upon one that appears to have been maintained well and the price fits.

The main plans are to stop driving the Explorer and hopefully start saving some money on gas! It is a manual.

It will be used primarily for transportation. I don't have immediate mod or upgrade plans, but it has an upgraded exhaust and a chip.

My initial question was....are there VW or 'turbo specific' things that I should look at or be aware of when checking the car out???

Thanks,
-Mark

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by soak

First of all, I wasn't looking for a turbo, I just happened upon one that appears to have been maintained well and the price fits.

The main plans are to stop driving the Explorer and hopefully start saving some money on gas! It is a manual.

It will be used primarily for transportation. I don't have immediate mod or upgrade plans, but it has an upgraded exhaust and a chip.

My initial question was....are there VW or 'turbo specific' things that I should look at or be aware of when checking the car out???

Thanks,
-Mark

If it's been modified, the PO may have been hard on it. And they also may have been better with maintenance then most owners! I'd take maintained over "driving it easy" any day.

Just check out all the tips we've listed and you should be good to go.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

If you want a New Beetle and transportation is your primary concern and you aren't too interested in power or future performance upgrades, you might also consider a 2.0L model.

The 1.8L turbo models are a blast to drive, they have considerably more power than the 2.0L and are far more tunable, however, like most cars that are geared more toward performance, they are much less forgiving to the relaxed kinds of maintenance that many people tend to apply.

Of course, it is always a crap-shoot when buying used, if you are fortunate enough to get a used vehicle that has been properly maintained and suffers from no issues, then life is good, regardless of which engine type you choose.

I would suggest having the car thoroughly checked out and if everything is to your satisfaction then you should be fine, the 1.8t model is a good one with no particular issues over and above any other car you might choose, should you decide to perform some power/performance upgrades to this 2000 Beetle 1.8t down the road, there is much that can be gained, if you know how or learn how, oh, the manual transmission is a great way to go.

[soak]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

-Mark

[soak]

Thanks for all the help! I made a purchase and am happy so far. I will start a thread with more pics in the photo area.

[billymade]

Hey, the car looks great! I had a 2000 GLX Turbo that looked exactly like the one you just got! Did it pass inspections? Hope everything works out and keep us posted with any issues you come up with; hopefully we can help out! Also, get familiar with vwvortex.com it is good site as well.