Debating on keeping our New Beetle!

[jeff2761]

I've had my 2000 2.0 NB for about three years now. I've had to replace the front axle, and more recently the water pump and timing belt. The car now has 91,000 miles and seems to run pretty good however....my daughter is now driving the car exclusively and is in her second year of college. She will be driving it about 40 miles round trip daily. My dilemma is whether to keep the car and depend on it to get her there the next three years (at least) or sell it and find a more reliable Japanese model. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? What is the average lifespan of a 2.0 engine? Has anyone reached 200,000 miles with no major problems?

[cav_scout]

I dont know about the 2.0's , but I just hit 166K on a 1.8T.
I was going through the same issues as it needed what every car needs at that milage and with 3 autocross seasons on it.
To Date, this is my repairs --
2 new MAFs
New AC fans and Condensor
New Head at 96K due to timing belt break
New battery box due to Battery bx melt-down (known fuse issues)
New shocks\struts\springs at 155K

To be done on Friday:
Rebuild tranny (all Syncros shot)

Replace clutch (doesnt need it , but might as well while I have the tranny pulled)

New Motor mounts (VF enginering --Just because )


VW's will run forever IF you take care of them!

I use this analogy for the Rice car debate:
A Rolex cost thousands, needs maintenance yearly and keeps lousy time if not maintained.

A $15 Timex will keep great time, maintenance free, when it breaks you chuck it and buy another.....

You will never fall in love with a Timex

[cep]

Great analogy. I haven't seen a Timex in a while but I've chucked a good many Casios.

It is almost always cheaper to repair a car than replace it. It may not be as convienient, but it will be cheaper. If you replace with new, depreciation will be much more than repairs to the old one. If you replaced it with used, all you did was trade problems with someone else.

Almost any engine will make 200K these days. 40 miles per day, though harder on the pocket due to increased fuel cost, will probably result in less maintenance problems than if you were driving it 10.

[Deserion]

Given the mileage, the t-belt and waterpump were a given.

I put 60 miles a day on my '05 just commuting to work and back (add in an additional 20-30 if classes are on that day). Keeping the maintenance up to date on your 2.0L will keep it running just fine. That engine will last a good long while just if it's treated properly.

My 2.0L has 95600 and is running great (did the timing belt job as a precautionary measure).

-Des

[bluebubble]

i've got a 2.0 with 103,500 miles on it. timing belt/water pump was done at around 85k about a year and a half ago and i drive 50+ miles at least 5 days a week. the only thing that went wrong since the water pump/t-belt was it needed brakes and a new mass air flow sensor (which i replaced myself and i'm a 22 yr old female). your bug should be fine, just make sure your daughter takes care of it and that the oil is changed and checked regularly (especially since 2.0's tend to burn a bit of it)

good luck :-)

[FineExampl]

The above are all reason i adore my car. Me i'm only at 32k, but i know that baby is going to last me forever.

Beetles like girl drivers anyway. Makes em funnererer to look at.

[GLUVBUG]

Jeff:

I have 273,000+ miles on my 2.0 Pretty sure I can get to 300k with out a major problem.

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by GLUVBUG

Jeff:

I have 273,000+ miles on my 2.0 Pretty sure I can get to 300k with out a major problem.

Amen! My wife and I are committed to keeping our Beetle very long term.... hoping for this kind of mileage or better. Just shy of 80K right now and the car was built 7/99.