Would you buy this beetle?

[shane8]

Hi, new to beetles, and found a 2001 Gls that is in excellent cosmetic condition, really well taken care of in that respect at least. The owner will let me take it to a local vw dealership for a pre purchase mechanics check out. It blue books fine, but my concern is the mileage, 120,000. Would you be concerned about the mileage if the check up is good? What is a *typical* beetles life before major repairs come up?

[Smileybug]

The mileage is fine. What I would want to know are maintenance records. Is this a manual or auto? Has the timing belt been done? Trans fluid changed?

[dnyed]

If you have ready anything here, you would ask if the timing belt and waterpump have been done. Clutch or auto? Automatics from that year are crap. How well has the interior been take care of? Seat and headliner in good shape? Uneven tire wear? How are the brakes?


The mileage is average for that year. What are they asking for it?


Welcome to the Org, and Good luck to you!

[shane8]

Its an automatic, were just some auto's from that year bad? or were most? s

[shane8]

Or maybe I should ask, if its an automatic would you pass on it simply due to that fact? Or was there a typical mielage it would have given trouble at due to the 2001 automatic problems you spoke of. Maybe there are things about 2001 auto's that the mechanic will know to look for?

[Smileybug]

If you can drive stick, I'd get a manual. The auto is really junk. Its not a matter of if but when it fails. If the fluid has been changed then you may be ok. But I would not get the auto if you have the option.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by shane8

Or maybe I should ask, if its an automatic would you pass on it simply due to that fact? Or was there a typical mielage it would have given trouble at due to the 2001 automatic problems you spoke of. Maybe there are things about 2001 auto's that the mechanic will know to look for?

I am with Smileybug on this one. The Automatics of the early Beetle's lets say 1998-2004 have a horrible reputation for valve body failure and once the Valve body goes the transmission will suffer major damage. It just depends on how it was driven and if the fluid and filter were ever changed. If it has been taken care of it can still last a while longer but if I were you I would be looking for a beetle with a manual transmission if you are looking for a beetle in those years. The automatic transmission have gotten better when they switched to the 6speed Tiptronic transmissions and the DSG type transmissions. The early 4speed and even the 5 Speed tiptronics were sub par. The manual 5 Speeds are a lot more durable and can last forever. The only thing you need to worry about replacing is the clutch which is about 350 dollars which isn't bad compared to a new automatic transmission which will cost you anywhere from 3000 on up plus labor for installation. The Beetle is a fun car but it does come with a lot of maintenance. If you have to have an automatic I would go with a 2006 Beetle with 2.5L engine. That engine is pretty durable and it has a timing chain not a belt that has to be replaced every 75k miles. I know the beetles around 06 will be a bit more expensive but they will give you less headaches in the longrun. I bet you can pick up a decent 06 Beetle for around 7900 dollars.

[daughtersbeetle]

How much are they asking for the Beetle ?

[geniushanbiao]

My wife is driving a '99 with automatic with almost 120k so I think it might be time to sell it as long as the trans is still good....Anyway if it fails I can rebuild it. Is it possible to swap it for a 6speed tiptronic or a DSG? My wife doesn't want a stick shift....

Originally Posted by IndyTom

I am with Smileybug on this one. The Automatics of the early Beetle's lets say 1998-2004 have a horrible reputation for valve body failure and once the Valve body goes the transmission will suffer major damage. It just depends on how it was driven and if the fluid and filter were ever changed. If it has been taken care of it can still last a while longer but if I were you I would be looking for a beetle with a manual transmission if you are looking for a beetle in those years. The automatic transmission have gotten better when they switched to the 6speed Tiptronic transmissions and the DSG type transmissions. The early 4speed and even the 5 Speed tiptronics were sub par. The manual 5 Speeds are a lot more durable and can last forever. The only thing you need to worry about replacing is the clutch which is about 350 dollars which isn't bad compared to a new automatic transmission which will cost you anywhere from 3000 on up plus labor for installation. The Beetle is a fun car but it does come with a lot of maintenance. If you have to have an automatic I would go with a 2006 Beetle with 2.5L engine. That engine is pretty durable and it has a timing chain not a belt that has to be replaced every 75k miles. I know the beetles around 06 will be a bit more expensive but they will give you less headaches in the longrun. I bet you can pick up a decent 06 Beetle for around 7900 dollars.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

I have an 01 GLS myself but mine has only 63k miles on it. Mines also a 5 spd manual still on the original clutch. How much do they want for it with 120k miles on it?