Every time I see an ad like the link below, it drives me crazy...The car (an '02 Beetle Turbo S) gets a glowing report from the seller (i.e., "I would not hesitate to get in it and drive anywher in the U.S," "Mechanically it is 100%," "I am an ASE certified mechanic and have gone over the car extensively," etc.). Then when I write the seller about when the Timing Belt/Water Pump have been changed, he responds simply, "I do not know."
Volkswagen : Beetle-New : eBay Motors (item 150420491182 end time Mar-14-10 19:13:38 PDT)
How many people unwittingly buy a Beetle on its last legs Timing Belt/ Water Pump-wise and don't know it? It must happen a lot.