Good deal? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

[swehawk]

Hi all,

Beetle newbie here, what an excellent forum! No spam, tons of good content, wonderful!

I'm out shopping for a beetle for my girlfriend,
found a couple that seems ok but mileage has been a little high. We're looking to spend $5-6k and want something with less than 100k, the newer the better.

Today we came across a 2003 convertible which looks great, so I got the Carfax report and wanted to ask you guys if there is any reason for *not* buying this car.

It seems there was a break-in during the first year but that was fixed and it later sold as re-certified. Another issue is the switching of owners.

Dealer page (pics)
Vehicle Description

Negotiated price is $5800 with 72,000 miles.

Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Thanks!

------------- Carfax report ------------------
Owner 1
Purchased: 2003
Type: Personal
Where: Maryland, District of Columbia
Est. miles/year: 10,688/yr
Est. length owned: 6/20/03 - 4/25/07
(3 yrs. 10 mo.)

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
Not Reported NICB Vehicle manufactured and shipped to original dealer
03/26/2003 128 Pre-delivery inspection completed. State inspection completed.Sunroof checked
03/26/2003 Dealer Inventory. Vehicle sold
05/23/2003 211 CD changer installed
05/24/2003 Vehicle sold
06/20/2003 272 Title or registration issued. First owner reported. Registered as personal vehicle
12/15/2003 7,824 Damage Report. Vehicle inspected after an accident or other incident
Damage reported due to vandalism.
02/23/2004 8,503 Cup holder replaced. Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated. Interior trim checked
04/29/2004 Passed emissions inspection
05/04/2004 12,063 Registration issued or renewed. new location
01/19/2005 17,300 Radio/sound system checked. Recommended maintenance performed. Ash tray replaced
04/11/2005 Registration issued or renewed
05/04/2005 18,000 Vehicle serviced
03/21/2006 28,742 Recommended maintenance performed. Fuel system checked. Interior trim checked. Parts ordered
04/26/2006 Passed emissions inspection
07/05/2006 32,670 Body side molding replaced. Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated. Battery replaced
09/19/2006 34,758 Airbag system checked. Recommended maintenance performed. Brakes checked. Fluid levels checked

Owner 2
Est. length owned: 4/25/07 - 6/7/07
(1 month)
VOLKSWAGEN

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
04/25/2007 Registration issued or renewed
05/25/2007 State inspection completed, Drivability/performance checked Emissions inspection completed. Exterior lights checked. Washed/detailed
06/05/2007 Passed emissions inspection
06/07/2007 38,852 Vehicle offered for sale
06/08/2007 38,854 Volkswagen Certified Dealer. Offered for sale as a Pre-Owned Volkswagen
06/24/2007 Vehicle purchase reported
06/25/2007 Volkswagen Certified Dealer. Sold as a Certified Pre-Owned Volkswagen

Owner 3
Purchased: 2007
Type: Personal
Where: Virginia
Est. length owned: 7/3/07 - 11/14/07
(4 months)

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
07/03/2007 38,875 Title issued or updated. New owner reported

Owner 4
Est. length owned: 11/14/07 - 4/30/08
(5 months)

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
11/14/2007 Registration issued or renewed

Owner 5
Est. length owned: 4/30/08 - 4/27/09
(11 months)

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
04/30/2008 Registration issued or renewed
06/02/2008 Vehicle serviced
04/27/2009 67,631 Vehicle offered for sale
04/28/2009 State inspection completed. Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated. Washed/detailed
05/13/2009 67,709 Vehicle serviced
06/01/2009 67,820 Vehicle sold
06/01/2009 Vehicle purchase reported
06/02/2009 67,871 Washed/detailed. Door window checked
06/04/2009 Vehicle serviced

Owner 6
Est. miles/year: 3,347/yr
Est. length owned: 6/8/09 - 6/28/10
(1 year)

06/08/2009 Title or registration issued. New owner reported
06/10/2009 68,097 Engine/powertrain computer/module checked. Thermostat replaced
09/09/2009 70,461 Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated. Door window checked. Inside door handle replaced
06/28/2010 71,610 Auto Auction Sold at auction
07/16/2010 71,613 Vehicle serviced
10/25/2010 Passed emissions inspection
10/25/2010 71,628 Sold at auction
10/27/2010 72,000 Online Listing.Vehicle offered for sale

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Quantity of ownerships would make me nervous. Don't quite understand the $2800 rebate offer/financing. Sounds like a "pay on lot" dealer which also makes me nervous. (typically, problem, cheap, auto auction vehicles, with a money problem audience).

I assume you have looked at eBay, and checked "completed" listings to compare and see what these are currently selling for. Asking price is not a good indicator of a vehicles value.

I can't believe no one has responded as there are a lot of ppl with opinions. Late post last night that had worked it's way way down the boards. Perhaps this bump will help!

MORAV

[Tico4Life]

I would say it is a decent to good deal based on my searches a couple of months ago while buying our '04 vert.

I have to say as MORAV, the one thing that would make me nervous and would make me look closely at every nut and bolt is the amount of owners the car has had in the past 7 years which is like one per year percentage wise, considering time when it was traded and time of re sale.

Two major things for these models are, auto trans, which that one does not have (yay) and convertible top issues like the rear wings which in this case seem to be working fine based on the pictures.
Do you have a mechanic that you can take with you to look at it? Would they let you drive it to one? (probably not) Would they give you any kind of warranty? Usually they'll give you like a 3 to 6 month warranty at these lots.

Other than that the car seems nice, good condition overall and clean. If I couldn't find anything mechanically wrong with it I would most certainly buy it, i don't have a problem with pay on the lot cars, I bought a 2 year old Ford E350 many years ago at one of those and was one of the best trucks I've ever had, when you are financing and have bad credit they get you for all you have and then some, but that does not reflect on the quality of the car.

These cars in my area go for 7 to 9 thousand $$$ in this condition. The first one I saw was exactly like that but had 93k miles and the lot wanted $6,5k
Search e bay and craig's list and you'll be able to get a better idea. I like to think that I stole mine at $7k with 23k miles but I did take my time until the "right" car came along and I had to drive quite a bit thru hell a.k.a New York city to pick her up.

Just my 2 cents.

[robyn]

i didnt see anything on the carfax or the add about the title. does the car have a clear title? that's the first thing i look at when car shopping then go from there. also is this the first year for the vert? i dont know about the beetle but we have a 1997 boxster, the first year for that model and wow, problem after problem. hope this helps! good luck car shopping!

[iluvmyVersa08]

I'm just wondering why it went through 7 different owners in such a short amount of time. I personally would not like that and not knowing how they took care of the car would bother me.

[Palmettoguy]

That model had an ash tray in it??? My 99, 02, and wifes 04 don't have one...

Anyways, like everone else said...seems like a LOT of previous owners. Makes me wonder why they were all so quick to get rid of it...maybe its haunted

[swehawk]

Just a little update on how things went.

We ended up buying the car, my girl was just in love with it and we couldn't find a better deal.

I took it to a local mechanic who went on a little test drive and did a quick inspection. Nothing wrong, but he was a bit reserved against Volkswagens business policies (expensive manuals etc.).

My girlfriend have since commuted two hours every day in the car for six months. It's been running perfectly smooth, no issues w/ engine and drive train. We did replace on of the rims and all four tires. Unfortunately the the glass window in the top came loose, took it to a company specialized in convertible tops (in Raleigh). They rebounded with new adhesives which has been holding up since, but the top comes down less often now, she just doesn't want to stress it too much. A new top is warranted, I guess it's just one of those things you have to accept with a convertible. They are a bit pricey, I've seen $700-1200 online, $1200-2000 pro-installed.

All in all, I think things turned out fine. The dealership was a bit sketchy. I felt a bit worried about all the previous owners. Luckily I took it for a long test-drive and to a serious mechanic who gave it a thumbs up considering the good price.

Beetles ARE cool, very smooth and comfortable to drive (coming from a guy driving a 350Z It's just been such a nice ride to the beach when the weathers fine.

Thanks guys.

[Opelmania]

I'm glad it all worked out for you! I just went over the owners and if you really look at it, you are #4. Here's how it goes;

Owners 1 & 2 are the same people and owned until 6/25/07. Well, Number 2 is the VW Dealer. Doesn't count. Owner 2 bought Certified @ 39K miles on 7/3/07. Drove until 4/27/09 and 68K miles. Owner 3 bought on 6/1/09 and drove it until 10/25/10 and 72K miles when you bought. So that makes you #4. Not as bad as everyone thought.

[memupp]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you did great! I know what you mean - I was the third owner of my bug (it was 2 years old when I bought it).

The second owner only had it for 6 months. That concerned me but I went for it. It's been a great car. Not sure why the other owners gave her up but I'm glad they did!

[dnyed]

The things I read in the Carfax report, seemed minor to me. And all were repaired. I am glad you now have it! Congrats!!!

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by swehawk

Just a little update on how things went.

We ended up buying the car, my girl was just in love with it and we couldn't find a better deal.

I took it to a local mechanic who went on a little test drive and did a quick inspection. Nothing wrong, but he was a bit reserved against Volkswagens business policies (expensive manuals etc.).

My girlfriend have since commuted two hours every day in the car for six months. It's been running perfectly smooth, no issues w/ engine and drive train. We did replace on of the rims and all four tires. Unfortunately the the glass window in the top came loose, took it to a company specialized in convertible tops (in Raleigh). They rebounded with new adhesives which has been holding up since, but the top comes down less often now, she just doesn't want to stress it too much. A new top is warranted, I guess it's just one of those things you have to accept with a convertible. They are a bit pricey, I've seen $700-1200 online, $1200-2000 pro-installed.

All in all, I think things turned out fine. The dealership was a bit sketchy. I felt a bit worried about all the previous owners. Luckily I took it for a long test-drive and to a serious mechanic who gave it a thumbs up considering the good price.

Beetles ARE cool, very smooth and comfortable to drive (coming from a guy driving a 350Z It's just been such a nice ride to the beach when the weathers fine.

Thanks guys.

Auto Tops and Interiors?

We're neighbors. You should check out ncdubs.org (tho we're largely dormant now).

Welcome

[Smileybug]

Also have to ask, what mechanic did you take the car to if you are in the Raleigh area?