Goodbye Moose

[diddlebug]

Well my friends it's been fun by I sadly have to announce that once the various problems that Moose has are fixed I am trading her in on a 2005 Eclipse GT.

I had wanted a New Beetle since 98 when they came out and I was in love and still am in love with them and my car but I will have to wait until I can purchase a new one with an extended warranty before I will ever be a newbeetle-er again.

Here are my problems

2 years 5 months 10 days a New Beetle Owner
bought Moose (2000) for $6,500 at a repo auction
Started with: 31,254 miles
Now has 121,589 miles

I have replaced
-Computer
-Coolant Temp. sensor (i think that's what it's called)
-Oxygen sensor twice
-Muffler
-Catalitic Converter
-Clutch
-Too many headlight bulbs to count (my passengers side shoots about ever 5 days)
-Headliner
-some door locking mechanism thing....Moose was dinging like the door was open when it really wasn't
-oil dipstick which got stuck
-both window regulators drivers side once passengers side twice
-both passenger and drivers side window buttons
-side view mirror moving button
-my windshield wipers still get stuck together at full speed no matter what size blades I get and how many adjustments they do
-had to have my key fob reprogrammed twice
-airbag light has came on 4 times and had to have a sensor or relay or something whatever...fixed
-check engine light will never go off as long as that car shall go

that's all I can think of at the moment

execpt the newest problem....what happened today........I went to my co-worker Rhonda's house and come out....my keyfob doesn't work, my windows won't roll up including my sunroof, not with the buttons knob or key in the door....everytime I turn the turn signals on the wipers wipe and stop halfway down.....the cd player works when I hit bumps...and the car looses power randomly or has very little power at all randomly

someone please convince me that there is a good dependable beetle out there for me

oh yea....the paint is coming off my car.....I wash my car twice weekly and wax it monthly so this confuses me....I know it's not due to it not being taken care of properly

[dasmurph]

I am SO sorry about you having to give up your beetle. You have to understand something before I say what I am going to say. I am one of the BIGGEST beetle nuts that there is, just plain and simple. My first car was a '61 that I restored and I've had 4 New Beetles and I'm only 21 The reason I've had 4 is because 3 just didn't work. I had 2 '00's, and '06 and now an '07. I love these cars SO much, but I am also willing to admit that compared to many other cars in their class, they just don't work like they should. I can tell you for a FACT that there are plenty of Mechanically sound New Beetles out there, but I personally will NEVER buy a used bug out of warranty again. Part of the reason I'm leasing my new New Beetle is because I do NOT want this car after the warranty is up 'cuz I know it will give my expensive problems.

I tried owning a non-VW and it didn't work out for me. I bought a 2004 Kia Spectra and it was a fantastic car. It was comfortable, VERY economical, and best of all, reliable! I put it through hell and not once did it skip a beat, but I just didn't like it. I traded for a New Beetle that was brand new and I ended up using the Lemon Law on it. So far my '07 has been flawless *knocks on wood* but if you're looking for a car, a used on especially, I don't blame you at all for shying away from VW and yes, it does hurt to say that

If it makes any difference, I've heard '03 and newer are supposed to be pretty reliable?

[from Margaritaville...]

If you had bought your car new, I'd bet that the list of issues would have been MUCH shorter. I sold used cars for 5 years. Hated cars that came from auctions etc. Lots of issues and lots of unsatisfied customers. That being said, today I had Ford replace the driver's window motor and gear ($334) on our Bronco II. Monday replaced the alternator and cables on the same truck ($445). Tomorrow the Beetle goes in @ 9:30 for CEL (P0411). Tomorrow I tear down the pass. sliding door on my '98 Sienna (lock won't operate). Vehicles can be a P.I.T.A.!!! Check the Consumer's Reports April '07 issue for the reliability issues for that Eclipse (the reports are pretty accurate) before you buy...

d-Merry ROCKS!!! (one of my favorite Orgers)...

[dasmurph]

Alan, you are the BEST, and I agree that Moose's list of repairs seems a little extensive even for the a "bad" New Beetle

[shellbug]

Sorry you had to go through all of that! Thats alot of mileage for 2 years! My hubby has put on 38k in a year on his escape, man I thought that was alot.

[bugfreak]

i feel ya.

if i weren't in the middle of buying a house, i would be either part with mine or get another car in addition to the bug.

i love/hate my car. i, too know what it's like to have a beetle with over 120K miles.

yet i still smile when i see one, especially a new one.

[diddlebug]

so I know I haven't been on here in a while and I kinda gave up on Moose, I'm still driving her....but not for long...my Dad is a faithful believe in all VW's and he wants me to stick with beetles....he just got Mom a Touareg 2 (I thinks that how you spell it) I'm traveling to Hallmark VW tomorrow to see if any of the convertibles they have on their lot tickle my fancy and if not i'm going to order a brand new NB convertible....I really would love to have one of the dark flint editions with the red interior but Dad says red interior is tacky, but then again what does he know

....I do know that this one will def. be orange

...an ideas for a name

BTW Moose is for sale

$4,500 obo
all known problems are fixed and I just installed the KVW100 module on it so the windows can be rolled up and down with the remote

-131,000 miles
-5speed
-GLS
-alloy wheels
-black
-cream interior
-washed twice weekly and waxed approx. 1-2 times a month
-scratches on front (pics on the way)
-paint is in bad condition on drivers side behind rear window
-yellow bud vase
-black and orange wet okole custom fit seat covers
-no shift boot
-DUAL folding cd player with MP3 iplug hook up for ipods
-euro emblems (rear one isn't installed)
-one broken fog light but I will include the replacement one
-trunk will not stay up by itself but I have 2 of the new hinges that can be installed easily
-no shift boot
-no shade for sunroof (got jammed and we had to remove it but sunroof has double layers of 5% tint on it)
-25% tint all the way around with a 5% tint sunstrip
-liscence plate frame that says "I love my VeeDub)
-clear corners on front and back
-eyelids painted to match the car
-arm rest is broken...will not stay up and top does not stay attached

I will post some pictures as soon as i can take some in the morning

you can email me at james.farris@wku.edu

i'm located in bowling green, ky

[FlwrPwer]

Originally Posted by d_merry

Part of the reason I'm leasing my new New Beetle is because I do NOT want this car after the warranty is up 'cuz I know it will give my expensive problems.

David, this is exactly why I lease my cars too. I do not want to own a VW after 4 years as they're just too expensive to maintain. Everybody looks at me like I'm nuts, but I don't have the time/money/patience for a car that is going to give me problems. I can't fix it myself so any problems have to be paid out of pocket. This is why I lease, first and foremost. It seems, to me, that after 5 years, the reliability of these cars really starts to fall apart. So I enjoy it for four, return it and get a brand new one

Of course, leasing has its issues as I learned with my last beetle when I ended up with a job 60 miles from home and had to get out of my lease early cause of the miles. And one of the big reasons I'm moving is because of my lease and the miles. But in the long run, I'd rather lease a VW than ever own one.

P.S. Diddlebug, NBCs are amazing. I'm on my second and will never NOT own a convertible. I say, go for it!!!!

[ghostRder1]

I feel your pain!

[Beetlemania]

Originally Posted by diddlebug

so I know I haven't been on here in a while and I kinda gave up on Moose, I'm still driving her....but not for long...my Dad is a faithful believe in all VW's and he wants me to stick with beetles....he just got Mom a Touareg 2 (I thinks that how you spell it) I'm traveling to Hallmark VW tomorrow to see if any of the convertibles they have on their lot tickle my fancy and if not i'm going to order a brand new NB convertible....I really would love to have one of the dark flint editions with the red interior but Dad says red interior is tacky, but then again what does he know

....I do know that this one will def. be orange

So glad to hear the Bug bug has bitten again so soon! Best of luck with the 'vert, and we can't wait to see what you get!

[diddlebug]

here are some quick pics of Moose that I took....it shows the paint issues...also another issue which i forgot to mention...drivers side door has some damage...I was in a storm and had to park and get out at Walmart because I figured it would be safer inside because there was a tornado warning and the wind caught the door and pulled it back and bent it a bit where it meets the front fender...door works fine just damamged

...also there are pics of the scratches on the front from someone hitting me and leaving

...also there are tiny chips all over the hood...my car was used as a tow behind for a RV before i bought it and I'm assuming there were so many bugs stuck to it that it ate the paint off

...Moose is rough...i love him though


front view from in front of my apartment

paint specks on hood

where the door is bent in the crack

paint issues on the drivers side

in the parking structure at school getting ready for wait for me to get done with a long night of studying after I cleaned him up and waxed him previously that day

at work/ my Dad's body shop...this picture is before i had the clear corners installed
(yes i have all these exterior issues with my car and my Dad owns a body shop...ha...you think it would be fixed...nope he's too busy)

our first day together....makes me sad that I'm giving him up..

seats



P.S.....I forgot to include that I have 4 rockford phosgate titanium 3 way speakers in Moose...sound really good...they will be sold with him as well

[KatWoman]

Well when you've had enough....you had enough

I had '97 Neon I loved dearly. I even did a motorswap when the 1st engine blew (timing belt snapped 12K miles after I had a new one put in). Unfortuantely the 2nd motor was nothing but a nightmare, sensors blowing all the time, 2 headgasket leaks. The last time my husband and I tore it apart to do headwork, then a month later it dropped 2 pistons. I had to call it done. So I know how it feels to do EVERYTHING for a car and finally decide your time together is up

Good luck with the next ride, and hopefully you can get a NB under warranty soon

[13Beetlejuice13]

i don't think you're supposed to wax your car that often are you? I thought it was once every few months or twice a year or something like that isn't it?

[diddlebug]

....I now have 2 beetles...weee

I'm excited

...just purchased "Luna" this morning

2003 Harvest Moon Beige convertible black leather black top 5speed

and nothing is wrong except with the headliner, i guess that's what you would call it, is broken right above both of the back windows....it appears that it is supposed to snap in but the snaps are broke...Dad said it would be an easy fix

I'm keeping Moose for an extra car....I just can't part with him, we've been threw WAAAAYYY to much....

pictures coming soon

[KatWoman]

Originally Posted by diddlebug

....I now have 2 beetles...weee

I'm excited

...just purchased "Luna" this morning

2003 Harvest Moon Beige convertible black leather black top 5speed

and nothing is wrong except with the headliner, i guess that's what you would call it, is broken right above both of the back windows....it appears that it is supposed to snap in but the snaps are broke...Dad said it would be an easy fix

I'm keeping Moose for an extra car....I just can't part with him, we've been threw WAAAAYYY to much....

pictures coming soon

YAY! Well you can let Moose enjoy semi retirement I suppose, just make sure he gets to go out once in awhile

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by diddlebug

....I now have 2 beetles...weee

I'm excited

...just purchased "Luna" this morning

2003 Harvest Moon Beige convertible black leather black top 5speed

and nothing is wrong except with the headliner, i guess that's what you would call it, is broken right above both of the back windows....it appears that it is supposed to snap in but the snaps are broke...Dad said it would be an easy fix

I'm keeping Moose for an extra car....I just can't part with him, we've been threw WAAAAYYY to much....

pictures coming soon

i'm smelling a track car maybe?? Dad's got a body shop, so you should have access to all the tools you need, eh?