Looking for a Beetle

BluebugColorado · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2012, 07:54 PM

I am looking for a 1998-2005 NB hardtop with under 70,000 miles, 1.8 turbo, 5 or 6 speed and sunroof, in one of the following colors: White, yellow, silver, laser/alien green, orange, or one of the special edition colors like baby blue, moon mist, etc. No black or dark blue. Must be accident and rust free, west coast, properly maintained. If you have one to sell, let me know. I've got this set for automatic response so please post how I can contact you below and I'll call you. No scammers.

Changed the criteria a bit - thank you all for your advice about the automatic transmission problems. We've decided to open it up to manual gearboxes. I specified 6 speed in case the errant Turbo S comes along. The red Turbo S advertised in NC here in the for sale forum would be very good but it's too far away. We are looking for a car from the west coast.

Thanks for any recommendations or contacts.

IndyTom · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012, 02:33 AM

Sounds like you know what you like

Probably hard to find a Beetle under 70k miles in your year range. Beetle drivers like to drive their cars and I have seen 2008's with more than 100k miles on them. But perhaps a little old lady somewhere in Florida bought a Beetle that is just sitting in her garage. You never know

Where are you located? I bet somewhere in Colorado.

Good luck with your search!

BluebugColorado · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 03:07 PM

I'm looking for a car that is from a warm dry climate, or the Pacific Northwest. Thanks

IndyTom · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 03:23 PM

Where are you located?

CoriBug · #5 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 03:35 PM

Alien green is cyber green and baby blue is Aquarius blue. Aquarius was not a special edition unless you're referring to the "final edition". That might help your search. Are you in Colorado? There are plenty of well maintained beetles here - check out cars.com or autotrader.com.

CoriBug · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 03:42 PM

Also, the automatic transmissions are problematic and may need replaced. If you can drive a 5 speed, it's more reliable and less $ to maintain.

IndyTom · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoriBug

Also, the automatic transmissions are problematic and may need replaced. If you can drive a 5 speed, it's more reliable and less $ to maintain.

X2 I second that. Especially the Suckomatics of the year beetle you are trying to find. Anything from 1998-2006 and especially the O1M transmissions from 1998 to 2004 they are the crappiest transmissions that VW ever put in a vehicle.
Stay away or be prepared to pay for a new transmission sooner or later.

markcorey · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2012, 01:51 AM

Not your color, it is black. However, you will not get a better Bug. I is fast and fun and in near new condition. I am selling it for 7900.00, not a penny less.

BluebugColorado · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-2012, 08:31 PM

I appreciate the recommendations about transmission but need an automatic, not a manual. I am not looking in Colorado due to the road salt here, plus cars, overall, are about 20% more expensive here than other locations.

Looking for a car from the west coast, or southwest. I'm moving to Seattle in October.

Mark Corey - your car sounds great but black is not workable for us and it's over my budget. Wish it were silver. Thanks

CoriBug · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2012, 08:53 PM

Road salt (mag chloride) shouldn't be an issue unless an owner doesn't wash regularly and keep a good wax on it. I haven't noticed too many cars around here with that issue although Beetles seem to suffer from neglect more than other cars. If you're seeing cars with that kind of paint damage, the owner(s) probably haven't maintained the engine properly either.

If you do get a bug before you move we would love to see you a gtg or the Bug-in at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison. It's typically that last Sunday in August.

BluebugColorado · #11 (**permalink**) 02-18-2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks CoriBug
I have a firm no rust no salt rule that has served me well. The one time I ever made an exception, well, it was a huge mistake. Your comment about NB's suffering neglect is certainly true around here. Fact is that Colorado cars tend to be more worn than those from California, Washington or Oregon and they are about 20% more expensive here than out there. We're moving west in the fall so if I can find one out there I'll just store it until then.
Please put additional details about the meeting in Morrison though. Would love to attend. Thanks

CoriBug · #12 (**permalink**) 02-19-2012, 09:13 PM

Bandimere Speedway

Aug 29 is the date for the Bug-In. If you can get a bug from an enthusiast, then you will be in good shape. Many owners have to sell their Beetles because they need a bigger vehicle or they're getting a new Beetle. I've had my Bug since 2004 and been to many shows and met lots of people and their cars in Colorado. Believe me, there are PLENTY of well cared for Beetles in this state. I had no idea that there were actually Beetle owners who cared that much about their cars until I went to shows. Good luck with your search. You will know when you find YOUR Beetle!

BluebugColorado · #13 (**permalink**) 02-19-2012, 09:22 PM

Coribug

Can you put in the exact details on location, time, etc? The link does not work. It shows up as December 1969
Thank you

CoriBug · #14 (**permalink**) 02-19-2012, 10:53 PM

That is strange - the link works for me. Anyway it's July (not August) 29 and is a show and race with a large area for vendors. There is no ticket info yet but it's usually about $12-15 to watch and $30 to show/race. The fun starts around 9 and the prizes are awarded later in the afternoon. It's hot as hell so be prepared for that. :-) My mechanic usually races his mk3 Golf. My dealer I bought Daisy from has an annual show for all Porsches, VWs and Audis in Fort Collins. It is in August. The Colorado VW club has put on a show in the past called Volkswagens on the Green in May - I don't know the status of that one. Also, next year will be our beetle show in Roswell, NM and we would love to have you. More info on that show in the GTGs forum. I will try to post more info about the Colorado shows in the GTGs forum as we get closer.