I need help to pick the best VW beetle sold on craigslist

[tyn]

I've been searching craiglist for a pre-loved vw beetle that cost less than $3000. There's a lot of options but then I don't know which one are good. I never had my own car before so I don't have any idea about car mechanics. I like cars that are tiny and that has retro style so beetle is on the top of my list next mini cooper. I just moved to US so I don't have a budget for a new car yet. Moving around to apply for job is hard without a car. Please help me find the best beetle that will not put my money to waste.

I'm looking at getting an automatic but as far as I've read, manual saves more gas, is this true? I would prefer those that are good as new since I have a very little knowledge about car maintenance. And also, I prefer those that look decent (outside and also inside) since I'm applying for a professional job.

Hope you could help me. Thank you very much in advance.

[tyn]

By the way, I'm located in Florida.

[betele]

Hey man beetle is a very expensive car i would not advice you to buy it from craiglist rather than smthing that you drive and listen how it goes.its important the beauty of the outside rather than the engine.and yes cars that are manual save a lot of gas

[dnyed]

I bought mine from CL. Never ever did I ever think I would buy a car from there. I put the word out, like you are doing, and it was located for me from an Org member friend, he had checked it out, and I went and got it. Two+ years now. I love her!

[2004NBTURBOS]

Stay away from the auto trans. If you can not drive a manual, then learn. The cost of a bad automatic trans can out-way the purchase price of the car. Just a little sumptin to think about.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by tyn

By the way, I'm located in Florida.

Hi and welcome to the org family. So glad to have you a part of us

It would be a big help if you fill out your profile. I see you're in FL (hi neighbor-Jacksonville here) BUT for as something as crucial as a car purchase, any & all info you supply us will aid you much better in finding the right car as well assistance later down the line. There might be one of us near you that can go with you and be your beetle liason, making sure you're buying a sound beetle.

We're here for ya... all the best on your BeetleQuesr.

Sent from my SGH-T679 using AutoGuide App

[Smileybug]

If you don't have a big budget, I might reconsider getting a NB right now. A sub-$3k NB is likely to need some extra work once you get it and it will likely be a 1998-2000 range car so its a good 12 years old so no matter what, there will be things it needs.

And you are correct, the auto transmissions are junk. Get a manual if you can. If you need an auto, definitely skip the Beetle for the time being.

[tyn]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

I don't have a problem driving a manual coz I've been driving manual ever since so I'm used to it than driving automatic.

What's a sound beetle? and NB?

I'm in Gainesville FL as of the moment but will be moving to Deerfield FL for work.

Which part of Florida should I look for? Is there anyone here who live close? If not craiglist, to which website should I go?

Thank you very much for your help.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by 2004NBTURBOS

Stay away from the auto trans. If you can not drive a manual, then learn. The cost of a bad automatic trans can out-way the purchase price of the car. Just a little sumptin to think about.

Truer words were never spoken. The early New Beetle's have the worst Automatic transmission ever in them and a replacement can cost you up to $7000 dollars. And if it hasn't failed it will fail. The newer 6 Speed Tiptronics are better but not perfect. I would never buy a VW with Automatic transmission. Prone to failure and expensive to fix.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by tyn

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

I don't have a problem driving a manual coz I've been driving manual ever since so I'm used to it than driving automatic.

What's a sound beetle? and NB?

I'm in Gainesville FL as of the moment but will be moving to Deerfield FL for work.

Which part of Florida should I look for? Is there anyone here who live close? If not craiglist, to which website should I go?

Thank you very much for your help.

I don't know Florida that well so I can't tell you where to locate a decent used New Beetle. It doesn't really matter. There are no guarantees that one Beetle from one area is better than another. You will just have to look them over very carefully. Drive them and listen. How does it feel?
Any anomalies? Ask questions like when was the last timing belt service and water pump replacement done on the car. A lot of people get rid of the car because these costly maintenance items become due and then you get stuck with the bill. And if you don't keep up with that important timing belt service and the timing belt goes you will have a couple of thousand dollar + repairs to deal with.
New Beetle's are HIGH Maintenance and if you don't like to tinker with cars don't buy a Beetle. There will be things that will need replacing and when they are due don't ignore them and put them off because if you do it can get very costly to the point it isn't worth repairing any more.
Good Luck with your search.

[tyn]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

I don't know Florida that well so I can't tell you where to locate a decent used New Beetle. It doesn't really matter. There are no guarantees that one Beetle from one area is better than another. You will just have to look them over very carefully. Drive them and listen. How does it feel?
Any anomalies? Ask questions like when was the last timing belt service and water pump replacement done on the car. A lot of people get rid of the car because these costly maintenance items become due and then you get stuck with the bill. And if you don't keep up with that important timing belt service and the timing belt goes you will have a couple of thousand dollar + repairs to deal with.
New Beetle's are HIGH Maintenance and if you don't like to tinker with cars don't buy a Beetle. There will be things that will need replacing and when they are due don't ignore them and put them off because if you do it can get very costly to the point it isn't worth repairing any more.
Good Luck with your search.

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. What do you think is the best car for me to get?

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by tyn

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

I don't have a problem driving a manual coz I've been driving manual ever since so I'm used to it than driving automatic.

What's a sound beetle? and NB?

I'm in Gainesville FL as of the moment but will be moving to Deerfield FL for work.

Which part of Florida should I look for? Is there anyone here who live close? If not craiglist, to which website should I go?

Thank you very much for your help.

GO GATORS!

Not sure on which part of FL to purchase your nB, BUT we have a top-notch, beetle savvy orger who lives in Orlando, named David, screen name VDubYah. Plus Chuckie and I are just up the road from you and might be able to make a roadie down that way to assist. There's quite a few nB's here for sale here in Jacksonville.
Speaking of, The VW shop that works on Cup, took possession of a red TDI nB, manual transmission. They're rebuilding the top end, including new injectors... to the 9's. Basically a new engine. I can look into it if you'd like. They're a reputable shop; the owner/chief mechanic used to work for Ash Tisdale VW of Orange Park, which was one of the best VW dealerships in our area.


I do believe orger Antonyn still lives in Gainesville too. So you're pretty much surrounded with folk that'll help you

To echo previous comments, don't buy an older beetle only because it's cheap, especially if you don't have the cash to bring it back to mechanical health. And ExNay on the auto tranny... no good.