Beetles in general

[2010BeetleConv]

I just bought a 2010 NBC and paid more for it than any other car I've ever owned. I typically buy "disposable" cars like Honda Civics. Anyway, after reading this forum, I'm getting worried. Are these VW's a good car? They seem to be loaded with mechanical issues. I see engine issues, window regulators, canvas tops that pull away from the rear window and so many other issues listed here. Am I asking for trouble with this purchase or am I just seeing the bad, small percentage of owners with issues venting online. I have owned Hondas for 20 years and never had one issue in all that time. I did have a 2001 Beetle that I sold after 3 years due to issues and lots of recalls. I thought they improved their reliability.

[Blugg]

Originally Posted by 2010BeetleConv

I have owned Hondas for 20 years and never had one issue in all that time.

Although i bet i could find you a hundred forums packed with worried Honda customers

Like you said, your not going to see all the posts about the Happy Bug Owners without problems, as their all out there enjoying their Bugs

Tiny percentage on here of what can happen.

Even if it does happen, the help is here

[boogety boogety]

...but you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty, and you're worried about stuff cratering on your new car?

You'll see problems and complaints here, as people who are happy normally don't post their satisfaction in fora ("I love my car!" "Yeah, me too!" "Oh, me too! Great car...").

Hondas and Toyotas may be more reliable, but they're also waaay less interesting, and will never get a second look from anyone. Being in your car (and mine) is like being in a parade every day. I like my car, 0 problems in 4 years/20K miles. Relax and enjoy your most-expensive-ride-yet...

[Hammer]

Bought ours Nov 8th 2008 with 20K miles and the remaining of the factory 4 yr/50K mile warranty. It is an 06 convertible, but I had a coupe before. Window cable/regulators had to be replaced under warranty, rear window clips were coming undone so were replaced by warranty. Besides 18" wheels and tires it is otherwise all stock. Paid $17K with an extended warranty through CNA good till 21OCT11 or 100K miles and LoJack. Car has now 36K miles. OTD price with options (Pack 2) plus LoJack plus taxes was $28950.
I see myself spending countless hrs when I have time to myself, on these forums. Lots of age groups and backgrounds which makes a difference. I, but I think I speak for most of us here, love this car. Yes things will brake, it is new and is expected, most "issues" I had at work was in brand spanking new airplanes with less than 500 hrs (CRJ900). But that's why VW gives you a warranty, for peace of mind. It is their way of saying "thank you for buying from us". Yes there are a few issues that would have been nice to see a recall, but then again it is a lot cheaper to replace and fix them on an individual basis due to the cost associated with such. Remember a recall would allow every car (good or bad) to have the window cables for example, replaced. It is not just VW, trust me. It used to be one brand of car, Ford... it was black and you could choose: Truck or Sedan. In some of today's cars you can not see the actual engine... it is covered by plastic, there is no way to check your oil, in other words they don't want you to touch the car, just take it to the dealer... We don't like dealers here... they are evil and undermine our intelligence. You can't talk to the person working on your car and explain to him what you have seen, what the car does, what codes you have (we all have code readers...) so he can get a better understanding. You will talk to the service rep, who will be staring at the cougar right behind you and wants you out of there pronto... Once out of warranty we find individual shops that eat sleep breath VW...
I have observed (based on my own experience) that it is a lot harder to pay cash for a car than financing. I buy used, with in two years and cash. Problem is it takes a lot of discipline plus time, to save $17K for a car, at least for me. So, once I have the money I really don't want to spend it all at once, regardless of how much I like the car... "what if something goes wrong", or "why don't I buy a cheap Honda and keep the rest?" We love Bugs... Even if price went to 40K you would still see people here buying them... That is a question you will have to answer yourself, why did you buy this car? If the cost associated with a new car, payment, Comp/Collision, together with other your other fixed monthly expenses, is tight on your budget (again, hypothetically, I do not know your finances, so do not take this as an attack) maybe it's not the car's fault, it's your fault. It's like anything else in life: Stuff will brake, it's how you handle it. The first two years it will be free, after that it will cost you. It's like your pet: You take it to the vet when it gets sick, right? Bug is no different. It is part of your family now, sometimes they are easy to raise, sometimes hard... Needles to say, enjoy it, keep it clean, I swear they have a "sixth sense" sometimes and they will love you back!

[2010BeetleConv]

Thanks for the feedback. I did figure that I was only seeing the problems listed here with thousands of others out there enjoying a problem free experience. It just shocked me when I first started seeing all of the posts on here. I do love my second Beetle for just the reasons you mention. Nobody ever gave my Civic a second look. I'm gonna shut up and drive it like I stole it!

[2010BeetleConv]

Hi Hammer,
I get it. I've always been against spending more than $20K on a car. Just not my thing when I could do other things with the money like vacations. My wife on the other hand, will drop $40K on a Lexus every 3 years. She's had them for 12+ years and loves em. As far why I bought it, I was at the Honda dealer next door looking at Accords and fell in love with the Beetle from across the parking lot. It blew me away. I had one 10 years ago and enjoyed it. The convertible wasn't an option then since I was living in a cold climate. Now I'm down south. I too pay cash for my cars and always have. I hate payments and interest. Just old school. I'll take your advise and just enjoy it. I'm not gonna focus on the bad stuff listed here since I think its in the minority. I've got 3 years or 36K to find problems. It's my weekend car anyway so mileage wont be very high. In 2 months I've just hit 700 miles.

[Photobug]

Dont worry be happy

[Bug1953]

Best of luck with your new Bug!! I bought my wife an '06 NBC about five months ago. It has around 50,000 miles on it and we haven't had one problem so far. It's a fun car to drive, especially with the top down. I'm actually jealous my wife drives it all the time!! Enjoy your new ride and don't worry about things going wrong with it. You will be fine. Just watch out for all the stares you're gonna get!! Enjoy!!

Steve

[Hammer]

[QUOTE= I'm actually jealous my wife drives it all the time!!

Steve[/QUOTE]

I feel the same way... so she drives the Tacoma now and I have the bug... We switched today.

[TallPaul]

I have had several issues with my 2004 beetle convertible. (particulary window motors and electric top doors.)

However, I do understand that as a car ages That things will and inevitably break and need to be maintained. and especially a hard top with move moving bits.

I suggest you just take good care of it and you should get the same enjoyment mine has brought to me... I have really enjoyed mine despite the issues.

[dmpoust]

I do not think you purchased a problem car. I purchased a 2008 NB Convertible new in 2008. Car has been problem free. If you follow complaints (try carspace.com), many of the new beetle problems are from the early years. NB production began in 1998, and the convertibles in 2003. Posts of problems from about 2003-04 for hard tops, and perhaps 2005 for convertibles seems to be very low. Main problem that I have read on the early convertibles was the rear window coming loose in the top. This apparently was a manufacturing problem with the glue used to keep the top and window together at the company who made the convertible tops. As VW did not make the tops, customers seem to be told just to replace the entire top. Many owners have had the tops/rear window repaired at an auto upholstery shop.

In any event, I believe VW has gotten most of the mechanical issues resolved several years ago.

Enjoy your new beetle! We love ours, especially those nice warm days driving with the top down!

[schen72]

As an owner of an 05 NBC, 99 Acura, and 08 Acura, the NBC is definitely not as reliable. Maintenance also costs more. For example, the NBC calls for new spark plugs at 40k miles. But my Acura doesn't need new plugs until 105k miles.

One must factor in the increased maintenance costs with any VW, IMHO. Then decide if you can live with that.

[Blugg]

Originally Posted by 2010BeetleConv

I'm gonna shut up and drive it like I stole it!

Good Luck, it's a New Bug not a Ferrari, aerodynamics were never a strong point in the designers mind

[Hammer]

It never fails... Dropped mine at the dealer yesterday, hard to start, when motor cranks dash lights go dark, might be time for new battery, plus there were a few drops of fluid on the catch pan. Got the call today while I was at work, that fluid was transmission fluid, they will need to replace the transmission... Have an extended warranty with CNA will know more tomorrow about what is wrong and what is covered... Never had any issues with shifting or anything... Not even CEL lights... Can't wait to hear more details as this was more like a "better sit down" call...

[Hammer]

Powertrain warranty (factory) covers the transmission. No need to go via the extended warranty! Transmission case was cracked and fluid was slowly leaking and the catching pan was doing what it was supposed to do... Battery is no good will need a new one, this is the stock battery.
There you have it... What can I say... I love my bug!