Decisions, decisions....

[coargonaut]

I have been thinking about something else to drive back and forth to work. 3/4 ton truck is just not cutting it.
I drove a 08 NB rental. Convertible, 2.5 l and auto. Not too shabby- handled pretty well, and averaged about 26.5 mpg over two weeks.
So, I am thinking of a New Beetle to augment the truck. Don't think the Bettle can pull the trailer.
So I am looking over a list of candidates. 2000, 2001, and a 2003. 1.8 Turbos, and 2.0 l, all with manual trans. One 2001 has only 43,000 miles, the rest are in the 85,000 and up.
Low cost is $6600, and high is $10,400. I am leaning towards the 03- white with sunroof, grey interior, 89,000 miles. Second owner traded it in for a Dodge. Paint job is in excellent shape. Has some sort of goofy Pioneer deck.
Can the timing belt be inspected? No records to indicate when or if that has been changed. Anything else to consider? Price is below $9,000 and there is some wiggle room for less than that.

Ed

[from Margaritaville...]

Are you pulling the trailer daily? How heavy is the trailer? Contents?

[coargonaut]

Travel tralier.....Toy hauler. 8000 lbs. No, I don't tow it every day. But enough that I can't get rid of the truck.
Just need something that gets better than 18 mpg on a daily basis.

[from Margaritaville...]

Just wondering if you were replacing the truck and if you were going to use the replacement vehicle to haul the trailer. Resale on the Beetles had been a bit soft the past few years but seem to be holding their value much better lately. I've owned mine since new '99 and I'm STILL having a blast driving it around. I get 25 mpg, but I don't baby it either...

Replacement for that timing belt is recommended at 60K miles or five years (many have rolled the dice and have exceeded those parameters, some have paid dearly for procrastinating)...

[05yellowbeetle]

On all of them except the 43,000 mile one, I would either do the timing belt/water pump myself as soon as I bought the car or find out what it will cost to have it done and build that into the price. The water pump went out on my '98 at 60,000, not fun.

My brother just traded his F150 for the same reason, now he has a mustang. For comparison purposes, my '05 hardtop is a 2.0 with a 6 speed auto and just rolled 15,500 miles (7,700 miles in the 4 months since I bought it); I get 24 mpg around town, 28 mpg - 39 mpg on the highway (80-85 mph avg for the first, 55-65 mph avg for the second).

[pdoel]

Well, the only recommendation I'll make is that if you're buying this as an economical commuter, I'd stick with either the 2.0l or the TDI.

The 1.8t, while it gets about the same gas mileage as a 2.0, requires premium. So you really aren't going to be saving yourself much in gas with a 1.8t.

I've had SUVs for years, and had my NB as a fun car. My 1.8t cost almost as much to fill up as the SUVs, due to the premium requirement.

[LadybugEwa]

I vote 2.0 5spd - cheapest to buy, cheapest to fix, still fun to drive (and you can rev the nuts off it and it'll thank you), and with the price of diesel creeping ever higher in comparison to Reg, soon the cheapest to run

[kate_the_valkyrie]

I just recently bought my 2003 VW Beetle 1.8T in the beginning of March. I couldn't be happier... and as far as the gas mileage, it's definitely well worth the cost.
I purchased mine from a VW dealer in Phoenix AZ for approx $14k, but it only had about 39k miles. Where do you live just curious???

Pdoel is right about the 1.8T's needing 91 octane, premium fuel.. you can't put anything less then that in these babies... But I live in Arizona, and gas is up to $4.00 and over for just regular unleaded... and I still honestly feel I am getting good gas mileage. I average 35 mpg at most times.

BUT: If you are going to tow the toy hauler, I would honestly recommend you look at a 2.0 just to be on the safe side, and you will probably average same type of mileage, and not have to pay premium.

Timing belts can be inspected by an mechanic to check for wear/tear kind of... really you can just see if there are any small creases/cracks in the belt. I don't know any decent mechanic who WOULD NOT suggest changing a timing belt anytime around or right after a vehicle hits 90000 miles.

Good luck with the hunt!

[dnyed]

I am not the expert. But, my opinion? Don't use a New Beetle as a hauler. They are really not meant for that purpose. They are meant for commuting, and well, Fun!

There are a few Org members here, who have used their NB's to tow, but not large trailers. I do not know how big your "toy hauler" is, but I think using your truck for that is the best thing for that.

Again, I am not the expert. But, I would not do it.


Best of luck to you! And, Welcome to the Org!

[bigcanoe]

Originally Posted by coargonaut

I have been thinking about something else to drive back and forth to work. 3/4 ton truck is just not cutting it.

Dude! My 3/4 ton diesel truck is sitting in the driveway, I am driving my 2004 turbo beetle now

[pdoel]

I'm guessing a lot of you didn't actually take the time to read his first post?

He's getting the Beetle to keep alongside his truck, so that the truck will continue to haul.

He's not planning on using the Beetle to do any hauling.

[coargonaut]

No, I am not considering towing with the Beetle. The Beetle will fit inside the toy hauler.
I am in the Denver area. Diesel has moved over four bucks a gallon, and regular has gotten to $3.50 and keeps going. If I can get 26 to 29 mpg, I can save a couple of hundred bucks a month. That won't pay for the bug, but it will be close, and get better as prices continue to climb.
I am leaning towards 2.0 with 5 speed. Turbos (although fun) take required the best fuel, and cut into the savings potential.
Finding a diesel is tough.....most of the used ones around here are headed west. I haven't seen one for a number of months. I would expect if I were to see one, there would be a stepp premium on it.
Thanks for the feedback.

Ed

[coargonaut]

Let me try this....

[LadybugEwa]

Originally Posted by coargonaut

No, I am not considering towing with the Beetle. The Beetle will fit inside the toy hauler.

All I can say is, you must have a lot of toys There's a section of forum for posting stuff like that *hint-hint*

Originally Posted by coargonaut

I am in the Denver area. Diesel has moved over four bucks a gallon, and regular has gotten to $3.50 and keeps going. If I can get 26 to 29 mpg, I can save a couple of hundred bucks a month.

I've just gotten 30MPG by coasting a bit and lowering my speed on the highway to 62MPH. Ladybug's just turned over 190,000km (118K miles) and still going strong *knock on wood*
Just gearing up for her second TB/WP change this summer.
So the NBs you're looking at, you'll want to see a record of TB/WP change every 60-80K miles. You'll want to see if the correct oil weight has been used throughout (5W40 by the manual). Plugs,wires,fuel&air filters every 40K miles.

Originally Posted by coargonaut

That won't pay for the bug, but it will be close, and get better as prices continue to climb.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by coargonaut

I am leaning towards 2.0 with 5 speed. Turbos (although fun) take required the best fuel, and cut into the savings potential.

2.0, 5spd ->
Check my Ladybug out (pics in my signature) - even at her age she still gets jealous looks and comments from the owner of the 3yo Focus at work
My point being, these cars DO age well if abovementioned basic things have been kept up with.

Originally Posted by coargonaut

Finding a diesel is tough.....most of the used ones around here are headed west. I haven't seen one for a number of months. I would expect if I were to see one, there would be a stepp premium on it.

Supply&demand at its best. With more demand for cheaper-to-run diesels, not only are those going up, but diesel price is escalating exponentially.

Originally Posted by coargonaut

Thanks for the feedback.
Ed

No problem, Ed, that's what we're here for
We'll also be here if you want to post the 'contenders' as you shop around

[digitalputty]

Hey fellow Denver person.