Prospective NB Buyer

[TankTank]

Hi All,
I'm in the market to buy a new (used) car, and I fell in love with a 2005 NB convertible...Dark Flint Edition with 53k on it. I'm pretty much dead set on buying it, but I'm scared because I've seen so many people with so many issues. Can anyone give me some insight as to whether this is going to be a money pit or not? I know how to take care of cars and I don't have a problem with diligent maintenance, but I also can't afford to pay 6k for a new transmission if this goes and hear a lot of people telling me "I told you so".

Thanks in advance!!!!
Lizz

[SixChuter]

Welcome to the Org! The Dark Flint is a beautiful car. I'm assuming the car you are looking at has an automatic transmission? Early on, there were some problems with the transmissions but I think by '05 they were pretty solid. I wouldn't have any concerns about it. If you love the car and keep ahead of the maintenance, you should be fine. Keep us posted and shoot some pics of the car when you can. Would love to see it.

[dnyed]

By 05, they were using the 6-speed Tiptronic. (Ours had that). I say GO FOR IT!

[TankTank]

It does have the 6 speed Tiptronic. It's a GLS 2.0...this is the ad for it on the dealer's website
Paul Burns Family of Dealerships, Langhorne and Fairless Hills PA

I think I'm going to go for it

[katiex10204]

GO FOR IT! Dark flint is GORGEOUS.

[2004NBTURBOS]

Dark Flints are about as pretty as you can get in a NBC.
I say go for it. The mileage is still low enough to not worry about the trans. As the owner of a Dark Flint you would automatically be entitled to be on the official 2012 T.o.D. invitation list. We would love to have ya show up, as long as you bring your Dark Flint. Check out the link 2012 Tail Of The Dragon Cruise/ Weekend and pics from last years T.o.D Official 2K11 ToD photo thread

[SixChuter]

Originally Posted by TankTank

It does have the 6 speed Tiptronic. It's a GLS 2.0...this is the ad for it on the dealer's website
Paul Burns Family of Dealerships, Langhorne and Fairless Hills PA

I think I'm going to go for it

You really should buy that car.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by TankTank

Hi All,
I'm in the market to buy a new (used) car, and I fell in love with a 2005 NB convertible...Dark Flint Edition with 53k on it. I'm pretty much dead set on buying it, but I'm scared because I've seen so many people with so many issues. Can anyone give me some insight as to whether this is going to be a money pit or not? I know how to take care of cars and I don't have a problem with diligent maintenance, but I also can't afford to pay 6k for a new transmission if this goes and hear a lot of people telling me "I told you so".

Thanks in advance!!!!
Lizz

If it is a Manual transmission you have nothing to worry about. It will last you forever and the worst thing that can happen is that you will need a new clutch for about $350 bucks but that would be way down the road. There have been a lot of issues with the 2005 6speed tiptronic transmission. Weak valve bodies and problems with the TCM modules. I personally would stay away from an automatic. But that is just me.
If you have your heart set on it then test drive it and don't pamper it. Accellerate and see how it shifts between 1st and 2nd gear. The problem usually occurs with harsh shift between 1st and 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. Also once you do get the car do a transmission fluid flush. VW deems the transmission fluid to be lifetime which is balooney. The fluid will be as black as night and should be changed every 40000-50000 miles. That alone could prevent some issues in the future.
VW automatic transmission don't have the best reputation and people say it is not "if" but "When" you will experience problems with your transmission. And the Auto Transmissions are very expensive to fix. That said if you take care of the car and do the proper maintenance and change your fluid on a regular basis this car can still last you a long time.
You do have low mileage on this car but I would also consider doing the timing belt service in the next year or so. My rule of thumb for the timing belt service is 75k miles or 6 years whatever comes first. Rubber does age and regardless of mileage can get brittle from heat and break down. Plus the factory VW waterpump has a plastic impellar that has been know to fail which could also cause issues. So just to put your mind at ease I would do the timing belt at least in the next 10k miles or so.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by dnyed

By 05, they were using the 6-speed Tiptronic. (Ours had that). I say GO FOR IT!

You should do a search for 2005 New Beetle 6speed tiptronic. You will see that there are numerous issues and complaints.
I believe it was the first year for the 6speed tiptronic and it was still in untested waters. A lot of customers complained about Weak Valve bodies and when they took it to the dealer they always told the customer the transmission needs to be replaced and of course it was conveniently out of warranty. From what I read they didn't beef up their Automatics until 2008. So Yes, the 6 speed tiptronic is better than the old 4speed O1M Disintegrator Transmissions but they are far from perfect.

[dnyed]

Well, we never had problems with ours.

[Bratgirl]

Tom is just an Automatic hater. I am sure there are LOTS of people that have not had any issues with their automatic transmissions. We just never hear about it cause most (including me) post here for help when they are having problems, not when everything is alright. When it's all good, we're out drivin' and grinnin' !
Buy the car! Have a blast driving it, and keep smiling.
Barb

[littlekelly]

Originally Posted by TankTank

Hi All,
I'm in the market to buy a new (used) car, and I fell in love with a 2005 NB convertible...Dark Flint Edition with 53k on it. I'm pretty much dead set on buying it, but I'm scared because I've seen so many people with so many issues. Can anyone give me some insight as to whether this is going to be a money pit or not? I know how to take care of cars and I don't have a problem with diligent maintenance, but I also can't afford to pay 6k for a new transmission if this goes and hear a lot of people telling me "I told you so".

Thanks in advance!!!!
Lizz

You could also consider buying an extended warranty. I had one for an additional 5 yrs. after the mfg. warranty expired. It paid for itself many times over and gave me peace of mind. My 98 had every problem in the book, I'm pretty sure it was one of those first model year lemons. As a matter of fact, the warranty paid out so much, they refused to allow me to renew it Do your research, though, you don't have to purchase the extended warranty from the dealer, I didn't. My car would have been long gone without that warranty

[TankTank]

Originally Posted by Bratgirl

Tom is just an Automatic hater. I am sure there are LOTS of people that have not had any issues with their automatic transmissions. We just never hear about it cause most (including me) post here for help when they are having problems, not when everything is alright. When it's all good, we're out drivin' and grinnin' !
Buy the car! Have a blast driving it, and keep smiling.
Barb

I was kind of thinking the same thing about the complaints. Most people don't go posting on the internet when they don't have any issues.



I'm working on the car loan now, can't wait to drive around in that awesome dark flint NB

[dnyed]

^^^^^^ Good call!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by TankTank

I was kind of thinking the same thing about the complaints. Most people don't go posting on the internet when they don't have any issues.



I'm working on the car loan now, can't wait to drive around in that awesome dark flint NB

Definitely get the extended Warranty that covers the transmission Also test drive it and take notice of any harsh shifts between 1-2 and 2-3 that's where it starts.
Other than that. WELCOME to the ORG Family! Enjoy the new Ride!
Newbie Welcome Kit!

[Bratgirl]

Originally Posted by TankTank

I was kind of thinking the same thing about the complaints. Most people don't go posting on the internet when they don't have any issues.



I'm working on the car loan now, can't wait to drive around in that awesome dark flint NB

YAY!! You'll be grinning from ear to ear.

[Bratgirl]

Originally Posted by dnyed

^^^^^^ Good call!

Okay, I have to tell on myself. I just barely figured out what your forum name is. I have been reading it as dYned, not dNyed. Musta been drunk this whole time...

[dnyed]

Originally Posted by Bratgirl

Okay, I have to tell on myself. I just barely figured out what your forum name is. I have been reading it as dYned, not dNyed. Musta been drunk this whole time...

Rhymes with "denied".....

[Smileybug]

Being a part of the VW community for over 6 years solid, and being very good friends with VW mechanics...yes, the autos really are junk. The tips aren't as bad as the 4 or 5 speed autos, but they still definitely have their problems. It really all stems from VW not giving any sort of fluid change interval and claiming that the fluid is "lifetime". Bull, its an oil and has a filter. The oil will break down and cause damage to the trans. Change the fluid regularly (every 40k is what VW recommends for the DSG and I think regular autos now). That is about the only thing you can really do to prolong the life of your transmission in an automatic.

The auto in our Honda...schedule was followed. First change at 90k. Around 140k, trans started showing problems so we changed the fluid. In 50k, it was already black, burnt, and had metal flakes in it. Gets worse every time we change the fluid and we're down to like 5-10k intervals now...once it starts to go, you can't stop it.

Moral of the story...if you have to have an auto, make sure its shifting good. And keep the fluid changed regularly.

[Bratgirl]

Originally Posted by dnyed

Rhymes with "denied".....

Yup, I finally got it....duh lol