Greetings From Long Island

[Big Paws]

Hello to all,

I am not a New Beetle owner yet but hope to be one soon. I have been bitten by the bug and the information on this board has been invaluable in my quest to find out as much as I can about these cars. In everyone's experience here, is there a particular year that I might want to avoid? Can I expect a long life with a Beetle that has over 100K miles? I am on a tight budget so I am trying to keep my cost under $6000. At that price level, I am seeing many 98's and 99's with over 100K miles. I know it all depends on how well the car was cared for, I was just looking for some thoughts from the experienced folks here. When looking at a pre-owned Beetle, is there anything in particular I should look out for? I had an opportunity at a 99 GLS with 65K for $5300, but after reading many disappointing user reviews online, I got cold feet. It seemed like a nice car, but it had a fuel filler door that wouldn't lock closed, a loose headlight, a broken passenger side door handle, and what seemed like a hatch that wouldn't unlock fully with the switch on the driver door. Are these common problems with these cars? Was I was being a bit too picky and are these small things I should have just overlooked? Thanks for any and all input.

Dean

[AmyJane]

Hey Dean!!
I can't really help you with the issues but I just wanted to say welcome from another Long Islander! I was born at St Charles in Port Jeff!
If this NB isnt the one for you its out there...Its a an older car so it's going to have some issues especially if it wasnt treated right by its previous owner. I have a 2002 and I love it!
I wouldn't say those are common problems but Im not familiar with the older models. Hopefully someone else will be able to help you with that!
Welcome again!
Amy

[FineExampl]

Dean, that 99 wasn't a good one. With that many problems VISIBLE you can imagine what problems are not visible.

100k means nothing if the car was maintained properly. I've seen VERY nice 2000s, 2001s, going for around $6-9k with normal driving mileage on them. In other words, figure about 20k per year. Mine's nearly 4 years old with only 34k on it.

Look around. Get the little magazine things at the supermarket and see what's out there. Go look at a bunch. Check the hood, the trunk, the tires, etc. Open everything up. Look for ANY kind of damage and try and figure out how it got that way. Test every function. Get the carfax report on it. (some of our users have unlimited access to carfax and might help you get a free report if you ask nicely)

Put it this way, if they really want to sell the car it should be able to sell itself. My car practically spoke to me. It arrived the day before i visited, almost as if it was delivered JUST for me. Coincidence that it had everything i envisioned?? Possibly.

And above all...DO NO SETTLE! Be patient!

better years?? 01-05s seem a safe bet. No major problems that can't be fixed. I drive an 2002.5 and only had minor warranty stuff go wrong. I've only paid the maintenance. Ever.

[slothfulchemist]

Hi Dean,
I am in the same situation as you. Though, I'm still in the money saving stages of my Beetle goals. Sorry I can't be helpful, however, I am interested in what everyone else's advice to you
I agree that Patience is key. You might try eBay too; I've seen some nice cars from individuals up for auction, though i'm not sure about the dealers on eBay.
Good Luck with your impending glorious acquisition.

[Papa Bug]

Hey Dean, Welcome to the Org.!! I have a '99 & I've had no major problems. Knock wood!!! I bought it from my Dad, so it was well maintained when I purchased it. Be patient & look around you bound to find the NB for you.

[Big Paws]

Thanks all for your feedback. I am in no rush and I will be patient. Does anyone have any experience purchasing a vehicle online?
Amy, what part of LI do you live now??

Dean

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by Big Paws

Thanks all for your feedback. I am in no rush and I will be patient. Does anyone have any experience purchasing a vehicle online?
Amy, what part of LI do you live now??

Dean

Holbrook

[WNAB911]

I live in Dix Hills - not too far from you, Some of things you mentioned are pretty typical. My car had a loose headlight too when I got it and all it was, was a clip that wasn't fastned, My fuel filler door wouldn't work with the remote, because the cable was stuck etc... Everything was a minor fix.

Look around some more for another car though, I paid $7k for my '98 last September and it only had 60K miles on it(from Huntington Honda). My brother paid $5,500 for his '99 with 65k (private sale out of Levittown). (If you are going through a dealer don't go to a VW dealer, buy one from another manufacturer, it will be cheaper.) You could also try the show at Englishtown this Sunday, there will probably be some cars for sale there.

Good luck!

[dnyed]

Well, I just want to say......



Welcome to the Org!

You have some good advice here. The right NB will actually "call out" to you. Trust me........

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by Big Paws

Thanks all for your feedback. I am in no rush and I will be patient. Does anyone have any experience purchasing a vehicle online?
Amy, what part of LI do you live now??

Dean

I was actually in Port this past weekend. Got some pizza at Anthony's and drove around for a while.
I've been wanting to do a PJ gtg. Get that NB and we can all meet up with ya there!!

[Big Paws]

Thanks again all for the advice. I did notice that the VW dealer prices are really high, I would prefer to go private.

Would love to do a Beetle gtg down port someday. If you ever see a guy down port walking with a St Bernard and a Newfoundland, that's me. I am down there a lot in the summertime. Won't be able to carry those 2 big boys in the Beetle though.
BTW Amy, I work in Bohemia, just around the corner from you.

[from Margaritaville...]

I could imagine you in your New Beetle with the back seat down and your two St. Bernards looking over your right shoulder with long strings of drool coursing down your right sleeve and them french-kissing your ear while driving down the expressway at speed...nice...

[Big Paws]

Originally Posted by Alan Margosian

I could imagine you in your New Beetle with the back seat down and your two St. Bernards looking over your right shoulder with long strings of drool coursing down your right sleeve and them french-kissing your ear while driving down the expressway at speed...nice...

That's hysterical, I might try it someday!

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by Big Paws

Thanks again all for the advice. I did notice that the VW dealer prices are really high, I would prefer to go private.

Would love to do a Beetle gtg down port someday. If you ever see a guy down port walking with a St Bernard and a Newfoundland, that's me. I am down there a lot in the summertime. Won't be able to carry those 2 big boys in the Beetle though.
BTW Amy, I work in Bohemia, just around the corner from you.

I'm sure I've seen ya! I usually walk my toy fox terrier down there!

[SeeMKay]

Everyone else has.........
Welcome Dean!

You are in GREAT company with the people that have welcomed you already!

See everyone above!

[captbp]

Welcome Dean, you will not go wrong following the advice of everyone who has posted. They're a great group with a lot of experience behind them

Bob

[Big Paws]

Hey Gang,
I am going to look at this car tomorrow. It has 90K on it and the woman is asking $5000. If I ask nicely as was suggested in this forum, could one of you fine people who have unlimited access to carfax get me the scoop on it? If not, that's cool too.

3VWDD21C21M421353

Thanks, and I promise not to make a habit of it.

Dean

[WNAB911]

I don't have carfax, but good luck!!! Maybe I will bring my Puggle down to PJ....If you promise not to let your dogs eat him!!!!

[Woodstock]

I used Autotraderdotcom and carsdotcom to look at Beetles. I found mine on Long Island,actually last year. 2003 at a GREAT price, still under the original warranty (orig sold in early 2004). It think it was a bargain because it was standard and yellow-- lots of traffic on LI-so some prefer auto for that, and many men do not like the yellow color-- and many younger (and older) women do not drive the standand shift (ME, I prefer it)

Good luck on your quest for a New Beetle!

[Merts2001]

Just to let you know, my 2001 that I'm picking up Monday was bought online. It was listed on eBay and was a dealer. I read the feedback which was all good, plus when I looked at other things they had listed, I noticed it was all high end vehicles, i.e., Mercedes, Audi, etc. - so I thought that was a good sign too. Anyway, I called the guy and made him an offer on the phone and told him to look at it like I was walking on the lot and guess what - he took it!!!! I had researched it on www.Edmunds.com and feel like I made a pretty good deal. Do your research as far as price and options on the vehicle and then you'll at least know if you are in the price range for the mileage, condition, etc. So far I've sold 2 vehicles online and bought 5 online, and all have worked out well. Doing your homework is the key!!!!! Good luck.