Possible New Beetle Owner

[allisonlawrence]

I'm thinking of purchasing a new beetle and have a few concerns. There is a 2005 convertible with 30,000 miles, at a decent price and a 2008 beetle, hard top, also priced reasonably, with the same amount of miles. I recently read on some posts concerning beetles and transmission problems esp 1998-2005. Does anyone know if VW made improvements to their transmissions after 2005 and the newer models seem to be more reliable? Would you recommend buying a 2005 beetle, with the same miles as the 2008, or are there too many problems?

[antonym]

I would go for the hardtop 2008. Newer with less moving parts to give trouble (no convertible top ). And it probably has the 2.5 engine which is a very good engine. Not to mention the dsg transmission which is a vast improvement over the regular automatic transmission.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

You're either a Vert person, or your not, and I'm guessing your not, or you would not be posing this question. I bought an '05, 6spd Tip AT, Vert last year with abt 40k miles, without concern, because I am, AND it WAS low mileage. And specifically this model, because I was after the Dark Flint S.E. (only made in '05 and only with the 6spd Tip tranny) You'll note in my sig that I own three! Also, by '05, the third year of the Vert production, most of the "bugs" were worked out. Btw, I love driving the Tip tranny, both using the "S" function and the manual shift function, just wish this SE had been available as a NBCT!

As noted above, if your on a tight budget, the hatchback may be the better choice, but then if your on a tight budget, you should be thinking Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai, and not NB!

MORAV

[allisonlawrence]

Thanks guys! I've never had a convertible, so I don't know if I would really enjoy it or not. Are there problems with the tops leaking and what about being on the hwy with the road noise (with the top up)? I'm more converned about the transmission than anything else...

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by allisonlawrence

Thanks guys! I've never had a convertible, so I don't know if I would really enjoy it or not. Are there problems with the tops leaking and what about being on the hwy with the road noise (with the top up)? I'm more converned about the transmission than anything else...

Fact:

The best days you own a convertible are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

The hydraulic system, or the wings (05, should have wings) that cover the "gaping hole" where the top hardware rests failing/breaking, the top eventually coming apart and leaking...

It's going to leak, some day. It's going to break, some day.

I'd vote a hard top. It takes far more love to own a convertible.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by allisonlawrence

Thanks guys! I've never had a convertible, so I don't know if I would really enjoy it or not. Are there problems with the tops leaking and what about being on the hwy with the road noise (with the top up)? I'm more converned about the transmission than anything else...

Todays verts have excellent tops, they seal well, and are well insulated for both sound and temperature (while I'm showing Houston as my location, I also have a home up North, so yes, I am familiar with verts and cold weather).

A convertible top does require different detailing. You clean it good and seal it with a sealer, esp the cloth type that VW and others use. RaggTopp Cleaner & RaggTopp Dressing. Time wise, no different than washing and waxing. And yes, they are mechanical so there are parts that can fail or need maintenace. A small price for the feeling.

If you have never driven a convertible, maybe rent one for a weekend, anything. Many ppl who drive them, would not have anything else. Myself for one. Why buy a hardtop when you can have a convertible, and have the choice on a daily or hourly basis? I have owned many, many verts over the years, and have never had any substantial, related costs.

The tranny thing has to be your call (my take - it's a crap shoot, but not a concern until 60k or 70k or more miles); the NBC is available in a stick, and in a turbo. And if you have never driven a stick or a turbo, you need to experience that also before you buy. If you've never driven a stick, as many younger ppl today haven't, no biggie, it's easy.

Don't make the mistake of falling in love with and buying the first one that comes along. Like a bus, wait a few minutes and another will be along. A car is a substantial investment, worthy of your time, effort, and due diligence. Even my '05 SE, which I jumped on after a year of searching, because of the low mileage, may have been a mistake, as the seats ended up showing some sun damage not apparent in the pictures, and another with 10k less miles came available two weeks later. With the web, and the many sales venues available, thankfully, we are not subject to having to buy only what is available in our neighborhood or local dealerships.

You might also ask the opinion here, of the pricing, as many of us keep up with values, and what they are bringing around the country. We'll also help you find a specific model/color/equipment.

Good luck, keep us posted!

Edit: Foxie's post wasn't there when I started my post, but I disagree, the best days are when you buy it, every beautiful day the top is down, and the final day you own it when you trade up for a newer and/or different model of convertible. I don't buy these types of cars to drive forever, like I do my heavy duty GM vehicles.

M.

[allisonlawrence]

I'm so torn! Which is the better engine option...the 2.0 or the 2.5?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

They are both proven engines, I'll have to look at the service schedule on the 2.5 to compare regular service costs. And I don't know, but I assume the plastic impellers in the water pump issue was addressed and deleted in the 2.5. Maybe someone can help on this one. I also don't know how the mpg compare, but you can look that up with Google.

M.

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

Fact:

The best days you own a convertible are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

FACT: The above post is not a FACT

Everyday you're above ground and able to drive the vert w/ the top down is a "best" day.

Heck, today, I went to Dunkies, the drive thru cashier punched the person handing her my coffee. Then I had this nice old lady come up to my car while I was sitting in a parking lot and said "Enjoy your beautiful car, I certainly enjoyed seeing it"

[antonym]

Get the 2.5 engine .. the dsg transmission is a plus too!

And on top of that it is not a convertible and you don't seem to care much about convertibles ... that's ok... they are not for everyone ... I don't care much for them either.

[Smileybug]

The 2.5L also has a timing chain instead of a belt. Work still needs to be done to keep it in good shape, but you don't have to worry about a rubber belt flying apart.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

FACT: The above post is not a FACT

Everyday you're above ground and able to drive the vert w/ the top down is a "best" day.

Heck, today, I went to Dunkies, the drive thru cashier punched the person handing her my coffee. Then I had this nice old lady come up to my car while I was sitting in a parking lot and said "Enjoy your beautiful car, I certainly enjoyed seeing it"

SHE let you drive HER vert? What's up with that? She's gonna be wantin' some 'in!

Originally Posted by Smileybug

The 2.5L also has a timing chain instead of a belt. Work still needs to be done to keep it in good shape, but you don't have to worry about a rubber belt flying apart.

A timing chain? What a novel and unique idea! Wonder who dreamed that up?

Originally Posted by antonym

Get the 2.5 engine .. the dsg transmission is a plus too!

And on top of that it is not a convertible and you don't seem to care much about convertibles ... that's ok... they are not for everyone ... I don't care much for them either.

Okay antonym, not for argument, but now I'm totally confused. The DSG 6spd automatic "Tiptronic" transmission was introduced as a running change in the '04. Isn't this the 6spd that is subject of the extended warranty, all the crying, etc, etc? Or is it a different 6spd Tip that was only coupled with the diesel in the TDI?

[antonym]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Okay antonym, not for argument, but now I'm totally confused. The DSG 6spd automatic "Tiptronic" transmission was introduced as a running change in the '04. Isn't this the 6spd that is subject of the extended warranty, all the crying, etc, etc? Or is it a different 6spd Tip that was only coupled with the diesel in the TDI?

... all I know is the 2.5 engine is better, and THAT car ALSO has the DSG. No argument necessary. I was never really good at those anyway ...

..edit. Don't be so easily confused ... some of us may take it personal

[TRANCEBOY]

i hear a lot of talk about the 2.5 engine

what years came with that//


i also heard that the 98 to 2002 where bad, do to transmission
sorry if i jumped in here and the question was answered but
im not very technical.

please lighten the myth.


is it true the 98 to 2002 are bad ?

i want to have an automatic what years where good ?

im looking to spend about 4500 and only want it as a weekend car.

what milage is to much ? and what should i look for when buying an older and used car like this ?

[kcfoxie]

You're going to want a DSG based car which basically is going to a 2005 or later, in 2006 all the cars got the DSG and the 2.0L and 1.8T went away there was only the TDI (last year for it) and the 2.5L which saw the Beetle though the rest of its production run to 2011.

You're likely not going to find one for less than $7000, and even then, that's a good deal.

Get a manual. DSGs need $300-$400 fluid changes every 40,000 miles and will fall apart if they do not get this, so buying used you want receipts for this work being done. That said I've seen some with nearly 180k and are still going, but many early models may need a Flywheel replacement (expensive, $2k I think job).

Again, get a manual. Automatics are only for people with money to burn, in my very humbled opinion.