Hey all,

The girlfriend is planning on upgrading from her Ford Ka in January. She has her heart set on a 00-02 Beetle.

She doesnt do much mileage mainly around the city and plans to spend max of 6200 euro (£5,600), so just seeing if anyone on here has one and any opinions on them, or faults to look for.

It will either be a 1.6 or 2 litre, im telling her to get a 1.6 for cheaper insurance and tax and she is moving from a 1.3 so power isnt really an issue.

Any information would be much appreciated,

Thanks

Brendan

I believe (and possibly wrongly) that the 2.0l in the Bettle could have some real problems.

Other than that, I dunno much about them, except for them being on a Golf platform.

Personally, I would spend the money on a Golf or simular, that sorta money would get you a great mark IV, and maybe a tatty example of a mark V.

Ya ive looked on a few websites and there based on the Golf IV chassis, havent found many issues as of yet.

To be honest ive tried to tell her that shed be better getting a golf or the likes but shes set on the beetle, as impracticable as it is ha ha.

Im just looking into it to see if i can find any issues that might change her mind.

a mate has an 02 "Herbie" special edition, other than general servicing and a set of rear pads, and iirc a coolant temp sensor, it has been pretty reliable

The 2.0 8v can develop a thirst for oil, but it's not a bad old lump, really.

I thought the 2.0 litre was very thirsty and underpowered compared to what you would expect for a 2.0litre engine. I'd have thought the 1.9 diesel would be the one to go for, although I accept it may command higher prices.

If she's set on one, and isn't bothered about pace, go for the 1.6.

A Golf in a frock, but if that's what she wants...

Steve

Glad you said it is your girlfriend who's looking for one :wonder:

I've got to agree with Steve's comments above about the 1.6 - I had one as a courtesy car once and it was as flat as a fart as far as pick up is concerned :no:

It's a fairly hefty lump, all things concerned. I mean the Mk4's not exactly featherweight, and then they've added all the frock

If I were doing it, I'd have a 1.8T and it would be a proper sleeper - nobody suspects the Spanish Inquisition and all that! Or a mapped PD130 but don't know how common the diesel is in them.

Steve

Wife had a 1.6 Beetle on an '02 plate, and while it was solid as a rock, I found the 1.6 lacking in power, mainly due to the fact the car is HEAVY! It was fine around town and not bad on motorways, and no major faults ever developed in the 4 years we had it (it was a second hand buy), but I always thought it could have used a more powerful engine due to the weight of the car. It was involved in a couple of scrapes and have to say I was impressed with the build quality. While the other car's front end was destroyed, the beetle survived with barely a scratch. On the whole I really liked the car, even if I DID have to hide the flower when I drove it.

It's a complete constable to park too, since the dashboard is about 4 meters long!

20vT would be my idea, too.. or an RSi...

Infact... to Autotrader!

I want: http://pistonheads.com/SALES/1320670.htm

That.... is a very nice motor vehicle!

cough, £18k cough, mind they were silly money when they came out, still a lot for a Golf in a fur coat

Holy cow!

I'll revise my reaction though, that it would be nice at half that cost. Appreciate it's a limited run and a bit special and all, but not 18k special, ye Gods!

Cheers for all the replies, was looking on a few Irish sites so come January ill head upto Dublin

and testdrive a 1.6 and a 2.0, the only thing pushing me to the 1.6 is the lower tax and insurance

and she has a 1.3 so the 1.6 mighnt be too bad, ill have to wait and see.

Brimma you saw right through me, damm it

Babs: That is unreal, but if she got that, i might get jealous and for that money id tell her get a vrs.

I know what you mean SkoDave I drive her Ka the odd time and theres a big pink butterfly on the back, so put my hat on.

Have a read of the www.evvo.co.uk website, loads of info about Newbees. I've heard the 2.0 is thirty and slow, best get 1.8T to be sure

You could attend meets and call it a Beetle Drive

- they were the last car VW had produced for homologation purposes, and the first since the Golf Rallye. So it's a fairly limited run! I would gladly have one!

£30k+ new!

Edited 9 December, 200916 yr by Babs

Cheers Tim looks like a very useful site.

30k, i could think of alot better cars to spend that kind of money on, would you be well