Faults:

2002: One assembly defect was found a week after purchase. The rear window defogger had a bad ground. Cost: $0, it was under warranty.

General Comments:

The impressive parts about this car are its retro-style, and the high level of fit and finish.

First impressions was that the car was built very well, and precise. The problem with high tolerance design is that it requires more maintenance.

The car handles crisply and exact with a good center feel. It has very little pitch in the turns and gives a feeling of confidence. The lightweight engine and wide wheelbase gives the car decent weight distribution.

The manual five speed shifts smoothly with good weight behind the throw.

The interior is very comfortable for the front two passengers. Head room is excellent for tall people. The seats are very firm and supportive, especially for long trips.

Visibility takes time to get use to because the dash board is like sitting at a giant table.

Maintenance on the beetle is difficult. The layout under the hood is hardly form follows function. For a simple oil change, plan to spend the entire afternoon removing several panels and dodging radiator and condenser hoses to get to the oil filter. Good thing the oil change interval is at 10,000 miles when using synthetic oil.

This car is fun to drive and a pleasure to own. It will take extra maintenance for the German car, but it is well worth it, if one is a fan of European cars.

Faults:

Someone read-ended me on the freeway a month after I got it. It took the 25 MPH accident very well, it just needed a new bumper, plastic bumper cover, and rear tow hook cover; costing $1500.00.

I took the car to Jiffy Lube at 4500 miles like the manual recommended, it burned about 1 quart after 3000 miles (I think Jiffy Lube screwed me), VWoA said that it was normal for all 2.0i's.

General Comments:

The 2.0i is a little sluggish in its stock state. I installed a Neuspeed P-Flow ($260) and a Neuspeed ECU P-Chip ($200). I like the look of the new European models, so I installed the front euro markers ($60), and euro emblems ($70).

I took delivery of the car with the Monsoon sound system upgrade ($400), which is a excellent upgrade from the stock system. The Monsoon systems has a 200w amp, and 8 speakers over the stock 6, but still no CD changer which I hear will come out later in 2002. Another package I ordered was the Luxury Package, containing black Leather seating surfaces, 16 inch alloy wheels, and a moon roof. As far as audio upgrades, I installed a Sony XM satellite radio, which is awesome!