1999 Volkswagen Beetle GLS Inline 4 from North America

Summary:

It's a cute, generally efficient car with great mileage, so I'm happy with it :)

Faults:

Random, small things tend to go wrong, but it's more annoying than it is a big problem. And I feel like I have to floor it to get it to go very fast at all.

General Comments:

I don't know a lot about cars, so I can't really sit here and criticize or praise it. But overall, I haven't had any real problems with it, and in my opinion, it's adorable. I love it.

I like small cars, so this has been a great choice for me. I was only going to keep it for a year, but I think now I'm going to keep it for a lot longer. :)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st August, 2009

2nd Aug 2009, 20:04

I had a 2000 VW Beetle for 6 years. My dad thinks I ran my car into the ground. I admit I did drive far and hard at times. But!!!... This car started off with the interior (ceiling and doors) falling apart or pealing off. Then the AC went out. Then the front axle just decided to pop out and the brakes sucked. The transmission which is supposed to be a lifetime supply of fluid in there. NOPE!! You can't keep track of anything that you need to see in the car. Also oil leaks and changes very frequently. I live, work and play all within 10 minutes of each other, once I moved back to Florida. I lived in California for 2 months when I first got the car then drove it across country and that was the most driving I did.

I know someone else who had the same car and she had the same problems I did. She was a 55 year old woman who doesn't do any traveling. Same problems from A to Z, bad car.

I wish you the best. But I will never buy a VW again. Funny story... I got an Audi to replace the VW.. LOL. That has been in the shop for a month now. I recommend American or a more reliable (engine) car.

1999 Volkswagen Beetle from North America

Summary:

This car is deceiving; it looks adorable, so you purchase.. then it turns into your worst nightmare

Faults:

I have had this car for less than 2 months. Here are a list of things that have gone wrong.

Week 1: Drove fine, looked cute.. I was happy.

Week 2: BOTH CV axles went out, loud crunching sound when I turned corners. broke down on the freeway. Towed. 4 Days without my NEW car. Expensive Volkswagen parts. $500.

Week 3: The day I got my car back.. broke down. Towed it. Transmission was destroyed, not repairable. Replaced transmission... $2,000. Without my car for 1 week.

Week 4: Day 2 of having my car back, on the way to work.. it overheats. Had to tow it once again. Had to replace the water pump. SHATTERED. The fans weren't even working the entire time I had it. Timing belt had to be replaced, expected. Then.. The sensor in the car was completely dead. That also had to be replaced to make the fans work.. among other things. Several hundred dollars.

Week 5: a few days ago.. Driving to work, broke down again, wouldn't go into reverse or 1st gear, but, if I put the car in reverse... it would go into first gear. Does this make sense? 2nd and 3rd gear worked fine. And the clutch worked, and was determined not to be the issue.

General Comments:

I hate, no, LOATHE my beetle. Poor German engineering. I'm selling my car. Thousands and thousands of dollars later and I'm buying a Honda. Do yourself a favor and don't purchase this car.

Nothing but negative things to say about beetles from the mechanics that worked on my car. I also read a lot more on this car recently, and I've never seen so many horrifying reviews, all saying the same thing "It's so pretty, but it just looks pretty sitting in my garage.. because it doesn't drive". Also, several reports of dashboard fires because of electrical shorts on auto reviews.. If you have one, get yourself and extinguisher and roadside assistance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st July, 2009