2000 Volkswagen Beetle GL review from North America

Gas door won't open when closed or close if you get it open.

Electric window switches replaced and replacement switch lasted 3 months.

Drivers door lock does not work.

Passenger side door must be unlocked by key fob.

Spoiler does not work automatically at all.

Water pump impeller exploded at less that 55000 miles.

Cannot keep head/taillights in this car and they are an incredible pain to replace.

Black seats are faded to gray and stain at the slightest provocation.

Brake light switch replaced twice, once under recall, once on my dime, second time it left us stranded in a parking lot because the car would not come out of park without the electrical system recognizing that the brakes were applied.

Smog pump went out at less than 40000 miles and costs $800, only needed in California so we did not replace it, as a result the check engine light stays on all of the time.

This car has more minor electrical glitches and oddities than it is possible to mention for example:

I changed the battery recently and afterwards could not start the car without the alarm going off, had to open the back hatch (with the key, the electric switch for it doesn't work either) with the drivers door open, then get in and close the drivers door and start the car to turn off the alarm, I suppose the logic in that was lost in translation from German to English.

My wife's dream car has been my nightmare for 5 years, but in its defense, if the car is running it is a hoot to drive, quick, responsive, handles well (except in the wind). I just wish that VW had spent a little more time on the details, and not been so concerned with flower vases on the dash, it is embarrassing to drive this thing on my frequent visits to Autozone!