I purchased the Beetle late Fall 2002 from a Ford Dealer who bought it at an auction. It was originally leased for two years by the previous owner. (Smart lady, she turned it in) In late Spring, six months later, the car had trouble starting. Would start and stall over and over, but not when I took it to the mechanic. He said they have a history of grounding problems and the problem should get worse, which will allow it to happen for him, when it is in the shop. I can drive the car for 1/2 hour and park it, return 15 minutes later and it won't start. At first it would stall 2-3 times. The record is starting and stalling or cranking and not starting for 12 times in a row. But this is intermittent still, and won't do it for the mechanic. I am frustrated because I've had it in the shop a half a dozen times after it has stalled and it won't do it upon inspection. (Of course!) There is no Specific Answer on what is causing it, THANK GOD I bought an extended warranty from the Ford Dealer, much to their dismay... After reading all these problems, I will NEVER buy a VW or "preowned" car again. I did some research and contacted the original VW dealer that did the warranty work on this car. Sure enough, it had warranty work on the Sunroof, CD changer, rear trunk lock and a starting problem, where they replaced a "cluster". All in the first six months of ownership. Too bad the lemon law doesn't apply to purchasing used cars-shame on you VW!
Electrical problems.
Grounding problems.
If you buy a used one, buy the extended warranty, you're going to need it!
Despite all this, it IS fun to drive and it's cute. But I can't say it is worth it.
I have had the same problems with the used 2000 Beetle I bought. I thought the low mileage on it was a plus, but the previous owner must've had been having similar problems to have sold it so quickly. I bought an extended warranty as well, but had to keep paying a "deductible" charge every time I took it in -- which was too often. It has been a nightmare of a car. The dealership bought the car back from me, but I still had to pay $1000 out of pocket to get rid of the loan. What a pain. I will never buy another Volkswagen again and I warn everyone who plans to. After seeing first hand my problems, no one in my company is every buying a Volkswagen.
I purchased a certified pre-owned 2000 Beetle with about 37000 miles on it. It has had intermittent starting problems. So far they have replaced the alternator and we had to pay to replace the battery. You never know if it will start. It does not exhibit the problem at the dealer. By the time you call the tow truck it may have decided to start. I am trying gather as much info to figure out what to do with the car. Any suggestions?
Cam positioning Sensor... Costs $65.00 and is the issue with beetles not starting. Located in the front of the motor by the oil filter. Goes bad due to the high heat situation caused by the enclosed front end and motor tray.
I bought a used 2000 Yellow GLS Beetle with 65,000mi on it and it runs great. I have not encountered any problems and it runs really smooth. I usually drive it pretty hard and I go pretty fast on the freeway (~80mph). From all the comments I've read, I just hope it keeps running well.
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