2003 Volkswagen Beetle GLS from North America - Comments

The first thing that went wrong was on the second day I owned it, the fuel injectors went out and they fixed it. When I got the car back there was a loud tapping noise and they now pass that off as me having a louder diesel than most. Now when I go to pop the trunk using the switch on the door it does nothing, but the remote works. Have yet to tell them about that problem.

Now the newest problem is the rear cup holder, it refuses to pop out, it seems to be stuck.

This car handles very well and is super comfortable. Too many problems for a car that I have not even had in my driveway a month.

It's a typical story with the Mexican (or any non-german built VW's), they do seem to be a load of junk! Just look at all the reviews for the Jetta, talk about unsatisfied customers!

I also have a Beetle convertable as well as a Jetta GLI. I think they are both fantastic cars. Sounds like you are experiencing what most people who rush through the process experence, problems. when buying a car, be it a VW, Audi, BWM, ect. test drive the car one day. come back the next day after the numbers have been worked out and then test drive the car again.

This will ensure that you will get the car you want instead of going on the lot, saying "I don't need to test drive" and working the numbers. too many people focus on the price of their vehicles instead of the performance.

Regardless of what you do, the car is made in Mexico, that should explain it all. My dad had an old 1975 Beetle which went on forever, as long as it had oil and fuel it would never stop. Four teenagers in the family learnt to drive in that car, and boy I could tell you the abuse this car got was incredible. When we finally had it towed away to the junk yard, the clock read 298,000 miles. It's a real shame that no manufactures these days can make cars that are reliable.

You know, I have to say, I have a 2003 Beetle GLS TDI that I bought as a certified used car, strictly for the diesel motor and the condition of the car (I wanted a TDI, but had no intention of selecting a Beetle!), and for nearly 50,000 miles it has been dead reliable. I took a gamble, and I am so far on the upside. I even have the dreaded, notorious 4 speed automatic (01M), that all allegedly blow up starting around 100K miles, and that has been very decent too.

I don't think you can make this sweeping indictment of Mexican made VWs. My brother has the 06 Jetta TDI, and that has been very reliable so far. There are many, many happy Beetle and Jetta TDI owners, and those are all Mexican made except for the Jetta wagon. I think one guy said it best. He said he has "owned and driven "vdubs" since 1970, and they are either set up right or they're not; there's no in between!!" When they're good, they're almost unbeatable.

When they're bad... whew, boy! They're bad!