2000 Volkswagen Beetle GLS review from North America

The brakes were bad when I purchased this used car. This cost my over $400 at the dealer.

The trunk release does not always open. This is very annoying.

The CD player does not work. I also inserted a tape into the tape player, only to have it eat my tape!

The car uses oil. I noticed this around 45,000 miles when I took it in for an oil change and there was no oil touching the dipstick.

The horn quit working around 40,000 miles. After hearing about how VW dealership rips you off, and as a lesson learned from my $400 brake job, I took the car to an "independent" garage that specializes in VW repair, and had the horn replaced - parts and labor, for $50.

It is also impossible to change the tail lights without some special tool that VW has. Luckily, the "independent" garage replaced it for $5.00.

I replaced the power window switch, twice. Once at 37,000 miles and again at 60,000.

The exterior paint is chipping.

The interior trim on the door handles is flaking off.

This car is fun to drive and hugs the road in curves. I really love the way it handles, but unfortunately all of the annoying problems have made me decide to sell this car.

I cannot believe that VW is allowed to get away with these lemons. Someone should investigate their dealer/service practices! What does it take to have a recall for these recurring problems that almost every Beetle owner seems to have?

This will be the first and last VW that I own. I am going back to a reliable, worry-free Honda!