2003 Volkswagen Beetle review from North America

This is a convertible and it is the 12th Volkswagen that I have owned over the years. Problems began soon after I bought the car. The top had problems going up and down and the little flaps for the convertible would not go up and down.

The front driver's window also was a big problem. It kept sliding and we never got any notice about a recall. One day, it shattered all over my husband when he shut the door. The dealer hauled it to the shop and kept it for six weeks while waiting for a part that had not been manufactured.

The airbag light has been on eight times. It's on now, in fact. And various other lights go on and off.

Most of those items were handled under warranty.

But the big one to come - the transmission - is not covered under warranty. The transmission has always been a little rough, but now the dealer says I need to spend $8,000 to $10,000 to fix it. I tried to get help from Volkswagen since the car is so new, but they turned me down. I am now getting rid of car and spending that atrocious amount on a new car, something more reliable. It's a shame, because I really loved my car.

I think that after 12 Volkswagens, I have finally learned my lesson: Stay away from VWs!

I did buy the car in 2002, but I changed it to 2003 on your survey because this e-mail wouldn't go through unless I did. I bought it in December 2002, and I think it was the first new Beetle Convertible to come off the assembly line.