Updated December 31, 2009, 6:10 pm

Updated December 30, 2009, 6:10 pm

What are some cute names for a white Volkswagen bug?

Question 1
What are some cute names for a white Volkswagen bug?...  For christmas i got an amazing 07' Volkswagen bug, white with a black convertible top. I need cute names for it. And please no stupid answers thanks! :)

Answers
1)   Lemon. - p3200tmz

2)   use the name the truckers call them on the cb. a pregnant roller skate. - bandit_60

3)   Ringo - Tr T

4)   Coconut - Sugar Pie

5)   PANDA - mchaz60

6)   A white bug - has to be Spud - Bob S

7)   Schneeball (German for snowball) - uthockey32

8)   snitzy box- - lar


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Question 2
VW Golf Tdi, what is the meaning of the letters being red....?...  the (i) meant just be red or the (d and the i) meant be red or the whole (tdi) meant be red....

Answers
1)   Nothing is meant by it. They just did it for cosmetics.

Just like there's really no point in putting "TDI" on the car anyway. It's not like advertising that to anyone does any good or anything. - Vipassana

2)   Differing power output. More red = greater bhp. - Bazza

3)   Tdi (Turbo diesel injection). The colour of the letters is purely cosmetic. - kawasboy

4)   Take note of kawasboy - HARRY H

5)   Well, it depends on where you are. In the US, it's cosmetic.

In Europe it can mean differing power levels. All silver is generally the bottom, then it steps up another letter for each letter.

Example, the first PDs were 90hp (all silver), 110hp (Red I), 130hp (Red DI), and 150hp (all Red).

Also, it's Turbocharged Direct Injection, not Diesel Injection. - Richard R


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Question 3
My air bag warning light is on and i don't why?...  My air bag warning light is on in my 2002 Volkswagen GTI i had it checked out and the air bag is fine but the light wont turn off whats could be wrong? Could it be a short?

Answers
1)   Well if you checked it out, then it must be a light problem. You can check out the manual to see if you can turn it off. Did you get it checked by a professional? You should if you haven't.

I thought my air bag light was on once, but it was a light just indicating that the air bag is functioning properly. - Andyy

2)   I would pull the air bag fuse out and bring it directly to a "dealer" not a gas station mechanic. you dont wanna be riding down the road then all of a sudden POP!!! face full of air bag!! - James

3)   VW's airbag light turning on can mean that there is either a problem with the system or that it is time to have your airbag system checked by a certified VW mechanic. In my 97 jetta that light came on a few years ago. I took it to a certified mechanic, and he told me that every so many years the light will automatically come on to remind the driver to have it serviced. - tweek639

4)   Whoever checked it out "didn't" Otherwise they would have fixed the light issue. Take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing.

Yeah, that is a piss off. But you get to find out who knows what about what (fixing it in the process) and who just blows hot air. - Xavwieztsky

5)   Go to Autozone or some other place that can reset check-engine lights and airbag lights for free. Reset it and see whether it comes back. If you had a mechanic check it, tell him you want him ot reset the light.

Go to www.vwvortex.com forums and look at the VAG-Com directory. They have a list of people who have a VAG-Com computer that can be used to reset VW specific lights, interprate the codes, etc. Just fixed my airbag last week with my VAG-com's help. - BH


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Question 4
Is it difficult to put new thermostat on 03 VW Jetta? where do you find thermostat?...  Dealer wants $400 to put thermostat on daughters 03 VW Jetta. My husband is pretty handy if he can find out how to get to the thermostat himself. Is the thermostat hard to get to and change for someone who is not a mechanic? How does he find thermostat? (He can do basic things on cars and keeps ours up for the most part.) If a mechanic needs to do this how much should we expect to pay?

Answers
1)   http://answers.edmunds.com/question-Do-picture-2003-VW-Jetta-2-0-engine-thermostat-engine-23412.aspx - noogitlvr

2)   No its not difficult if you or your husband is semi-handy with basic tools and has about 30 mins to spend. Go to your local autoparts store like Napa or Autozone and order on from the parts counter. If they have one on stock, ask if one of the clerks can show you real quick about where it is located on your car and how to get it replaced. Most clerks at an autoparts store are shadetree mechanics and will be more than willing and helpful in their advice. The part shouldn't cost too much and you'll save a bundle on labor. - CPT DB

3)   autorepair.about.com/libraryimages/bl651lib.htm
will give him a diagram ,he should fit it in less than an hour--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Take off your V-belt, and serpentine belt( If you dont know how to do this, dont try to do thermostat.
2. Drain coolant by removing hose connected to thermostat housing on the underside of the water pump.
3. Loosen power steering pump bolts so you can move it out of the way.
4. Remove two bolts holding the thermostat housing onto the water pump and pull housing off. You should now see the thermostat.
5. Pull the thermostat and o-ring out of the water pump.

Installation is reverse of removal.
__________________ - John 21350

4)   You have to take the timing belt off on that car. It's not any easy job the labor is over 3 hours. You can get it done at an independent VW shop for less but I would have someone do it as getting the timing set back on that car is critical. If you miss be just a little you can bend valves at that will cost way more. - uthockey32


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Question 5
Can a Vw Bug fly/glide if going too fast?...  A friend and I are betting that a VW bug/beetle can/can't take off if going too fast. I say that it can leave the ground and glide if it's got the speed or the conditions are right because of the light weight. What does Yahoo have to say about this?

Answers
1)   That you are off your rocker! - COLIN T

2)   yeah ur wrong it cant - Emma

3)   ive seen them leave the ground before. but because they had wheelie bars they didnt take off. of course im talking about a 2400cc super-turbo charged bug pushing 450hp. in normal conditions even with a gallon of gas in the tank making the front end light and loose....not gonna happen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMs5cEzpDoI - Air-Cooled

4)   If you are referring to how the earlier Chevy Carvery used to flip over at higher speeds, no this wont happen in a VW bug. I had a sleeper that would cruz the freeway at about 90, never had a problem with instability and never had my car leave the ground. - dewhatulike


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My 98 Jetta stutters and has trouble starting. Thick white exhaust smoke...?

Question 1
My 98 Jetta stutters and has trouble starting. Thick white exhaust smoke...?...  About 2000 miles ago I was told I would need to get a new catalytic converter, I was only getting noise and some vibration so I decided to wait. Now I am getting some stuttering and loss of power and my check engine light has come on. The car had been sitting for 4 days and when I went to start it took a bit of effort. I got it down the road and then it stalled, almost failing to turnover again, and blowing thick white smoke out the tailpipe. Could this be a new issue or does it seem like its just time for the converter?

Answers
1)   Hmm. It could be the converter as well as other engine trouble. The catalytic converter if not serviced in a timely fashion could cause engine damage. Better tow it to a reliable and honest mechanic and see what they think. - zekemilli4

2)   You can go to most auto parts stores or even a WV dealership to check what codes you're throwing for free (assuming you can get there), then you can be more specific about the CEL you're throwing. You should check out http://forums.vwvortex.com, everyone there is going to be a lot more helpful than people making assumptions here - liqdseoul

3)   a bad exhaust is not good at all, if you dont have propper back pressure you WILL burn up your valves, crown your pistons or destroy your piston rings and cylinder. Hentz breaking your head gasket and making the white smoke. If it was hard to start also tells me that as it sat the 4 days antifreeze was leaking into the cylinder causing the hard start and white smoke.


Just my thought, Hope it helps - James

4)   It's not the converter. Sounds like you blew a head gasket. When water gets into the combustion chamber it comes out as white smoke, oil will look blue. But since it was hard to start I think it's your head gasket causing low compression which makes it hard for the car to start. The converter does not have anything in it that would burn and cause smoke. - uthockey32

5)   The noise(rattling in the exhaust as though something is loose) is the converter(broken apart inside) It is time for replacement. It could be a second issue totally unrelated to the cat. Blown(leaking) head gasket is possible. as you are seeing steam come out of the tailpipe as the coolant boils away. This is more a mechanic got to look at it thing(they have a "sniffer" to see if there is exhaust in your coolant(which there should not be)
The "cat" just rattles when it is worn out and makes your car sound like a piece of junk. At this point, it is no longer doing its function as "it is broken"...as its function was to reduce the CO released into the atmosphere. Got nothing to do with back pressure. It is required to function if you have an Emmissions check requirement in your area because it will not pass as is. - Xavwieztsky


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Question 2
2002 polo s sdi its a good car?...  

Answers
1)   every body hates this Little car - moh

2)   Avoid the SDI engines. If you want a diesel, look for a TDI. The car itself does have some common faults that are known. Axle and suspension issues are up there, along with gearboxes being dodgy. The interior is very dull and does not have the quality feel that the rest of the VW range has, although in general the car is put together better than it's French rivals or offerings from Vauxhall/Opel.

If it were me, I would look for a MK4 TDI Golf instead. The 1.9TDI. - vavavoom

3)   Very good car you might want to look at a SEAT ibiza same car but a bit cheaper. - bigs

4)   No, VW is one of the worst makes today. GM and Honda is the best. - p3200tmz

5)   Yes, the Volkswagen Polo is a VERY good car.

I have owned mine from brand new and it is just over four years old. In that time I have driven just short of 80,000 miles and I have NEVER had any problems with it at all.

Put it this way - I would rather drive a Volkswagen Polo than a crap Vauxhall Corsa or Renault Clio. - Fork UK


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Question 3
My air bag warning light is on and i don't why?...  My air bag warning light is on in my 2002 Volkswagen GTI i had it checked out and the air bag is fine but the light wont turn off whats could be wrong? Could it be a short?

Answers
1)   Well if you checked it out, then it must be a light problem. You can check out the manual to see if you can turn it off. Did you get it checked by a professional? You should if you haven't.

I thought my air bag light was on once, but it was a light just indicating that the air bag is functioning properly. - Andyy

2)   I would pull the air bag fuse out and bring it directly to a "dealer" not a gas station mechanic. you dont wanna be riding down the road then all of a sudden POP!!! face full of air bag!! - James

3)   VW's airbag light turning on can mean that there is either a problem with the system or that it is time to have your airbag system checked by a certified VW mechanic. In my 97 jetta that light came on a few years ago. I took it to a certified mechanic, and he told me that every so many years the light will automatically come on to remind the driver to have it serviced. - tweek639

4)   Whoever checked it out "didn't" Otherwise they would have fixed the light issue. Take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing.

Yeah, that is a piss off. But you get to find out who knows what about what (fixing it in the process) and who just blows hot air. - Xavwieztsky


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Question 4
My VW Passat 2002, will not start sometimes after a short ride?...  After a short ride (5 to 20 minutes) it will not start, I have to crank several times and it will end up starting after 10-20 minutes ????

Answers
1)   dirty fuel system maybe a bad starter draging - kelly_f_1999

2)   Gotta guess and I am guessing vacuum leak....the first place I would check is vacuum lines and connections. At 8 years old those rubber hoses don't last forever so have probably gotten sloppy on their fitting to the connectors. Kinda like a stretched out sock where the elastic is gone. However in the case of hoses they get "rock hard" and you could not squeeze the ends closed with your fingers >like you would expect you could with rubber hose<. If that is the case, cut a half inch off the hose to fresh hose material and reinsert that onto the connector. - Pancho

3)   Get rid of it and get a better car. VW=money pit. - p3200tmz

4)   CTS sensor or the o2 sensor, are know to cause hot start issues,.... Replace the CTS sensor as they are less than 15 bucks at NAPA.

The last thing is when was the last time that you change the plugs cap and wires, and checked timing? - Briano


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Question 5
Why don't VWs have parking lamp mode on the light switch?...  

Answers
1)   Because they would be called BMW's then. - Lincoln Lover

2)   Because German engineering sucks. - Chevrolet See The USA #14

3)   Well the MK1's, 2's and 3's or A1.2,and 3's all had parking light modes on the switches, as well as the headlights being placed in park, if you left your lights on with the key out. So you need to be specific to the model and year that you are discussing. With the Advocacy of the DRL's, parking lights are pass'e now. - Briano

4)   The park lights act like daytime running lights, or something, I dunno. I disabled my DRLs so that I can actually control my headlights. - Richard R


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Updated December 26, 2009, 6:10 pm

what do you get a 17 year old boy obsessed with his 77 vw bug as a gift?

Question 1
what do you get a 17 year old boy obsessed with his 77 vw bug as a gift?...  i've been trying to find something but all he tells me is "accessories for his bug" or stuff for his bug, he really doesn't give me any idea just something for his bug.

Answers
1)   a new product to wash it without water. - flutterby

2)   remember the love bug ? how about a big smile on the front - jr

3)   tinted windows, license plate frames, seat covers, shifter knobs, a detailing kit, maybe a gift card to somewhere, whatever he needs on it...... exhaust system, bumpers, i don't know..... - Jimmy S

4)   A blank piece of paper and get him to right the accessories he wants in order of precedence , you can take it from here - Barking_Dog

5)   a girlfriend. - Yamamoto

6)   How bout you get him a giftcard to autozone, or advance auto. That way he can choose his own accessories for his car. You can also buy him little models of a car similar to it. - Corey

7)   if he doesn't have one already make him an emergency repair kit to put in the trunk. thinks like an 8, 10, 13, 15, 17 mm wrenches and sockets an adjustable wrench a new fan belt. maybe a set of locking pliers and a new fuel pump (im assuming since its a 77 its still fuel injected?) which makes the fuel pump about $75 more and electric. the locking pliers are to clamp the fuel hoses. some flat and phillips head screwdrivers of various sizes. its really a good idea to have these things in a bug because things on them tend to go at the most inopportune times like when you're 50 miles from home in a snow storm at night. - Air-Cooled

8)   If you buy an Accessory. It should be one that is functional and in plain sight. He will always be reminded who gave it to him. I like buying people a new shift rod handle. They are available in millions of styles. Another thing is a custom steering wheel. Maybe a rosewood or a racing type looking one. Either way don't buy anything cheap. Its the quality that makes any accessory stand out from the crowd. - dewhatulike

9)   a can of raid bug killer lol - James N

10)   Empi Engine Dress up kit

Similar to what is advertised on this site

http://shopping.aol.com/empi-deluxe-16-pc-chrome-dress-up-kit-4580-30-382000/740437068 - Replica


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Question 2
What is the value of a 1970 vw bug , no rust , good shape?...  Has new paint, vw type chrome wheels,

Answers
1)   type into search box

1970 vw bug for sale


wil get others for sale can look at prices and others guess or set your price - kelly_f_1999

2)   Man! Good luck with this issue. Sorry i can't be of any help. I am most sympathetic to you. I get the same type of trouble once in a while 8P - Molly

3)   that all depends on you. what you are willing to buy/sell it for. there is no set worth for it - Sonny

4)   car has no "book" value at this age,not to be smart,but it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it.....if car is stock other than wheels(hope it's painted an original color,and not a glow inthe dark one) it would bring more money with these 2 items changed to stock. as a guess i'd say $3000.00 ,you can always come down but you can't go back up in dealing with one selling medium at the time - ramcharger

5)   Depends on what your idea of good shape is. The 1970 is not a car that collectors like as much as earlier cars. So your car could go from $2500 to $4500. - uthockey32

6)   you need to take many things into consideration with old bugs. check the floor pans, especially under the rear seat where the battery sits as they like to rot there. also ask about the motor, like how many miles, last oil change, valves gaped, plugs gaped. if it was ever rebuilt. also check the heater channels that run along the lower door jam on both sides. tap on the lower part of the rear quarter above the running board. they rot there as well because the heat carries moisture with it and it likes to stay in there and just rot away the metal. as for the price. i bought an original 1970 bug in september that was wrecked in the back and needed work for $1750. it only had 75000 miles. if all the answers you get are good id offer the seller $2800 and go from there. - Air-Cooled

7)   It's all in the eye of the beholder. If you wind up selling it to a dealer, he will give you squat for it. He is looking to turn a profit. If you sell it to a VW enthusiast. You can name your price. They are getting more and more rare as turn key vehicles. - dewhatulike

8)   about 2 grand, split windows and verts get the most money. - James N

9)   Depends if you are buying or selling. And "where". Generally start by looking in the local newspapers and checking out what the price is for a similar unit. I don't care about the paint or chrome wheels(it has to be sold with wheels of some sort on it). Its painted....why did that come about(as most oft is the case of body damage(rust or crash)
If the local papers are devoid of such a vehicle spread your search to the nearest large city and scour their papers and see what the going price is. (look at car lots and private sales and you have a ball park figure to work with.) of what you can expect to pay/ask (allow for 10% dickering).
It all comes down to demand. If your area is a "bug hungry" area, then prices are gonna be higher than if you are in an area where everyone drives Japanese or domestics." - Pancho


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Question 3
is the 2002 Volkswagon passat a bad car?...  i have the money for my first car and i found a 2002 volkswagon passat, but my family is saying that all volkswagons are bad because they have a lot of problems and are expensive to fix. opinions??

Answers
1)   family is right on this one - Sonny

2)   Actually if your family will check they will see that Volkswagens have some of the best reliability reports and some of the highest customer loyalty ratings in the auto market. I own 2 vw jettas a 2006 tdi and a 2007 2.5 I had a 1996 jetta 2.0 and I must say I will not own any other car based on my past and present experiences. I also work on my own cars and since many parts are interchangeable with audi then a lot of parts means inexpensive parts. I would however say that I do not recommend the passat to a young person. They are a heavier car than the jetta but not much bigger. This means that the passat gets less mpg than the jetta. Also the turbo motor only gets 19-26 mpg in the passat while the 2.0 gas motor gets 27-35 mpg in the jetta. Also the jetta has less expensive insurance. The last thing I have to say is I trust vw to get my family where it needs to get at any time not something I can say about the other brands I have driven. I CHECKED CONSUMER REPORTS COULD FIND NOTHING STATING BELOW AVERAGE RELIABILITY MAYBE THAT PERSON SHOULD PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK TO THE OBSERVED BELOW AVERAGE RATING SO THE REST OF US COULD READ IT TOO. I DID CHECK WITH EDMUNDS.COM AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TYPE IN 2002 VW PASSAT AND YOU WILL FIND BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REVIEWS. THE SAME AS YOU WILL FIND WITH HONDA AND TOYOTA AND ANY OTHER MAKE. THE MAIN THING TO DO IS TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE HAVE IT CHECKED BY A REPUTABLE DEALER/MECHANIC AND GO FROM THERE. - marksman

3)   Consumer Reports says the 2002 is below average in reliability - pickmefirstplz

4)   Yep junk. Anymore questions?

Listen to your family or pay the price...and they probably won't help you with the repair costs if you go all in on what will be a very large very heavy paperweight in about 3 months.

[Forgot to add: VW transmissions are probably made of plastic because they only last 2-3 years and they don't have to deal with a whole lot of torque...that's why!] - Theneelster

5)   My sister has a 2000 VW Golf. It has over 160,000 reliable miles on its automatic transmission. The car has never once let her down.
However, on the Passat; IMO the VW Jetta or Golf would be a better choice. The fuel mileage is much better, parts are less expensive, and insurance is less.
Plus, I drive a VW GTI with 53,000 unsurpassed quality miles on it . This car was voted 'Car of the Year' in January's edition of Automobile Magazine.
Look up Americas Best Loved Cars in Yahoo Autos; Best Mid-size car was won by Passat [picked above the Mazda 626 and the Honda Accord]. Best Entry-Level Luxury Car was won by VW CC; 2nd place went to Cadillac. Best Compact Sporty Car was the VW GTI; 2nd place Honda Civic.
My wife loves her 2005 Jetta. She says its the next-best thing Ive ever bought her [her engagement ring comes in 1st of course]. We drive the Jetta up and down the East Coast on vacation several times a year. With the roof rack, we can take our bicycles and kayaks wherever we go.
As far as expensive to fix, VWs are no higher than any other brand. I have owned Mazda, Ford and Toyota cars. Some of my friends drive Hondas, All good cars. But when they break, it costs $$$ too. Part for part, VWs cost as much as any other.
VW sold 6.4 Million vehicles last year. All of those people cannot be wrong. Fact is , the VWs we and our friends own have superlative reliability . No opinions here, just fact.
Sure, VW is not perfect. What is in this world? They wear out or break just as any other mechanical item does.
Most of all though, aside from fuel economy, reliability and safety, VWs are a driver's car. They inspire passion and enthusiasm. Their road-holding and accident-avoidance prowess surpasses all other cars in their class. There truly is something different about driving a VW!
Bottom line; try a Jetta or Golf [or Rabbit, it is the same as the Golf except a different name]. We guarantee that you will love the experience..... - fenton

6)   vw's are not expensive to fix. you have to maintain the car more then lets say a honda. if you have a good ear you can spot out $100 problem before they turn into $1000 problems. as for quality they are very well built just watch out for transmission and wiring problems. - James N


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Question 4
Do you own a vintage beetle and is it hard to maintain?...  Are parts or repairs expensive, etc..?? Thanks!

Answers
1)   I do not, but my father did at one point - he fixed it up himself for a while, but eventually abandoned the project. Apparently the quality of the metal was such that the floor on the drivers side fell off... of course, aging metal is of concern in ANY old car. I wouldn't recommend even buying one unless you plan on garaging it, and not driving it in wet weather. - Lola

2)   Not at the moment, although I have in the past. John Muir wrote a book on the subject. Get it.

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive 19 Ed: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot

Read it and believe it. Don't try to do shortcuts, just do what the book suggests.

Couple of things to remember. Oil and air are the only things keeping the engine cool. Change the oil when it needs it, it's cheap insurance. Keep the air flow deflectors on and clean. - oklatom

3)   Depends on where you live...in Nevada (little rain/snow/moisture) I see a ton of them but they're all gutted mechanically and usually have newer engines and better components than were originally in there. Still...it's not a cheap thing to do and requires a lot of fabrication.

So...no...you don't want a car that's been sitting around for over 30 years. - Theneelster

4)   definitely an easy car to work on yourself. but if you dont plan on doing most of the work yourself like regular oil changes, valve gaping and plug gaping. changing the generator belt, changing the fuel pump, new points and the like i would not get one as paying someone to do that can get expensive even though the parts are cheap and available - Air-Cooled

5)   While being relatively easy to maintain. As parts are getting harder to find, these will be the only rising expense you'll see. Labor should remain the same, relatively less than bigger boats. - dewhatulike


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Question 5
Volkswagen Thing as a 1st car?...  I am trying to figure out what car i should get as a 1st car. I was considering to get a jeep cherokee but i am loving the Thing. if you guys could give me a little more information on the thing that would help a lot the internet itself doesn't have enough info on the Thing and that's the one thing i need before i buy a car. I need pros and cons

Answers
1)   Are you kidding me,even if you could find more information on the thing where in Gods name are you going to find one? How long ago was it 30 or 40 years ago? I must admit that it would be a fun car as a first car but you would have to know a little about cars to keep it running but it would be fun - Tony k

2)   The largest issue with the type 181 is safety; simply put, there isn't any. Things that we take for granted today; disc brakes, effective heater & defroster, power door locks, power windows, intrusion beams in the doors, safety cage construction for the passenger compartment, other assorted safety regulations are missing from the VW thing. Fuel economy isn't great either, but at least it will run on the cheapest regular gas you can find. Power is low, but at least various engine modifications are easily found that can remedy this.

The pro's are: easy to maintain. You can convert the point and condenser ignition system to solid state (no points or condensor) easily enough; the engine has been around foreverr and then some, high performance parts are available for the engine and easily found in the aftermarket. Cheap to run; though fuel economy is somewhat low for the performance (if I remember correctly, 0 to 60 was about 18 seconds or so for the 1974 model, today even a Kia Rio, among the cheapest new car sold in the USA with an automatic transmission can do under 12 seconds, a full 1/3 faster than a stock thing), no smog required, easy open air driving, the doors come off without tools, windshield folds down and the heater and defroster can be made more effective with the usage of a blower fan or in some cases, a gasolene powered heater was available at one time. Also, to a lot of people. they are fun to drive and mechanical parts are easy to find.

Cons: body parts are disappearing fast; though the model was made in Mexico into the early 80's, not that many were made and body parts are getting somewhat expensive. No modern conveniences (at least stock), no a/c, power windows/locks/power steering/power brakes etc.
The heater and defroster are feeble at best (at least stock), though a blower assist motor can help and a gasolene powered heater was available at one time; doesn't drive like a modern car, not even like a 20 year old Hyundai !!! But, the largest most important issue is safety: like I described in the first paragraph, there isn't any. VW stopped selling the vehicle in either 1974/5, because it couldn't meet changing safety regulations in the USA.... And braking is something of a sore point too: the all drum brakes aren't noted for short stops either, though, again, the aftermarket has an update kit with disc brakes in the front that can be fitted.

Don't get me wrong; I like the Thing and think its a neat vehicle. But unlike the Gremlin I once owned, its far less practical for every day driving (though I don't think a Gremlin should be an everyday driver either) and the lack of safety features is another reason to give pause. But, that's just my opinion based upon cold, hard facts. Your emotions will be the deciding factor...

Hope this helps, a car nut. - a car nut

3)   The VWThing is a fun car,but that is just what it is, a fun car.The Jeep and the Thing are in totally different clases. Jeep is a car built for freeway duty. The thing on the other hand would fold up like a wad of paper if it were hit by the JeepCherokee. If you insist on buying one. There are two types. One is built on a Type two bus configuration. The other is built on a Type three configuration. You know the frame used on the VW squareback and the VWType 3 fastback. The Type 2 is allot more studier, built more like a generic Jeep. The type 3 on the other hand was built for more comfort. Utilizing the more comfortable suspension and front end.Both are very rear indeed. I would imagine if you don't care about looks and comforts in a vehicle, the Thing is a good choice. The windshield folds down and the doors are removable. Did you know the Thing is a replica of a WW2 German staff car? - dewhatulike

4)   I would actually recommend a beetle before a thing,
Easy to take care of, free heat, no radiator, dang near indestructible engine.

The thing is a decent vehicle, i know a guy in my town that has 6 of the lil buggers,
But in the winter, it ain't so great, the vinyl covers tear, ice stretches the top, takes forever to get going, God forbid a small incline.

Alternately get the cherokee, and get the thing as a fun car. - Brandon

5)   A VW Thing, or any old European car is a terrible car for a young girl. Get a Cherokee, much more reliable and cheaper to fix. ANY car can potentially break down, but the chances are greater with e European car, and MUCH greater with an old European car, please for your personal safety don't get the "Thing".

The Cherokee, with it's 4.0 6 cylinder motor has been proven extremely durable and reliable, and as long as you do basic maintenance, should last you as long as you want it to. - p3200tmz


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Updated December 18, 2009, 6:10 pm

Updated December 17, 2009, 6:10 pm

how much do Voltz Wagon bugs cost?

Question 1
how much do Voltz Wagon bugs cost?...  ok so im 13 right now but i wanna start saving up for a car now, so i can get a car when im 16. And i really wanna wanna get a voltz wagon bug with a convertable top, but idk how much those cost? or how much would a used( in good condition) one cost?
and i also heard that they are gonna stop making them or something? and they're only making like 300 more and they're all light blue...is this true?

Answers
1)   they cost a lot more than a VOLKSWAGEN - PaulD

2)   The cheapest ‘used’ Volkswagen New Beetle you’ll find on a car lot is most likely going to fall into the range of $5,000 to probably $10,000. That’s for a hardtop, though, a convertible is going to be quite a bit more expensive. I found my Beetle, used, on www.autotrader.com for $5,400. If you’re looking for a band new Beetle, there going to run around $18,500, and $26,000 for a convertible. I’d definitely go for a used one!

As for them not making the Beetle anymore, and making them blue or what ever.. My friend told me about that. Must have seen it on the news or something. I thought they where just bullshitting, but I imagine not, I don't know. I know there going to be coming out with what there calling the VW New Beetle "2". - Renae

3)   Volkswagen. - Test For Echo

4)   dood, i would weight until ur 17, cuz then i heard voltzwagon is coming out with an even better car. and its available in dark blue! - edizzle

5)   I don't think saving for a car is your biggest problem. First, you should learn how to communicate via the written word. It's "Volkswagen" and the correct spelling is "convertible." "Gonna" is not even a word. What an abomination. - Arthur O


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Question 2
Opinions on this car plzzz...?...  http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/1473713843.html
so what do people think of this car. how long will it last? how good/ bad will it be in the snow??? how easy is it to drive? do they break alot?? is it good for a 16 year old to drive? is it cool looking? is it a bad deal? cud i ask to pay less? is it too old? shud i save up more money?? some easy money/ job ideas? (for a 16 year old) experiences with the ford mustang THANKS!!! o btw i live in dane county area wisconsin (madison)

Answers
1)   not bad. - Jimbo

2)   seems OK but it doesn't list the mileage? It depends on how many there are.

Get it checked by a mechanic first, make sure the transmission is good.

If you want that car to be good in the snow, you should consider winter (not all season) tires for the winter season, they make a huge difference. - PMack

3)   There is no millage listed so I'm guessing its pretty high so I don't know how much longer it will last. Its an automatic transmission which are known for being expensive to repair. It looks to be in decent shape. Id say its a good car for a 16 year old to drive. Its a v6 so its not to easy to get yourself into trouble with. But it is a mustang and everybody has them so it really wont stand out that well but oh well as long as your happy with it :p just find out about the millage. - Test For Echo

4)   itd be a terrible car to drive in the snow. its rear wheel drive.

but, it is a V6 mustang. and youre a 16 year old girl. so i would say get it. - edizzle


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Question 3
'00 Jetta trouble cold start, and rev issue.?...  i just bought a '00 Jetta, 169k on it. its takes a couple try's in the morning when its cold to start it, also while driving it, twice it has rev'd by itself from about 2000-3000 rpm until i shut it off, then it wont start for a few minutes. any ideas?

Answers
1)   that could be just wrong oil. Or you may have some problems with starter? - vrico

2)   OMG! I luv this shit! - Louis

3)   Vacuum leaks, Mass Air Flow sensor, these are just two off the top of my head. - djaca70

4)   Do yourself a favor, Get a tune up, cap, rotor, wires and new plugs, check the timing, and replace the CTS sensor, test the o2 sensor

Vacuum leaks and the like usually cause dubs to run rugged......
As you are having issues on a restart, I would say either your o2 or CTS sensor are flaky bad. - Briano


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Question 4
can the mileometer (electronic) on a car revert to zero if the battery has been dissconnected for some time?...  if a car battery has been flat for 6 months or more can this cause the electronic odometer(mileometer) to show all zeros

Answers
1)   No. If it did then when somebody wanted to erase the excessive miles on a car this would be all they have to do. - clncarplz

2)   No, the figures are locked into a memory chip and will remain there unless the memory chip is wiped. - Ziggy

3)   it is designed not to to try and stop folk recording false mileages. the car will have a computer module ( for engine) which will also keep a separate record of mileage and this can be checked against by folk such as trading standards.
it is possible though if you have the software and knowledge to reset the mileage in both computer and on display to whatever you want.! - chris at hornchurch

4)   Simply no. - Timbo is here


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Question 5
I am not getting good mileage with my 2001 jetta diesel, what should I check for?...  I have had the oil changed, filter, air filter and gas filter changed. I also run some diesel treatment though a full tank full of fuel. I am only getting about 600-700 km on a tank of fuel and most people say I should be getting close to 1000km
It is an automatic and I do a lot of in town, rural area driving. It also starts really hard even when the temp is only at freezing 32f - 0c and when it does start there is a poof of smoke. I have only 166,000 km on the car but have only owned it since the summer so I have no idea what was done to it before I bought it.

Answers
1)   This is normal. Gas milage varies. It all depends on how your driving habits. You're getting good milage and everybody's milage is different. - Shorty

2)   I have seen a problem with vacuum leaks on these cars you may try a smoke test to put your mind at ease. - Tim JR

3)   That would be pretty respectable for an automatic stuck in town and absolutely terrible for a stick on the highway, give us some more details.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated, have someone with Vag-Com check your timing and MAF readings, it could be a number of things wrong, or it could be perfectly normal.




EDIT: Hard starting and a little smoke could be a sign of improper timing. - Richard R


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Updated December 13, 2009, 4:10 pm

Updated December 12, 2009, 4:10 pm

Updated December 8, 2009, 4:10 pm

VW owners: does VW still has the bad reputation it has earned on reliability?

Question 1
VW owners: does VW still has the bad reputation it has earned on reliability?...  The reason I am asking is because I am considering either a 2010 GTI or GLI as a new car, but I've heard polarizing opinions about VW in general. They are either 'junk', or as good as any other car, as far as reliability is concerned.

I know Consumer Reports are not particularly fond of the brand, but here's the kicker: my brother in law had a Jetta he hated for being problematic, yet one of my best friends had another Jetta that was as reliable as a Corolla. Both were 2004 models. From what I heard, since the 2006-on models are being built in Wolfsburg, that there is better quality among models (except the Touareg, which apparently is the worst VW ever...lol).

So I'd like to know what your experiences are as an owner. What year/model VW you have and how's it working for you so far. Thanks!

Answers
1)   It just seems I read here often of people having older VW's that are plagued w/ issues. They are fine for many yrs when they are new. But so many people buy the GTI thinking it's the best car on the planet. Not true. If you want a killer sports car right out of the box, then get a Mazdaspeed 3. I had a 2000 Golf GL TDI & it was towed to the dealer 3 times in 6 months b/c it wouldn't start. I got rid of it b/c it was crappy overall. I don't know what possessed me to buy it. Now this yr I have an American made car & I'm very satisfied. I don't hate VW, but they are fairly unremarkable cars, imo, for the time being. I know there are better cars being made for the same money. - The Eagle Keeper

2)   VWs aren't perfect but they aren't complete junk. European cars tend to be the less reliable than american or japanese cars. Their repair costs are higher and they don't hold their value as well as the others do. I'm a VW enthusiast but I cannot recommend them to people that aren't into driving. Manual trans VWs tend to be more reliable also get engines available in other countries. If you are going to get a 2010 get the GLI because it is the last year of the mk5 chasis and they have fixed all the bugs they had in 06. The GTI is already on the MK6 chasis and it is brand new so we don't know if there are some little hiccups with it like there were with the mk5 chasis. If you want a mk6, wait a year or so until we know more about their reliability. Also it doesn't seem to matter what factory the cars are assembled in, wolfsburg cars have as many issues as those assembled in mexico.

But if it is important to you a wolfsburg car will have a vin starting with wvw and a mexican car will start with 3vw - kumst

3)   I guess it depends on where you live and if they are very patriotic.
For instance you'll hear that American cars are reliable but ask anyone who isn't American and they'll say American cars are only just better than UK cars with exception of Ford.
I have always heard that VW are bullet proof but there you go.
My GTi never let me down once and it could do 140mph. - Amanda

4)   I have a close friend with a 2002 Passat V6 with 80K miles on it.
It really didnt give him much problem. But when it does break, it cost him an arm and leg to repair it. Even a freaking windshield wiper cost a lot more than standard one.

Here is something you should consider, Turbo Charged car are awful on reliability rating most of the time, which you are consider buying.
Just keep in mind, The German cars have superiority on driving experience over other brands, However, the Cost of Ownership is a lot higher. If you got the money prepared, Go for it.

And it really depends on how long you plan to keep ur car as well. If you are buying a brand new car and only going to keep it for few yrs, you should not have to worry about reliability rating at all. - steak5959

5)   Since VWs are foreign they're nice cars. The GTI is a good model. We have recently gotten a 2.5 Jetta 2009 and it's great looking, and working! - **Ana**

6)   i would get one, i have had a jetta and vanagon and loved them both.

the styling and suspension of a new gti or gli will blow most american cars away for the equal value.

the problem lies with dealerships for costs.
you can buy most replacement parts from auto parts stores, dealers are notorious for parts that are 2/3d's the price more of auto parts stores and some brake systems require new rotors the same time pads are replaced.
find vw repair shops in your area except for warranty work, in this time of competing auto sales try to get an extended warranty, do not worry vw's are just as reliable as the next guy, they have extended drive train warranty's.

trust me the handling of a german car will make you feel good about the purchase, especially when you blow buy that guy in the pt.cruiser.

forget consumer reports, they have been unreliable in my opinion.
but the tour i agree lol. - breekatz


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Question 2
'02 Jetta w/90K. Replaced catalytic converter, now they recommend transmission flush for $525. Is this a scam?...  This is the VW dealership making this recommendation. The car was having trouble going into reverse. Replacing the converter has helped the problem, but sometimes I throw it in reverse, it revs and doesn't do much or reverses very slowly. Everything with the VW dealership is so expensive, I just want to know if this will actually help the problem.

Answers
1)   You must look rich - dannibrookexx

2)   The converter is in NO WAY related to your transmission problem.Its just not possible.You can get a trans.flush on ANY vehicle at most places for less than $100.00 so I think you are getting hosed. - thereal.incrediblehulk

3)   way too much money - Nico

4)   I have a 2003 VW Passat W8 so I feel your pain. If you have the same transmission as I have, you don't have any way of checking your fluid level ( VW didn't put a Dipstick on my auto trans!! That's just dumb). One day, my transmission started leaking fluid..so I brought it back to VW ( about the 10th time this year its been back to VW ) and I had them do the flush on mine...for about $800. It solved my leak issue, and DID improve my car's shifting.

I'd say, give it a try! As for me...I'm a long time VW owner ( I've had 3, and put over 400,000 miles on my 1987 Jetta and had no problems). I'll never buy another VW again. - Viktobog

5)   They burned you once on the converter job, now they want to burn you again before they actually fix the problem.

All you need is a new filter and a fluid change in the transmission. - happy2b_white

6)   scam since transmission flush is bad can drain and replace fuild and filter cost like 50 bucks if you do it at home and your car a 02 shoul d be going to a shop and not dealership
dealerships sale car where shops repair
and wil most always be twice as high as a shop shouldnt need a transmission flush unless you have a problem and are rebuilding it - kelly_f_1999


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Question 3
What should I get for my first car? VW Jetta TDI or VW GLI?...  

Answers
1)   The TDI has decent performance, far better mileage, and better resale value. Go with the TDI. - Troublesome

2)   tdi - heartegram_james

3)   I say you get a Passat.
haha. - Serena

4)   The new TDI is the best. - monsieur joy

5)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carquotes.fateback.com - Jim

6)   Get the TDi......!

Only thing I wish is that VW would offer the manual trany on the Jetta!

....diesel kisses!! - CarJ&J'sCar.....[TDi]


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Question 4
Would a Volkswagen Golf MK2 be a good first car?...  As i have a very low budget i am thinking of buying a VW Golf in roughly a H reg (uk), which i think is the MK2, either way one that is pretty old. I was thinking of this because obviously older golfs have a much better reputation as solid and reliable cars and i was wondering what your thoughts would be?
Also wondering how it would be on the speed front, would love the GTI but i think insurance will be too high (new driver, 17, male etc...) so probably looking at either the 1.4 but hopefully the 1.6 model. Don't need to do a massive amount of speed in it, but i don't want it to struggle at 70 or 80 and want fair acceleration.
Have you got any experience with the car, and do you think i could get anything better for between £500-£800? Any help much appreciated!

Answers
1)   Dude,
The Mk2 Golf is a cool car! - John

2)   It should be 4-door, 4-cyls, not sporty. I would prefer Honda or Toyota... First time drivers usually have much more expensive car insurance, and it depends from car. You should compare insurance rates while choosing the car - for example here - carinsurance.yoll.net - Tony

3)   Be honest,It will take a while to find the best answer for the your question.give a look at resource here
It is a Common situation many people have met,calm down,and check the resource here

http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info

i found fair useful - SANDRA H

4)   As far as my knowing,it is a question with various answers,it is definitely depending on the your mind ,providing a great resource here

http://www.BestInsuranceTip.info

for reference though. - SHIRLEY A(UK)


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Question 5
Looking at a 1970 VW Bus how much to replace / repair leaking gas tank? I know you ahve to pull the engine?...  I am looking at buying a 1970 VW Bus it has a gas leak that I suspect is the gas tank leaking I know you have to pull the whole engine out to get to the gas tank. What would the average cost in labor to do this job run?

Answers
1)   make sure it is not the tank first, there are lines that could be the culprit.

pulling and reinstalling an engine could be 1000.oo so be sure to track down any possible leaks.

pressurising at the gas cap might force fuel from the leak, just be sure that you know if it is the tank or not. - breekatz

2)   If you find it is the tank leaking, it depends if the tank is rusted through or it's been punctured. If the later it might be possible to mend, without removing the engine. There are products for this purpose. I did a repair on ford van, the patch done the job. Just another option.
Answer No 1 very good. - Owen

3)   Average R&R for a VW air cooled engine is about $200 at a VW specialty shop. - Rod Knocker


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How many MPG do you get in a 1.6 diesel?

Question 1
How many MPG do you get in a 1.6 diesel?...  

Answers
1)   around 30-40MPG depending on the car
and if it has injection - BobB271

2)   Depends how you drive and type of road.

In my 1.6 petrol I can get 43MPG on bendy roads.

You will certainly get better than 40MPG. But depends on the car, engine, weight of car..
Generally never get as much as the ad's state.

Thanks (I have a honda civic sport. 1.6) - Orange Mustard

3)   That depends on how old the engine is... With today's engines, I'd say about 60MPG

I've got a 1.9 Turbo diesel, I get around 45MPG, but it's mostly city - cerbphan

4)   As with any engine, it depends on the journeys - long M-way cruises are going to be better than an urban stop/start crawl.

However for a 1.6L oil burner, I'd reckon 50-60 on the standard combined cycle.

Check out the car on Parkers. Their figures are very reliable. - Stephen L

5)   my peugeot 1.6hdi is doing 55.5mpg, was slightly better but somehow went down after a service - Shaun

6)   i have a 1.7cdi and i get 10 miles to 1lita =45 to gall town running - J R


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Question 2
IS Vw going to stup manufacturing the new beetle?...  

Answers
1)   We can only hope - Eddie V H

2)   yes in 2011. the new 2010 has special colors. but they are only stopping it for a while to revamp it. the new beetles after that are going to resemble the new rabbits. and being a new beetle owner i cant stand it! - vicky

3)   i dont consider the new beetle a real beetle / were is the 1600cc air cooled engine // why did they not make it a rear mounted car // new beetle is a bootleg beetle lol - antonio m

4)   Yep...

It only took them 10 years to realize that the magic of the classic beetle was that EVERYONE could afford one and drive one with minimal maint. and effort.

Instead, VW made a car that LOOKED like the old bug, but tried to give it all the bells and whistles of a little rice rocket... (plus the cost).

Overall, the Marginal Performance, High Cost, and High Maint,. and repair levels cooked it.

. - ca_surveyor

5)   Yes, there will be a limited number of "special final New Beetles" available in a blue colour for the sedan/coupe and a blue + white convertible coming soon. The problem with the New Beetle is that after the novelity wore off, it was too expensive to extensively retool for a new model. Since it arrived more than a decade ago, sales have continuing to slump; it doesn't have the appeal of the MX5 Miata that the Mazda has. Sales for the Miata MX-5 have been fairly steady at around 40,000 a year in the US, so that over a long period of time the body has stayed the same while other areas have been refined. The New Beetle has had minor changes to the front and rear bumper areas (lights, trim areas) and anybody who wanted one has already bought. Other than powertrain changes and slight interior trim changes, the New Beetle remained the same way too long.

In order to keep market share, any model in this market needs a majour change every 4 years or so; the Japanese do it almost without fail and have continued to gain market share in the North American market. Chevy had the same problem with the Cavalier, it remained more or less the same for 10+ years and sales at the end were almost all to rental fleets. The Golf and Jetta have gone into a new generation, while the Beetle stayed the same.

I wish VW would just let it go and allow the model to rest, either that or change it more often so that it doesn't look so old so soon. Just my thoughts on the matter. - a car nut


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Question 3
Questions about a 2001 VW Beetle! Please help ASAP- 10 POINTS!!?...  I am looking at a Beetle for sale and it has a few problems the owner explained. First, it was rolled.. but was not completely totaled. The wreck from my understanding resulted in the exterior being amazingly beat up & dented. The next thing is that the car starts up, idles, but when you press on the gas- it doesn't go anywhere. He said something about the electronic needs to be mapped to the throttle body and that the battery was dead because it lost connection? Does this make any sense?! & How much would it cost to fix everything? Could there be any other reason as to why the car will not move but starts and idles perfectly fine? Also, back to the battery.. he said that it's not like a regular battery, that I would have to bring it to a VW dealership and have it recharged or something?? How much is that/or new battery? Sorry so many questions but I am about to drive 3 hours away to look at this car. It's my dream car and the only beetle I can afford. My uncle and boyfriend are awesome at fixing, repairing, and etc when it comes to cars so I wouldn't have to hire anyone. The owner wants 1600 or best offer for the car. Is that a good deal or is it worth more/less, what should I offer him?

Oh- it's manual if that makes a difference.

Answers
1)   It sounds like this car has taken quite a beating. If I were you, I would not get it simply because the structural integrity of the car is questionable. Sure it's your dream car but you should do more research. I'm most certain you can find a decent deal. However, if you choose to ignore my advice, which I'm sure you will, being the young impressionable woman that you are, I would at least try and lower the price. Try getting it down to 1500 or even 1400.. it's not like this car will be sold anytime soon so there is no risk in asking! - coolGuy

2)   look for something else if the car rolled and the engine ran upside-down for a period of time it did serious damage to the motor i say no don't buy it - antonio m

3)   Please let us know VW model and model year. Regards Bo ... follow this link, that might help. I guess it's simpler. .... Where can you obtain an owners manual for a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle? .... Popularity: 10 • Tools: Recategorize ... Lift points on the side Just in front of door Just in front of rear tire - Banan

4)   I sounds like this car may be totaled. If it was not, then why did they not have the insurance company make the repairs. When a car is totaled or even close to being totaled it is because the repairs will be more than the value of the car.
If it is still damaged and does not run, you will also have to have it towed on a flat bed truck to your location. You might want to think of that cost also.

You can also check the vehicle history report @ carfax.com , it costs about $30 but it may be worth it to see if there is a report on it. - excel dent removal


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Question 4
can you sleep on the roof of a vw bus with a camper?...  

Answers
1)   no you should try sleeping underneath preferably behind the rear wheels. - antonio m

2)   Mine is much more comfortable inside. - UK Dad

3)   Well aside from the obvious question of WHY, the answer is generally no.

a) If you have the pop up top, you will damage it because it is not designed for loads (you).

b) If you have the early style bus, the roof is rounded and if you toss or turn even a little in your sleep you will awaken upon impact

c) Even if you have the later bus, with a metal roof.. odds are good that it will get dented by your body mass (read that as your b*tt) when you sit up and place all the weight in one general area.

Bottom Line.. Sleep inside.. its much more comfortable. Heck. you CAN even sleep under it (I have done that when there was no more room inside (kids) ) just keep the keys in your pocket to make sure no one starts it and moves it. - ca_surveyor

4)   The top pops up and there is a place to sleep up there. - convexed


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Question 5
Info on 7.3 Litre diesels?...  I am considering buying a 01, 02, or 03 F250 to pull a fifth wheel and use as a work truck. I've heard nothing but praise on the 7.3L ..... However, I am reluctant to buy an engine that is no longer in production. I am concerned about it noise level and finding parts to get it repaired in a year of so...I am a relatively high miler....driving approximately 4000 miles per month on my job in the oil field. I am looking for experienced comments please.

Answers
1)   Parts should not be a problem as long as Ford remains in business. All diesel engines are noisy, but the F250 cab is fairly well insulated, so engine noise is not a huge problem for the driver and passengers. - JetDoc

2)   the 7.3 powerstroke is a workhorse and its going to have parts for years to come ..the engine is a navistar engine ..buy one you wont regret it .. the same engine is still in production just in a smaller displacement .. the noise level cant do much about that its a Diesel .. they are great engine that can get upwards of 400,000 miles with good regular maintance .. I know all this because im the engineer that designed the fuel injectors for that engine at caterpillar - Dean L

3)   hi i have an 02 f230 with the 7.3 and i havent had a single problem with it. they are very reliable engines. i have even heard of them lasting for 300000 miles with nothing but regular maitinince. i highly recommend them - bobby


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where are the speakers supposed to be in a 1965 VW beetle?

Question 1
where are the speakers supposed to be in a 1965 VW beetle?...  i have a 1965 Beetle that i am working on and i can not find the where the speakers are located

Answers
1)   one speaker - Sonny

2)   Are there holes in the dash? it goes behind them.. if not, it's mounted under the dash...just one ! - SVOMAN

3)   they only had one in them to start with,if you raise the trunk lid you,ll clearly see where it was or should be at,the should be a piece of card board that you remove to see the wiring in it ,if it has survived all the years of use,good luck. - dodge man

4)   The speaker goes in the middle of the dash. There are a bunch or ribs cut in the dash and the speaker is behind it.
A lot of people install speakers in the doors and behind the back seat. You can cut a piece of ply wood to fit behind the rear seat that covers the open space between the window and seat back and install speakers in the wood if you do not want to cut up the doors.
Good Luck - Rod Knocker

5)   That's because the factory only supplied a single 4" speaker directly in front of the driver in the dashboard.

If you want to add speakers the traditional places are:

1) In the rear cargo area. Build yourself a wooden platform that spans from the rear seat to the rear firewall (takes a piecei of plywood, some carpet a jig saw and about 1 hour.. ) then install 2 7" oval speakers on the carpeted board and hook it up. You can rest it on the rear seat and mount a couple of hinges that allow you to lift it to access the storage.

2) In the door panels.. bottom section near the jamb where it will not interfer with the window mechanism.. this screws up your door panel and, if it gets wet, the speakers will be ruined, so waterproof it all.

3) In some side mounts in the foot wells. You can buy mounting kits from JC WHitney and attach speakers there.. Choose your spot carefully so that you do not kick the cr*p out of them when you cross or uncross you legs.

after that it gets expensive.. (like in the roof)

..

enjoy your sound system.. whatever you choose.

. - ca_surveyor


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Question 2
VW golf mk4 R32 4 motion?...  do all vw golf r32 come with 4motion???
so all r32 come with 4motion!!so i dont have to worry buying one with out...because i do want the 4wd!!

Answers
1)   No they don't..its an option...a very expensive one!

I have a Passat 4 motion myself. - Viktobog

2)   YES and NO... The R32 uses another variation of the 4 Motion... All R32's are All Wheel Drive hence meaning it always drives with all four wheels meaning u cant do a burn out... but then again it makes the car launch off the line very fast. - RcNdi

3)   I'm sorry RcNdi, but you have it all wrong. Yes all MK4 R32's come with 4Motion The 4Motion system delivers power/torque to the axle that will propel the vehicle optimally under various conditions – this means it will be front-wheel drive under normal driving conditions. But when driving in challenging conditions, 4Motion ensures ultimate control of the vehicle by transferring engine power to the back wheels as well as the front, providing an "all wheel drive system". To have the system in four wheel drive all the time would not be the best option simply for MPG's. - Aaron M

4)   All R32s come with AWD. Not sure that it is the same 4motion system on other models but AWD nonetheless. - Mark D


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Question 3
contemplating vw bus- gimme pros and cons!?...  ok so im in love with vw bus'. i travel a lot and i'm seriously considering getting one. i love that they're so spacious and comfortable and memory holdin' and all that and i just got my heart set.

except that i've heard they've got a lot of problems and can be really unpredictable? i wouldn't mine buying an old bus, replacing the engine, givin' her an overall tuneup before actually puttin' her on the road, but i dont want a vehicle that's constantly breaking down, especially during prolonged road trips.


i guess im just asking the pros and cons of getting a VW bus. please only answer if you've previously/currently own a vw bus or know a bit about cars, i dont care for your answers if it's primarily rumors/your own personal opinion and you think they suck or something.

thanks!

Answers
1)   you have said it all , there is nothing that is wrong with them that i know of i've had a few then moved up to a big bus and love it just as much and is just as much fun driving it and camping in it , go for it you only live once - jim m

2)   They require more hands on maintenance to keep them running properly, but that's true of all the old air cooled engines. Maintenance is not "breaking down", it's just keeping things in order to run at it's best so you don't have breakdowns. Frequent valve adjustments, brake adjustments, tune ups, oil changes. Very simple to do, but you just can't drive them for years on end with no attention like people do with a modern Civic. And it's extra important on a bus considering it's weight. Keep it all in shape and you can criss cross the country at will.

Join thesamba.com and find the type 2 forums. You'll learn a lot from a bunch of good people. - Jay S

3)   I love the old split window bus!
As long as you own the Complete Idiots Guide to VW repair, you can fix a bus anywhere with no problems.
Engines are cheap enough to replace and easy enough to do it yourself.
If you are worried about engine failure, you can install a Subaru engine, ecotec, toyota, pinto or almost any other small 4 banger water pumper. The subaru will fit the best.
KEP adapters (google it) makes engine adapter plates for many different engine swaps.

The cons are they do not have heaters that work very well or A/C, but if you install a water pumper engine, you can get a heater and A/c system.

I drive a type 181 (Thing) daily and have very little problems with it other than general maintenance issues like brakes and my generator just went out after 36 years.

I have a 1961 split window bus in my tree as a tree house for my son. We will pull it down in another 10 years and restore it for him with a modern drive-train if he wants it fir his car. If not, I will shorten it 2' and install a V8 to make it a drag bus. - Rod Knocker

4)   I had a VW camper for 10 years, no problems at all. One bit of advice you need at least 2000cc motor. Mine was a 1600cc twin port, I found this under powered on the motorway. Seeing you can do it up yourself get an older one, you can always fit a bigger engine. Go for it. - Owen


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Question 4
1963 vw beetle or porsche 912 engine rebuild cost?...  Can anyone give me a price range of what should I expect to pay?should I just buy a rebuilt one....?It's been sitting for sometime but looks decent......Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you!


http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1481200524.html

Answers
1)   A local VW shop close to me will rebuild a VW engine you drop off for around $800-$900. Tow in the car, they pull out, rebuild and install: $1200.
No idea what a Porsche engine would cost if you don't already have one for them to rebuild.

I'd spend a few thousand and get a built VW engine with some actual power. I don't think a 912 has the exact same cooling tin to insulate the motor, so some fabbing my be necessary to correctly put the VW engine in there. Just "bolting in" is not gonna cut it.

I recommend you do a ton of Porsche online forum trolling to get an idea of what you are getting yourself in to before buying one that needs a lot of work. Dig around and you can find a ready to drive 912 for a few thousand more.... less than what you will end up spending on this one.
Good luck either way. - Jay S

2)   Kline VW in Lakeside, CA will sell a running 1600 for $300, a rebuilt 1600 for $500 and a fresh 1915 for $950. I have bought many engines from them in the past and have never had a problem.
Look on CL in San Diego for their adds....I search VW engines or Kline.
As far as installing a type IV engine, they are a lot more expensive but worth it! - Rod Knocker

3)   Depending upon where you are and what you want as a finished product, you can generally purchase a short block (engine and heads - add your own tin, carb, and generator) for anywhere from $800 to over $2k for one with a cam, oversized pistons and a a LOT more power (and a lot shorter engine life).

LA has a couple of shops that will build them, crate them (about $100 more) and ship them. I bought my last one that way.. slightly modified with a street cam .. for my 71 ($1200 delivered) and it is still running like a champ ..

...
. - ca_surveyor


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Question 5
A good air blower for a 1969 Vw Bug?...  Hi, can any body recommend me a good air blower model which will fit nicely into a 1969 VW Beetle ?

Answers
1)   Are you asking about the air blower that keeps the engine cool or the air blower for the defroster/heater?

Your best bet for a good answer is www.thesamba.com that is where a lot of Old School Air Cooled hang out. - Briano

2)   JC Whitney sells many bug parts. They have an air blower kit that goes in-line with your heater tubes to increase the air flow so the heater actually works. CHeck them out on line. You can type in the year make and model to find exactly what fits your bug. I buy a lot of parts there for my VW Thing - Rod Knocker

3)   Hmm.. not quite specific enough

Air Blower as in:

1) Turbocharger kit to ram air into the Carb for better performance. I do not think that they make those anymore.. they resulted in too many cooked engines (more air/gas = more heat)

2) Air blower to cool the engine better? There is a kit available at JC Whitney as of about 6 months ago.. or you can simply build one from almost any fan kit available for radiators.

3) To push more hot air inot the car to warm it? Again .. JC Whitney has one but it is pretty pricy. It is not much more then the blower out of a GM car, an off on switch and some duct work. You can make one and install it under the passenger seat very easily. The hardest thing will be running the wires.

. - ca_surveyor


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two of myt friends were having a disagreement, one says dub is slang for bmw other says its slang for vw?

Question 1
two of myt friends were having a disagreement, one says dub is slang for bmw other says its slang for vw?...  who is right?

Answers
1)   We always said it for VW - Trish

2)   dub means 20 bagg of weed. =D - amynadinexo

3)   Neither.

Dub is simply the shortened version of W.

So, whether it's V-Dub, BMDub, it still requires something else to be used for either one of those.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dub

But the common use, is for wheels. Not for cars.

So both of your friends are incorrect. - Vipassana

4)   usually means about the tires / rims. Rollin on DUBS..but being slang theres prob 3242830 diff meanings for it - .:LynN:.

5)   The word "dub" is not slang for BMW. We call them "Beamers". - Joe K

6)   vw...
beemer for bmw - onetomtom

7)   vw - movana

8)   The one that says it's for VW, there never was any nick name for BMW other then " BEEMER "
VWs have been always called a slang term of a "Dub" . - DR DEAL

9)   Dub DEFINITELY means VW.
Slang terms like Dub-head, and if you ain't rubbin you ain DUBbin, a well known get together in titled Dubs on the beach, a large VW club called Dubs of Queens, all in reference to VW, NOT BMW. BMWs are called Bimmers. And VWs were Dubs WAAAY before 20+ inch rims became popular on cars.

Dubs all day baby. - Jason J

10)   Really, this is a serious argument your friends were having? Wow...that's nearly as bad when my friend informed me that BMW stood for Bulgarian Motor Works.

But no my friend, "dub" is a slang term for VW. Say the letter w, you see how the start of the letter sounds like "dub"? Well, there you go. - Paul


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Question 2
my jetta's top speed is 130 mph(on paper), but i cnt get it pass the 120 mph. why is that?...  i drive a 2009 vw jetta 2.5 cali edition. is got the car brand new, nd since the first day it just wont go more then 120, at first i thought its the limiter but then i checked online nd it said 130, it pissesme off lol

Answers
1)   From what I've found, most newer Volkswagen's are governed at 130mph, but it takes a long time to get there. A couple reasons could be aerodynamic drag, excessive load, it needs maintenance, etc - booyahbd

2)   in some states the ECU of the jetta is limited lower due to the tires speed rating,many manufacturers do this,the most famous incident being the 4th generation v8 camaros where some or them had a 150 speedo and the economy package (with lower rated tires)maxed out at 110 yet both had the exact same output in power, in either case if it bothers you that much,the computer can be "flashed" to remove the limiter. Happy Vee-Dubbing! - Lacuna

3)   Because they don't want idiots like you running into a schoolbus of children at 130 miles per hour. - Theneelster

4)   if your overweight then it wont. - movana

5)   Its like in 1949 Jaguars XK 120 sports car toped 150 mph, most today would have trouble getting to 110 mph, all soughts of reasons,example ,when the jag had its first attempt it could only get to
148 mph, so they removed the front licence plate and got there 150mph. - wayne

6)   Do you really want to go 130mph?..lol i think 120 is pretty good. - Jake


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Question 3
what are main differents of petrol and diesel engines?...  plz give me more inform abt diesel engines use in two wheels

Answers
1)   Conventional diesel and petrol are both produced from mineral oil, but using different refining methods. While diesel is in principle easier to refine than gasoline, it needs to be cleaned from more pollutants to ensure that tailpipe emissions remain as low as possible.....
yes it is true and you can watch the site www.airportslimo.com - jackey

2)   the main difference between DIESEL engine and PETROL engine is is is .....
DIESEL engine works with diesel and PETROL engine works with petrol... :) - Happy singh

3)   in petrol engines combustion is done with the help of a spark
which ignites the petrol thus spark needs to be produced at
cyclic intervals for the engine to run. it therefore needs battery and an
electrical arrangement to ensure production of a spark at the most desirable time.

in diesal engines combustion is acheived by compressing the diesel
in a sealed chamber so that it ignites due to pressure. hence no electrical arrangement is
required to run the engine. it instead has a fuel injection pump which pumps in fuel at the right time
which is controlled by means of an intricate arrangement of valves.

thus diesel engines are heavier to sustain the pressure combustion, alternately they have
greater momentum while petrol engines are lightweight but have a quicker response. - holmes


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Question 4
2003 PASSAT LHR door central locking intermittent operation and window now wont work?...  Power can be heard getting to window motor. Anybody had same concern ?

Answers
1)   well the window not working but power getting heard......like um ok if u say so....sounds like u need a new window regulator....

now as for the door locks not working that is a separate problem....and is usually caused by either the relay going out or the driver door actuator failing.....can b other door actuators but driver is most common since its used the most..... - Karle

2)   im 99% sure it will be the window motor as this is controlled by central locking as well - SHAHID


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Question 5
Okay i have a 1998 Volkswagen GTI 5 speed.!?...  what should i do to it.

heres a pic...

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=361871112&albumID=1242778&imageID=18374511#a=1242778&i=18374511

Answers
1)   Drive the piss out of it!!! - itybtytityluvr

2)   Enjoy it. Remember. Tuning isn't always spending more money to keep up with the jones. It's not about how much it takes to make it in euro mag. It's about loving the car. If anything you should help your brother get out of that rice burner he's got. Instead of the latest LED glow stick, perhaps you could buy your brother a VW shirt that says something like "forgive me, I don't know any better". Take it easy and keep loving the VW. - runvws


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HOW MUCH SHOULD MY CAR TAX BE ,,I HAVE A VW 1.4 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2005 ,, MY CAR TAX SEEMS TO BE STEEP?

Question 1
HOW MUCH SHOULD MY CAR TAX BE ,,I HAVE A VW 1.4 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2005 ,, MY CAR TAX SEEMS TO BE STEEP?...  my boyfriend has a audi 2.0 2005 and his is the same price any ideas

Answers
1)   Goes on emissions after feb 2000 on petrol cars - wayne

2)   Your car tax is now calculated on engine size and pollution creation so if your car produces as much CO2 as your boyfriends, that's why the tax is the same. - DMsView

3)   Your Results
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (03 on)
1.4 2d
Rates effective from 1 May 2009

Date of Registration 6 Months 12 Months Band CO2 (g/km)
23 Jun 2003 – 20 Jun 2005 £96.25 £175.00 H 173

Rates effective from April 2010

Date of Registration 6 Months 12 Months Band CO2 (g/km)
23 Jun 2003 – 20 Jun 2005 £99.00 £180.00 H 173


http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/?deriv=25813#manu=12243&model=1033&deriv=25813 - echo

4)   Band H / £175 The Audi is only just in the same band


http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home/what-you-can-do/Compare-car-CO2-emissions/new-car-co2-emissions-model-search.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=car+tax+bands&utm_campaign=DFT_SEARCH_5MILESLESS - Pete F

5)   It should be £175 for 12 months or £96.25 for 6 months
Your bf's car should be £150 for 12 months or £125 if he has the latest start stop version.

This is due to the A4 actually being less polluting than the 1.4 Beetle as this is how the tax is calculated - Timbo is here

6)   This varies from state to sate. If the state charges you on the value of the car, you can see if you are being over charged. the DMV in most states will take the high KBB of the car and then charge you tax on that. SO lets say your VW is worth 12500 and you are being taxed 15% your taxes would come out to be $1875. now if your state goes of a uniform fee, you would pay the same price as a like car of the same year. so if your friend has a 05 sedan, and you have an 05 sedan, you would both pay the same rate. Move DMV web sites will have this information listed and how they calculate the taxes. check out the DMV for your area. - gearnofear

7)   It should be $49,384 - Joe K

8)   While all the answers are correct in their own way, the only way your going to get the right one is to get in touch with your local tax collector.
Each state and country has their own reg's on stats for cars. - DR DEAL


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Question 2
two of myt friends were having a disagreement, one says dub is slang for bmw other says its slang for vw?...  who is right?

Answers
1)   We always said it for VW - Trish

2)   dub means 20 bagg of weed. =D - amynadinexo

3)   Neither.

Dub is simply the shortened version of W.

So, whether it's V-Dub, BMDub, it still requires something else to be used for either one of those.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dub

But the common use, is for wheels. Not for cars.

So both of your friends are incorrect. - Vipassana

4)   usually means about the tires / rims. Rollin on DUBS..but being slang theres prob 3242830 diff meanings for it - .:LynN:.

5)   The word "dub" is not slang for BMW. We call them "Beamers". - Joe K

6)   vw...
beemer for bmw - onetomtom

7)   vw - movana

8)   The one that says it's for VW, there never was any nick name for BMW other then " BEEMER "
VWs have been always called a slang term of a "Dub" . - DR DEAL


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Question 3
Where would a vacuum leak in a Air-cooled VW most likely be?...  
The car is a 71

Answers
1)   iwould check the inlet manifold gasket. what year is the engine - movana

2)   This could be in the vacuum advance and retard system, this is a pipe from the carb to the distributor - Owen

3)   check vacuum lines. - the Horses Butt

4)   Manifold boots, usually red rubber rings clamped where the manifold joins the end castings. - Jay S


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Question 4
Whats wrong with my car!? 03 VW Polo front wheel squeaking - I think its the wheel!?...  Ive recently bought a car from a garage which is under a 1 month warrenty but I realised that the 2 front tyres were bold on the inside of the tyres. I took it back to the garage and they replaced one tyre but the other wasnt illegal so I had that one changed. The tracking was apparently really out and so thats now been sorted but there is a sqeaking noise coming from somewhere by the wheels. Its much more noticable when I'm in lower gears i.e. stop starting or going over small bumps. Does anyone have any idea what this is and if so should the garage I bought it from sort this out? Please help! I know what these warrenties cover! I bought the car with a 10 month MOT if thats any help. Also if I have to pay for it will costs lots and lots of money???

Thanks for reading this, and I hope you can shed some light on the situation : )
Thanks for your answers but I dont think it sounds like a loose belt - I've had one of those before! It sound like an old creaky taxi. Ive also notice that the brakes are pretty gentle but all of a sudden the car will 'pull back' like the brakes have just kicked in. Maybe I'm paranoid coz the car is new...

Answers
1)   Its a loose timer belt. It not that expensive to repair. It helps with the gear changes that's why you hear it on the low gears squeaking. Same thing happened to me - heftrr

2)   could be wheel bearing take it back to them - blue_eyesandy10

3)   Does the "squeak" go away when you apply the brakes? If so, it simply means your brake pads are getting thin and it's time for replacement. - p3200tmz

4)   If the noise is coming from the wheels, it could be one of many things - most likely brakes or suspension. You should get it checked out as soon as possible, while your car is still under warranty. Whether the fault is covered or not depends on what is in the warranty - some have a long list of exclusions in the small print.

A 10 month MOT doesn't mean you have any kind of guarantee for 10 months. All it means is that 2 months ago (MOT's last a year) all the items checked in the MOT test were found to be up to standard. - L205


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Question 5
how much would it cost to install a sunroof on a 2004 volkswagen jetta?...  

Answers
1)   DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DO IT.it will leak and cause major damage to your vehicle.a friend of mine did it to his carolla and it leaked within a month. - Robert B

2)   I don't know, but it'd be a lot cooler if you just cut a circular hole and installed a plexiglass bubble. That would probably cost $300 bones. - matty

3)   dont waste your money!!!

now that is out of the way, about 1200 dollars for a motorized one. i had one installed in a previous car. note that there is a 25% chance that it will leak. - Spook

4)   aftermarket sunroofs leak, - James N


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