Is a VW... A good car?

[Subject]
Is a VW... A good car?
[Question]
Is a 1999 VW Beetle a good car? I'm thinking about getting one & need to know, thanks.

Crista E @ 2009-08-25 09:48:15

[All Answers]
I wouldn't even think about it.
Mechanical (especially electrical system) nightmares.

You will end up spending more in repairs over the next couple of years than you will pay for the car.

Stupid Flanders @ 2009-08-25 09:51:49

I agree with Stupid Flanders. Thats 10 years old and VW replacement parts are expensive.

Kemo @ 2009-08-25 09:53:01

Flanders is right. Every vw owner i know same shit always breaks. alwayssss

they are always breaking glove box cig lighter middle counsol.
they are pretty to some hot chicks but they stink. trust me

Made up Name @ 2009-08-25 09:53:10

This link will give you 84 owner reviews for that make, model and year:
http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/newbeetle/1999/consumerreview.html

They may rave about them, but I haven't met anyone who hasn't been let down by Volkswagen's quality. It is also probably made in Mexico.

wilson @ 2009-08-25 09:54:20

Flanders speak with forked tongue. The new VW Beetle is basically a VW Golf/Rabbit with different bodywork.VWs are a pretty solid car these days and have been for years.

GibsonEssGee @ 2009-08-25 09:55:07

I own a 2001 New Beetle, bought new, and (with reservations) really like it. It had a lot of minor problems at first, but it handles well and is economic to run and is a lot of fun to drive. I think the crappy dealer I had was a major part of the problem. That being said, I haven't had a major problem with it. People are always waving which is cool.

Make sure you have a mechanic look over this car before you sign on the dotted line. The 1999 was the first year and they had some problems that took awhile to fix, although after being driven for 10 years, your model should have them all fixed by now. Consumer's Reports rates the Beetle pretty low as a used car.

Two things that will drive you crazy are the cup holders and sun visors.

If you can get a good deal and the mechanic clears the car, I'd say you'll have a nice set of wheels.

Jim_of_Oz @ 2009-08-25 10:00:47

I've never owned a newer volkswagen... but I've owned plenty of older ones... if I were you I would forget all about EVER owning one!! These things are JUNK!!!! nothing but problems..............

greenthumbed420 @ 2009-08-25 10:28:39

they're mechanically reliable and pretty safe but they have a lot of little problems that are expensive to fix since its volkswagen. but I wouldnt trade my car

BTW I own a 2001 v6 passat glx with the tiptronic transmission

Cassie @ 2009-08-25 11:34:16

honestly? if you really want a vw beetle, buy a classic one. You can get them very very reasonable, with new engines. Plus they were built so much better in the 60's and 70's

MR. Nervous... @ 2009-08-25 12:30:59

I have a 2001 jetta and absolutly love it. I have never had anything major go wrong with it. Just like with any other car if it has had regular maintnance it will run great.

jbbassist91 @ 2009-08-25 12:56:48

[Subject]
how bad are the old vw's?......?
[Question]
i'm an almost 18 yr old girl and since i was like 12 i've always wanted an old model vw bug. my parents don't mind me getting one i just have to be willing to hold of getting everything done at one time. so my question is has anyone have or had had one and know if they really always break down and all that jazz or is my dad exaggrating. obviously they wont run great, i know, but are they ok for a daily car just going back and forth to a near by college?

ek @ 2009-08-24 17:03:28

[All Answers]
Great cars but everyone I've met who owned one is a car expert, because they've had to fix everything. I heard the engine can be removed in 5 min..

Mark @ 2009-08-24 17:15:26

They were very reliable cars back in the day, and relatively easy to repair; their great fuel mileage was just one feature that made them so popular. However, like any old car, they are prone to severe rusting, particularly in the floor pan ( beneath the seats), and the older they get, the scarcer parts become. The biggest challenge may be finding someone who has been in the business long enough to know how to work on them, and still has the tools to do so. That being said, if your heart is set on it, and you can find one that has been well maintained and/ or well restored for a reasonable price, they can be sensible everyday cars. However, depending on your financial situation, among other factors, a more modern car may be immensely more practical.

Good Hunting

the_legend_of_drunken_donkey @ 2009-08-24 17:43:42

One of the most dependable of their time,IF maintained.
Forget the bug (cute) and go for a Karmin Ghia ( FABULAS)
>>They are rear engined so need less air pressure int the front tires.<<

Dan W @ 2009-08-24 21:38:11

They are absolute not bad. I would be more afraid to buy an american car which is 4 Y old.

Susan @ 2009-08-24 22:25:30

Excellent cars. I have had many of them (I'm 16), but I kept my first, second, and fourth. My daily driver is a 1973 standard. It is very reliable, and when it does break it is super easy to fix. There is no need for a garage, everything was specifically designed to be very easy to fix with common toolbox essentials. When they are cold, they are quite choppy (blame this on carburation) but when warm they run super smooth. The only time when they will be unreliable in any way is when they were beat on throughout their lives. That will make any car unreliable, but especially a car that is not made to be a race car. I used mine on a 12K mile road trip and it ran like nothing else. I wouldn't ever use another car for such a trip. I think you can use it as a daily driver. Don't believe your dad. Even if he's telling the truth do ask him how he drove his. If he beat the living shit out of it, it was obviously unreliable. If he took very good care of it, it will last forever. I have almost 150K on mine, got it with 63K two years ago (recently got my license, I've been driving a lot to celebrate). It has the original engine. Even the original clutch. Drive it carefully and it will be the best car you've ever owned. Be sure to check the oil once a week or every 500 miles at most, since they burn oil. Don't think it is a bad thing that it burns oil because it was actually designed to. It keeps the upper cyls lubercated, and it is basically a by-product of it being aircooled. So do make sure you're not running dry. Other than that, have a lot of fun.

Oh yea, forgot to mention this- parts for the 73 are very easy to come by. I can get all my consumables at Auto Zone, and they are cheaper than parts for Hondas. There isn't much to break anyway, and everything that you have to break is simple and cheap. Other parts I get over at a Beetle specialty place. More significant parts are harder to come by, naturally since it's an older car, but to maintain it is a matter of a few minutes to your local parts store.

Prime @ 2009-08-25 06:41:15

Volkswagen's are GREAT cars!I have 8 of them. The one I drive the most is my 1971 Beetle. And if a Volkswagen always breaks down, it's because the owner isn't treating it right. If you buy one, also make sure you get the VW manual for it. These cars are soooo easy to work on, almost like a lawn mower with an attitude. A lot of people drive them as if they are race cars, NOT! A lot of people also either forget to check the oil, or they put too much oil IN them, and in both cases, that's bad. I drive mine from Las Vegas Nevada, to Phoenix Arizona, and it Only takes 3/4 of a tank of gas, that's almost 400 miles. I am a female, and know how to change the spark plugs, do the timing, change the oil, change the clutch cable, and a few other things. I read the VW manual and this car is almost self explanatory. I wish you luck and welcome to the cool world of VW'S!

Bug @ 2009-08-25 07:14:55

If you were smart you'd forget about owning a volkswagen PERIOD... regardless of the year but especially and older ones. I've owned plenty of them (and still do) and I wish that I could go back in time and never get involved with any VW. I know a little bit about working on these things too... and it's a never ending circle... my bus breaks down in some form or fashion about every 4-5 days and this is after putting over $8000 into restoring it. Please do yourself a huge favor and get a Toyota, Honda or something similar that doesn't have all these issues.

greenthumbed420 @ 2009-08-25 10:33:48

Well, think about how many of the old beetles you still see on the road.

THEN remember that they were last made in 1974 so they are ALL at least 30+ years old AND STILL RUNNING.

Other issues to know:
1) Parts are still available and easy to get from many sources
2) Most repairs are easily made by the owner. (Buy the self help books that were written back int he 60's and 70's - worth their weight in gold).
3) Good mileage.. between 25 and 28 over most conditions.
4) To get long life they require regular and routine oil changes.. at least every other month. and an annual lube job.
5) Fun to drive.. you will ALWAYS have someone come up to you and tell you 'their story' about the vw they used to have. Nice way to meet people.
6) Cheap insurance
7) and best off all.. that $1000 car you buy today will be worth $1200 next year... try that with a rice rocket.

.

ca_surveyor @ 2009-08-25 13:19:58

[Subject]
Where are VW cars manufactured?
[Question]
Specifically the GTI.
Are they manufactured in Germany or are they built somewhere else?
I've heard that they build some cars in Mexico.
Can you buy models made in Germany?
As much info is appreciated.

Eric411 @ 2009-08-24 21:36:42

[All Answers]
They are now made in Dresden, Germany. May14, 2009 they announced building a new plant in Chattanooga, TN. I think their Mexico plant closed when the last Bug rolled off the line in 1990.

eferrell01 @ 2009-08-24 22:14:15

VW produce most cars in Germany but they now own so many makes that bits are made all over Europe and assembled in one place.

Wolfsburg was the main factory for VW but there are others.

If you want a European VW then you can buy one but be aware that they are Euro Spec and will not be road legal in the USA. i'm unaware of exactly what needs to be modified other than the lights and turn signals

Gavin R @ 2009-08-25 09:48:24

My 2001 New Beetle was assembled/built in Mexico.

Jim_of_Oz @ 2009-08-25 10:04:26

the vw plant in mexico is still open and employees about 80,000 people. it is located in puebla mexico and they manufacture for sale in the USA the new beetle and jetta

IKE @ 2009-08-25 10:09:39

Built in a number of countries throughout the world.
----------------
Based in Wolfsburg Germany, the Volkswagen Group is the world’s fourth-largest automobile manufacturer, and the largest car producer in Europe.

The Group operates 44 manufacturing facilities. These are found in 12 European countries, as well as six countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa.

(see http://www.vw.co.za/about/group/)
--------------
Has factories in Mexico, Australia and South Africa.


--------
For info on SA VW see http://www.vw.co.za/about/vwsa/

Established in 1946, Volkswagen of South Africa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Aktiengessellschaft (VWAG) in Germany. It is the largest German investment in South Africa and is a major contributor to foreign direct investment, technology transfer and skills development. Volkswagen of South Africa is located in Uitenhage,
--------------


(see also this web site http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=4871)

Includes countries such as Spain, China and Poland, however my knowledge does not extend to VW in these countries.

Indicates that GTI was built in Spain, South Africa and Germany.

--------------------
Notably, Australia and South Africa are right hand vehicles, German/European are left hand drive.

-------------------------------

In India

http://indianautosblog.com/2009/07/volkswagen-up-to-be-manufactured-in-india-for-900-euros
--------------------

Replica @ 2009-08-25 13:05:49

[Subject]
what's wrong with my 70 beetle ?
[Question]
my 70 beetle turns on just fine ill drive it around 4 like 15 mins then ill stop an turn off my beetle an the engine keeps goin for a few secs then it'll turn off ?

what cud be wrong with my beetle ?

maybe i have to clean da carb ?

or what else can be wrong with it ?

BigBoi @ 2009-08-24 23:59:13

[All Answers]
I think its doing that b/v its too hot. I would make sure the spark plugs are gapped correctly, and look at air filter. Good luck.

JcL @ 2009-08-25 00:10:52

he wants hes mummy...

uh, its probably just cooing off/down. clean the fillter, maybe that will help.

Joanne @ 2009-08-25 01:36:15

Okay, your idle screw on the side of your carburetor is turned up too fast, so it's like it's giving the motor the wrong message. If you don't know how to adjust that screw, have someone who "does" know, show you how, okay? I have 8 Volkswagen's, one of which is a 1971, and I
can remember having to do this one time....it's really easy. Or if you have a VW manual, just look it up on how to adjust that screw, okay? Good luck, and welcome to the world of VW'S.

Bug @ 2009-08-25 06:41:25

Your engine is still running because the carb is still injecting fuel into the engine and the hot cylinders are firing it even with the ingnition shut off.

Later model Carbs have a fuel shut off valve which stopped this problem.

You have three options

1) Try letting it idle for a little bit before you shut it off. That may cool it down enough to stop the knock.

2) Replace the carb with one with the shut off valve or, if you have the valve already, replace the valve because it is faulty. While you are in there check your carb adjustments too.

3) Turn the engine off with the car in gear and your foot on the brake. When you release the clutch the engine will stop.


THe last technique is not too great for the wear and tear on your engine, but the 'out of timing' knocking is a bit worse, so this is the lesser of two evils.

... hope that helps.

.

ca_surveyor @ 2009-08-25 08:25:28

[Subject]
A Hard Day's Night, 1964?
[Question]
Is A hard Days Night a good movie?

BellaBeatle @ 2009-08-25 00:39:05

[Best Answer]It wasn't bad in the 60's.. unless you are totaly imersed in the beetles I would not put it on the top of yoru list of movies to see.

But the bigger question is why did you put this in the Volkswagen section???

.

ca_surveyor @ 1251214109

[All Answers]
love the song........

Jackson @ 2009-08-25 00:47:21

It is if there are Volkswagen's in it.....

Bug @ 2009-08-25 06:43:12

It wasn't bad in the 60's.. unless you are totaly imersed in the beetles I would not put it on the top of yoru list of movies to see.

But the bigger question is why did you put this in the Volkswagen section???

.

ca_surveyor @ 2009-08-25 08:28:29