I want to buy a used 1998 Volkswagen bug, how much should I spend on one?

Question 1
I want to buy a used 1998 Volkswagen bug, how much should I spend on one?...  Ive been looking online and so far I see that they usually go for around 3,000 to 3,500ish.. I found one that was 2,000 and I just think it's too good to be true I figured there has to be something wrong with it or it has a lot of miles.. this is gonna be my second car but my first one I didn't pick out, so I'm not sure what it is I'm supposed to look for in a good car. How many miles is too many miles? and are they pretty good on gas I know it's a 4 cylinder car and I heard a 4 cylinder uses less gas, is that true? Any other info would be totally appreciated =)

Answers
1)   Don't buy it! Nothing but problems and falls apart - Baker

2)   Anyone buying a used car should start by looking at the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide, which is normally published once a year. I've always relied on their findings and ratings for new and used cars. Some bookstores, Walmarts, or your local grocer sometimes keep them on display longer, however, your local library should have a back issue copy along with the current monthly issue. Again, look at reliability ratings for that car. Are they better than average, average, or worse than average? Why would you want to buy a car whose reliability is rated worse than average? Don't buy something that is repair-prone. Buy something that has better than average reliability, or at least average. Spend wisely. Also, look at the car manufacturer's entire lineup. How do their other cars stack up? Do they also have problems? It's rare that only one particular model stinks, while the others shine.

You asked about price. Go to the links below and input the variables to determine what each of those sites consider a good price to pay for that car. Get a good average from the sites so you'll know what that car is really worth. Why? Because if that car is worth $2,000, and you pay $3,000 for it, and decide you want another and want to sell it, guess what your car's worth? We all pay a little more than we should, but not too much. How many miles is too much? That's a tough question. I think anything over 80,000 and the car is going to start to need significant work to keep it going. In this case, look at the year of the car, 1998. It's 13 years old. It's been my experience that anything over 10 years and stuff really starts to break. Four cylinder cars are usually good on gas, vice six or eight. Now, my personal opinion on VW.

VW makes some of the funnest cars to drive. German cars all handle very well, and really make driving fun. German cars are some of the most unreliable cars I've ever read about. I've owned two VWs and both gave me loads of problems. The last one I owned was a VW Rabbit, which I bought at the nine-year mark. When that car hit 10 years old, the engine started giving me all kinds of problems, and not just minor ones. Every major component failed and cost me more than what I paid for it. VW's reliability has been less than average or poor across the board with all their cars. Brand new, they are fun, but have problems. Used, they can be a nightmare. My advice, pick another make like Toyota or Honda.

Toyota has had more than their fair share of problems recently with all their cars, but historically they make solid cars. Honda too. But, do your own research, don't rush buying a car. Also, take someone with you who knows cars, and always take it to a repair shop for a once over mechanical check before paying any money. Have them look it over thoroughly.

Knowledge is power. Know how much the car's worth. Know how much you want to spend. Know how you intend to pay for it. My credit union's loan department is very good at helping folks buy cars. They are sticklers for paying the lowest price, and offer free printouts to help folks understand what cars are really worth. Does your credit union or bank offer this service? Edmunds.com is also a good place for price info.

One more thing. The second a dealership or someone selling you the car sees that you're a woman, they have already figured you don't have the smarts to know what you're doing. They figured you don't research makes/models, you don't have a clue about reliability, and you don't know anything about car values. Prove them wrong. DO NOT FEAR CONFRONTATION. Absorb it, and it will make you stronger. Stick to your guns. Every time I've bought a car, I've always visited as many dealerships as possible. I want confrontation, I want them to tell me lies so I can know the information I've gathered is right. Practice at different places so you can learn how to deal with sales persons and managers. I always show up with all my notes (in order), notepad and pen, and calculator. Never let anyone at the dealership or wherever you buy a car see your notes. Write down stuff you don't understand, refer back to it, or ask someone else. Be smart. It's your money, spend it wisely.

http://www.nadaguides.com/

http://www.kbb.com/

http://www.edmunds.com/used-cars/ - Canines

3)   Before buying the car you should also compare insurance prices for these cars to estimate how much you will really pay for it - carquotes.sinfree.net - Oliver

4)   with old cars likes like that its a gamble... about a year ago i bought a ford escort for 3000 it took another 2500 to fix the problems it had...then i got a 2008 VW GTI and right now i think the gti was a better deal than the 3000 dollar car. money wise that is.. - oX.CoOkiE.MoNsTeR.Xo


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Question 2
Squeaking sound? vw jetta?...  I have a 2006 vw jetta that squeaks when driving slow or on uneven ground especially on turns. It's comes from the front only, I had my breaks replaced in feb. along with the rotors, What could be the issue?

Answers
1)   You need to get your Flux Capacitor greased. Take it to the shop and ask for the Flux Capacitor service. Should only be 15/20 bucks. - sweet river baines

2)   Flux capacitor?? Total hype answer. - mo mo mokie

3)   Might be the shocks or sway bar. My 2000 Jetta did that. What exactly does the squeaking sound like? - Calvin Perkins

4)   cv axles - Alex


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Question 3
i want a vw beetle. which model/year is best to buy?...  well i saw a 1971 beetle for sale down my street and i asked my mom if we could talk about getting it. since i'm looking for a car anyway. so she talked to my dad about it and he said it was a death trap. well that crushed my dreams haha.. but anyway. i love the look of the beetle and i know the new-ish ones aren't as attractive, but i still like them. which vw beetle model is the best safety, and mpg wise? gas prices are crazy right now... i'd prefer a standard drive but auto is ok. i'm 16 and about to get my licence so i guess the best model for new drivers.. (i'm used to driving a 2008 honda civic coupe. is the beetle a drastic change in driving style? will i get used to it quickly?)

lots of info is very helpful! thanks in advance :)

Answers
1)   Hey there =) I'm looking for a VW bug too they're so cute and I don't know too much about them but I did hear that they do pretty well with gas cuz it's a 4 cylinder car.. and I'm personally trying to get a 1998 bug cuz there way cheaper than the newer models, not to mention super safe compared to the old bugs. That's about as much as I know lol I'm asking questions on here too to learn more about these cars, hopefully u can get ur bug =) oh and pretty much any car u get ur gonna get used to it pretty quick it'll feel a lil funky at first but ya after just a lil adjusting you'll be fine. Good luck - Bree

2)   Before buying the car you should also compare insurance prices for these cars to estimate how much you will really pay for it - carinsurance.deep-ice.com - Oliver

3)   go with GTI - oX.CoOkiE.MoNsTeR.Xo


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Question 4
durability of 1974 VW Westfalia?...  im looking at getting a westy for my first car. i heard that the biggest problem with them is their engines. and, if i was to install a bolt down couch lets say from lay-z-boy, can i reinstall the seatbelts to the original brackets? would it be legal?

Answers
1)   Keep the valves adjusted & serviced on schedule (VW dealer will tell you how often) & they will last forever. - clncarplz

2)   vw's can be a lot of work. especially compared to new cars. they require regular maintenance which if you don't do yourself will be expensive. every 3000 miles you NEED TO. change oil (and filter) adjust valves, check timing, adjust carburetor, change fuel filter change air filter, adjust brakes, adjust clutch cable if needed etc etc. you need to check the oil level at least twice a week if not more and top it off. not to mention minor things that can and do happen in between regular maintenance intervals. i drive a 1970 beetle everyday but i also do all the work myself and on time.

if you do all that then you have nothing to worry about with the engine. they are some of the strongest and most reliable engines out there. thats why they sold over 22,000,000 of them for 56 years while barely changing a thing. - Air-Cooled (o\ ! /o)


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Question 5
2001 vw jetta vr6 fuel economy?...  I have a 2001 vw Jetta glx vr6 2.8L I was wondering why my mpg isn't as good as it supposed to be?
For instance i had an 01 jetta same motor and both had manual transmissions my old one got at least 33 mpg hwy and aroung 28 city. The jetta i have now only gets about 22mpg hwy and 18 city. The only difference between the two is a had an aftermarket muffler on my old one thats it!
There are no check engine lights on now it has a new mass air flow sensor.
Please no trash talk about vw or that motor.
on this model it shows details like mpg, instant mpg, average mph, and a timer for how long the motor has been running or somethinglike that.

Answers
1)   A 2001 Jetta VR6 manual is rated 17 city 26 highway under the new regime. You're right in the ballpark of where you are supposed to be. A muffler wouldn't make that much difference so I suspect the old on really didn't get that much, maybe you just thought it did. - D

2)   Mm... I find this for you. http://giftchoice.info/2625/air-flow-sensor - Ng Causey


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