2002 Beetle 2.0 anything to worry about?

Dr Who

Dr Who

Dr Who

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Joined
11 Nov 2004
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Couvains, France
My wife has not done enough miles to retain her company car so has decided to look at buying a car and taking the allowance.

She doesn't want to spend loads as she does very few miles, and wants something a little "cute".

I found a Beetle nearby which she is off to see later today, and was wondering if there is anything she should look for (or me).

This is the car http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/02-02-Vol...6897370?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4aba85985a

Thoughts?
 
Performance isn't an issue, nor is economy, it really doesn't do enough miles to worry about it. She works from home, so all it does is short runs round town, ferrying the kids (16 and 19) shopping and 1 day a week on a 50 mile round trip to the station (business miles).

It is never something I would buy for myself, but I would like her to have something relatively reliable and safe, and she likes the look and colour (each to their own I spose).
 
[TW]Fox;22484214 said:
I honestly think that for a cutsey car the Mini is simply a better car.
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We have looked at both, I am asking here for specifics about this model of car, not alternatives Fox. I know you can't resist throwing in your opinions, but I am after specifics about the beetle, she may well buy a Mini Cooper if the right one turns up, but for now, lets keep it to the beetle reliability issues etc thanks.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
16 and 19 year old 'kids' will struggle in the back of a Beetle for headroom.

MINI is far better on that front.
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As you can imagine, 16 and 19 year olds rarely go to the same place, and the 19 year old is learning to drive anyway (as well as off to university medical school in sept), so it is front seat size only that is really relevant.

If we are travelling a longer distance ie to Relations, I will take the Merc.
 
Kenai said:
12.33: 'for now, lets keep it to the beetle reliability issues etc thanks'
12.39: 'she is also looking at this <link to a mini>'

Good work sir, a full 6 minutes before deviating from the topic you just asked everyone else to stick to :p
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I haven't deviated, I have said to stick to beetle info because she is already looking at a mini, so opinions will be irrelevant, she will decide which she likes most taking those factors into account.

You can take stuff out of context to say I have changed the subject, but please note I am not asking about opinions or info on the mini :p
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Lets be honest if your wife wants one because its 'cute' you dont care for rear space or fuel economy (which could get you into a sportcar?) then there isnt really much discussion to have?
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Well if they are known for major issues then that is a stay clear, that is the kinda info I am after, more of a quick heads-up as opposed to trwling through pages on a New forum that I will have no interest in registering for longer term.

She also likes the mini, as do I, I think the mini is a great little car, it is also cheaper to insure (as well as more economical and slightly quicker). But in this price bracket she will be looking at higher mileage examples so just looking at alternatives.
 
Wife went for a test drive and liked it a lot, said it drove like her A3 (surprise surprise).

Going to see a mini and (my choice) a 3 series BMW as well. (no doubt the BMW will lose, but it is the sensible choice imho).
 
Windle said:
Best getting her to check if there any restrictions on the car allowance if she takes it, there's a number of items we have to remain within if we take the allowance relating to age, number of doors etc.
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They have none as it is a perk car allowance as opposed to business need, it could almost be regarded as a salary bump for those that don't take the company car or qualify for it. Only restriction is that she has it insured for business use to claim mileage.
 
Kenai said:
Is this the part where he will triumphantly announce it's actually a £9000 3 Series before providing a convoluted reason for the massive budget discrepancy?

Perhaps i'm just jaded by the way these sort of threads seem to go more often than not :p
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The max budget is £4k always has been, She wouldn't buy a more sensible Focus, you don't seem to understand the irrational nature of women. If I had my way it would be a focus or a civic or similar, maybe even a Mondeo, she won't even look at those. :rolleyes:
 
Well she has put a deposit down today on a pristine, FSH 43,000 mile 1.8T Beetle (Nov 2002).

She drove it, she loved it, she is happy. Probably paying over the odds but the condition really is amazing.
 
rodenal said:
Hope you (she) enjoy it - won't comment on the price as you seem to know yourself how high it is for a beetle, in that colour too! Your money I guess, hardly a vast overall sum in any case
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Yeah, we paid the premium of around a grand for the condition, dealer SOGA protection and low miles.

She likes the (funky) colour, although she would have preferred yellow, and in reality, it is her companies money so as long as it doesn't have any major issues she will be quids in around 18 months time.
 
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