Faults:

ECU reprogrammed under warranty.

Mass-air sensor replaced under warranty.

Power window switches replaced twice.

Drivers' side window motor very very slow and intermittent.

Power trunk release still doesn't work quite right.

Random idiot lights (aka warning lights) decide to turn on now and then.

Finish on door handles and center console has worn away.

Cheap plastic dash rattles and squeaks.

Various other cheap plastic fittings have come loose.

General Comments:

What a disaster. There's always something wrong on this car. I've heard of the batteries frequently failing after about 2 years - thankfully that's never happened, it looks like it's a serious pain to replace. Thankfully, the service dept. has gone out of its way to fix the car under warranty, even once temporarily turning back the odometer to get it serviced under warranty (it was past the 36,000 mile warranty) and then putting it back where it was to keep everything legal (barely). The service department of VW has been the one thing that has kept this whole experience from being a total crock. Best service I've ever seen. Otherwise, don't buy this car. Never mind the decent turbo motor. It's really not worth it. Especially not for $24,000.

Faults:

I purchased the Beetle late Fall 2002 from a Ford Dealer who bought it at an auction. It was originally leased for two years by the previous owner. (Smart lady, she turned it in) In late Spring, six months later, the car had trouble starting. Would start and stall over and over, but not when I took it to the mechanic. He said they have a history of grounding problems and the problem should get worse, which will allow it to happen for him, when it is in the shop. I can drive the car for 1/2 hour and park it, return 15 minutes later and it won't start. At first it would stall 2-3 times. The record is starting and stalling or cranking and not starting for 12 times in a row. But this is intermittent still, and won't do it for the mechanic. I am frustrated because I've had it in the shop a half a dozen times after it has stalled and it won't do it upon inspection. (Of course!) There is no Specific Answer on what is causing it, THANK GOD I bought an extended warranty from the Ford Dealer, much to their dismay... After reading all these problems, I will NEVER buy a VW or "preowned" car again. I did some research and contacted the original VW dealer that did the warranty work on this car. Sure enough, it had warranty work on the Sunroof, CD changer, rear trunk lock and a starting problem, where they replaced a "cluster". All in the first six months of ownership. Too bad the lemon law doesn't apply to purchasing used cars-shame on you VW!

General Comments:

Electrical problems.

Grounding problems.

If you buy a used one, buy the extended warranty, you're going to need it!

Despite all this, it IS fun to drive and it's cute. But I can't say it is worth it.