What to look for ? watch out for ? in buying a used Beetle in the 98-01 years

Looking to buy a 1998-2001 Beetle for my daughter with 1 year of driving experience. What are problem years or motor ,tranny or options to lookout for. thanks for all replies , advice.

My personal opinion only but I'd be very very careful about the purchase of an older NB especially for a new driver unless I was absolutely sure that a full maintenance/service program has happened for the cars entire life. If this can be verified then that will at least prove that fail items like timing chain/waterpump/fluid changes/window regulators/recall items etc have all be seen to. Otherwise I wouldn't consider it unless the price was very low.
Good Luck.

Hako

I appreciate the comments and realize the importance of proper maintance. It seems there are many versions of the new beetle. What motors are interferance fit ? " Timing belt " are the automatic trannys ok ? any clutch problems with a properly driven standard ? does the hydraulic clutch nee a tranny removed for a slave cylinder ? Stay away from a turbo motor ? most vehicles have some design flaws I guess that what was I am trying to avoid. My daughter will still be at home for 2-4 years some I can help with repair work advice.

G'Day Scholzee,
Reason for stressing "proper maintenance" is that in theory there are no time bombs waiting to go off - things like the timing belt and waterpump changes must have been made in an older NB and its nice to see it written in a logbook. Re engines - I think they are all interference fit.
Most if not all the mechanicals are from other VW models so they should not be any less reliable but they certainly are not as reliable as a Japanese car. We've had an auto and a manual and no problems with either so I couldn't say there are any design flaws but thats just my opinion. The slave cylinder for the clutch doesn't need the engine removed according to the workshop manual. I've read lots about the electrics playing up....more so than with other makes but had no personal problems that way.
I suppose in the end you have to balance the looks and appeal plus crashworthiness of the NB against a reputation for recurring problems which may or may not be deserved.
Try a Google search for "new beetle problems" as that will bring up plenty.
Sorry I cannot help you more.

Hako

Thanks you have been plenty helpful !! I am glad to hear there are no major common problem areas. She definitely likes the looks and I figure if you like the vehicle she will probably pay more attention to taking care of it. I have done all the work on my vehicles for over 25 years and have software to diagnosis and repair OBDII problems. I however have no experience with VW's and appreciate your input.

Thanks

G'Day Scholzee,
I'm like you and always do my own maintenance except when it negates the warranty.....plus its fun (well, sometimes)
Interesting thing about New Beetles - we traded our 5 year old NB on a 1 year old NB - trade was 2/3 of new price and the one we bought was 4/5 of new price. Our other vehicle is a 5 year old Holden which is worth 1/3 of new price.
What I'm alluding to here is that the NB, despite all the bad reports you will hear has a much better resale than the Holden which is Australias best selling car.
A '99 NB here will sell for about AUD$13000 yet new ones can be had for AUD$27600. Your part of the world may be different.
Regards

Early NB's had a problem with the side windows falling out of their tracks and crashing down into the doors. ('98-'99) Check that a recall was completed on that.
They also have a habit of burning out headlight bulbs from overheating. Keep the release mechanisms lubed or you'll have a bear of a time getting the headlights out.
Also make her aware of the low hanging nose. It's easy to hit a curb and cause not only cosmetic, but also expensive mechanical damage.

I had an early '98, #1748 to be exact. I bought it at 4 years old (33,500 miles), sold it 5 3/4 years later(64,300 miles). It was an automatic with the 2.0. Key thing is to make sure the timing belt & water pump have been replaced, mine went out at 60K miles. My beetle also had odd little electrical issues, ie it always thought the driver's door was closed (therefore no warning light if you left the headlights on), it would set off the alarm whenever it felt like if the interior light was set to turn on when the door was open. Do research, I believe the '00s and up are more reliable, not that mine was not reliable, it was just interesting. That said, the replacement is an '05 Beetle with a 2.0 and automatic, it had 7800 miles when I bought it in Dec '07, now its at 12,900 miles. Best of luck to your daughter, I loved my '98 and love my '05 :)

Early NB's had a problem with the side windows falling out of their tracks and crashing down into the doors. ('98-'99) Check that a recall was completed on that.
They also have a habit of burning out headlight bulbs from overheating. Keep the release mechanisms lubed or you'll have a bear of a time getting the headlights out.
Also make her aware of the low hanging nose. It's easy to hit a curb and cause not only cosmetic, but also expensive mechanical damage.

Funny you mention the low hanging nose - my wife ran over a kerb 3 weeks ago - split the sump and the cost was $AUD1600.....lucky it was covered by insurance.