I had the misfortune to purchase a used VW Beetle manual 2.0L last year with 50K miles, warrantied form a Ford dealer. Here's my nightmare, which began after I drove 300 miles and has continued uninterrupted:

Check engine light came on. Two useless dealership diagnostics, new spark plugs, ignition wires, and a leaking valve in the engine. Cost, $700 plus inconvience. Duration of issue: 4-5 months. During this time, engine also lost power accelerating between 2nd-3rd-3rd-4th gears.

**Severe** oil consumption. Car drinks 1q a month. VW claims this is 'normal' in their technical service bulletin 1701. If so, why not install an oil gauge which would help owners monitor the consumption? Must be checked every 2-3 weeks to avoid driving on low.

Power mirrors never worked. Cost to find out why: 150$. Recommended repair, $350 for just the part.

Manual windows don't close all the way on the motorway. Much noise.

Interior door handles worn; cup holders useless and break.

Front grid cracks twice after bumping a tiny parking stopper.

Dead battery, 57K miles.

THE NIGHTMARE GETS WORSE!

Noise on starting (clutch release): starter motor replaced: $500
Car fully serviced 64K: $600 K. $90 to change a lightbulb, $40 for a windshield wiper.

TRANSMISSION FAILS, 67K , mechanic cites 'internal failure' (this happened in one day). New transmission, $3K, plus $500 for a new clutch which mechanic says is 75% worn. VWUSA tells me their great 100K drive train warranty doesn't cover a second owner! I am out of pocket.

Upon collection, $1 switch in driver's door fails, so lock system mis-times. VW requires purchase of whole latch to get the switch working. Cost, $250.

Total time of car in repair: 1 month plus
Cost of one year of ownership: c.6K, not counting mental distress, annoyance, severe depression over this choice of car
Reason for purchase: Nice style and drive, VW reputation for quality (ha ha ha)

Will I ever buy a VW again? Not if they sold it to me for $1 dollar. That's right, for one US dollar ! I would say NO WAY!

I am selling my Beetle. If they had any faith in their product, they'd buy it back. Also, I never dealt with the dealership again after they wrongly diagnosed the check engine light and charged me $200 to tell me that I had not tightened the petrol cap.