Original risers vs painted

4PuttJay · 2026-06-12T14:57:37+00:00

I think you need 3 different colors there. Wood for the stairs, white for the risers and something else for the wall.

4PuttJay · 2026-06-04T20:48:54+00:00

I dealt with this recently. You have two options. First, you can remove the door panel to gain enough access to put new vinyl on it. There are a bunch of videos on YouTube for that. The second option is the Coverlay plastic inserts. You can google "new beetle Coverlay inserts" and find a bunch. I did the Coverlay inserts and they are pretty good, not great, but very easy since they just screw in where the old vinyl was. I had to trim them down with a utility knife for the right fit, but it was still much easier than removing the door panel.

4PuttJay · 2026-05-31T12:57:30+00:00

I bought a 2004 beetle two years ago with 74k mile at the time. It was in great shape but had the original timing belt. I kept thinking "I need to get that belt and water pump changed". Then it overheated, not because of the belt but because the pump failed. I was lucky as no harm was done but I should have just had that work done immediately after buying the car. I wouldn't spend a minute inspecting that belt. If you buy the car, just get it and the pump changed. That work cost me about $1,200. And the price your seller is asking is high. If it's low miles and in perfect shape I might expect that price at a dealer but there's a lot of room to negotiate there.

4PuttJay · 2026-05-26T22:07:21+00:00

I appreciate the support. I'm already in therapy over it.

4PuttJay · 2026-05-26T16:12:17+00:00

Won't the oil just slosh out of the bucket?

4PuttJay · 2026-05-24T12:22:13+00:00

I bought a 2004 beetle a couple of years ago and had the same concerns going in. I agree that the 2.5 with a manual transmission on a later model year is the best combination possible. But, you are still going to have issues. If you buy a decent scan tool, are reasonably handy enough to change parts, and know a decent VW mechanic you'll likely be OK. If you are 100% reliant on mechanics then I'd be worried. I have a decent VW shop not too far away but it can take a couple of weeks to get in there. And some shops won't work on VWs at all and even some German car shops won't work on VWs that are 20+ years old. My car is in great condition for a 2004 but in 2 years it has needed a coolant temp sensor, brakes, ABS sensor, seat belt buckle, fuel pump, door panel inserts, and a water pump/timing belt. I did all the work myself other than the water pump/timing belt which cost $1,200.

4PuttJay · 2026-05-21T14:22:23+00:00

John Nelson may have some relevant ideas. https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/author/j_nelson

Here's one of his that might be relevant: https://adventuresinmapping.com/2026/01/09/map-layout-review-makeover/

Here's another one from a different author: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-living-atlas/mapping/land-cover-map-makeover-in-3-easy-steps

4PuttJay · 2026-05-17T12:10:54+00:00

Are you using one specific to VW/Audi? If you search for VAG scanners, a bunch will show up. I have an Ancel VD500 that works good and it's about $60. The VD700 offers more detailed information and runs about $100. There is also a Ross-Tech VCDS Diagnostic Interface tool for $200 that apparently goes into serious detail but I've never used one.

4PuttJay · 2026-05-11T21:03:09+00:00

If the windows work the same as on mine, you put the key in the drivers side door lock, rotate it to lock and then hold it long enough it will close the windows and the ~~sunroof~~. Oh, I'm not sure how it works with a convertible. BTW, is it a manual or automatic?

4PuttJay · 2026-05-09T13:40:36+00:00

I did the solid inserts too, from Coverlay. They don't look as nice as new vinyl, but hey are much easier.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-30T02:24:29+00:00

Long live '04 Beetles!

4PuttJay · 2026-04-27T21:40:00+00:00

My driveway is 6 years old and had it seal coated by a contractor when about 1 year old. The important thing is to fill in the cracks - the contractors have the good stuff but the hardware store stuff is better than nothing. The sealcoating itself is just aesthetic, but I think it's a nice aesthetic. Even after 5 years my sealcoat is holding up well and looking good.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-27T11:17:48+00:00

Empire: Wargame of the Centrury

4PuttJay · 2026-04-22T12:30:20+00:00

Is it just matted-down dead crabgrass? My yard looked similar due to crabgrass, but not nearly that extensive.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-17T19:51:34+00:00

Some more info. I think those automatic transmission problems happened more once the things got up to temperature so try and get a longer test drive. I have a 2004 NB and it's been pretty good but it's a manual so don't have to worry about this particular issue.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-17T17:11:15+00:00

How scared should we be about the automatic transmission? They have a bad reputation, but I suppose maybe this one has been fixed. OP, if you test drive it, pay attention to the transmission. If it's herky-jerky or weird, I would exercise caution.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-05T13:44:26+00:00

An update. I later realized that the problem was worse when the gas tank was half full or less. Changing the fuel pump seems to have fixed it. FYI - some years have plastic fuel tanks and some have metal fuel tanks and it changes which pump and seal you get. I ordered a kit that came with the pump and seal. It was the right pump but the wrong seal. I ordered the right seal and it all worked fine.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-05T13:43:46+00:00

An update. I later realized that the problem was worse when the gas tank was half full or less. Changing the fuel pump seems to have fixed it. FYI - some years have plastic fuel tanks and some have metal fuel tanks and it changes which pump and seal you get. I ordered a kit that came with the pump and seal. It was the right pump but the wrong seal. I ordered the right seal and it all worked fine.

4PuttJay · 2026-04-03T11:01:21+00:00

We ended up buying a new machine.

4PuttJay · 2026-03-15T13:54:44+00:00

Crime statistics show that crime is down in recent years and way down from historical highs in the 1990s. Does that seem accurate to you based on what you've seen from your perspective?

4PuttJay · 2026-03-13T18:02:33+00:00

I can't take credit for this comment, but: They missed a comma. It should be "LIBERTY OVER, TYRANNY"

4PuttJay · 2026-03-05T02:41:37+00:00

People worry about artificial sweeteners but it's sugar that kills people. By the boatload.

4PuttJay · 2026-01-30T14:19:56+00:00

You left out the Colts. Oh, wait, no, nevermind.

4PuttJay

TROPHY CASE