Learn me...2001 VW Beetle...for rallycross??

I pass this car every day to and from work at a fly-by-night car dealership. 2001 Bug with $2500, it's been there for months. I'm sure if I walked over from my bank next door with $2k cash I could get it. I have to say I know almost nothing about VW's except the check engine light jokes and they are having issues with emissions testing.

I called yesterday while bored and it turns out to be a manual 5sp (probably why the appliance dealer can't move it), he thinks the AC still works, couldn't remember what trim level it was. About 160k miles. It helped that this last weekend PF only had one entry, while SA was filled to the brim. (I joked about bringing the Abarth and getting second place, even if I went 10mph the whole time.)

What do you guys think? (If I did this I think it would be a replacement for Subarust. 2001 Bug vs rusty 2001 Subaru?)

I mean, strip the interior, racing seats and harness, some vinyl, instant this:

Been thinking along the same line. They're plentiful, pretty cheap, and pretty solid cars. Worry a bit about front body parts and they're generally harder to work on than their Golf cousins... Others thoughts appreciated....

Didn't VW offer a Baja package bug fairly recently with a slight lift kit/taller tires/stiffer shocks?

What motor? My dads 2.0T car was having issues with the mass of plastic lines used for the secondary air system. Car would run like E36 M3 with every new leak.

They were NLA from all the local parts stores. VW aluminum oil pans just about all seem too need the drainplug threads repaired.

The rear oxygen sensor location is terrible and the flex joint for the exhaust is right off the turbo. Have to get creative with cutting and welding unless you buy an oem downpipe when it breaks.

If the car is non turbo i have no clue.

These came with either a 1.8L Turbo, 2.0L NA, or a 1.9L Diesel.

If it's the 2.0L, it should be a fairly reliable engine, even getting beat on. It's by no means quick, but should be peppy enough for rally cross. They have typical VW electrical bugs, like switchgear and sensors that stop functioning, but are usually easy to replace.

And yes, the CEL will become your new best friend.

They are really a MkIV Golf underneath. Personally if it's a 2.0L or a TDi (doubtful - they don't normally sit around on lots), I would consider it. Avoid the 1.8T's - as they age they develop all sorts of issues (and are the cause of most of the CEL jokes), plus the 1.8T in the Beetle has a different (smaller) turbo than most of the other MkIV's.

The 2.0L also is geared much lower than the others which helps in rally-X. The motors run out of breath quick though - above 4500 rpm they just seem to make more noise but not any more power!

I have owned my 2.0L Golf for almost 3 years. I have had 1 CEL in that whole time.

Hmmm hearing more good than bad, which surprises me really. I expected a lot of "no berkeleying way" or some other phrasing. I might need to investigate the engine.

Tell me, is there a way to find out which one it is from the outside anywhere? I could stop on the way to work, before Mr Salesman is there to bug (no pun intended) the crap out of me.

Theres a similar one that shows up to our events. The driver is not particularly fast, but it seems to hold up to the punishment.

One runs in my region in stock front. Lots of scraping and lots of plastic on the undercarriage that occasionally rips off. Otherwise, it does pretty well. https://www.flickr.com/photos/94569625@N08/27716139751/in/album-72157669479925391/

Honestly, I don't see the issue with one as long as it's the 2.0L

Jerry wrote: Hmmm hearing more good than bad, which surprises me really. I expected a lot of "no berkeleying way" or some other phrasing. I might need to investigate the engine. Tell me, is there a way to find out which one it is from the outside anywhere? I could stop on the way to work, before Mr Salesman is there to bug (no pun intended) the crap out of me.

Grab the VIN and run it through a decoder? \ EDIT: take a peek at this.

BTW - I know I am in another country but $2K for an 01 Bug??? Depending on mileage that is a $1000-$1500 CAD car up here.

Crazy talk. Your used car prices are nuts compared to ours.

In reply to java230:

Guess I'm leaving a little early tomorrow.

Go for broke, show up waving 1500 cash.

here is one for $1,600 that is only a 3 hour drive away.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/5622245787.html

The suspension on the MKIV isn't as good as some of the earlier ones from what I have heard. A guy runs a MKIV locally in rallycross and he is unhappy with the suspension options available, and apparently the oil pan hangs pretty low.

I wonder if doing a 1" spacer on the mounts would work or if there are some lifting springs available. H&R made a raised suspension for the MKIII in Europe, maybe something like that is available directly from them.

In reply to Rusnak_322:

Ooh that one even has a spoiler. #becauseracecar (I actually like it)

Jerry, thew previous owner of your Subaru owns a 944 that was previously owned by someone who rallycrossed a TDI Beetle with OVR. So by the transitive property, you already have rallycrossed one!

dropstep wrote: What motor? My dads 2.0T car was having issues with the mass of plastic lines used for the secondary air system. Car would run like E36 M3 with every new leak. They were NLA from all the local parts stores. VW aluminum oil pans just about all seem too need the drainplug threads repaired.

Air pump plastic failure is 90% caused by bad diverter valves allowing exhaust gases into them and 10% careless underhood work. If you replace the plastic bits without replacing the diverter valve, they will fail again very rapidly.

Oil pan issues are 100% hamfisted lube jockeys. As a preventative measure, replace the drain plug with one that uses a captivated O-ring as they seal very well with minimal torque. And never ever ever take your car to a quick-lube place. Ever.

Jerry wrote: I mean, strip the interior, racing seats and harness, some vinyl, instant this:

For what it's worth, stripping the interior is not allowed for PF. You can do the race seats thought.

There is supposed to be a factory lift kit for the MkIV's

I don't have an issue with rallycrossing a 2.0 VW, I do think that's a good $1000 overpriced. $2000 can get you some seriously competitive fwd rallycross machinery

For example

Opt for the mx3 seats, tell the seller to keep the 17s and pick up miata daisies or vw snowflakes, sell the fancy jdm bumpers and replace with oem junkyard protégé bits, or even make your own slick rally style ones with a junkyard gc 2.5 rs cover. And likely have 2300ish or less in the car.

NGTD wrote: I have owned my 2.0L Golf for almost 3 years. I have had 1 CEL in that whole time.

Of course right after posting this I go out at lunch to run an errand . . . . . CEL comes on!!!

Sorry to hear that, NGTD!

Brett_Murphy wrote: Sorry to hear that, NGTD!

It's okay. I have a scanner at home and I am sure it's something minor. I filled up with gas and maybe didn't get the gas cap back on right.

Just thought the timing was funny!