Automatic Transmissions used on these beetles DIE a Horrible Death around 100 - 120 K miles.
They are not strong and do not take ANY abuse, especially when old.
Rebuilt units are way expensive, and most people do not want to put $1200 for a reman trannie into a car that is only going to be worth ~$2K when done.
It you get one that has a lot of miles and has the original auto trans, then it is on borrowed time.
Also for some reason the door panels just deteriorate, it is like the adhesive on the vinyl is designed to just disappear after 8 years or so with these 1st gen new beetles.
Having said that I am also tempted to get my daughter (14) a beetle vert for a 1st car since they are so cheap (~3K for a fairly nice one around NW GA and Chattanooga).
If you are buying one make sure to drive it a while before laying down the cash, because the trans can start to slip or not shift all the way when they are hot.
Just my $0.02, good luck.
