A bad deal on a used car

A 1967 Volkswagen Beetle convertible driven by Juergen Klinsmann during his playing days is being sold on an Internet auction site – and the price is climbing as fast as the Germany coach’s popularity at home.

The price doubled from Friday to Saturday to more than $383,340, far more than the VW Golf once owned by Pope Benedict XVI. Last May, the German-born Pope’s old car was sold for $241,504.

The owner of the Beetle opened the bidding at $1.93 on July 1. He said the car, which Klinsmann sold while playing for Tottenham, was bought from a dealer in England.

As a player, Klinsmann spurned a high-profile lifestyle. When he first met his wife Debbie, a model, she thought he was a student and paid for his coffee.

Several recent polls show that 92 percent of the Germans want Klinsmann, whose contract runs out in a few days, to remain as Germany coach.

Associated Press