i bought a 2001 vw cabrio that the previous owner tried to start with a hammer and screwdriver. The switch is destroyed! how can i hotwire it? I know very little about these things

Disconnect the battery, remove the steering wheel, and pull the steering column covers to access the wires. Stop right there and replace the key switch. Put the car back together and drive it like it's meant to be driven. No offense intended, but if a person doesn't have enough skill to do this, he or she will burn the car down trying to hot wire it. Ask me how I know.

Just replace the ignition switch. If you don't,the way you will be able to start it.anybody else will too.So you could wake up to an empty driveway. : ( Not to mention all the explaining you will be doing if you are ever stopped by the police.Also if you short the wrong wire you could possibly start an electrical fire or damage expensive to replace electrical components in your "New" car. (o\_I_/o)