2012 VW Beetle any good?

[arthurbowe]

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1063143_2012-volkswagen-beetle-first-drive What you guys think of the new Beetle? Personally, I think this new design is less girly and it looks like this Turbo model reviewed could be some fun.

 

[Throckmorton]

I think the new styling is a huge improvement. What's up with the angular grill though?

 

[Demo24]

It is a whole lot more expensive than I thought it would be. I don't know if I could justify upper 20's for that car. Loaded up pushes 30k!

I didn't bother to read that article, I did read another one recently. It is built on the GTI platform, but does not seem to ride with the same quality. Still handling wise and engine wise it seems to be pretty good (although I wonder how much longer vw can get away with a 200hp turbo 4). The interior does look fairly nice though.

However I wouldn't do anything until they actually show up in Sept.

 

[rdp6]

It is a whole lot more expensive than I thought it would be. I don't know if I could justify upper 20's for that car. Loaded up pushes 30k!

I didn't bother to read that article, I did read another one recently. It is built on the GTI platform, but does not seem to ride with the same quality. Still handling wise and engine wise it seems to be pretty good (although I wonder how much longer vw can get away with a 200hp turbo 4). The interior does look fairly nice though.

However I wouldn't do anything until they actually show up in Sept.

What do you mean about the engine? 96K trouble-free miles on my 2.0T FSI (the 2007 version, not the newer TSI). Nothing but scheduled service aside from whatever recalls were issued.

OH, WAIT! Had my first non-gas cap-related dash light last week. Left side dip bulb failed. 5 minute job to replace both sides.

 

[Demo24]

What do you mean about the engine? 96K trouble-free miles on my 2.0T FSI (the 2007 version, not the newer TSI). Nothing but scheduled service aside from whatever recalls were issued.

OH, WAIT! Had my first non-gas cap-related dash light last week. Left side dip bulb failed. 5 minute job to replace both sides.

Nothing to do with the reliability, the power output.

 

[mmntech]

I love the semi-retro design. They've definitely taken some inspiration from Audi to make it less feminine. The new Beetle looks a lot like the Audi TT. Uses the same engine too. Nice to see a more rounded out car compared to the chunky/boxy Golf and Jetta. Sigh, Germans and their brutalist design.

I was reading the Toronto Sun's review of it today. They estimate it will start at around $21,000 - $22,000. Same price as the Golf. Volkswagens aren't exactly cheap, compared to say a Civic or Focus. It's a novelty car so I'd expect it to be expensive for what it is.

 

[punjabiplaya]

at least it's got a proper chassis now

 

[hanoverphist]

i kind of like it. it reminds me on an old porsche tho.

 

[Throckmorton]

i kind of like it. it reminds me on an old porsche tho.

Because old Porsches were Beetles!

 

[exar333]

Meh, looks like the old car but flattened-out. VW is pushing this beetle to be much more of a 'performance' car than the old, but the information I have seen says only the DSG is available with the turbo engine. MT only gets the 5-cyl 2.5 engine, which isn't terrible, but much weaker than the 2.0T.

The inside looks like all (old) beetles, jettas and such and is VERY dated looking. Another reason I passed on the GTI, I had VW knobs and controls, very poor quality and poor functionality IMHO.