How good are the VW New Beetles?

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FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
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My wife?s CareBearVan is getting on and she wants a late model New Beetle. I don't know a whole lot about their reliability and cost of operation. Can any of you owner?s enlighten me on how good/bad they are. What are the things to look out for?

BTW, I'm looking for actual opinions based on real experience not magazine articles.

The only thing she wants other than an automatic and A/C is that it be yellow.
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
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I guess I'll ask again on the 12th, if everything is still OK then.
 
D

Danman

Lifer
Nov 9, 1999
13,134
0
0
My Dad had a 2000 VW Yellow Beetle TDI. It was Turbo Diesel and stick shift. It was a kick ass fun little car. It got about 50 miles to the gallon too. My Dad never had any problems when he had it for his two years. He misses it now. :(
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
2
0
Tx cashman,

I'm usually pretty car knowledgeable but I wasn't even aware that they offered a diesel. I know everyone is talking about the turbo but I don?t want the extra maintenance that they require.

Anyone else want to help out?
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Joey, Tony, Stevey and Bobby will never replace John, Paul, George and Ringo! Nevaaaar! :p

I much prefer the taste of the old, Mexican dung beetle over the taste of the new, Norwegian Snow Beetle. Much crunchier. Yum.....

Back on topic; dunno..don't own one. But, it's a VW. What more do you need to know? It'll run forever if you keep up with the small stuff.
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
If you want low maintenance costs, then a Beetle TDI (diesel) is the model for you. They come in two trim levels with the TDI engine, which are GL and GLS. The GL comes with the basic features while the GLS has all the goodies.

The TDI is a great engine, getting 50+MPG with the 5-speed, and the maintenance intervals are spread pretty far apart. Oil changes are recommended by the manufacturer every 10,000mi. (!) as opposed to other cars which require an oil change every 3-5,000mi.

I've put 20,000mi. on my TDI Golf since March and I LOVE the car... not one single problem. (BTW, the Beetle is based off of the Golf platform)
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
2
0
I apologize for wasting your time Andteckers. I just cruised over to Edmunds to check out their consumer ratings and it?s horrible. Either they loved the car or hated its flimsy cheap interior.

Apparently it is also hard to work on and VW New BeAtle service leaves something to be desired. Not quite what I need.
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Either they loved the car or hated its flimsy cheap interior.
Click to expand...

Unless the beatles are completely different from every other car in the VW lineup, cheap, flimsy interior is about the last complaint I'd have about VW. They pretty much make the best put together interior of any car in their class.
 
V

Valinos

Banned
Jun 6, 2001
784
0
0
I second the Jetta. A little more costly, but much nicer, IMO.

BUT, if you're going to spend that kind of money you could get something a little snazzier.

Edited for grammar...I think :)
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Screw the jetta. You can get a entry passat for what some of the more decked out jettas run.

The passat is far and away a much superior car to the jetta in pretty much every regard.
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Screw the jetta. You can get a entry passat for what some of the more decked out jettas run.

The passat is far and away a much superior car to the jetta in pretty much every regard.
Click to expand...

id rather get a loaded lower level car rather than a stripped down upper level.
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
Originally posted by: FlashG
I apologize for wasting your time Andteckers. I just cruised over to Edmunds to check out their consumer ratings and it?s horrible. Either they loved the car or hated its flimsy cheap interior.

Apparently it is also hard to work on and VW New BeAtle service leaves something to be desired. Not quite what I need.
Click to expand...

WHAT!?!?!?!??!

Link please. :)
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Screw the jetta. You can get a entry passat for what some of the more decked out jettas run.

The passat is far and away a much superior car to the jetta in pretty much every regard.
Click to expand...

id rather get a loaded lower level car rather than a stripped down upper level.
Click to expand...

There's really no such thing as a "stripped down" passat. You might loose leather and a sunroof going witht he passat, but other than that it's a much, much, much better value.

 
A

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
FWIW, my next door neighbor has a beetle turbo and loves it..never had any problems.
Personally, while the ride is nice I really, really think the interior needs work.
 
Y

yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
2
0
The Beetles are great cars. The TDI with the 5 speed is a great deal. VWs have had really well put together interiors for years. The MK II cars were pretty much the last of crappy interiors.
 
FlashG

FlashG

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 1999
2,709
2
0
Someone asked for a link.

See 1999 New Beetle


This really upsets me because on the surface the New Beetle is a good car for my wife. We owned a couple of air cooled Beetles in the past and they were good cars for their time.

In fact our 1969 (Herby colored) Beetle probably saved my oldest son and wife?s life in an accident with a drunk driver. She was rear ended on a Detroit Expressway by some drunken idiot on Christmas Eve (~1973). Needless to say they both survived but the car was totaled (passenger structure was intact).

I was hoping for something better from VW but maybe they forgot how. Now I don?t know what to get her. :(
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
My gf loves her 99 Beetle. Personally, I don't think the interior is cheap AT ALL. I don't know where that came from! :confused:

Anyways, hers has had a few problems. She had to have the entire instruent cluster replaced (I can't remember why). Also, her air conditioning died after about 6 months. Since those repairs (which were done extremely quickly), the car has been wonderful. I drove it from New Orleans to NYC last year with no problems. Believe it or not, it's a great car for road trips. The high ceiling is nice because it doesn't make you feel as cramped on long trips...which helped, because the car had both of us, and the trunk and backset full of stuff.
 
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