I just test drove the new Bug - a manual silver 2000 with 47000 miles on it. I love the way it drives, and cosmetically it is in excellent, fantastic condition (although I’ll get a report on it too). I’ll have a two year warranty. With the dealer I’m working with, I’m going to get a great deal on any car I’m looking at(contacts are a good thing), but I want to know if this car will last, and is it a good choice for me.
I’m a college student, drive a lot, and want a cute car (at a reasonably low cost <200/month) with good gas milage and minimal upkeep. I think this is a good, comfortable choice for me. Will it last the way I want it to?
Recently, I found that the cost of maintenance of the new VW beetles is one drawback. Tires, battery replacement, etc, are roughly 30% more costly than if you had a domestic car, the good news is that getting a used one has the advantage that the “bugs” usually were taken care of by the former owner. In my case, the compressor for the air conditioner was replaced a few months before the former owner sold it to me, and after 6 months of driving, it is working perfectly, (In Arizona this is vital).
Overall, it looks like a good choice, and coworkers and students at my college get impressed at the deal I got, It was almost exactly as yours, but with only 45000 miles on it. (I found the “mythical” old lady owner that drove little)
The only serious thing to keep in mind so far: beware of the switch from first to reverse, it is almost the same move with the stick shift, it takes some practice to get used to it.
Expensive maintenance is right. No room in the engine compartment, either. When an 02 sensor went, it cost me a grand to get it fixed by the local mechanic. No, he wasn’t scamming me… but he was unfamiliar with the Beetle. Knew Golfs, though.
The position of the door makes getting in and out a bit of a bear. The underwindow shelf gets dusty.
But the torque at the low end makes it a delight in snow, if a bit more like driving on top of the snow rather than through it. But I liked that.
Ok, high maintenance costs. That’s a bummer. Is it standard maintenance, or do odd, expensive things show up?
On a side note GIGObuster, I drive a Jetta now, so I know the first/reverse thing.
I’ve only driven a New Beetle once. I liked it, in spite of its ugh automatic transmission.
Rear seat headroom was a small problem for the passengers. The sides of the car slope in too much, so they had to lean inward. I’ve heard that simply replacing a burned out headlamp is a $50 job requiring a special tool. The “shelf” in front of the instrument panel seemed like a waste of space.
I like the New Beetle, but I think a Golf would suit me better.
I have a 98 New Beetle that I bought new. Aside from a headlight that keep burning out (which once they replaced the whole shebang was fixed for good), I love, love, love it. It is fun to drive, cute as hell, and gets reasonable gas mileage. Plus you can watch other people playing slug bug when you drive by.
The window regulators in the 2000 were recalled; but it’s a free replacement if they go out (mine did). Other than that, I’ve had my 2000 for a year and still love it.
Sounds like it isn’t a bad car to drive, and I found out that for an extra $50ish a month I may be able to get into a new one. I’m weighing it against a Ford Focus. As a trying-to-be responsible human being, I guess I’ll buy what I can get new, but if I hafta chip in a few more for the Beetle, I’ll work it out.
I absolutely love mine (2004, FWIW)! My only complaints so far (I’ve had it since Aug. 16, 2003) are the cup holders and the CD player. The cup holders are in kind of a bad position, right under the dash, and although they do swing out, they don’t easily hold 2 large drinks without some dribbling. I got the “Monsoon” stereo that has a 6-cd-changer in the trunk, and the blasted thing has scratched every CD I’ve played in it. i’ve got an iPod, so I can work around it.
No complaints, other than that. Oh, and I wish I’d gotten the leatherette seats - those fabric ones attract dog hair like nobody’s business. :smack:
It is the SDMB for New Beetles (NB) and New Beetle Convertibles (NBC)
FWIW, I have a 2001 NB TDI (diesel) and despite the fact that I still think it is funny looking, I love the way it drives and that the front seat area is so roomy.
usually were taken care of by the former owner. In my case, the compressor for the air conditioner was replaced a few months before the former owner sold it to me, and after 6 months of driving, it is working perfectly, (In Arizona this is vital).