Now that the “new” VW Beetle has been out for a few years, I’m wondering how people who drive them like them. I’ve wanted a Beetle since I was in school in the 80’s but never got one.
I’ve read the reviews and some car related message boards and they have been rather mixed.
How do the hold up? Are they reliable?
I am considering a 2006 or 2007 so any opinions or comments would be appreciated.
My daughter had an 05 or 06 and had an odd problem with the windows shattering. (it was a convertible). It happened 3-4 times. At one point, VW engineers came to Houston to look at the car to see if they could tell why it kept happening. She ended up getting rid of the car.
My (now ex) wife had one for a few years while we were married, I believe it was a 2002 or 2004 model. Honestly, we loved it. We had very few problems with it, what we did have was covered under the warranty. It was a very fun car to drive and handled well.
MeanJoe
I have a 98 and I love it. I plan to get a 2010 when they come out. It is fun to drive and has been very reliable.
I had one for a work car back in 2002 or so. It was a pretty nice ride, but it had HORRIBLE blind spots. I do remember I almost ran over a few pedestrians.
A couple of friends of mine leased a convertible ( early/mid-2000’s, I’d say ) and it was nothing but trouble. In and out of the VW dealership constantly under warranty for assorted issues, mostly ancillary, like doors and windows. They loved the looks and thought the turbo was peppy ( and the non-turbo they tried underpowered ), but ultimately were happy to part ways with it.
I love VWs! I’ve owned a '67 Beetle, a '74 Beetle, a '68 bus and a '98 New Beetle. The New Beetle was by far the most problematic of 'em all.
The negatives: I had the now-notorious “shattering window” problem (replaced not once, not twice, but 3 times under warranty), as well as constant electrical and air conditioning problems. The gargantuan dash and the blind spots took some getting used to.
The positives: The kick ass standard VW warranty policy saved my wallet from destruction many times. The car was a pleasure to drive; handled like a sportscar, peppy acceleration, super quiet (very little wind noise and the engine purred along like a kitten), and because of the fantastic safety rating, she saved me a bundle on insurance costs. Not to mention it looked sooooo damn cute in my driveway.
I recommend them for as many people as possible. My wife and I love a good game of Punch Buggy.
I had a New Beetle for a day and a night when my Jeep was in the shop. Since it was a loaner, it had an automatic transmission. I thought it was a nice car, though the slushbox made it a bit pokey. It would have been better with a standard transmission.
Rear-seat passengers had to lean inward because of the curve of the roof. The back seats are not great for tall people. The dashboard was like a big table, but tilted at such an angle as to severely limit its usefulness for putting things on. (Not that that would be safe, and could interfere with the airbags.) It just seemed like a lot of wasted space that could have been used if the designer had put a little more thought into it.
I’ve heard that replacing a headlight requires a special tool, or else a trip to the shop. If this is true, then that’s a poor design.
In the parking garage yesterday I saw an old Beetle for sale. I don’t know what year it was; but it had the large-ish tail lights, seat belts, a metal sunroof (as opposed to an earlier fabric one) and a flat windshield. Light blue paint in good condition (a spot of rust behind the door, under the roof), nice interior, ‘runs great’, new transmission. $2,900. A neighbour in L.A. has a 1970 Beetle she’s had since new, which I’ve ridden in, and I rode in a few when I was a kid. They’re not quick, nor fast; but I really like the old ones. If I had the space and money to have a car collection, I’d have one.