Opinions on the VW New Beetle [1999] ?
Discussion
As title says, are the (old) 'New' Beetles those made from 1999 to 2005 or the 2005-2010 facelift, decent cars when it comes to reliability, handling and economy? I want to hear opinions if you have had experiences with this car - i've realised it doesn't get much attention here and google mostly shows American posts and forums just like Honda Civic! I might be interested in buying an early 00s Beetle one day.
I know some people considered it girly and I'm a lad, but I'm sure as long as I avoid a red or yellow colour it wouldn't look too girly right??
I know some people considered it girly and I'm a lad, but I'm sure as long as I avoid a red or yellow colour it wouldn't look too girly right??
Edited by mrpowers on Friday 18th November 16:28
I saw an almost new, new beetle the other day with what looked like chrome hub caps and white wall wheels,m with a metallic burgundy body - it looked great.
Basically a golf isn’t it? Or polo? Either way probably more just a case of normal due diligence on what is shed territory.
Some tasteful OEM + upgrades to make it more manly perhaps.
Basically a golf isn’t it? Or polo? Either way probably more just a case of normal due diligence on what is shed territory.
Some tasteful OEM + upgrades to make it more manly perhaps.
joropug said:
I saw an almost new, new beetle the other day with what looked like chrome hub caps and white wall wheels,m with a metallic burgundy body - it looked great.
Basically a golf isn’t it? Or polo? Either way probably more just a case of normal due diligence on what is shed territory.
Some tasteful OEM + upgrades to make it more manly perhaps.
I have seem a couple of upgraded ones especially in years gone by. Yeah it's a Golf, but it has a very different shape (and apparently a huge gap between wheel and windscreen because of it) which probably makes handling and experience different. Basically a golf isn’t it? Or polo? Either way probably more just a case of normal due diligence on what is shed territory.
Some tasteful OEM + upgrades to make it more manly perhaps.
I prefer no upgrading. Surely a black or blue Beetle should look... unisex, right?
Edited by mrpowers on Friday 18th November 16:43
Subjective of course but pastel blue and the chrome wheels looks ..er... authentic.
My neighbour has one like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
My neighbour has one like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
Canon_Fodder said:
Subjective of course but pastel blue and the chrome wheels looks ..er... authentic.
My neighbour has one like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
That's a 2012 car, so second-gen New Beetle. It looks a fair bit different from the 'cuddly' first-gen that OP is talking about.My neighbour has one like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
There was a thread on this forum a while ago asking about the worst car you've ever owned in terms of mechanical unreliability and by far the winner was the MK4 Golf which a Beatle of that era is based on.
I realise anecdotal evidence isn't scientific but nobody had any vested interests so it was just a bunch of guys offering their views on the experiences of any car they had ever owned and the MK4 Golf kept coming up over and over as a shockingly bad car.
On that basis "I'm ooout"
On the other hand... they are interesting looking vehicles so if you just wanted to buy one to own, spend some money on and drive very occasionally it probably would be okay. Just bear in mind it could cost more than it's worth to keep it going.
I realise anecdotal evidence isn't scientific but nobody had any vested interests so it was just a bunch of guys offering their views on the experiences of any car they had ever owned and the MK4 Golf kept coming up over and over as a shockingly bad car.
On that basis "I'm ooout"
On the other hand... they are interesting looking vehicles so if you just wanted to buy one to own, spend some money on and drive very occasionally it probably would be okay. Just bear in mind it could cost more than it's worth to keep it going.
I had one for a while, a 2004.
I quite liked mine but they are marmite. Handling isn’t one of its strong points, although its bumbly character means you tend to drive in a very relaxed and calm fashion which is no bad thing I suppose.
I didn’t have any issues with mine; IIRC a lot of the issues with the Golf IV were water ingress, and the Beetle being a different shape didn’t have the same issues.
The driving position is odd. The dashboard is huge and the screen feels an awfully long way away. It’s like you sit halfway back the length of the car. It takes some getting used to.
ETA: they’re more interesting to look at than they are to drive, in my opinion. The driving (and cabin ambience) experience is fairly standard early-00s VW so think reasonably soft-touch bland greyness. So don’t get one thinking it’s some unsung driving hero, it’s not. There is enjoyment in a Beetle but it’s more about relaxation than pace or responsiveness.
I quite liked mine but they are marmite. Handling isn’t one of its strong points, although its bumbly character means you tend to drive in a very relaxed and calm fashion which is no bad thing I suppose.
I didn’t have any issues with mine; IIRC a lot of the issues with the Golf IV were water ingress, and the Beetle being a different shape didn’t have the same issues.
The driving position is odd. The dashboard is huge and the screen feels an awfully long way away. It’s like you sit halfway back the length of the car. It takes some getting used to.
ETA: they’re more interesting to look at than they are to drive, in my opinion. The driving (and cabin ambience) experience is fairly standard early-00s VW so think reasonably soft-touch bland greyness. So don’t get one thinking it’s some unsung driving hero, it’s not. There is enjoyment in a Beetle but it’s more about relaxation than pace or responsiveness.
Edited by ChattingWham on Saturday 19th November 12:48
ChattingWham said:
I had one for a while, a 2004.
I quite liked mine but they are marmite. Handling isn’t one of its strong points, although its bumbly character means you tend to drive in a very relaxed and calm fashion which is no bad thing I suppose.
I didn’t have any issues with mine; IIRC a lot of the issues with the Golf IV were water ingress, and the Beetle being a different shape didn’t have the same issues.
The driving position is odd. The dashboard is huge and the screen feels an awfully long way away. It’s like you sit halfway back the length of the car. It takes some getting used to.
ETA: they’re more interesting to look at than they are to drive, in my opinion. The driving (and cabin ambience) experience is fairly standard early-00s VW so think reasonably soft-touch bland greyness. So don’t get one thinking it’s some unsung driving hero, it’s not. There is enjoyment in a Beetle but it’s more about relaxation than pace or responsiveness.
Cheers. I am thinking of either that New Beetle or maybe an early Mini. Civic's even on that list. And dare I say it, the Lupo./I quite liked mine but they are marmite. Handling isn’t one of its strong points, although its bumbly character means you tend to drive in a very relaxed and calm fashion which is no bad thing I suppose.
I didn’t have any issues with mine; IIRC a lot of the issues with the Golf IV were water ingress, and the Beetle being a different shape didn’t have the same issues.
The driving position is odd. The dashboard is huge and the screen feels an awfully long way away. It’s like you sit halfway back the length of the car. It takes some getting used to.
ETA: they’re more interesting to look at than they are to drive, in my opinion. The driving (and cabin ambience) experience is fairly standard early-00s VW so think reasonably soft-touch bland greyness. So don’t get one thinking it’s some unsung driving hero, it’s not. There is enjoyment in a Beetle but it’s more about relaxation than pace or responsiveness.
Edited by ChattingWham on Saturday 19th November 12:48
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