The New Beetle is offered as a two-door coupe with the following engine choices; a 2.0-liter, 90-hp
The New Beetle is offered as a two-door coupe with the following engine choices; a 2.0-liter, 90-hp turbodiesel; a 2.0-liter, 115-hp 4 cylinder, and a 1.8-liter/150-horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder. Choose between manual and automatic transmissions. ABS is standard.
Summary: I am seriously looking into buying a Volkwagon beetle and I test drove it and it was wonderful. I have a close friend who owns one, she bought it brand new, it's great. She's never had a problem. I will say I've read great reviews on the car. The only concern I have is when something does break down with it, i was told they are very expensive to fix, can anyone tell me if this is true?
I also would like to say that I went to Carmax and had HORRIBLE customer service, they wouldn't even let me test drive without first running my credit to see if I was preapproved. Where has anyone ever gone and they wouldn't allow a simple test drive?
Also... for the person who bought a NewBeetle from Carmax, your problem is Carmax, I've heard that from at least 5 friends of mine who went and purchased a car from them. I am refering to different models, such as a Jetta, Honda, Beetle, and another Honda. It's Carmax, don't believe a word about the inspection crap they advertise and what they call "customer service". Trust me... they suck.
Strengths: Volkswagen NewBeetle has more room than you think before you drive it. It's a smooth comfortable ride. The engine sounds great.
Weaknesses: I would like to see it have more trunk space but it was decent. As I said before, I would like to know about repair costs and is it worth it when it is brand new and has a warranty? Anyone comment please?
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Summary: I absolutely love my new beetle! It's Gecko Green with tan leather! Previously I had a 1999 Toyota Corolla. Extremely reliable but, the beetle is so fun to drive and I feel extremely safe. The doors are heavy and the long dash makes you feel very safe. I love the pep and Sport mode (which I call Super Beetle mode). I've taken this car on two road trips: Las Vegas and LA and was very happy with the engine performance and comfortability. I highly recommend the beetle!
Strengths: Engine is quick to respond and breaks are sturdy. I love the sunroof, sounds system, iPod jack, and overall design. While the trunk is small, I am able to fit much more than I thought. Overall, I love the look, drive and safety.
Weaknesses: The trunk release button has acted up and I have to press the button twice. The dealer will adjust free of charge.
Similar Products Used: 1999 Toyota Corolla
1956 Beetle (Baby Blue)
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Rating Reviewed by: tholmes(Unregistered User)
Review Date June 3, 2008
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Review 3 of 309
Price Paid:
$14000.00
from VW of Van nuys
Year / Model Reviewed: 2006 VW Beetle zpev auto 2d
Summary: Cute car, runs great
bought with 37111 miles
it was taken care of an very clean..
good gas mileage 35hwy,great with gas prices at 4.20
will update when I have had it for a while
Strengths: cute,
Weaknesses: trunk release must press the button twice to open
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Year / Model Reviewed: 2006 New Beetle Convertible
Summary: Where to start...THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE! I bought this car brand new from the dealership on Oct. 18, 2005(I live 4 hours away from the nearest dealership!) and within the first week, my top wouldn't work properly and my stereo system completely broke. After a freaking huge ordeal, they came and picked it up and fixed it. However, the top still malfunctions from time to time. Since then, I had to go up for a recall TWICE, my windows were malfunctioning-driver side won't always go in the top properly-leaked once from rain, the entire passenger side would go half way up and then back down if you were trying to put them up, so I made the appointment for 8:30 am, left my house at 4:30 am to get there on time, got there and they wouldn't give me a rental. So after walking around Greenville, NC for 6 hours, I went back and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong with them. They thought maybe they needed to be lubed, so they did that and then thought that would help. About 2 hours into my ride home, they malfunctioned once more. Then, my light in my visor quit working. Too irritated to deal with them again so soon, I didn't call right away. Then the day before Thanksgiving, my exhaust system fault light came on when I started it. I got maybe 1/16 of a mile down the road and it started shaking badly and smoking white smoke from the tale pipe. We had a bad storm that day and you couldn't get off the island so I couldn't have it towed. The next day being Thanksgiving, I still couldn't have it towed. So finally Friday, they towed it away. Here it is Monday afternoon, my 6th day with no car and they have still yet to tell me what is wrong with the car, and have not given me a rental. I called at 9am this morning and he said he'd call me back after he spoke with a technician. With no word, I called back at 1:15 and got no answer. I called yet again at 1:25 and was put on hold for 10 minutes just to be told he would call me back as soon as he talked to the service manager. It is currently 2:30 and I have no car, no word about my car or even a rental car, and no ride home from work. I pay $400 a month just to be stranded. Smart.
Summary: What a nightmare. EPA says mileage is 37/42m (diesel - TDI) but the best I can do is 37mpg, and usually average around 35 - that only after 12 months of begging in Sptb to fix. The selling dealer in Greenville after keeping the car for several days found the thermostat was defective - and replaced it. Had to sent it back to Greenville on a wrecker when the car overheated due to losing Antifreeze. Now mileage is around 37-38 WHEN I GET TO DRIVE IT. Instrument cluster has been replaced twice. The first time had to send the vehicle to a dealer on a wrecker - because it wouldn't start. Had to wait for it to come in. The trunk lid has been so hard to close, I have bent the lip at the bottom of it. The stop light on the trunk was defective - had to replace it. Now (I haven't seen the car for about 10 days, the Driver's seat frame broke (no I'm no fatty - weigh about 190) the seat won't latch down - flies up every time you get out of the vehicle, banks down when you sit down. Dealer won't give a loaner - because he saays it is say to drive with a broken seat - so it sits at the dealer.
Also have had trouble with the alarm system - all related to the trunk lid - had to be adjusted several times. The latest round with the alarm now working - they say the radio had slidden into the dash too far and the sensors were not activated. (??????). The car has been towed to a dealer once because it wouldn't start, it has been held captive at a dealership for well over three weeks since new - and only one night did I get a loaner - and then only because they told me it was ready, and I had someone take me to Greenville and didn't have a ride home. Would I buy another Volkswagen - well - the dealer wants to trade with me for another, and is wanting me to take close to $6,000 less than I paid for it - against his list price. So much for holding it's value. To summarize - not dependable, not cost effective to operate - can drive a gas car for less than the diesel bug - quality is not there - and you lose too much when you go to sell.
Also - the engineers who designed this car probably never rode in it. The sun roof can't be used over 45 miles per hour, and there is no place to hang close when you go on a trip.
I can't complain about the dealer's because they have tried hard to fix the car, and have had to spend so much time trying to get it running right - I know they hate to see me come in. If I were to weaken and buy another Volkswagen, it would be because of the dealer - not because of the Brand
Strengths: Fast - and fun to drive (when you can)
Weaknesses: Not dependable, no coat hook for hanging clothes, sun visors useless for keeping sun out of your eyes, can't get parts, poor gas mileage
Similar Products Used: Honda Civic, Honda Prelude, Toyota Solara
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