My review of the new shape VW Beetle (1.6). I'm assuming there's one of three reasons you're reading this review. One, you're thinking about buying a new Beetle. Two, you've bought one and you're simply seeking reaffirmation of your decision - marketers call this post-purchase dissonance. Or hey,you're just randomly browsing. This review is intended to help prospective buyers, but Beetle owners may find reaffirmation and browsers some interesting ... ...nostalgic fondness for the old Beetle, reminisce about the Beetle my Mum drove me to school in 1972 and generally take a long-winded route to what you really want to know. So lets cut to the chase and get down to what's good, bad and ugly (or not) about VW's reincarnation of possibly the most iconic automobile of the last century.
Forgive my break from prose to bullet points, but it's easier to digest.
What's Good About The New Beetle?
...
Safehands 20.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: FUNKY STYLINGS, SUPERB DRIVE, HIGH QUALITY Disadvantages: NON IMPRESSIVE ECONOMY, NEEDS MORE EQUIPMENT FOR THE MONEY
Test model
VW Beetle 1.6 Luna
Reg No. DU54 LGD
Mileage 9,100
Actual 0-60: 10.2
Obtained MPH: 125mph
The beetle is a popular face on the UK roads. And why not? It is attractive and funky looking. One thing I have learned is that you either love them or hate them
We have been fortunate to get hold of a 2004 model which had a few revisions up to the new model release this year. The main difference between our model and earlier models is the indicators ... ...on the clock when we picked it up and it cost us £8,995 not bad for a 2004 model in silver with headlight protectors, mudflaps and 15inch alloys.
The nitty gritty
The car may only be a 1.6 but it actually pulls the Beetle well. Granted the Beetle is no city car, being built on the Golf platform it is a lump but the 102ps engine seems to handle it well. I am however not so impressed with the economy out of 55 litres we seem to only get about 250 ...
170driver 21.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: excellent quality and value, stylish good looks. Disadvantages: only 3 doors.
I've had my '02 1.6 beetle for almost 3 years, and from the moment I drove it home I've fully enjoyed my purchase.
I opted for the basic 1.6 model, but added alloys and a 6 cd auto changer. I wanted a very understated colour and went for black, a choice which I love and hate. When it's clean, I love looking at it, when it's dirty it looks dull and bland.
The interior trim is very hard waring and suitably smart, all the instruments have a very chunky ... ...road price of £11500.) I have not found the headroom in the back to be a problem, but my passengers are not big adults, just average size. It is only 4 seats, no central rear seat or belt.
The electric windows/mirrors/fuel lid/central locking/boot flip. are all standard features. I love the various little pockets for sunglasses, mobile or other articles. One point I really like is the lighted vanity mirror on the drivers sunvisor, ver handy! The ...
lizzyb21 05.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: A whole new experience. Original (stand Out from the Crowd). Cost of replacement parts. Buy it only if you can live with it's older design features. Disadvantages: Fuel economy Driving Position Safety
The Volkswagen type 1 better known as the Beetle. A two door four seater car with the engine in the boot! The engine came in several sizes, the range included the 1200 1300 1500 and 1600. The most common engine was the 1300 which came in two versions depending on year of manufacture.
I’ve had three VW Beetles all of them 1300 versions (I did put a 1500 engine into the first Beetle I had). I fell in love with the shape of the car and I suppose ... ...the cars were not particularly reliable(proably due to their age). Any major work on the engine was far easier with the engine removed from the car which, fortunately was a relatively simple task to do (the engine is fitted with four 17mm nuts to the gearbox).
The car is quite small inside, with two adults sat in the front your shoulders are almost touching. The first thing I noticed sat in the driving position was the fact that all the pedals are ...
sadcrab 25.02.2001 (09.04.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Looks, looks, reliability, driving experience and yes, looks Disadvantages: Practicality - but who cares?
...is assured.
Being a Volkswagen you expect the build quality to be good and it doesn't disappoint. The trim feels solid and secure and there are no rattles or shakes in any driving conditions. My commute takes in back roads, motorways and stop-start traffic and the car is pleasant to be in at all times. It is very quiet at motorway speeds and never feels like it is working hard. Reliability has been good so far with only one fault so far (see negatives).
... ...with this car. However, most of these are inherent in the car and should not be a surprise.
The boot is small. Very small. Probably not much bigger than a roadster! It will take a weeks grocery shopping, or a couple of small cases but being narrow and not very long you won't get a set of golf clubs or a pushchair in it. The back seat will fold down for bigger items but the slope of the rear window is also cramping.
The rear seat in this model isn't ...
brereton66 29.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Cheap to maintain (can be done in your garage), has the image factor, fun to drive and be in Disadvantages: Very bouncy! Most Beetles only do 20-30mpg on a very good day.
It is not widely known, but the old shape Beetle can still be bought from a company called Beetles UK (www.beetles-uk.com). I, however, decided to go the route of buying a second-hand Beetle, last October, for 325 pounds. Once the restoration of the car was complete, I had ended up spending about 2500 pounds, which is about the amount you should expect to spend, no matter the initial price you buy the car for.
The VW Beetle is renowned for being ... ...that tune-ups and fixing things are simple enough to fix. It is not only the Beetle's image that makes it such a popular car forstudents: repairs are usually cheap due to the fact that they can be done at home. Don't expect luxury from a 20-30 year old car, though: the suspension will be unusually bouncy, the engine loud, and the instrument panel consists of a speedo, a fuel gauge, an indicator light, and two "panic lights", all in one round dial. ...
kurowski 01.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Looks great Disadvantages: driving position, position of pedals, difficult to park
Ok, I haven't bought this car. I have been given it for two months by work as a pool car, so I can't comment on servicing costs, purchase costs or any more really important stuff. But I've been so surprised by this car I thought i'd post my thoughts anyway. When work asked me if it "was OK" if I had a Beetle I practically jumped from my seat in excitement and danced around the room (as you can tell my life (especially at work) is lacking in general ... ...And what have I found in the 6 weeks that I've had it do far?
1. I can't park the thing. The shape of the car is such that you can't see the front or the back, and ithe car seems to be the width of a tank. I love the idea of having a picnic on the dashboard because I have no idea what else to use all that wasted space for. It fills most car parking spaces and I thought this was supposed to be a 'small' car. I normally reverse park all of the time ...
BrunetteBombshell 10.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: streed cred (if youre a woman) Disadvantages: Gas guzzler, high tax class, hard to park, tiny boot, patchy dealer service
I own a 2001 2 litre beetle and it is the WORST car i have ever owned. Yes it looks great but its a pig to drive (try to NOT scratch the arches), driving position awful, our car has been in and out the garage with various problems including electrical issues, steering problems, all sorts of stuff and now the sunroof leaks.
We had AWFUL service from the main VW dealer in plymouth too which didnt help. The car DRINKS fuel, is wobbly at speed if a ... ...about a big as a squirrels pocket and you can fit about 5 or 6 shopping bags and thats it, full!
For a car of its size the cabin is cramped and dark. If it wasnt still on finance payments i would get rid of the car today. verdict:? Buy it if you want to look like a woman, or a plonker ...
mrbell 07.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: stylish, comfortable, and lots of great extras Disadvantages: the back window is tiny and it uses to much fuel
im in LOVE with this car everytime i drive it i have fun and im smilling.
the very lond dashboard makes it feel like you have a millions miles ahead before your near the car infront as the bonnet glides downwards.
the red leather seats are a tough but soft leather and the heated seats make them the most comfortable car to drive.
there is two different types in this ltd edition car the silver car with the red roof and matching interior and mine ... ...leather interior to match, but not just the chairs there is leather everywhere doors headrests etc.
its is a beautiful combination of style with safety.
its very easy to drive but isnt very fast its so heavy which makes it sluggish , but in my opinion who needs to go fast when your car looks that good.
the 1.6 lt engine uses a surprising amount of fuel because of the weight of the car it does 35-38mpg.
oil and water consumption is great.
it ...
lollez2 22.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: VW reliablity, comfort, style and it makes you smile when you drive it! Disadvantages: Takes a while to get used to parking.
I have owned my 52 plate Beelte 1.6 for 3 months now, and I have to say... I LOVE it. I had wanted one since they were released in 1999, but thought I would never be able to afford it... Until I saw mine on a local forecourt for a bargain price. With the part-ex of my Hyundai Coupe, I ended up driving the Beetle away for under £3k. It has slightly high mileage, but with one lady owner, I can't complain. The car is well appointed, with endless driving ... ...than me) have both driven it without any grumbles. The hardest thing to get used to, in my opinion, is the massive dashboard - it takes a while to get to grips with where the front of your car is! Once you do get the hang though, parking is a doddle. Mine came with the 6CD changer in the boot, which is great, although the speaker quality could do with some improvement. Also, the armrest being down is not a practical option unless driving for some ...
punchbuggyblue 29.09.2008 (27.09.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Stunning style Disadvantages: Limited views from the inside
Whether it's the stunning exterior or the stylish interior, the new Beetle is a modern, trendy car that suits everyone. The 1.6 is perfect for town driving (since I live in London), and its size makes all parking spaces accessible. The car is reliable and has an easy and cheap upkeep cost, and most of all it catches everyone’s eyes! For a relatively petite car, the interior is particularly spacious, not only for the driver but for all three other ...
Piers85 03.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: its a classic Disadvantages: bit old, and difficult to find one in really good condition
This car is a classic that will never fade. I have wanted one of these since i was about 8, but still dont have one. The looks are amazing, and when pollished up properly, they gleem. The engine is not the most powerful ever installed in a car, but you dont buy one of these for the engine (ok, you might, cos they sound amazing:-)). They have been all over the place, inlcuding in various films inlcuding "Herby" :-) All in all, i love this car, and ...
JamieMckeen 24.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Cool Looks, good residual value, Reliability Disadvantages: rear passenger space
I have had my beetle now for nearly 2 years, when i first bought it i didnt really consider the reliability or cost of running it, i simply wanted it for its "looks", let's be honest it looks like no other car on the road and it stands out. Perfect!
With nearly 2 years of road use the only problems i have had with the car have been mainly down to me. With the only fault being a minor electrical fault on the dashboard.
Servicing has been minimal ...
amanda_leonard 22.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Good stylish car Disadvantages: Like everything there are draw back
The new model has captured a lot of style from the original. However they are beleived to be overpriced in comparison to other similar cars on the market. Having seen a few of theese I would definitely not but a red Vw as every one i have seen has been badly faded in under 2 years however careful the owner has been. Any one thining of buying this car i would recomend deep metalic blue. Vw provide as always a high standard of customer service both ...
Jamiebournemouth 08.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Advantages: Cheeky grin, sleek and stylish Disadvantages: no head room in the rear
AFTER MUCH FEED BACK, IM GOING TO RE-WRITE THIS REVIEW. IT WAS MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT REVIEW WRITING FOR CIAO, AND I THINK IVE GOT THE HANG OF IT NOW!!! XXX
The VW Beetle. An historical work of art. The new version of the timeless classic is obviously not the same as the one Hitler invisaged the world driving. Its much more fun, and 'quirky'.
THE LOOK :
You can't miss it really can you!!! From the front, its got the GRIN. Its a happier face than ... ...the joyful eye-lights. The old Beetle looked a lot more tired than the new improved Herbie. From the side, The best way to describe it, is an Audi TT - but taller. Its got the same basic shape - protruding wheel arches, and bulbous roof. It has a very low possition on the road as well. It looks like it may ground itself when going over speed bumps. There are mud flaps covering the rear wheels, and in a road test, these do tend to catch on various ...
wug291 19.01.2005 (25.01.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
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