Discussion
Hi ,
Probably looking to buy a VW Beetle for my mum soon - Obviously looking second hand just wandering what peoples opinions and thoughts are with regards to these?
I think the 1.6 would be a bit sluggish perhaps? Dont really want the 1.8 Turbo model due to the fact that these will knackered out or the Diesel model as she'll complain about the noise, so i was thinking either the 2.0 or the 2.3 V5 - 170 BHP model?
Do they have any flaws ? How are they to drive , i'm yet to take one on a test drive so was wandering prior to driving it what i should expect.
Anything i should look out for when purchasing a second hand model (common problems)- bar the usual S/History Mechanical aspects of the car?
Also does anyone know of any VW Beetle UK specific forums ?
Thanks
Jeev
Probably looking to buy a VW Beetle for my mum soon - Obviously looking second hand just wandering what peoples opinions and thoughts are with regards to these?
I think the 1.6 would be a bit sluggish perhaps? Dont really want the 1.8 Turbo model due to the fact that these will knackered out or the Diesel model as she'll complain about the noise, so i was thinking either the 2.0 or the 2.3 V5 - 170 BHP model?
Do they have any flaws ? How are they to drive , i'm yet to take one on a test drive so was wandering prior to driving it what i should expect.
Anything i should look out for when purchasing a second hand model (common problems)- bar the usual S/History Mechanical aspects of the car?
Also does anyone know of any VW Beetle UK specific forums ?
Thanks
Jeev
Hi Jeev,
my girlfriend has a 2003 Beetle 1.6. Performance-wise it drives just like a Golf, nothing exciting but ok. There's very little space in the back and the boot is tiny. She's managed to prang it twice in parking ('can't see the corners') at much expense (had to wait 2 months for a replacement side skirt from VW). The petrol filler cap is a cheap plasticy affair that breaks easily and can have poor panel fit too.
In my opinion it's thirsty (I drive a diesel day to day) and engine is noisy on the motorway (60mph = 3000rpm, I'm just not used to that but suppose all 1.6 petrols are the same). The 2.0 will be a bit a guzzler too. It'll do 110mph but getting there isn't the most thrilling. She'd have preferred a 1.9TDI for the extra oomph and much better economy but they are quite uncommon here in N.Ireland and carry a premium.
She tested a few tatty abused cars before getting hers which was mint and well looked after with alloys, leather, spoiler etc. (The big plastic hub caps look particularly rubbish on Beetles). On the whole she loves it as it's totally girly and very much her thing.
There's a forum here:
http://forums.newbeetle.org/index.php
All the best.
my girlfriend has a 2003 Beetle 1.6. Performance-wise it drives just like a Golf, nothing exciting but ok. There's very little space in the back and the boot is tiny. She's managed to prang it twice in parking ('can't see the corners') at much expense (had to wait 2 months for a replacement side skirt from VW). The petrol filler cap is a cheap plasticy affair that breaks easily and can have poor panel fit too.
In my opinion it's thirsty (I drive a diesel day to day) and engine is noisy on the motorway (60mph = 3000rpm, I'm just not used to that but suppose all 1.6 petrols are the same). The 2.0 will be a bit a guzzler too. It'll do 110mph but getting there isn't the most thrilling. She'd have preferred a 1.9TDI for the extra oomph and much better economy but they are quite uncommon here in N.Ireland and carry a premium.
She tested a few tatty abused cars before getting hers which was mint and well looked after with alloys, leather, spoiler etc. (The big plastic hub caps look particularly rubbish on Beetles). On the whole she loves it as it's totally girly and very much her thing.
There's a forum here:
http://forums.newbeetle.org/index.php
All the best.
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