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VW New Beetle (Pricing & Information)
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the TDI engine, and here is a TDI question for
Californian drivers. I'm in the process of buying
a TDI (well, OK, a Golf not a Beetle, but at
least it's back to VW for me) in Missouri, but
will soon be moving to Calif for a short time.
Does the TDI need any mods to make it California
emissions compliant? What hoops do I need to
jump through to get emissions certification?
Any and all responses appreciated, post here or
mail to me at kmmcdonald@hotmail.com. Thanks
a ton!
Cheers,
Ken McDonald
You should address all your questions to New Dimensions directly. Since they developed the supercharger kit they should have the answers. There is one thing that I haven't noticed in their ads for the s/c is it C.A.R.B. approved? Is it 50 state legal?
Hot VW's just did an exhuast install article. They put on a Techtonics system. The hp gain was 2.7 at the wheels. I guess the stock system is pretty decent. It was in the March '99 issue. It should still be on the news stands. The TT system was cat-back and it uses a Borla muffler.
Hot VW's already did a suspension upgrade article a couple of issues back.
carlady/host
The car is great but the engine is really on the weak side, I really don't understand why they did something like that.
dan
1. Post # 279: someone has just discovered the 1001 reason not to live in California. For my money, a pair of wrap around Oakley sunglasses (for about $50) is far and away the best solution.
2. Warranty voids for aftermarket mods. Had a sunroof installed. Talked to the aftermarket provider, local dealer, and VW of America. They agree: the warranty is void only on those parts affected by the mod (which, for a supercharger, would be the whole drive train....). I smell a rat. I'll bet the person who was told their whole warranty was voided has probably found an unscrupulous dealer: he's charging the customer for the work and billing VW for warranty repairs for the same work. I'd put money on it!
carlady/host
carlady/host
Glen Berkowitz
berk@aol.com
I havent seen the leatherette, but the dealer described it. He said it was like a vinyl with little holes all over. Sounded like he was describing the interior of on older Mercedes. He went on to say it wears better than the cloth or the leather.
A) Buy the car at about 10k and keep it. Then try & sell it at around $12-13k ( w/42k miles). Then buy a New TDI VW Beetle
C) Say goodbye and say thank you...
If its B should this lower my monthly lease payments since the Passat was more money to begin with?
I'll take any suggestions, Thanks
Dark Blue, GLS, TDI, leather, factory 5 spoke alloys (16x7.5).
The car is sooooooo much fun to drive. The TDI is simply incredible. Tons and tons of torque makes around town driving such a breeze. Downshift? Only if you really want to. Otherwise just push your foot down and feel that low end torque.
Out on the hwy 60 mph feels more like 35mph. VW did an outstanding job on making the NB a quiet car. No wind noise, and very little road noise. ( it has the Michelin MXV4 )But what really makes a huge difference is that the TDI engine only turns about 2000 rpm at 60 mph. Honestly, you really have to keep your eye on the speedo to stay below 80 mph!
If anyone out there is on the fence about the TDI, GET THE TDI ! Yes, on a cold start up it sounds like a diesel, but after that you will have to remind yourself that it's a diesel. The only way to apprieciate the TDI is to drive one, and unfortunately a 5 minute test drive won't do it.
As far as the fit and finish on my NB. I am very impressed. Everything is perfect. No squeaks, no rattles. The dealer was an absolute pleasure to deal with and I would reccomend them highly.
There have been some posts about leatherette. My dealer has 4-5 NBs with leatherette. It really looks nice, and feels nice too. If you have children get the leatherette. It will always clean up very well and wear better than the leather in most cases. ( I was in the auto detailing business for a number of years, so take my word for it.)
All I want to do now is drive my NB around!
Last fall I needed a car that could hold more than a couple of shoe boxes in the trunk. I wanted to trade my Miata (a great car, BTW) on a NB or a Cabrio. She was VERY much for the Cabrio and against the NB. Since I was on the fence, she pushed me to the Cabrio. I don't regret that decision, I love convertibles, however, I still would love to drive the New Beetle also. Maybe someday I will...
Sorry, about the rambling. My question to married NB owners is: Did/does your significant other share your enthusiasm about this wonderful car? And if they don't, how did you convince them to "let" you buy it? Did you say "To heck with what you think, it's my car!"? Or did you guys have to do dishes and laundry for a year, or did you ladies promise not to make your guy see a "chick flick". (This didn't work for me since I already do the dishes.) It's probably too late for me. We'll be starting a family in the next year or so, so our next car will probably be a Passat.
Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Vic
Remember, it is only VINYL! It will be HOT in the summer and COLD in the winter!
Like leather only much worse!
Just my two cents...
My wife was really close to letting me buy one, but she had this 'feeling' something bad was going to happen to our van. So, we ordered a Honda Odyssey, but my car is really biting the dust as of late. When we get the new van, the old one will be mine. She told me not to give up, that in a few years, I MAY be able to get a New Beetle. My grandsons are on my side, so it keeps the fire burning. I won't give up! I'm saving all the print material for the NB that I have, just for future reference...
Good Luck!
carlady/host
Frank
Kaurelio
I first started looking at the Beetle 12/97. When the brochures finally came out, I took one to my wife. She said it was cute, looked at the info a couple of times, I heard nothing further.
A few months ago, she decided she didnt like the Avalon any longer and wanted another car. I tried to steer her to a Boxter, Compressor, or Z3. She liked them all until I told her how much they cost. She still thinks that cars that cost more than $20k are a waste of money.
We drove the Beetle after that, and she was hooked. The price was right, she liked the ride, and she really liked the look.
So, with us, it was a mutual thing.
Mike
However, most comments lately are social chat.
Anyone got any issues a potential buyer should plan for?
Thanks.
Frank
Engine is not an issue.
I just want a fun little car that will be fairly reliable, the standard gas engine will work just fine, although I do acknowledge that about 20 more horsepower would seem appropriate, given current technology and the base price.
Hey, even a Subaru Impreza touts 142 horsepower and all-wheel drive for $2000 less.
Of course, it's so boring to look at that I can't bring myself to buy one.
As an "older" person, who's spent many formative years in the old bug, 30 years ago, then moved on to the trendier cars that the "social chatters" would probably talk about (Jaguar XKE, BMW 2002, and God Forbid, a Volvo Diesel with Connolly leather, followed by a Ford Exploder, which was bought in the first model year) I really am not up on VW quality.
Hey, my last VW experience was an air-cooled stinker - but I've vaguely noted the mechanical and rusting problems with the Rabbit and its successors.
It's new to me to consider VW a "real car".
Consequently, I'm real curious about the mechanical/electrical reliability that NB owners can tell/warn me about.
Hopefully, by now, some owners have enough miles on to talk about some 20,000+ mileage experience.
Thanks for the advice on the fog lamps and the upholstry.
As for detailing polish, I can't take any car that seriously at this point in my life - but I remember when I did - now it's the local Amoco car wash, and on to something else in life.
Hey, I may have been lured into a form of social chat...
Anyway, still interested in any reliability experiences, folks.
Thanks.
Frank
The 1.8T NB was scheduled to begin production in January of 99. I understand there have been some delays and rumors abound around the internet that these delays could delay the car until Fall of 99 as a year 2000 model. A member of the Newbug list (newsgroup) saw a functional 1.8t at an auto show just recently. See if you can get a friend or local dealer to let you test drive a 2.0L gas. I bet you will be surprised at the performance. Will also save you plenty to go with the non-turbo.
Frank
The NB 1.8T is about to start production. Really. It will be available at dealers in April. This April. Check out www.vwvortex.com. They are going to a press release of the 1.8T on March 16 in Arizona.
GlenBerk
Avalon was a fluke. 3 yr balloon w/ 71% residual, nice payments!
Got another VW car club membership under the wiper. Thats 2 in less than 2 weeks. Want us to be in a St.Pat's parade. Said they need more NBs.
Now, to tech talk. Where do you get aftermarket rock shields for the fog lights? Also, what is Z1, Z2,Z6? I usually use Eagle1 or similar polish.
Still trying to get used to the engage delay when shifting from F to R with the automatic.
My silver TDI could be here as early as tomorrow, though my dealer has told me that August is more realistic. I don't know if I want to wait that long. I looked at a bright blue one last week and thought that I might like that color instead.
Basically it's a very nice silicon based wax.
--Mike
Frank
I think the TDI Diesel would be a better choice for your lofty environs. That engine has huge torque and is not so dependant on the correct stoiciometric ratio of fuel to air as a gas engine. Check out the TDI topic in this conference.
Bruce.
I guess that depends on how much you like the silver. Or maybe on picky you are.
I wanted a Jazz Blue Cabrio, but couldn't find one , so I settled for the Black. I don't regret my choice. I'm not that picky on colors. Usually when buying a new car I have a favorite color and one or two others that I like almost as much. OTOH, I've heard people say they'd never settle for anything other than their first choice.
If it were me, I'd get the bright blue New Beetle NOW instead of waiting. (Of course, I like the blue better than the silver.)
Good luck, good driving!
Vic
should go.
Thanks