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VW New Beetle (Pricing & Information)

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Comments

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    The lady who traded in her new beetle simply stated to her salesperson that she had very quickly decided that she didn't like it.

    Who knows why.

    She had also managed to spill something on both front seats badly staining them. Even our detailer couldn't get the stains off.

    That isn't the cars fault. It always amazes me how some people can trash a car! And in 1500 miles!

    I am anxious to see if VW has really improved thier quality levels. I always judge a car by how it is after 150,000 miles or so. That is the true test.

    Hopefully, they have learned a lesson and improved.

    Still, I miss my old black 62 bug!
  • pam2pam2 Member Posts: 185
    -also in a polite tone-

    Thanks for giving me a break. I agree about this medium not being ideal for understanding a person's "tone". I thought I had been trying to get my point across before, but to no avail. I'm glad it finally worked!! :)
  • pam2pam2 Member Posts: 185
    Any thoughts on the new Jetta as far as quality?
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I have to choose my words carefully here as you know.

    I'll just say that time will tell. Ask me again after 10 years and 150,000 miles.

    I do have an open mind and may even change my overall opinion about VW products?

    Maybe a leopard CAN change it's spots...?
  • greenml430greenml430 Member Posts: 21
    The New Beetles (esp. the yellow ones) make me look every time! VW definitely nailed the "High-Tech", while still "Retro", look! They are also fun to drive, & as far as safety, well they are the leader in their class! The question you must answer is: Do you want one? If so, what are you waiting for?? Get bugged soon! My daughter has a 99 GLS Beetle & loves it! I paid list for the car, dealer cost for the Upgraded Alloy wheels & CD changer, & got the car in less than 2 weeks! If you are persistent, fair deals are to be found!
  • greenml430greenml430 Member Posts: 21
    If VW does build the RSI "Super Beetle", I'll be forced to get one! Let's hope they follow through!
  • pam2pam2 Member Posts: 185
    *sigh* I guess we're just stuck with buying our yucky old Hondas for awhile longer. :)
  • greenml430greenml430 Member Posts: 21
    Oh, I also have a Honda, my wife drives a 96 Odyssey, it has been as reliable as dirt although not nearly as exciting as dirt! The Beetle is about: Just Plain "FUN"! It is truly exceptional only in its concept, & looks, yet this seems to be more than enough to set it apart from the "run-of-the-mill" Toyotas, Hondas, etc. While they offer excellent daily transportation, & are reliable, they don't make you smile, & look for ANY reason to get out & go somewhere! Well, the Supra Turbo, or S 2000 maybe, but not the Celica, or Civic, or any of the Beetles direct competitors! If you are the type of person that can be satisfied with reliable, if somewhat uninspired vehicles, then the choices are limitless! But, the New Beetle makes even a run to Wal Mart a joy! Thanks for your time!
  • tnt2tnt2 Member Posts: 115
    My wife got her new TDI just before Christmas. It is her secondary (currently primary) car. She loves it. We weren't even in the market for a new car when she came home with it. She saw it, drove it, and wanted it. THAT is the appeal of the NB.

    Pam2....(In a Polite way)You said you are on an information gathering process. It sounds to me that you've made up your mind. I came to this topic to find information on NB. Little comments like post #262 get irritating. Maybe a Honda topic would be more suited for you so you can gather with the ones you have a common interest in. This is what I and others want to do here. To compare and find faults is good, but when you constantly compare to one thing, it gets old and shows narrow-mindedness. Sorry if your offended.
  • k273k273 Member Posts: 26
    Hey greenml430, you're right about that ride to Walmart being a joy! It's good to know that I'm not the only nuts looking for ANY reason to drive the New Beetle around - it's so much fun. Heck, I had to store it in the garage for the past couple of weeks 'cause we had really crappy weather up here in Canada and drove my parents Taurus instead. I can't believe how much I missed driving the NB and how good it felt to take it back out yesterday. Any concerns about the newness wearing out??? I don't think so. My cousin on the other hand bought a Civic and let me tell you that it has worn out for him and that those monthly payments have become really irritating. He says this'll be his first and last new car. Who'd say that with a New Beetle?

    I posted some messages late last year about those trunk rattles. Well, last news I've got (from the dealer) is that they (VW) haven't come up with a permanent fix for them. Messing around with those black stoppers merely buys you time, but the rattles come back sooner or later. Apparently the problem is serious enough for VW to have sent a team to Puebla in order to find a fix. The dealers are expecting a briefing from that team at the beggining of 99. Will this result in yet another of those silent recalls? Who knows? I for one am tired of looking around for a solution for these rattles, as I got quite accustomed to them and as they kind of became part of the cars personality for me. I won't fight though if they propose a fix on my next service appointment. Good luck to you trunk rattlers,

    Robert
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,258
    greenml430,
    I've yet to see a minivan that was exciting. The Odyssey is no different.


    Do all the NBs have the trunk rattle? I love the NB, but rattles get on my nerves a lot. Please let us know if VW finds a permanent cure for the rattle.
  • ccabralxccabralx Member Posts: 5
    I’m interested in a 99 NB, but I can’t decide between a gas 5 speed model (which are on the lot) or the TDI 5 speed model (which are not and long in coming). I test drove the gas model around town and found it to be very quick and responsive. I’m not too concerned with the higher MPG on the diesel, but I am concerned with highway acceleration and performance between the two. I know I need to try the TDI, but I would like to hear from others who have test driven both. I’m also having difficulty locating a TDI model to test.

    Has anyone test driven both the gas and TDI models on the highway? What’s your opinion?

    Thanks
  • greenml430greenml430 Member Posts: 21
    Our Beetle is a 99 GLS & it has 3K miles on it without any rattles of any sort! I can't say whether VW has addressed this by redesigning the latch mechanism, or if mine simply doesn't rattle! One of the roads driven daily is a one mile strech of washboard rutted pavement that causes almost any auto to rattle & shudder, yet the New Beetle is impressively solid over this section! My daily driver is a 99 ML430, that I truly enjoy, but when it's time to run to the store for a minute I will most often ask my daughter for the keys to the Beetle! VW has a winner! Thanks for your time!
  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    #267,

    Try driving a TDI Golf or Jetta instead, I had the same problem and drove a gas and TDI 99 Jetta before deciding on the Gas NB GLS. The TDI is a nice engine, I decided the gas engine would fit my needs better. I love this car!
  • KAURELIOKAURELIO Member Posts: 20
    Ccabralx,

    ** polite tone ** - I think this line helps.

    If you aren't concerned with the extra mileage of the TDI, why pay the extra $$ and wait??

    I have been following this forum for quite awhile, hoping my wife would let us get a NB. Unfortunately, I will be waiting a couple months for a '99 Odyssey EX (is that isellhondas cheering in the background?). Yes, our old Aerostar w/170K miles is getting a little too worn around the edges and needs replacing. Wife says not to worry, that we will try to pay the van off fast to get a NB!!! All hope is NOT lost!!! I will have to wait a few years though (sigh). Stuck in my 4cyl '86 Mustang a bit longer. (yawn)

    I will be checking in from time to time...

    Congrats to all the NB owners and soon to be's!
  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    There is a topic on the VW TDI engine toward the bottom of the Hatchback menue. Check it out for good TDI info.
  • laturjlaturj Member Posts: 45
    we are getting our 98 trunk latch replaced; i think they fixed it for 99
  • leahkleahk Member Posts: 4
    I've been lurking around for the past couple of weeks after my *dad* of all people suggested I look at the "New Volkswagen" when I told him I was finally buying a new car (I'm in my forties...). Dad has always been a Caddy kinda guy, but currently has a Saturn SL2 to haul around behind his RV. I was a little surprised that he'd suggested the Beetle and I began thinking seriously about it.

    I did all my research re the dealer invoice and took a test drive (loved it!) and did spreadsheets to familiarize myself with the costs on varying profit percentages up to the 3% recommended by Edmunds. Imagine my dismay when I read all the posts about the difficulty of getting the NB's below MSRP. Oh well, it was still within my budget.

    I'd been working with Eddie O'Sullivan at Ron Price Motors in South San Francisco and had an appointment to see him this past Saturday at 4 pm. I was prepared to see if I could get a price somewhat below MSRP on a black GLS five speed, but when I walked in he told me he "had a car I think you'll want to buy." At $16,388! Excep...it was red. Well, at that price I might've considered the yellow one!

    He showed me the ad that appeared that morning in the local paper. Apparently this was the "bait" car, only I didn't get switched.

    I highly recommend Ron Price Motors, especially Eddie. I know from my lurking that other buyers have worked with them and had good experiences. So if you're in the Bay Area and want to be treated well, stop by.

    Leah <---driver
  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    That TDI conference has a sweet link to a website that has more info. on the TDI than you will ever need: http://users.uniserve.ca/~fred_v/ check it out.
  • BwummerBwummer Member Posts: 46
    I'm responsible -- for better or for worse -- for some of the posts in the TDI topic on this board.

    I'll summarize: the TDI is a great engine. As a diesel should, it delivers most of it's torque in the low end of the range (I can start my NB from a dead stop in 1st gear w/o using the accelerator). This makes it much peppier starting up (the numbers say otherwise, but it sure feels like a better 0-60 time than the gas engine). The TDI does lose a lot of spunk in the high end of the RPM range, but since, in fifth gear, this occurs at about 90-95 mph, it's not a problem for most drivers.

    I might add that the local SCCA rep looked at me like I was crazy when I showed up at the track in my wife's TDI....

    Gas mileage can't be beat -- we're averaging low 40's on mixed highway and city driving. And we have no problem with fuel availability.

    Car availability is a different story. I think its a better car, but probably not worth waiting for unless you really need the gas mileage (don't worry about the extra price; you'll save that much or more in the first year or so of ownership).
  • pam2pam2 Member Posts: 185
    tnt2,

    (Still trying to be nice)... I don't know why you should let post 262 irritate you. It was a message to Isellhondas, who is a friend that I see in various topics here.

    Whether I've made up my mind or not isn't really an issue here. I may NEVER purchase a New Beetle, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know more about them. This bothers you?
  • darenjpdxdarenjpdx Member Posts: 14
    About TDI and gas Beetles, I did drive both. I admit I wanted a diesel before doing this, so I do have a bias. The gas engine revs annoyingly high at highway speeds--even at 60 mpg it was getting up toward 3000 rpm (if I remember correctly). This in itself was enough to confirm my preference for the TDI. Also, I agree with all the stuff that is in #275 so I won't repeat it. My only other observation is that if you want the Beetle for something different, getting a diesel Beetle is something REALLY different--quite a conversation piece. Most people don't even know it comes in a diesel. Here in Oregon where the government mandates full service at the pump, most attendants seem suprised when I say "fill it with diesel".
  • darenjpdxdarenjpdx Member Posts: 14
    Oh, and I'll second the Ron Price Motors recommendation. Despite living in Portland, we purchased our Beetle from them in S. San Francisco (all by internet/telephone/mail) and had it shipped to Portland, as every dealer here was gouging people for $1500 over sticker. (see my posts way above). I've noticed ads in the local paper now advertising below sticker in Portland---but I still won't buy a Beetle from them.
  • k273k273 Member Posts: 26
    Hey, I'm sure the TDI engine is great and may be worth the extra money and waiting, but before you decide on it, check out a few things with your dealer. A NB mailing list I consulted looking for a fix for the hatch ratlles, was swamped by TDI owners experiencing a dreaded "check engine light syndrome" as they called it. It seemed that in most TDI NB, a part like the glow-plug relay switch (relay is the key-word here) was defective and causing the check engine light to come on pretty soon after driving the car off the lot. If nothing else, this made for harder start-ups in cold weather and blinded to other problems revealed by that check light. Anyway, replacing that relay switch with a new one - even one said to be of a new generation - didn't seem to do the trick. So, check with your dealer's service department if VW came up with a way or a part to fix the ceck engine light syndrome for good. Edmund's test car seemed to have a similar problem, but I think they had to replace some micro-chip in that case. Who knows what the real story behind the check engine light syndrome is? Just make sure you don't fall into it, for it can be pretty annoying.

    Robert
  • BwummerBwummer Member Posts: 46
    I'll second what darenjpdx said in #277! I just pulled into a Full Service (in New Jersey, where they have so much unemployment that you can't pump your own gas) station, and the yo-yo already had the regular fuel hose out and was ready to fill my poor TDI with that nasty stuff.

    I said, "Fill it up with diesel, please," and he nodded, and STILL WENT TO PUT THE NOZZLE IN MY TANK. Then he caught himself and said, "Did you say diesel?" I told him I had. He replied, "I didn't know these things were diesels." Sigh.

    Now I have to disagree with k273 in #279. As I've said elsewhere on this board, VW always has problems with new models. Don't let this dissuade you from buying the car. Maybe to wait a couple of months, but not give up on it. The problems are ALWAYS of the "annoyance" variety, and VW is one of the best customer service companies out there. They will make it right (eventually). Just don't give up.
  • mgrmgr Member Posts: 40
    Had a friend of mine locate a NB for me. BB, GLS, gas, AT. Will have it as soon as the paperwork is signed and they can ship it from Milwaukee. Got tired of waiting on the Dallas dealers to get something in. Will be turning the Toyota Avalon in. Cant wait to be part of the "cult" as my friend termed it.
  • laturjlaturj Member Posts: 45
    fyi
    the new trunk latch fixed our rattle, the only problem was it took about a month to get the part in.
  • ccabralxccabralx Member Posts: 5
    Just bought a 99 GLS gas std model (black with cream interior). One dealer told me he wouldn't take anything off the sticker price and would not deal. I found another dealer who had about 20 NB on the lot. After just two offers I got the one I wanted for $375 over invoice. Easy transaction -- when like this: Went in about 30 minutes before closing, made an offer, they laughed and said "you'll have to pay sticker." I told them I had a price from another dealer but that I wanted to buy from them. They came down $400, but I said no way and wrote down my final price (and I indicated I wanted the aluminum rims with this). They said okay if I could pay for the car before Friday (they want to close the books for January). The deal was signed last night and I paid for the car and drove it home today. I should mention that I had Edmunds price list with me and showed them that they're making $375 off me plus the 2% hold back from VW. In any event, the experience was great -- fast service and the car is great. Now if it will stop snowing I can take it out and enjoy it.

    Thanks to all of you who helped answer questions about the NB and explained your buying experiences.
  • tnt2tnt2 Member Posts: 115
    k273... I was told that the TDI check engine light was not the relay, but the wiring harness to the relay or something to that effect. This part was on a nationwide backorder in december, I'm still waiting. Was told that it doesn't affect the motor in any way, just get an annoying light on the dash.

    pam2... Sorry. Been in the pickup conference too long and listened to dave40 go on and on and on about chevy trucks. Check it out and see what I mean.
  • BwummerBwummer Member Posts: 46
    ccabralx--

    What do you mean, wait for it to stop snowing? Take your new baby out in the snow (drive gently, please). You'll be even more impressed with the cute little thing.

    Our NB TDI is every bit as comfortable in the snow and ice storms we've been having here as my Explorer is. And it only cost half as much (gets 3 times the gas mileage, too).

    Just don't get too unwrapped until the roads are clear.
  • pinheadpinhead Member Posts: 33
    Anyone out there on a list for a NB 1.8T???

    Well, the wait has just become longer.

    My dealer told me today that it has been indefinitely postponed. Not believing the dealer entirely I called another. This one in another state. Well, same story, indefinitely postponed, maybe a 2000 model. I then called VW customer relations. What they told me was that the NB 1.8T was a future model with no availability date. This car was supposed to be in production for the last couple of weeks already.

    I still am somewhat stunned by this news. Apparently the news has just reached the dealers.
    I have yet to read on any other sites anything that can substantiate the information.

    Carlady, can Edmunds get any information?

    In my case, maybe it was meant to be. For the last little while I have been on the fence between the NB 1.8T and the NB TDI. (I know 2 entirely different animals). After my dealer offered my deposit back I asked them about a TDI.
    They offered me a dark blue (my color of choice) TDI with the leather package at msrp. Hmmmm. I am going to see it tomorrow.
  • pam2pam2 Member Posts: 185
    tnt2,

    Hey, sure!! No hard feelings! I'm all smiles here! :):):):) See?

    Which pickup conference are you talking about. Maybe I'll mosey on over there and give dave40 a hard time! :)
  • 94mx594mx5 Member Posts: 7
    Sorry to hear the news about the 1.8 turbo. However, it doesn't surprise me. With the current models selling as well as they are, there's no incentive for VW to bring in a higher performance version of the NB. Anyone who has followed the various Passat forums knows that VW's release dates for upgraded models are iffy at best.
    BTW, I was at the Portland Auto Show Thursday, and the NB is still drawing a crowd.
  • tnt2tnt2 Member Posts: 115
    Went to the post office this morning and took wife's NB. 3 blocks away, four smiles and two waves. Can't help but get a good feeling from that.
  • pinheadpinhead Member Posts: 33
    Well, I went down to my dealer to see that NB TDI, now it's mine!

    NB TDI GLS dark blue, leather pkg.(heated seats, heated windshield wiper nozels..) I also upgraded the optional alloys to the VW 16x7.5 alloys 5 spokes.

    The price, msrp for the car, no charge for the wheel upgrade!(another local dealer wanted $1100 for same wheels)

    I can highly recommend Trend Motors in Rockaway, NJ. Abe Levi is the sales mgr. my sales person was Kim. This is an old time VW dealership. Friendly, no pressure. They are #5 in sales in the US so there allotment is fantastic. Their inventory speaks for itself. 40-60 NBs, (all colors except silver) NO upcharge for yellow and green (they have quite a few). They are even going below msrp on the more common NBs.
  • rictra1rictra1 Member Posts: 7
    Those of you who commonly drive in snow during the winter months probably would prefer to have one set of tires designed for snow and another set for all other conditions.

    I have a perfect set of 4 ea 16" steel wheels and standard VW wheel covers for my '99 NB GLS that I want to sell for $125 and will ship COD to you. They have about 40 miles on them and are in the same boxes now that my alloys came in. If you are interested, email me at n2golf@altavista.net --- I live in Georgia where there is no snow!!

    Rich
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,258
    I take it from pinhead's post that leather is (somewhat) available. Is the sunroof option available yet?
  • rickroverrickrover Member Posts: 601
    corvette - leather is available, I saw it on a couple of beetles when I bought mine. The sunroof is not available yet, but there is an aftermarket electric sunroof that is supposed to be like factory install. I'll look in my email and get back with info on it. It doesn't suprise me about the 1.8T, I think there must be a shortage of this engine considering all the Audi's and VW's it's installed in already. I'm thinking of putting a super charger on mine - about 160 hp and $3k. Lots of aftermarket stuff is available for the NB, I ordered a spoiler, sport exhaust and front splitters for mine, now looking at 17" wheel and tire package.
  • BwummerBwummer Member Posts: 46
    For some info on leather, make sure you read my post #220 on this board. Keep in mind, though, that word is very unofficial.

    I hope VW has gotten back to making leather.
  • pinheadpinhead Member Posts: 33
    Bwummer,

    The NB TDI with leather that I just bought was made in mid-December. If anyone out there hasn't seen the leather yet,it really is nice. But to tell you the truth I just wanted the heated seats and washer nozzles!!:) :) The color of the leather with the dark blue paint is gray. Nice shade, not too light, not too dark.
  • k273k273 Member Posts: 26
    Thank you laturj for your feedback concerning the trunk rattles. I'll ask my dealer to replace the trunk latch in order to fix those rattles. Would you happen to have the part number of the latch written on your service receipt, it might come in handy. Thanks in advance,

    k273
  • leahkleahk Member Posts: 4
    It sounds like a lot of you are living in wintry climes, but here in California I need a solution for dealing with the sun coming in the driver's side window. The visors on my NB are way too short; I think they only come about 4-6 inches across on the side windows when I swing the visor into position. The Service Manager told me I'd need to check after-market providers. Anyone have one they could recommend?

    Thanks in advance.

    Leah
  • ekuehnelekuehnel Member Posts: 3
    Well, we got it. I lost the toss and my BH drove it home, darn. Now we have the fun of visiting all the kids nearby and finding out what they think of the NB. We'll let you know.

    The dealer was great. Wish all my purchases went as smoothly.
  • xanaxana Member Posts: 1
    Has anyone seen the leatherette option? I have an infant and think that leatherette might be preferable to cloth for clean-up. I've only seen the cloth and the leather.
  • diklicdiklic Member Posts: 7
    To Rickrover: I'm also thinking about supercharging my beetle, do you have any info, it would be greatly appriciated, where do you find the aftermarket stuff for this car??

    regards,

    dejan
    PS. email at diklic@hotmail.com is ok also
  • laturjlaturj Member Posts: 45
    k273

    re: my trunk latch it says trunk latch install - 726451A-.5; i think that is the part number; that is all they have on here.
  • pinheadpinhead Member Posts: 33
    I saw the leatherette. It is very nice. There is no doubt that it will be easier to clean, and hey, it is a no charge option! The only downside is that you may have to wait a while for one. Find a high volume dealer and let them know your preference.
  • jimboutilierjimboutilier Member Posts: 5
    Check out www.rimmer.com They make a quality super charger for the 2.0L Gass engine. They are in the process of completing the NB kit. About $3000 Retail.

    Hope this helps
  • pinheadpinhead Member Posts: 33
    See also, www.newdimensions.com
  • k273k273 Member Posts: 26
    Thank you laturj.
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