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VW New Beetle (Pricing & Information)
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Anyone else dealt with Carolina VW?
You have a yellow 79 Civic? Is it a CVCC 5-speed? That was the first new car I ever owned. One of the reasons I bought it was it was the most "beetle-like" new car - it had more of that goofy minimalist spirit than the contemporary Rabbits did. With a little work you could make it handle, too. Odd thing is, despite it being a highly visible color (too bright to even look at if you had a hangover - not that I'd know about that sort of thing) I got tail ended twice in the first year I owned it.
You know, now that I think about it, I don't think there's anything really quite like the old beetle or first generation Civic on the road.
The NB has the whimsy and fun factors dialed in, but it's much more upscale. The Civic/Corolla/
Mazda 323/Sentra are closer to the price point, and can be fun to drive, but they're "serious". You know, they're like real cars. And the real price bottom feeders are trying to be like the Japanese entry level cars.
Closest thing I can think of would be the Neon or Metro, but when I spend time in those, they just scream "cheeeeeap!" at me. And I can't picture a psychedelic paint job on either of 'em.
MSRP: $16,850
Luxury package: $1225
Destination; $525
Total MSRP: $18,600
I believe that the sticker price was $18750, so the dealer must have tacked on some other charges.
We got the car for $18,000. Now, when I signed the contract, I noticed that the dealer had a $399 "Other" charge for what they called PDI. When asked what PDI stood for, the finance mngr had no direct reply, but said it was the cost of preparing the car(ie. dumping and replacing the oil, detailing, etc). Is this BS? Shouldn't this cost have been eaten by the dealer and not passed along to the buyer?? Is this a way that dealers add to the sale price? Anyone experience this??
Thanks
carlady/host
Also please explain why random vapors are still available at dealerships--I thought they were all sold-out over the internet.)
Just make sure you check the service dept and backlog before buying. That may be enough reason to go the other dealer.
carlady/host
The Sticker price was about $22,500. My target price was around $19,000. There was a repossesed GLS Turbo at another dealership that I had talked them down to about $19k + dealer costs + tax. Then at the paper signing table they let me know (after the extended test drive) that that car was not for sale because "it has intermittent stalling problems. But we will give you the exact same car, but new, for invoice: $20,400; plus handling ($500) plus admin ($249) + tax." I tried to talk them down to $20,000 + tax, no admin fees or delivery. They countered $20,500 + admin + tax. I said no and walked away.
The repo car for $19,000 would have been a steal. But went back to Tynans, told the real nice salesguy that the other dealership offered the new car at $20,400. He said I will do better,
2000 GTX green, at $20,000 + delivery and handling + admin + tax. I countered with $20,000 + admin + taxes == $20,300. He said "Can you give me $50?" So in all $20,350 + taxes. Real good deal because the TMV of the same model is around $20,324...according to Edmunds. Plus tax here is 3.5%!!! In all it I have paid $21,130.
Not bad I believe.
Anyhow...without having seen the sticker yet, I believe it is a base model with manual tranny. According to the guy who ran the promotion, the car stickers for around $15,900. By the time I take delivery, the car will have about 90 miles on it (to and from stadium I guess). Only other thing is that unless the person wants a car painted like a baseball (it is white with red "stitching" and team decals on both doors), I would assume the buyer will want to hold a little back for a paint job.
All considered, I was thinking of asking $15,000 for the car, thinking that to be a good price ($900 under MSRP, no taxes to be paid by buyer as I have to pay the taxes to the issuing dealer plus income tax as it was a prize). Any ideas as to whether that is a good price? Any help would be appreciated.
I'm getting a quote of $18,200 (+tax,dmv) for a
new Silver colored VW Beetle'2001, GLS model,
automatic, with 6-cd changer. It *doesn't* have
the
LUX or Leather or Monsoon packages on it. Can
someone please tell me if this is a decent price
or
not?
-- thank you, vishy
invoice for auto (16660)
emissions (99)
airbags (150)
delivery (525)
cd (495)
port & prep (167) --- very suspect!
(I'm paying around 100$ over the total of all these things)
Do these charges sound ok to other beetle owners?
-- thanks, vishy
LOVE MY BUG!!!!!!!!!!
I got the financing through my credit union and didn't have to deal with VWCredit. I also did not buy their "extended warranty", I got a decent deal over the internet. I didn't have to pay extra for dealer prep, just lic. and minimal doc fee and tax.
The best way to buy a car is to do research and don't let the dealer push you. You can push back by walking out. I know it's difficult when you're in an area that does not have many dealerships, and the same goes for a popular car or model. But these people want to sell cars and sometimes you can call your own price to a point. I love my beetle and am glad I got it.
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Board
I'm from NYC and decided to make good on
my private love affair with the BUG. I'm going
to trade in my 1999 Corolla LE and begin the
honeymoon.
Today, a dealer informed me that the 2000
manual models, are going for invoice. Any truth
to this? Should a 2000 model be considered?
Should I continue to shop for that fair-haired
2001 GLS? Jacktec
For future reference, you'll find access the this tool on any given vehicle page next to the pricing information. Good luck and keep us posted. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Board
www.vorsprungdurchtechno.co.uk
Those of you who were having problems getting an in dash cd player to fit shoul check out my project bug pages as I have fitted a rather nice Kenwood flip-front cd player linked to two 10disk autochangers in the boot. It's easy to do, you just need to get hold of a blanking plate. Whoever told you that you can't do it was just trying to sell you their expensive autochangers.....
PJ@vorsprungdurchtechno.co.uk
I bought my NB in June and have a few very minor problems with the car. I had to replace the window switches, a clip in the sunroof shade broke, and the lock on the arm rest broke. All replaced under warrenty. Check out www.newbeetle.org There appears to be a few bad apples out there, but most are very happy with their cars.
Also, went to see what the New Beetle would trade for. I purchased at sticker when the 01 Turbot were scarce. They are now offering only $17.5K as trade 6 months later. So take that into consideration before buying anywhere near sticker.
As an aside, I expect interest rates to drop this week, could take a little of your payment.
Good luck with your purchase.
The only thing I would recommend if you do purchase out of town is to really take your time with the delivery inspection; make sure you check every nook and cranny to make sure that you don't miss non-warranty type issues, such as a stain on the upholstery or small scratches. My 2 cents.
Good luck and keep us posted. We look forward to hearing about your purchase experience. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Boards
don't want any bitter experiences ...
Thanks guys ..
With her commute the "2yr/24K" warranty ended in 17 months, so we are a little concerned but still very happy. In 8/99 they were still very scarce (especially yellow ones - her first choice). I downloaded the list of VW dealers within x # of miles and kept calling till I found a yellow, manual GLS with cloth - At or Below sticker (that was hard to find at the time). I had to goto Pittsburgh, but the dealer was really great (Day Apollo in Moon Township, next to the Pitts Airport and my salesman was nice and straightforward - Oliver S Richard).
Before I took the train out there, I put a deposit on a credit card and made them send me a purchase order (not a contract) with a VIN number. I then checked this with the insurance company to make sure it was the car I wanted (I wanted to avoid a "bait and switch").
I agree with Pocohontas about the delivery inspection - I downloaded a USED car checklist and checked everything on it before taking it.
Pittsburgh worked for me because I had friends there to meet me and for me to stay with if anything went wrong - although it actually turned out to be fine.
We have since had service at the local dealership without problem (she uses their shuttle, ect, ect.)
Overall, I would recommend it - its a fun, safe, happy car. Its also very comfortable for tall people if there is no one in back and it has decent storage space if you pack carefully. The newer models probably have many of the minor bugs worked out.
damseldaisy - If you have never leased a car, be very careful. See edmunds site. VW has some leasing programs for college students if you qualify. Your best bet might be a credit union. Many of them participate in the Payment Shaver program, which is very similar to a lease. It is a balloon note program where you only finance the depreciation (like a lease) and at the end you can turn a car in, or buy it and finance or pay the final payment (which is preset at the residual value of the car). There are no aquisition or disposition fees which are profit for the dealership so it is often cheaper. The interest rate is set by the credit union and is usually competitive, slightly more than a loan. You can "lease" for 12k,15k or 18k miles per a year and there are NO wear and tear charges. See paymentshaver.com.
Thanks for the info.
How fast are you driving on the highway? If those are all highway miles, you're driving at a reasonable speed, and you trust that your diesel station isn't adding any weird additives to the mix (not that I've ever heard of this happening), I'd bring it in to get examined. In the winter with city driving I still get above 40.
Do the 2001 and 2002 models still have the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?
Yes, the VW New Beetle power train warranty is still 10 year/100k. Also, for more information on reliability, you may want to check out Edmunds.com's long term road test: 1998 New Beetle It covers the ownership experience/maintenance of a 1998 New Beetle over a 2 year period (June 98 - April 2000). And for what it's worth, to quote a few words in the last article: "it was reliable and, for the most part, fun to drive."
Also, for more recent information, here's a direct link to our VW New Beetle problems discussion. Hope this is helpful. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks/Station Wagons Message Boards
-susan
So what kind of Rice Rocket can I buy that's quick so I can pull on the freeway without shouting "Giddy-up" I have a Integra GS now excellent car but slow off the line. Only wants to go around 50mph.
Need some help.
Thanks
Regarding trades: I didn't pay anywhere near sticker for my '99 and wouldn't have. New Beetles are a niche market, when the relatively small number of people run out, the market is flat and there won't be the surplus of people to price gouge. If VW ran them in limited numbers it would be a different story (the main reason for the "special editions"). Like the awful PT Cruiser price gouging, there are simply too many cars around to command a premium. They're making 160,000 PT Cruisers and trying to get $2-5K over sticker? Please! The sales of Beetles is down considerably this year from last. There will be a huge surplus of unsold 2001s when the 2002 debuts.
On the last day of March 1999, I traded my '88 Cabriolet for a '99 New Beetle GLS. Silver with Leather and sunroof and paid less than invoice (a very rare circumstance!). I loved the car despite a few problems, but missed having a convertible. I traded that Beetle for a 2000 Cabrio GLS one year later with 10K miles and got $15k, and I was very happy with that. I was also getting the Cabrio under invoice with 4.9 financing, so I had no right to complain.
Regarding Colors:
There are four blues available:
Techno Blue > the original bright blue since 1998
Batik Blue > '99 and on dark purply blue
Vapor Blue > the "powder" blue special edition
Vortex Blue > a pearl muted blue similar to Techno
Two Greens:
Cyber Green > the original pea green
Isotope Green > a pastel special edition for 2001
Three Yellows:
Yellow > the original yellow
Lemon Yellow > a paler version available in Europe and a few were sold here (they have unique interiors)
Reflex Yellow > the "school bus" yellow special edition
White, Black, Red and Silver.
Happy buggin'
PS: Anyone have any New Beetle Cabrio info? patiently waiting...
I'm just getting into the new car market and the Beetle is on my list. If the champagne color isn't available through the factory, I'll likely go with Batik Blue. Thanks to all.
Double Yellow replaces Yellow (less green tint)
Marlin Blue replaces Batik Blue
Blue Lagoon (current Jetta Color) replaces Techno Blue
Reflex Silver replaces Silver Arrow
Platinum Gray new color
Snap Orange limited edition model
Happy Buggin'