I am a 59 year old female who lives in Washington, DC. Since I was 18 I have wanted a Beetle. I have been told no that is a car that I wouldnât enjoy if I had. Also, you must understand I am not a small person and one of my friends laughs whenever I mention it. I am also probably moving soon to NH. My daughter says you would not be able to have a volkswagen convertible in NH as it would live through the winters. Also my wonderful mechanic who works of cars for many of the congressman and works on many many different types of cars says that the car isnât a good car. Do you have any comments?
Youâre talking about getting the new one, right? Do not get the old (rear-engined air-cooled) version. If youâre getting the new (front-engined water-cooled) version, itâll work fine in NH. Youâll be better off getting an extra set of winter tires mounted on wheels next fall. The Beetle does have its problems, it isnât the most reliable car around, but if youâve been wanting one for 40+ years, why not? Itâs actually fairly roomy for one or two. Make sure you do not get one with the turbo engine, though, they are trouble-prone.
Are you talking about an old VW Beetle, a classic car, or are you talking about buying one of the newer Beetles currently on the market?
If youâre talking about a classic Beetle I think you probably wouldnât like driving one in modern traffic. The classic Beetle is ancient technology compared to anything youâre used to driving. An old Beetle makes a nice hobby car to drive occasionally, but I wouldnât want to use one as daily transportation, especially on the freeway around DC.
If youâre talking about the current Beetle, I donât see any reason you wouldnât like one if thatâs what you want. The New Beetle has very large door openings and lots of room inside (in the front seat, at least). A friend of mine who is quite large in all dimensions really likes his New Beetle because itâs easy for him to get in and out of.
There are some reliability issues with late-model Beetles, and VWs in general, so your mechanic may be correct there. As far as NH winters go, Iâm sure there are New Beetles in NH, and with good winter tires it should be fine. A New Beetle will go anywhere any other front wheel drive car will go.
Either way, classic or new, I suggest you test drive a Beetle Convertible and see what you think. You can take advice and suggestions from anyone you like, but you really should test drive a Beetle and see if itâs really what you want before you decide.
. I have been told no that is a car that I wouldnât enjoy if I had.
How does someone else know what you would or would not enjoy. I bet they have never been in one.
I am not a small person
Stop by a dealer and try one for size. They can show you the adjustments. That will tell you if it can fit you.
My daughter says you would not be able to have a volkswagen convertible in NH as it would live through the winters.
And your daughter knows this how? There are lots of VW convertibles in NH. In fact it makes more sense there than in Florida where it is so hot in the summer you would never want to put the top down.
Also my wonderful mechanic who works of cars for many of the congressman and works on many many different types of cars says that the car isnât a good car.
I wonder how many VWâs he works on and if he has the experience to know how to best work on them. Now I will not try to tell you they are the most reliable car around nor the easiest to repair, but they are also not the worst. Frankly most cars today, including the VWâs are very good cars compared to cars we know as kids (you are a few years younger than I.
I have NB (New Beetle, 2002 diesel) and really like it. Almost 100,000 miles with minimal repairs. You mileage may vary.
I seem to recall something about this being the last year for the New Beetle, so if you are looking for a new one, now would be a good time. Note: any used convertible should have the top inspected before purchase to determine if you may be buying a new top before long. this goes for all makes and models.
Iâm sure that you will fit into a New Beetle just fine. Daniel Pinkwater stated on NPR that he drove one, and claimed to be quite large. The linked photo seems to bear that assertion out.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26ni%3D21%26va%3Ddaniel%2Bpinkwater%26fr%3Dytff1-sunm%26xargs%3D0%26pstart%3D1%26b%3D127&w=139&h=142&imgurl=www.lulu.com%2Fauthor%2Fdisplay_thumbnail.php%3FfCID%3D232181%26amp%3BfSize%3Ddetail_%26amp%3B1151259857&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lulu.com%2Fcontent%2F232181&size=15k&name=display_thumbnaiâŠ&p=daniel+pinkwater&oid=78e8a1d01ef134fc&no=147&tt=238&b=127&ni=21&sigr=112k1mdv0&sigi=12mnoiviu&sigb=13rnrihj0
Enjoy your new New Beetle.
You are too young to be driving a VW convertible. However, if you think you are mature enough then I donât see a problem with a VW New Beetle convertible. Convertible tops today are more weather resistant than the canvas tops of the old days. I know one person who has a VW New Beetle (not a convertible)and thinks it is great. I know that Consumer Reports indicates a less than stellar repair record for the VW New Beetle, but you are going to be the one driving the car, not the CR staff. Iâm over 67 and I am thinking about purchasing a Mazda Miata.
I had a late Aunt who managed to put dents in her car in the strangest places. One body shop mechanic was questioning her as to how she had gotten one of the latest dents. She replied, âPutting the dents in the car is my business. Your job is to get them outâ. Tell your mechanic that your job is to select the carâhis job is to fix it.
The âoldâ Beetle convertible was last sold in the US sometime in the mid 70âs. They had lousy heaters, and were OK then but by todayâs standards are pretty primitive cars.
Skip the old Beetle in favor of the modern Beetle selling new today. The convertible version has a good top that is nicely padded and insulated so driving it in the winter is not a problem at all. The new Beetle has a great heater and good A/C as well. Driving in the winter in NH is not a big deal. Some natives swear that the all season tires that come on the car are fine in winter, and other natives feel youâll need snow tires. You can get the car now, enjoy it in DC for awhile and make the decision for or against snow tires after you relocate to NH.
At 59 youâve waited long enough. Get the car you want and enjoy it! Iâm 60 and I have a Tâbird convertible and it I enjoy it, viva la convertible.
Lawd, so do I!!! Now, if weâre talking my real dream car, this is it⊠Not practical for all the 80 mph interstate commuting I do now, but thatâs the car I want for my retirement at the beach, just toolinâ around town. Kayak toting, hm; will have to work on that one. Maybe by then Iâll have a boat at the harbor.
The old, original Beetle (had one once); not the awful fake theyâve come up with.
Retire to Mexico. Chapala or Ajijic, if you have the money for the latter Then, you can have one not too old. They are everywhere. They made them, I think, well into the 21st Century. I am talking the Old Beetle, called the Sedan here.
They can be repaired to new condition. I see twenty and thirty year old ones driven everywhere.
True, not many are convertibles, but all it takes is one.
I see the old Things as well, the one that looks like the German military vehicle. They call them Safari here.
you gonna tow that boat with your Yaris?