- coupe 37,545
- 5,995 overpriced
- Mentor, OH
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- autoshopper.com
1999 volkswagen new beetle review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The beetle is back!. introductionthey were slow, ungainly, noisy, cramped and uncomfortable. Passengers froze on cold days. But people loved them. For countless american baby boomers growing up in the turbulent 1960s, the beetle was not just a piece of transportation. It was an obsession. To some, its worst traits only made it more endearing. the volkswagen beetle could have been a cult car, had it not been for its huge popularity. Nearly 21 million beetles were produced during the past 59 years--more than any other automobile in history. That's in spite of the fact that there hasn't been a bug legally imported into america since 1979. Volkswagen officials take great pains to point out that this is the 'new beetle,' far more than just an update of the car that helped define an american generation. the new beetle is based on the same platform as the volkswagen golf. As a result, it's far roomier than the original. The engine is up front powering the front wheels, not the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration of the old bug. Two new engines are available, both water-cooled, not air-cooled. but some traits remain: just as with the original, volkswagen put a premium on reliability. Yet even they are likely to be won over by the roominess, ride and creature comforts of the new beetle. At least that's the way it's been shaping up. walkaroundthere's an uncanny similarity in shape to the original beetle. Volkswagen has captured the essence of the bug. The new shape is thoroughly modern. Chrome bumpers have been replaced with integrated, color-keyed bumpers. Gaps between doors, fenders and other body panels are some of the tightest we've seen. look beneath the skin and differences become even more apparent. Crumple zones and other features enhance crash protection, a benefit of sharing the golf platform. Dual front and side airbags are standard. Antilock brakes are an option. a rigid chassis results in a smooth, controlled ride and little noise, vibration and harshness. There's real storage in the form of a surprisingly roomy trunk. Fold down the rear seats and there's still more space at hand. the original beetle was an economy car and it looked it. It looks up-market and up-tempo. The colors--eight of them--are sophisticated. Cyber green, for example, is a pearlescent metallic finish that seems to change colors as it passes by. Chunky 16-inch tires give the car a sporty look, and optional six-spoke aluminum wheels underscore its technical sophistication. interiorthat techno-styling is even more apparent inside. Except for the delightful little bud vase, the interior of the new beetle is anything but retro. While cars in this price class tend to have plain vanilla interiors, the new bug's look is rich and surprisingly sophisticated, almost a work of art. brushed aluminum spokes and carbon-fiber-looking handgrips give the steering wheel a high-tech look and the theme is carried sparingly throughout. Creative, though controversial, upper door panels use a matte version of the car's exterior paint. Somehow they seem a step forward into the past-a sort of retro/techno design. ergonomics were a top design priority throughout. Sleek radio and heater/ac controls are within easy reach of the driver in a center console that sweeps out of the instrument panel. Seats are far more comfortable than those in the beetle of old. Adjustment controls work well except for an awkwardly placed recliner knob. a sweeping roofline creates tremendous front-seat headroom, though it cramps people in back. Now the windshield is steeply raked and has been moved several feet forward. The trunk can be opened by key or with a remote electric switch located near the driver. The glovebox looks impressive, but its massive door belies the tiny, awkwardly shaped compartment. One-touch power windows are useful. But the rear windows do not open, so rear-seat passengers might feel a little claustrophobic on summer days. driving impressiondriving is where the difference between the old and new beetle is really evident. step on the accelerator and, well, there's acceleration. The new beetle may not qualify for pocket rocket status, but it's no sloth, either. Torque from the base 2. 0-liter engine comes on at relatively low revs and makes the car feel quite sprightly around town. Yes.' that familiar exhaust note and the metallic sound of those solid lifters has been replaced by an incredibly quiet car. Wind noise is surprisingly low at cruising speeds, only making itself apparent at 80 mph. for maximum sports appeal, we recommend the 5-speed manual over the optional 4-speed automatic. It's more fun to drive. The automatic works well enough, but it gives up a little low-end acceleration and makes the car seem thrashy on pedal-to-the-metal standing starts. tight, linear, responsive steering with a solid, on-center feel and a smooth, sporty ride replaces that loose feeling we remember in the original beetle. It's cute, but it's competitive. They'll only make 50,000 for the u. It might be a challenge to find one. assembled inpuebla, mexico. options as testedsports package with halogen projector lens front foglamps, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels. model testedu. Anti-lock Brakes✔ Power Windows✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels✔ Alloy Wheels
5,995 Mentor, OHMentor, OH at autoshopper.com