Picture Gallery: 2007 VW New Beetle Convertible | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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When asked what I am driving this week, I admittedly shy away from the question, only to eventually provide an answer, which is, predictably, followed by laughter from the questioner. It comes with the job: you can’t always be driving that hot new exotic from Italy — would be nice to sometime, though.
The new, New Beetle Convertible is now powered by the inline five cylinder engine available in the Rabbit, rather than the 1.8T or the anemic “two-point-slow” two-litre four-cylinder engine (used in the previous generation Golf and Jetta). Also new for 2007 is the 6-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic. Besides these updates, not much has changed on the New Beetle; it is still based on the “old” Golf chassis, although the exterior has apparently changed slightly — although only a trained eye could tell.
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My tester adds leather seats and luxury package which includes a power raise and lower top for $2,995 and the previously-mentioned automatic transmission for $1400 (a five-speed manual is standard), for a grand total, with freight, of $32,900.
The weather outlook for the week looks good, so it should be the perfect week to test this convertible’s usefulness and fun factor. Perhaps by week’s end I’ll have a new appreciation for the VW Beetle and it’s almost cult-like following.
2007 VW New Beetle Convertible
MSRP as tested: $32,900
For more information on VW and the New Beetle visit VW Canada
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Well it is day two for me in the Beetle Convertible and it has not grown on me yet. In fact some of the “finer” points are beginning to really annoy me, which is quite rare, to be honest. The interior is not a horrible place to be, although it does seem somewhat dated. I actually like the large, easy-to-use dials and simple controls — a little different from other current Volkswagens, which seem to use a lot of little buttons.
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The first is the trunk. It is not too tiny — you can fit a couple of gym bags in there — but the opening is small and it is nearly impossible to close without slamming it with all your might and don’t even get me started on opening it: fat fingers need not apply. The second really annoying “quality” are the sun visors, they are too small and too far forward to be of any use, especially considering the side windows are extremely huge… but I digress.
There are some redeeming features as well, like the extra button to lower all the windows at once — more cars should have this, as it is convenient. The power top operates quickly, taking only nine Mississippis to raise or lower. Locking it into place though may be a challenge for some, though: my other half had a hard time and even I find it takes a good pull to get it latched.
Unfortunately, top up, the engine is very noisy and sounds like a diesel at idle. Thankfully once underway the six-speed transmission keeps the revs very low and the engine noise is diminished while cruising — hopefully tomorrow is better.
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Ok, chalk that up to one other man I am thinking… then further on down the road I get a thumbs up from a green Beetle driver, then another. Odd, truly this car still has some appeal, more than I certainly expected — I was wearing my super cool shades today so that could have been part of it … nah.
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The arch shape of the Beetle is a very strong shape, unfortunately when you chop the top off though that advantage is lost and it can be felt. With the top up, the roof rattles over bumps and with it down the entire car feels like a loose noodle over pot holes and man hole covers.
Visibility is good all around though, perhaps limited some when reversing with the top up, but all convertibles suffer from this. With the top down you feel extremely exposed sitting fairly high-up in the vehicle. It really does feel like you are driving a bathtub, just sitting out in the open for all to see — perhaps I’m use to being lower in a convertible; a little more secure in the shell.
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As far as driving it though, I don’t feel it really it performs up to its price tag, especially my tester with a price tag of over $32,000; this certainly puts the Beetle into a niche price bracket for a second / fun vehicle. I suppose one could drive this Beetle all year as it does have a glass rear window with defroster, but it just doesn’t seem all that practical as a daily driver.
I averaged 10.2L/100km in mostly city driving, which is not great nor horrible. The inline five-cylinder engine has gotten a lot of flack in the press in the Rabbit as not being as fuel efficient as one would expect for a small economy car, but it does have a good amount of power to keep you moving along.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 VW New Beetle Convertible
MSRP as tested: $32,900
For more information on VW and the New Beetle visit VW Canada
August 08, 2007, 06:54:01 pm Ah so it removable. I didn't realize there was such a following for them. Seems odd coming from British cars where we bond with tales of break downs, restoration and duck tape roadside repair.
August 08, 2007, 09:05:02 pm
Ah, the hours we could spend, the
liestales we could tell.August 08, 2007, 09:15:08 pm
Critical component of my roadside-emergency kit.
August 08, 2007, 09:41:36 pm
u make want a beetle. TDI if you please.
Yo Meow...you can't get it in a TDI anymore...only the 2.5L Inline-5.
August 08, 2007, 09:52:50 pm
Or the appendage to put into it before you drive it.
(Hate me yet, BeetJuice?
August 08, 2007, 10:20:11 pm One thing about the New Beetle, you'll never get labelled driving a pen_is extension.
August 09, 2007, 08:41:15 am
Or the appendage to put into it before you drive it.
(Hate me yet, BeetJuice?
Are you kidding, Brig? I'll always love you!!
August 09, 2007, 08:57:22 am
Excellent! Then I will continue to mock you mercilessly.
August 09, 2007, 12:11:17 pm James, besides the oodles of room in it and the body colour painted upper sills and other small items (1 touch all windows down is cool), I have never really been a fan of the New Beetle's interior. Would definitely need good sunglasses, I don't like some of the radio buttons and controls, the door armrests and buttons are at odd angles or unusuable, somewhat poor storage, etc.
But some quirky qualities help redeem it somewhat. Still, not for me.
August 09, 2007, 01:01:50 pm
But some quirky qualities help redeem it somewhat. Still, not for me.
Hey SirA.....
I, humbly, beg to differ!!
August 09, 2007, 01:03:46 pm Oh I forgot to mention the radio and HVAC controls are REALLY easy to reach from the driver's seat... at least for me they are with my arm on the centre arm rest. Very ergonomic.
August 09, 2007, 03:59:43 pm
But some quirky qualities help redeem it somewhat. Still, not for me.
Hey SirA.....
I, humbly, beg to differ!!
August 09, 2007, 10:12:24 pm Ahhhh....DAY3 review was a little nicer.
August 09, 2007, 10:29:51 pm
Once upon a time, I floored it on the highway in the Grandma. I thought the thing was going to explode!
That car felt really insecure at 120km/h.
August 09, 2007, 10:46:16 pm mmret....you are absolutely right. I've never felt stable in that beast at highway speeds. Everything that I tried, from new tires to alignments, never totally helped. I'd grit my teeth as I accelerated to 120-130. Felt like the car was going to fall apart. The New Beetle, on the other hand, is ROCK SOLID STABLE at 140 (not that I'm there often, however). I'm sure it would be fine even higher....just not willing to chance the ticket. It's amazing how fast it gets up there, as well.
August 09, 2007, 10:49:34 pm
Were you done gritting by the time you hit 130?
EDIT: The Grand Am did have one redeeming feature though. It was loud. Felt like you were going a lot faster than you really were. Plus you couldn't hear any rattles.
August 09, 2007, 10:51:43 pm
Were you done gritting by the time you hit 130?
LOL....I'm not sure that I ever hit 130. It was anemic!!
August 09, 2007, 11:27:43 pm
I find all controls easy reach too. I like the simplicity, almost minimalist design.
What was that about driving in a bath tub on Day 3? You're not driving naked, are you? Maybe time to pump the height adjustable front seats down.
August 10, 2007, 09:40:24 am James, you were hit on, you stud!
August 10, 2007, 10:36:28 am
August 10, 2007, 10:38:09 am
Must be his sexy sunglasses.
The New Beetle is not the car to drive if you don't want to draw attention. When I first got mine back 1998, I had all sort of people coming up to me at lights, gas stations and parking lots. Seemed to put a smile on people's faces. The fun thing was waving at other New Beetle drivers.
August 10, 2007, 10:45:25 am Simply put, its a 'cool' car.
Not everyone would want to get noticed in a cool car. This car says 'look at me'.
August 10, 2007, 10:49:48 am I happen to like that vase, always check and see what people put in it when I pass the New Bug.
August 10, 2007, 10:51:22 am
Amen, brother!!!!!
August 10, 2007, 02:19:45 pm Hey check out MY VAAYZZE...........Id............i hef ma torp down...........