Well, since I bought my 8 three weeks ago, the old lady has been on me to but her a "fun" car too ( I tried telling her the 8 was not fun, but I cannot wipe the smile off my face). I bought her a new Honda Odyssey about two months ago - thought that would suffice.

Anyway, she wants the VW beetle GLS Turbo (150 HP model) with automatic, and something called leatherette (WTF). Any of you have one? If so, how do you like it? Any quality/maintenance issues?

Also, is the 1.8 T engine in the GLS the same as in the Audi A4? If so, are chips available to increase performance?

Thanks alot for any info you can provide, before it's to late.

 

I actually had a beetle before I got my 8. I didn't have the turbo version...I had the regular GLS. I had it for almost 4 years and I never had a problem with it. I think they are very nice cars. I'm not sure about this, but isn't the turbo only available in a 5-speed? Check vw.com or look at owners comments on kbb.com. That should give you a good feel of what prople think of the car.

 

Thanks mjd

 

VW is experiencing major quality and reliability issues right now.

Leatherette is just a fancy name for VINYL!

The Audi engine is 170-180 hp compared to the 150 in the bug!

Oh yeah there are many chips available!

VW service sucks and is not woth the headaches.

 

The Leatherette is quite nice and maybe even better than leather, it's impossible to tell the difference between it and the leather. As for getting a Bettle, I wouldn't, they just aren't very reliable. If you want a fun little car with reliablity problems get her a Mini, if you want something with good reliability and fun teach her to drive stick and get a RSX Type-S or Celica GTS, maybe even a WRX or Saab 9-2.

 

Well the leatherette side bolster in my '01 Audi A4 was worn thru in 90 days! and replaced under warranty thankfully but was ready to be replaced again just before I traded it.

And when it was hot the interior stank to high heaven. It was the acrid smell of PVC (or something similar)!!

 

I have nothing against beetle's, but i always wondered why every new VW beetle i see, it has a flower or two next to the steering wheel. Does that come standard?

 

Having owned a Cabrio (Golf Convertable), the car was nothing but problems.

If your wife wants a fun, inexpensive car, I would avoid the Mini as well - they are having as many quality issues if not more than VW.

What does she want in the car, exactly? Great gas milage, small and can rip through town?

I would look at the new Subaru sedan, WRX, maybe a Celica, heck, even a Mazda 3

 

Wolfeman's post is interesting if you read into what he is saying!

He is saying stay away from the German makes and stick to the Japenese. Since Mini is designed and basicly built by BMW.

In a nut shell Germans have never done electronics very well. And this is why German makes are failing when it comes to reliability becuse of the heavy reliance on electronics. Japenese on the other hand have always done electronics well and it is this reason to stay away from VW/Audi and the like.

I'd go for the Mazda 3

 

Heh, well, look no further than Consumer Reports on the MINI, folks are experiencing horrible repair records and reliability - surpassing such old bottom feeders as Kia with number of failures per 1000 cars.

The Hyundai Tiburoun would be another interesting choice, if she wants power. The Subaru I couldnt think of is the Legacy; Ike make an interesting point about the new Saab, which is basically a reappointed WRX with a Saab badge.

 

If she could handle a WRX, why don;t buy one more 8?
I would suggest RSX, Mini, or TT if you have too much$.

 

get her an Auto 8 !

 

Yeah, that new FI Subie Legacy rocks. Thanks for the input all. I took her to test the 3, and she really likes it. Let's see what happens.

 

How come no one wanted this piece of crap when it was called the Fox or Golf or whatever? They slip a cramped dome onto it and everyone goes ga-ga?

When Consumer Reports can't even say anything nice, it's time to stop quit......
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doc

 

Miata, nothing funner for the price.