That's right.

Last year I bought my daughter a '99 Turbo Beetle in excellent condition, 107k miles and still good compression.

Ever since, I've wondered how it would stack up against my 8.

The other night, she developed a leak in the radiator overflow hose and had to pull over. I went out later that night, fixed it, refilled it with coolant. My buddy from our local RX-8 club drove me out in his 8 and was a great help, holding the flashlight for me as I made the repair and running me to Walmart for parts.

Now, this is NOT a street racing thread. It is for purely intellectual reasons only that I post. I never advocate street racing, as such. Never.

Well, it was a deserted county road at 2 AM, so we went for it in reasonable safety. No posted speed limit so hey, no laws broken, right?

Heat one: The VW (AT) pulled away and stayed ahead by a good ten, fifteen feet all the way to 80, even increasing the lead all the way, when we backed off.

Heat two: The 8 (MT) got the jump on the VW because I blew my launch, but only had a short lead that the VW was slowly making up. Couldn't quite catch him by the time we hit 80.

My conclusion is that the VW turbo Beetle (gas, not diesel) is a match for the 8 and probably just a tad faster. Driving skill alone is going to determine the winner 3 times out of 5.

Back home in my driveway, we both just stared at the little silver Beetle and shook our heads. It's just not right that a Beetle is that fast. Not right, at all.

 

I now hate beetles even more.
I wonder how long before someone comes in here and says, "you'll take it in the twisties"

 

I'd take it in the twisties!

 

Well I can beat a turbo beetle in my turbo saab that mean I can take an 8 hmmm? Wonder what will happen when I upgrade the turbo to a TD-04 and put 230 to the wheels maybe I can take a 350z then. Oh but you can beat me in the twisties no problem =]

 

LOL, OK, there's the next test.

The Beetle doesn't even run that much boost, IIRC.

Of course, to be fair, we really would have to run a turbo'd Rennie against all turbo competition.

Just sayin...

 

Wouldn't even be close.

Of course, the Saab is ugly as sin, there's the trade-off.

 

there are many cars faster than 8 in straight lines, so what?

 

Turbo S beetles are quick sadly. With mods dollar per dollar its even worse.

 

I am former New Beetle owner, had an 2000 GLX. With intake, exhuast, ecu reflashing, 14lbs of boost, increased flow intercooler tubes, (other mods were suspension) I was making near 250 to the wheels. Hell, with just the ecu reflash on stock boost (8 lbs), they will make 203 hp 225 tq to the wheels. In other words it was a lot quicker than my 8, but it was much scarier at high speed. Of course I've never had my 8 over 55. And on the same twistie roads it was nowhere near as quick or comfortable.

 

You'll take it in the twisties.........

 

Don't know about your neck of the woods but no posted speed limit in IL means 50 or 55 Mph speed limit.

If the people on VWVortex are to be believed, nothing can beat the VAG 1.8T engine except more VAG 1.8T engines. So, strap a VAG 1.8T to your '8 and then it will be no contest.

 

I'm glad to see that most people get it.

The 8 is not a point-and-shoot car, as much as we wish it were. Sniff.

As it is, it's still the BEST car I have ever owned, from a pure driving enjoyment standpoint.

But a Beetle being faster? It just doesn't sit right with me. Not at all, not at all. And I even own both cars. F*ck!!

(my daughter drives the VW, but I own it.)

 

Yeah oh well...


Yeah well, ...

 

It just proves that God has a sense of humor.