Beetles - these are cool, right?

[akku]

www.cleanburn.co.uk/images/Ecotek%20Beetle%203.JPG

www.dohdep.com/beetleporsche/assets/images/beetle-004.jpg


















Mrs Ku is looking at the purchase of one of these, probably the original retro production car?

Google / Flickr keeps bringing up way too many things without radiators.

Who's got the good stuff...?

[Stiff]

I don't mind 'em at all. Probably drive lovely, uber reliable and economical with throwback styling from yester-year. What's not to like?

[Dom]

They take up a lot of space compared to how big they are inside, what with the wings.
Opposite of Tardis. Hu, retardis.
And the space you do have is above your head.

But still practical as a daily and still a head-turner.

Stance is a problem though as the arches are so big.

I think they'd look great on mkV Golf GTI wheels.

[tofufi]

My favourite one...



I don't think I'd ever own one, but some people have a lot of love for them.

The red one above is a remapped TDi and has a fair bit of go, too

[markbognor]

[ettorebugatti]

[akku]

TBH its not going to get stance or anything done to it. But seeing cool ones helps with the idea...

Its one of those cars I got what they were trying to achieve but never quite thought the styling pulled it off.

She's keen though.

Any more with some cool pics?

[Boogieman]

[robmoore]

These things are hideous sorry but I feel they are so off the mark with this version, it has no character or style like the original. It wasn't broke so why try and fix lol. All they needed to do was upgrade the interior/engine and running gear etc. the old beetle look was loved by millions.
BMW failed with the mini VW have failed with this, only Fiat have come close imho.

[Hirst]

Put some blobs of grey primer on it and pretend it's a banger from the future, as in "The 6th Day":

[Boogieman]

Mar 26, 2011 21:49:25 GMT robmoore said:

BMW failed with the mini VW have failed with this, only Fiat have come close imho.

. . well . . at least the new Mini has the right layout . . while the beetle and the Fiat both have absolutly nothing to do with their original ancestors . . the Fiat might look cool right now . . but wait another year and you will see it different . . it's as dumb as all the other "retro" cars . . the 2005 Mustang was great when it came out . . . today I wouldn't want one if it was free . . it's so boring . . . and I honestly think it makes the "original" boring as well . .

[robmoore]

your are indeed right boogieman, that mustang looked prety sweet at 1st but now well meh.

[dungbug]

I've known a few people who have owned a new Beetle & sadly they've all had issues with them. Immobiliser issues key not recognised by the car), sensor failures which resulted in numerous trips to the main dealer to 'diagnose' & general leccy related problems. Having said this they still maintain a sense of individuality in the modern car world imo, mods can be done relatively easily & suppliers (as with most Dubs) are plentiful. I will always be an old Beetle 'type', to me the new one is golf with a make over, but I can see why people like them ;D

[shamrockez]

I've got 2 New Beetles and love them to death. The first one is the red one which Tofufi posted above, although it looks more like this at the moment:


And the other one looks like this:



Both are diesels and both have had to work for a living. I did a lot of miles in the red one commuting to work and Herbie has to help me earn a living! I was a little unsure of how a Beetle would take to being used and abused by learners and how easy it would be for them to drive, but I can say, hand on heart, that he's been fabulous. 2.5yrs in and 65,000 miles later, he hasn't missed a beat, despite numerous attempts by my pupils to try and kill him!

I'm in him for up to 14hrs a day and he's very comfortable, pretty economic and both pupils and examiners love him.

I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, but I couldn't imagine my life without one now. The red one will be staying with me forever. Herbie's due to be changed this year when he turns 3, and I expect there will be tears! I just hope the new model will be as good as this one.

[welshpug]

Its just another VW group A Platform with a "beetle" dress :/ don't do it for me!

[akku]

I can do without the "new cars are rubbish" blah. My Mrs isn't going to run an old / retro car, period. For a start the "superior" old Beetle doesn't have air con, air bags, NCAP stars, but they do have rattles, rust, quirks, rust, curse word poor heaters, rust, etc.

Same with the "superior" old Mini, We've had both. I dig the original, great fun little car, Mrs Ku loved the ones she had but wouldn't go back. The new one is more reliable, faster, better equipped and out sells the original year on year by quite a margin,

SN197 series Mustang is a funny looking car in some respects and I have a love-hate thing with its looks. Certain elements of the design are clumsy but TBH its still an awesome car and just like in 1964 it kick started sales of pony cars in the mass market in the US which is only a good thing. Its considerably faster than the original (modern V6 one will outrun most original V8s) plus they handle and are safe. This is all WIN, Huge after market to give you a turn key 700+ BHP one. With a warranty. Really boring, yeah.

[rmad]

Mar 27, 2011 8:34:19 GMT welshpug said:

Its just another VW group A Platform with a "beetle" dress :/ don't do it for me!

Such negativity. It's a pretty dress and they do look good slammed.

[CIH]

The beetle rsi cost the same as a base 996 911 when it was new. Evo did a comparision. I know which one I'd have.

As for the regular models meh nice enough I guess for a no longer new modern. Actually, I'm suprised people aren't complaining about "not retro" etc TBH.

[akku]

Its a VW so its automatically "scene" dude...

[Rob M]

Mar 27, 2011 8:47:33 GMT akku said:

I can do without the "new cars are rubbish" blah. My Mrs isn't going to run an old / retro car, period. For a start the "superior" old Beetle doesn't have air con, air bags, NCAP stars, but they do have rattles, rust, quirks, rust, pee poor heaters, rust, etc.

Same with the "superior" old Mini, We've had both. I dig the original, great fun little car, Mrs Ku loved the ones she had but wouldn't go back. The new one is more reliable, faster, better equipped and out sells the original year on year by quite a margin,

SN197 series Mustang is a funny looking car in some respects and I have a love-hate thing with its looks. Certain elements of the design are clumsy but TBH its still an awesome car and just like in 1964 it kick started sales of pony cars in the mass market in the US which is only a good thing. Its considerably faster than the original (modern V6 one will outrun most original V8s) plus they handle and are safe. This is all WIN, Huge after market to give you a turn key 700+ BHP one. With a warranty. Really boring, yeah.

In essence, you are spot on, new cars are not rubbish, they are pretty damn good!!
The issue here, i think, is the notion that this car is a "Beetle" in the same way that a 1972 Corolla is the same as a 2005 Corolla. I, personally, have a liking for this modern take on an old design and I'm really impressed with some of the modified ones shown. The question as to "coolness" is purely personal. Realistically a standard looking modern "Beetle" isnt cool, unless well modified BUT a bog standard 1200CC 1967 Beetle IS cool. The fact that it may lack the robustness, safety, reliability and all manner of other things we take for granted in our Euro boxes matters not a jot. If it really did, it would completely miss the point of wanting to own any kind of retro. Sure, 20 years from now the modern Beetle will look cool in standard guise but, maybe, I'm not looking from a "Yoof" angle but looking from a point of view that anything made post 1985 aint bleedin Retro!
Each to their own.