Anyone own a new model VW Beetle?

[Pugdog007]

Do you like it? Is it considered a sports car with your insurance company?

I'm considering purchasing one for my DD's 16th birthday next month but am concerned about ins costs.

 

[mudnuri]

here's what I found from the National Highway Safety Institute.

out of 5 stars...the 2003 model got

**** Frontal Driver
**** Frontal Passenger

***** Side Driver
**** Side Passenger
***** Rollerver Rating

it didnt do too bad, but to me thats an awful small car to put someone in with no experience. The vision isn't that great, as it sits so much lower than other cars/trucks etc...

I highly doubt it would be considered a sports car, from what I have been told, cars are 'classed' with a number, and generally that number is something they come up with depending on how expensive it is to fix it after an accident. DH's truck is in a different class than my Envoy, it's not because either are sportier, it's because mine has a lot more plastic on it, than DH's truck and is more expensive to fix.

Good luck
Brandy

 

[BriarRose59]

We bought one for my daughter when she was 15 so she could have her practice time in it before she actually had her license. She has now had her license for 7 months and is very comfortable with the car. I didn't want to suddenly put her in a car without having practiced for a while with us in the car.

It is not classed as a sports car.

We let her do quite a bit of interstate driving with us so she knows the blind spots for trucks and how to best stay out of them.

She loves it and we are comfortable with her driving it.

If your daughter took a formal driver's ed course you can provide proof to the insurance company and receive a discount.

Good luck on your decision and your new driver!

 

[CBRorBust]

I own a VW, and I love it. There are times when I hate it! Like when I'm having it worked on, but it would be no different with any other foreign car.

I have to disagree with Mudnuri about it being a bad first car. I think the beetle is a great car to learn how to drive with. It has excellent safety ratings, and comes with driver/passenger/both side airbags.

My mom got hit head on in my car, and there was minimal damage. We were shocked that the little bug held up so nicely.

Driving a truck/anything off the ground can be very hard to handle. Trust me, when I get behind my boyfriends truck wheel it's a nightmare! Trucks are hard to park if you are not experienced driving them, they have a ton more power, and your insurance will be way more expensive with your daughter in a truck.

Getting back to your original question, there is only 1 model of the beetle that *might* be considered a sports car. I really doubt it though. It's the Turbo Sport or something like that. It's really nice, but your daughter doesn't need all that just yet.

There are a ton of VW owners on the boards, if you have more questions, ask away! Or visit www.newbeetle.org

 

[cats mom]

We got a new beetle for our 16 yr old to drive.

I was comfortable with both the safety ratings and insurance costs as compared to some of the ther options we looked at.

I'd love to get a volvo for her - but just was not in the budget.

Bigger is not always better as far as safety goes.

I would think if you stay away from the turbo and convertible models and you should be fine on insurance costs - call your agent and have them price it out for you. Ours was VERY glad when we finally decided on something and stopped calling for quotes!

 

[Pugdog007]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! I've been searching for Parent/Teen Driving Agreements on the internet, and there are some really good ones out there.

I'm really leaning towards the Beetle... now I just have to find one. I want to find one that is previously owned... maybe with around 50k miles on it. I'm already thinking of a license plate that says, "Breckan's Bug." Cute.

I called about the ins today. Discounts for female, driver's ed and honor student.

Thanks again! Any other advice welcomed!

 

[neosnightmare]

i was impressed with the cars interior room. for a car of that size, there was a lot of room. as for safety, i think that the poseted ratings arent too badd and in fact pretty good. i just had a thought on this and thought i would post something.

 

[slimplaw]

We have 2 Beetles at our house. We do not pay sports car prices for insurance on the diesel. My son said his turbo s is considered a sports car. Mine is a diesel and an automatic. I get 40 mpg around town and 50 mpg on the highway. The only drawback about a diesel is that you have a major service visit at 40,000 miles and it costs around $700. So if you look at a diesel and it is past 40,000 miles be sure the timing chain has been replaced already.

 

[GeorgeG]

My wife is on her second Beetle. She loves hers and I have to admit they can be fun to drive. They may not be a sports car, but the handling is great and if you get the turbo... well I wouldn't get that model for a teenager.

Our first was a turbo 5-speed stick and it hauled. We had to go to an automatic when my wife started having problems shifting just before her back surgery and the new car isn't turbo. Still a good little car, but much less risk of a speeding ticket.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

My 17 yo DD took my VW Beetle. She hates the license plate "DISNYBUG", but loves the car. I feel very comfortable with her in it, it's very safe. Our only problem is we have tan seats (cloth) and they just won't come clean!

 

[mudnuri]

I have a question and a response to the diesel service.

DH has always had diesel trucks. Currently the one we have is an '01 Duramax 2500HD.

You said at 40K it requires a $700.00 service, which I believe includes the timing chain...I have an issue with this. WHY would they make a car that the timing chain goes out at 40K? And what else are they doing that ends up costing $700???

We pay more for an oil change than a regular truck- for 2 reasons...first a diesel truck holds 10 quarts of oil, a gas only around 7-8...and we also run fully synthetic oil, which is 2x the price of organic.

Please explain the 40K service....and why the need to replace the timing chain at that time.

Diesels should be able to run 200K miles plus with no major engine repairs..and a timing chain is considered major

Brandy

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I just wish I had kept my yellow VW convertible from the late 60's... God. I loved that car, but when having children, we felt it was unsafe for them and got something bigger, without the engine in the back.