Confession... and Advice... Please...

[csharpwv]

Confession: For as long as I can remember, I have loved the VW Beetle.
I loved the old ones, I liked the "New" Beetle, and I LOVE the "New...New" Beetle!

I have had the Newest Beetle as a rental car, and loved the way it handled, and the room inside.

There is a great one at a local dealer that I test drove a few weeks ago, and I've been thinking about going back to buy it for the last few weeks.

DW is totally behind the purchase, it will save us about $50 a month over our current car payment, but it will add a few more years to our payments though.

It's my dream car... I know, crazy dream car for a guy... but I have always loved them - ever since I was old enough to know what they were!

Advice: Does anyone own a 2012 or 2013 Beetle? Thoughts? Things I should think about?

We love the car we have now - but would enjoy the better fuel mileage with the Beetle.

 

[dznyacct]

I too loved the new Beetle. A bright yellow one was my dream Florida car. I have lived in Indiana my whole life, but dream of relocating to Florida someday in the future . A few years ago I decided to go ahead and get a new Beetle. I was promised by the salesman that it would do fine in the winter (my biggest concern). Unfortunately it, well, SUCKED in Indiana winters . I sold it after owning it only 7 months. It was great to drive the rest of the time, but winter is just too unpredictable for a Beetle. Maybe someday when I really do relocate to Florida I'll give it another whirl .

 

[averysmom]

A co-worker bought one last year, or the year before... So it's a 2010 - 2012. She loves it, but she only drives it in spring/summer. It's her fun car. She has an older SUV that she drives in the winter.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Here is some things to think about.

You said it would save you $50 a month verses your current car payment. Take that $50 and make an additional payment every month on the new car and that will help pay it off faster. And it would save on the total amount of interest you pay on the car.

Is the car that you have your eye on, a brand new one? If so I would try to hold off getting it for at least a month maybe 6 weeks. The new model year
(2014) cars will hit the show rooms in Aug and the dealers will want to clear out their inventory of 2013 and have some really good sales.

 

[lauradis]

Buy it!!! The worst that can happen is you dislike it and are stuck with it for couple of years..

 

[GaBelle]

I am a previous VW owner although not a beetle. One big thing to consider and factor in is maintenance. Of course it will not require a lot initially, but when it does it will be pricey.
Sorry if I'm a Debby Downer.

 

[AmberInWonderland]

Oh, the new beetle! How I loved my as well - until I had to change the headlights -$50 to $100 a pop, about every six months. Because of the compact nature of the engine block, everything is really tight and you can't do it yourself. This is the case with all repairs on this type of car - because of it's design and the parts being expensive, it's a pricey car overall. As an example, the water pump...broke three times in 7 years...$1500 bucks each time. This is a chronic problem with the older 'newer' beetles, so hopefully they've stopped using the cheap plastic part! I loved my beetle for the first 5 years, but after that it became a money pit. But it was cute and fun to drive those first 5 years!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I asked a question like this on a message board once. The concerns was what I expect you will get 'debt is evil, don't buy'.

I bought my dream car anyway. Love it. No regrets

 

[crz4mm2]

No advise on the new beetles but I have a 1960 LOVE my car.

 

[csharpwv]

I am a previous VW owner although not a beetle. One big thing to consider and factor in is maintenance. Of course it will not require a lot initially, but when it does it will be pricey.
Sorry if I'm a Debby Downer.

GaBelle, you're not a Debby Downer, that's exactly the type of advice I'm looking for.

I am so stuck on this decision A) Because I have only ever owned Ford vehicles which have been awesome maintenance wise, and when minor repairs did spring up they were very economical repairs. and B) I'm afraid that buying this car is too much of an emotional decision.

I've had a rough few years professionally and personally. Professionally in a job that I was on the road for 2/3 of the year, so much so that I started to hate driving. My wife and I got married in 2006 and I have been on the road for work so much that we have yet to actually be together on our Anniversary. Personally in the my Mom passed away two years ago in May, and her first car ever was a 1968 VW Beetle that she picked my dad up hitchhiking in when he was on a weekend pass from the Army. They were in love until the day she passed. My parents love story is what I could hope for any young person to experience from their parents. If more kids grew up in homes with loving parents who not only knew the value of love, but also the value of sacrifice and companionship instead of entertainment, there would be far more happiness in this world today!

A very very very sincere thanks to everyone who has responded so far, I really appreciate your advice!

To the poster who suggested making the additional $50 payment each month, that's a great idea! We would be getting a .9% interest rate - so I believe the total cost of financing the vehicle would be well under $1,000 total, BUT every little bit helps! And that $50 extra will shave several months off the life of the loan! Awesome advice!

It's pointing out the little things that are so obvious that make DisBoards buddies so awesome!

 

[jedijill]

Have you ever thought of just buying an old one and just having a toy car? They are super easy to work on and parts are cheap. I had a 74 Super Bug (painted it Hot Pink!) that I miss all the time.

Keep what you have and as you have the time/money restore an older one. I'm doing that with my '66 Mustang....turning it into a daily driver over time. I love new Mustangs too but I can spend the same money and have a classic rather than a car that will depreciate super fast.

Just my 2 cents.

Jill in CO

 

[Nickimouse]

In March I bought my "dream" car, a 2010 VW Beetle Final Edition! Like you, it is the car I have wanted since I knew what one was! I decided at 43 it was time and the perfect one was there and waiting on me!
I am a conservative person when it comes to big purchases,(really even little ones) but I went with my heart on this one and don't regret it!
I am not really much help on your decision, no pros or cons, but sometimes you just have to go with your heart!

 

[rantnnravin]

I just got the 2013 Beetle Convertible because I too have always wanted a Bug. Once I sat in it, i fell in love. Driving it just makes me smile spontaneously - especially with the top down. So, sorry, no help on the cons. Love my Bug

 

[pryncess527]

I just got the 2013 Beetle Concertible because I too have always wanted a Bug. Once I sat in it, i fell in love. Driving it just makes me smile spontaneously - especially with the top down. So, sorry, no help on the cons. Love my Bug

Ditto . I just got a baby blue Beetle TDI convertible in April and I'm in love. I haven't felt this free in a car since I got my first one at 16. I got the diesel version, so the mpg is amazing - I'm averaging 37.8 and .do even better on the highway. And it came with free maintenance for 3 years. Can't wait to take it to Disney!!!!!

Worth every penny.

 

[foreUT]

If you love it, buy it.

 

[Judique]

Oh, the new beetle! How I loved my as well - until I had to change the headlights -$50 to $100 a pop, about every six months. Because of the compact nature of the engine block, everything is really tight and you can't do it yourself. This is the case with all repairs on this type of car - because of it's design and the parts being expensive, it's a pricey car overall. As an example, the water pump...broke three times in 7 years...$1500 bucks each time. This is a chronic problem with the older 'newer' beetles, so hopefully they've stopped using the cheap plastic part! I loved my beetle for the first 5 years, but after that it became a money pit. But it was cute and fun to drive those first 5 years!

My daughter's first new car was a new beetle. She loved that thing! So much her present car is a beetle.

Headlights were $50 a pop until we learned how to change them by googling on the internet. It still wasn't easy but better then paying $50.

Maintenance is quite high but it was a great car and she really enjoys them.

 

[manning]

GaBelle, you're not a Debby Downer, that's exactly the type of advice I'm looking for.

I am so stuck on this decision A) Because I have only ever owned Ford vehicles which have been awesome maintenance wise, and when minor repairs did spring up they were very economical repairs. and B) I'm afraid that buying this car is too much of an emotional

Pretty well sums it up.

Best advise my dad gave me.... "A car is nothing more than transportation. Buy what you need, never buy on emotions and as long as it runs without a lot of repairs keep it until it stops."

Dad bought fords and Chevies and a nice house. We knew people who had expensive cars every 3 years and couldn't afford a house. What is your priority?

 

[csharpwv]

OK, so I guess this is where we all end up.... on Paul Harvey.... with the REST of the story! HAHA

So I had a block of time today to get some things wrapped up, and I also kind of gave myself today to either YES.... decide on buying a new car.... or NO.... keep our current car until payoff, and beyond.

Well, needless to day it wasn't easy. Several car dealerships, trying to figure out what works---- what doesn't.

I test drop a Hyundai Veloster - I think they are cool cars, and was the closest in body type to the Beetle... AND several thousand dollar cheaper.

But it just didn't wow me. As a matter of fact, I hated the test drive. The car is so heavy that it doesn't have any sort of coast at all, even on the interstate - you let off the gas.... you almost stop.

So I decided to head over to the Ford dealership and see what was on the lot.... nothing of interest.... and actually rude sales people, which was disappointing. I bought my first new car at that dealership and the finance manger always recognized me, called me by name and asked about my wife... yeah, just walked past me today.

So the VW dealership in town also sells Audi, and they just put in a pre-owned lot near the Ford dealership, so I stopped there to see if they had any used Beetles... they didn't.... BUT they did have it..... my car. My silver bettle with sunroof. Brand new, just on the lot as a delivery since their other dealership is actually a little difficult for semi trucks to make deliveries due to some construction that is take place just down the road from them... there is a temp bridge in place while one is being replaced.

SO the manger there sent me to the dealership with questions...

Today was the last day of their sales year - and the salesman that I had worked with before was quick to let me know that. He was with a family, he passed me on to the finance manager to answer a few questions. Well, the finance manager was very quick to ask "How can I make your day?"

He gave me everything I asked for, KBB on our trade, upgraded warranty... the list goes on.

We are now saving far more than what we were going to before because the dealer needed to close the year out on goal - that's the rest of the story.

What I couldn't get before, I got this time - because they needed to sell a car more than I wanted to buy one! They didn't pressure me, didn't push, just gave me all the options and what they could do this time... that they weren't willing to do last time.

So... lesson learned - shop till you know it is right!

Not only did I get the car I wanted, I got full KBB for our trade, a warranty upgrade, and better financing terms! AWESOME DAY!

Can't believe I am picking it up tomorrow!

Long live the Beetle!!!!

 

[windycitymom]

Congrats on the new car! I've been driving my dream car for 5 years (red Mustang convertible) and sometimes you gotta make your dreams happen! Life is too short to not make your own magic

 

[pryncess527]

Congrats on the new car! I've been driving my dream car for 5 years (red Mustang convertible) and sometimes you gotta make your dreams happen! Life is too short to not make your own magic

Ditto! I'm glad it worked out, sounds like you got a great deal. Hope you enjoy your Beetle as much as I'm loving mine!