VW Beetle 1.9 TDI (VW Beetle in general)

Member Name: jonothan

Product:	VW Beetle in general
Date:	26/10/04 (4381 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quality and style, Punchy 1.9 TDI engine, High Specification

Disadvantages: Small boot, Seats only four, Driver sits quite far back

This was a spontaneous purchase - I'd actually walked into our local VW Dealer to buy a Polo which was on special offer. Whilst talking to the salesman, he asked if I'd be interested in a New Beetle as he had a few pre-registered cars which were unused and, in effect, brand new. I'd noticed them on the roads and had always admired them but I'd never given owning one a great deal of thought.

Twenty minutes later, a cheque for £12,500 was handed over and I had a Reflex Silver 1.9 TDI. I opted for the diesel as the better fuel economy was an important consideration, and the specification included air-conditioning, not available as standard on the 1.4 or 1.6 models they also had in stock. I chose silver as it was a very attractive colour. I quite fancied the yellow but was told (by my wife) it was too "girly".

It's a well assembled car. The doors shut with a Germanic clunk (this car is assembled in Mexico, by the way) and everything feels solid and well made. Panel fit is tight, and it has the feel you'd expect of a more expensive car. Good quality plastics are used everywhere, and nothing feels flimsy.

My 2004 specification car includes a single CD player, indicator repeaters in the wing mirrors and a host of useful and thoughtful extras including alarm, roof storage and numerous little touches that set this car above the others. It's a Beetle body on a VW Golf Mk IV floorpan, but the Beetle lacks the practicality of the Golf as luggage and rear seat space are not as generous. In reality, it's a 2+2, though two adults can sit in the back for short/medium jouneys. Be aware that the driver's seat is further back than it is on the Mk IV Golf and that coming up to junctions will mean you have to crane forward to look for approaching traffic.

But as most drivers seldom have more than one passenger with them, the two doors and less than generous rear seating don't matter so much. And with such a stylish car, who cares anyway!

The engine, the 1.9 TDI, is wonderful. Punchy, loads of torque, and great economy. I reckon this is the best car in the New Beetle line up. At motorway speeds, the engine is humming along quietly at a fraction over 2,000 rpm, so it's a gentle and relaxed long-legged motorway cruiser.

The stereo and the acoustics are the best I've heard in a modern car, and instrumentation (blue back-lit speedo, red switchgear) looks really funky. The car has a rev-counter and a fuel gauge, but no coolant temperature gauge - the latter is replaced by a warning light which glows blue when the engine is cold, red if overheating. Which is, I suppose, all you need. Illuminated vanity mirrors and the night time illumination of every other switch and control complete a well thought out package. Illuminated boot with a 12V power outlet is a nice touch. There are two further 12V power outlets in the car, one in the central console above the handbrake and one (with a cigarette lighter) by the swivelling ashtray/cupholder. There is another cupholder for back seat passengers in the rear of the central console. The flower vase is a gorgeous touch. Door mirrors are heated with electric adjustment, and there are one-touch electric windows too.

Under the bonnet, it looks neat and tidy as all VWs and BMWs tend to do. The rubber sealing strip around the bonnet keep everything clean as the airflow is kept underneath the car.

It's an easy car to clean as well. Even the plastic wheeltrims on the steel wheels are easy. For alloy wheels, you must pay extra or go for the 2.0 petrol or higher models. But I like steel wheels as the trims are easier to replace than repairing kerbed or damaged alloys.

Lack of satellite navigation as an option was initially a minor problem but the new TomTom Go solved that very nicely indeed. This car has no rear wash-wipe in spite of it being a hatchback, which is fine on the move as airflow keeps the rear screen clear, but a pain in the butt in slow traffic or if manoevering in heavy rain. It would spoil the line, I realise this, so it is an irritation I'm learning to live with.

I think that overall, I love the car for the quality and the specification. I love it for the performance and the economy. But more than anything, I adore it for it's character. Or should I say him? Bertie. Bertie the Beetle. I just love him.

Would I recommend one? Oh yes. How can you not love a car with such personality and soul?

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