- 145,923
- 1,456 below average
- 3,900 great
- Midvale, UT
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,456 below average 145,923 green
2004 volkswagen new beetle review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Happy driving, smile after smile. introductionif the volkswagen new beetle is a smile on wheels, then the beetle convertible is an ear-to-ear grin, looking at once more whimsical, and more like its vintage ancestor, than the beetle hardtop. Both are back for 2004, with new safety features, new colors, and new options. Plus, an even more modern and efficient diesel engine is available for the coupe. the new beetle isn't just smart and stylish. Because it's a volkswagen, it is refined. It combines german engineering and performance with exceptional fit and finish, and it represents a good value. As in other retro-mobiles, however, driver and passengers must make some concessions for style. Interior ergonomics are not as good those in a more traditional car, such as vw's own golf. Nor is there a lot of trunk space. furthermore, the new beetle no longer enjoys exclusive status in the retro-car market, now that the chrysler pt cruiser, mini cooper, ford thunderbird, mustang and other retrospective designs are stealing headlines. And when the pt cruiser convertible arrives early in 2004, followed by the mini convertible, the new beetle won't even be the only low-priced retro to offer open-top motoring. still, the new beetle does offer a good measure of distinctive charm. Volkswagen has engineered a winning chassis with none of the cowl shake common on most convertibles. the standard beetle is still cool. It comes in an assortment of bright, happy colors. Its exterior and interior design details are fun and creative. On the road, the beetle is smooth and sophisticated and handles well. It's considered a safe car. Beetle earned top scores in the federal government's crash tests and comes with volkswagen's excellent safety features. For 2004, the coupe is offered in gl 16,330), gls 18,520), gls 1. 8t 20,480), and turbo s 23,850) trim. The convertible is offered in gl 20,900), gls 22,640), and gls 1. 8t 24,820) trim only. the standard engine in the gl and gls is a 2. 0-liter inline-4 rated 115 horsepower. With both engines, a five-speed manual transmission is standard. The only transmission available is a six-speed manual. volkswagen also builds diesel-powered versions of the gl and gls coupe. However, during the 2004 model year vw plans to replace this engine with a more advanced 1. 9-liter turbo-diesel using high-pressure injection technology. The new tdi-pd diesel will produce 100 horsepower and run quieter than the current unit. Volkswagen anticipates a highway fuel economy rating of 46 mpg. A five-speed manual will be standard, and an all-new six-speed automatic with tiptronic control will be optional 1075). The new models will be designated gl 1. 9 tdi-pd 17,630) and gls 1. 9tdi-pd 19,760). all beetles are well equipped. Options include a six-disc cd changer and electronic stability program (esp). Leatherette upholstery is available as a no-cost option on coupes, and is standard on the convertible. gls adds front fog lamps, 16-inch aluminum wheels, power sunroof, eight-speaker am/fm/cassette monsoon audio system, and a center armrest with storage box. And the option list expands to include leather-trimmed seating surfaces; heated front seats; a three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel; leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake grip; heated windshield washer nozzles; and xenon hid headlamps. gls 1. 8t adds a speed-activated spoiler at the top of the rear window, an electronic locking differential, traction control and, on the convertible, esp. Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels with 225/45 all-season tires are optional. turbo s comes with all the same luxury and go-fast goodies as the gls 1. 8t, plus leather, sport seats with heaters, and a cold weather package. Esp and 225/45 tires on 17-inch alloys are also standard. the convertible is available with a manual or semi-automatic cloth-lined top that features three layers to ensure excellent insulation and appearance. Volkswagen's standard automatic rollover supports deploy automatically behind the rear seats to provide added protection in the unlikely event of a rollover, whether the convertible top is up or down. The exclusive system works in conjunction with the new beetle's active head restraints. standard safety equipment on all new beetles includes driver and front passenger airbags, side-impact airbags mounted in the seatbacks, a safety-belt tensioning and load-limiting system, and rear-seat tether anchorage points (latch system) for securing a child safety seat. The side-impact airbags have been enhanced for 2004; volkswagen says the new beetle is one of the few small cars with side-impact bags designed to protect t. walkaroundsoft top or hard top, the volkswagen new beetle is built on the same basic platform as the volkswagen golf, a high-quality, highly rigid chassis. A rigid chassis results in a smooth, controlled ride with little noise, vibration or harshness. Well-engineered crumple zones and other features enhance crash protection. To maintain structural integrity without sacrificing its round shape, the convertible's body has been reinforced with additional structure, including a rear seat support that increases chassis rigidity. beetle's dimensions prove it is no small car. It's longer, wider, and taller than a mini cooper. The beetle body is 161. 1 inches in length and 67. 9 inches wide, on a wheelbase of 98. 7 inches, with a height of 59. 0 inches. The beetle is also nearly an inch wider than the pt cruiser, although it is shorter and not as tall as chrysler's little cruiser. quality in the new beetle is excellent. Gaps between doors, fenders and other body panels are some of the tightest we've seen. Fenders and bumpers are made from a special dent-resistant plastic. Turn indicators on the outside mirrors warn drivers alongside when changing lanes. Color-keyed mirror housings and door handles add to the beetle's clean appearance. At night from a distance, a black convertible we drove looked like something from porsche, with its sleek dome shape and round headlamps. convertibles are distinguished by an exterior chrome strip that surrounds the greenhouse and by a different trunk design with an integrated third brake light. Color is an important part of the new beetle convertible experience, and new combinations for 2004 include uni-red with cream interior; platinum gray with black and gray interior; cyber green with black and cream interior; aquarius blue with gray interior and sundown orange with cream interior. Smoothed-out wheel wells and revised bumpers give it a sleek and seamless appearance. Double exhaust pipes hint of compressed aspiration under the hood, while special 17-inch alloy wheels and tires suggest a sports suspension. A subtle turbo s badge, styled after porsche badging, adorns the back hatch on which sits a rear valance. On all turbocharged beetle coupes, a rear spoiler pops up at speed to maintain stability in corners; unfortunately, it tends to retract with an annoying 'thunk.' vw has promised to replace it with a fixed spoiler during the 2004 model year (although it appears as though the gls 1. 8t will keep the telescoping spoiler). interiorvolkswagen beetle's sweeping roofline creates tremendous front-seat headroom, more than even in the tall pt cruiser and considerably more than in the mini cooper. Beefy front a-pillars (the post between the windshield and side window) impede vision in tight corners. (this big dash area and thick a-pillars no doubt contribute to the beetle's excellent crumple-zone design.) small sun visors have no hope of blocking the sun coming in through the giant side windows. the standard seats are comfortable and attractive. The flat design of the seat bottom makes it easy to get in and out, but side bolstering is lacking for driving quickly on winding roads. The usual fore-aft and rake adjustments are. Cruise Control✔ AM/FM✔ Power Windows✔ CD Changer✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
3,900 Midvale, UTMidvale, UT at autoshopper.com