Posted on 04/18/2011 11:43:53 AM PDT by AfricanChristian
Both the 912
http://www.912registry.org/faqs/origspec.htm
and the 914 were pushrod engines
http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/technical_specs/914_17_18_tech_specs.htm
We put a blower in the driver's side rear heater outlet to provide some heat at idle.
The biggest problem was the wiper blade/arm attachment to the wiper drives. Picking up a hitchhiker to stick his arm out the passenger window and use a long handled scraper on the outside of the windshield could be helpful in a snow storm. Using a scraper on the inside was a good plan too.
That’s the problem with a retro-modern “classic” design ... where do you go with it, once it starts looking dated? Ford will have the same issue with the Mustang, as will Chevrolet with the Camaro. At least these two “ponycars” have multiple generations of vehicles from which to draw influence. The VW Beetle is pretty much the VW Beetle.
But, VW has done a very credible job here, it’s sportier looking and less like a bulbous cartoon car. They didn’t abandon the “bug” look either. The interior is actually nice. It should keep the fans and gain more customers, maybe even a few heterosexual males since the flower vase appears to have been dropped.
I have a question though: why is the resale so poor on practically all recent VW models? Is maintenance that expensive? I know the mileage isn’t great even on their fours, unless it’s a TDI. What gives? They’re nice looking cars for the most part, especially that CC sedan.
” a long handled scraper on the outside of the windshield could be helpful in a snow storm. Using a scraper on the inside was a good plan too.”
We had a Ford Taurus that gave us that problem big time one winter night. Everything on it had always worked. This time we came home from a cruise in the tropics to our frozen city in the North (it was December, I think) dug our car out of the snow and it started, but the heater blower didn’t.
The driver drove us 30 miles home at night, through car traffic replete with semis all around us, all of us scraping little holes in the thick, hard frost on the windows. It would keep forming up from our breath (well, we had to BREATHE! so we wouldn’t stop permanently).
5' 10" may be tall in comparison to 5' flat, but girth can make you seem shorter. :-)
If you really wanna cry, look up the original sticker price for a 1968 Hemi Charger, then compare it to today’s version.
>>...There was nothing wrong with it at all.<<
In a New England winter... the heater was never sufficient...think *old lady breathing on the calf of your leg*. I had a factory installed gas heater ...It saved me from many c-c-cold winter day...killed the gas mileage though. ;D
GACK!
Quality issues. I know several folks who absolutely hated their VWs because they were always having to take them to the shop.
That’s a pity, they’re nice looking cars. I was seriously shopping for a recent model TDI Jetta wagon last year, ended up with a Subaru wagon. Don’t regret it, love the car, but that real world 45 -50 mpg of the TDI might have come in handy.
Every time I see that old ad, an odd childhood memory comes back. VW Beetles, racing on the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, floating in the water with the rear wheels replaced by paddles. And, yep, the river caught fire.
In 2007, my wife wanted a convertible for her "go to business" car so we were going to go look at the Beetle convertible (her friend had one and she liked it). We started talking to different dealers and they all said the VW "check engine" light was a constant problem as the pollution controls suck (or words to that effect).
PLUS, I didn't want a freakin' VW bug convertible.
We ended up with a Honda S2000...never looked back.
Resale is bad because:
1) Check Engine light is always on and doesn't stay off
2) Men don't want them.
Easy!
Karmann Ghia was my first thought...
Mark Twain!
That explains the “new” Beetle but it doesn’t explain everything else VW sells in the US with the exception of TDI Jettas. Must be high maintenance or something.
I’m 5’5”, so you’re still taller than I am.
Its not a Beetle. It lacks the wonderful simplicity of that car.
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