VW Promises "More Courageous" Design / New Beetle Redesign Still Go

[71beetle]

VW your a tired old company always behind the curb in the USA. We have the Mini Cooper and we are getting the Fiat Abarth 500 soon and ALFAS and the Euro Ford Fiesta and lots of other goodies while you can't figure out the new Beetle. P A T H E T I C.

[mentalVdub]

Originally Posted by 71beetle

VW your a tired old company always behind the curb in the USA. We have the Mini Cooper and we are getting the Fiat Abarth 500 soon and ALFAS and the Euro Ford Fiesta and lots of other goodies while you can't figure out the new Beetle. P A T H E T I C.

OUCH!

&

BURN!

[JEGSSR]

The present new beetle is the antithesis of the original. The original was simple, , and easily self-maintained. The new beetle is its polar opposite, and not just because the engine is in the wrong end! Don't hold your breath for a return to simplicitybasic

Originally Posted by Beetlemania

I still wouldn't mind the Beetle going back to its roots, being a very basic entry level car. Not something cheap, just inexpensive and simple. And Bug-like, of course!

[Cadenza]

Originally Posted by JEGSSR

The present new beetle is the antithesis of the original. The original was simple, , and easily self-maintained. The new beetle is its polar opposite, and not just because the engine is in the wrong end! Don't hold your breath for a return to simplicitybasic

Considering the modern standard on Safety, Emission and basic features and amenities, simplicity is no longer an option.

Btw, last I heard the NB will be phased out 2010. Sad!

I would buy a Mk5 based NB in a heartbeat.

[TrudysMom]

Phased out? That would be awful! I can't believe they would do that, strange. Would be dumb thing to do.

[Vicky]

Originally Posted by Cadenza

Btw, last I heard the NB will be phased out 2010. Sad!

Wow. That's ridiculous, phasing out the model that they're like, famous for.

Hopefully used ones will still be around for years and years after.

If my NB ever dies, (and I hope it never does), I would want to have the opportunity to buy another one...

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Cadenza

Btw, last I heard the NB will be phased out 2010. Sad!

Originally Posted by Vicky

Wow. That's ridiculous, phasing out the model that they're like, famous for.

Hopefully used ones will still be around for years and years after.

If my NB ever dies, (and I hope it never does), I would want to have the opportunity to buy another one...

Which brings up the question...

From what source did you hear that the nB was being phased out?

It seems like all the 2010 concept pics and phasing out questions we're getting (at least from my end) are from non-VW sources. If someone has an actual writeup/bulletin/press release from VW/VWoa that would be a big help.(al goes back to previous posts in this thread to check) Other than that, it seems like VW is being tight-lipped on the VW's future, but as I've said, i don't have all the info.

Vicky take heart in the fact that if and when ever the nB ends it's production run, like the MK1 Rabbits and even air-cooled VW's, the nB will continue through the aftermarket and used car market. I know they won't be showroom new, but you'll find something nice out there.

And it's nice to see your long-term passion for the New Beetle as well

[Cadenza]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

Which brings up the question...

From what source did you hear that the nB was being phased out?

It seems like all the 2010 concept pics and phasing out questions we're getting (at least from my end) are from non-VW sources. If someone has an actual writeup/bulletin/press release from VW/VWoa that would be a big help.(al goes back to previous posts in this thread to check) Other than that, it seems like VW is being tight-lipped on the VW's future, but as I've said, i don't have all the info.

Vicky take heart in the fact that if and when ever the nB ends it's production run, like the MK1 Rabbits and even air-cooled VW's, the nB will continue through the aftermarket and used car market. I know they won't be showroom new, but you'll find something nice out there.

And it's nice to see your long-term passion for the New Beetle as well

The current NB were originally planned to end in 2008 but was given a 3-yr extension to 2010.

The latest "insider" news is the NB will continue. Yipppie!!!

2011 is when the new model (base on MkV platform) will be introduced in 3 variants - coupe, ragster/speedster, Baja/off-road or some would say "soft-road". Diesel will be available. Another Yippie !!!

[Reenie Of the Dead]

Hey Mods,

Could somebody Pleasechange the spelling in the heading to read "more courageous design" ? It bugs the crap out of me whenever I log in.

Thanks!

[chiltepin]

Me too.

[Reenie Of the Dead]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheClunker]

Originally Posted by Cadenza

The current NB were originally planned to end in 2008 but was given a 3-yr extension to 2010.

The latest "insider" news is the NB will continue. Yipppie!!!

2011 is when the new model (base on MkV platform) will be introduced in 3 variants - coupe, ragster/speedster, Baja/off-road or some would say "soft-road". Diesel will be available. Another Yippie !!!

I've been digging through this thread, mostly because of my paranoia over the phasing out of the NB. As my "Intro" posting went, I've been dying to own a bug since 1988 when Mama sold her 1972 clunker, and now that I finally have my own bug, all I can think about is picking up a second one - but this one I want to be showroom new.

So, my question is this: I keep reading "insider info says ... " and "sources say ... ", but I haven't seen anything specifically from VW in printed form (or published online) that has any details on the future of the NB. Are there links to actual VW-sourced articles I missed when going through the thread?

Sunflower will always be the love of my life, as she's my first bug, but I plan on getting my second one showroom new ... so I'm wondering, do I need to grab a 2009 by the end of the year, or will I have until 2010/2011 to get a "real" New Beetle, before they chop-shop the thing to make it look like a Scion with fenders?

I've seen a few websites that show "New Beetle" concepts with flat roofs, low-profile fenders, etc. On what planet is that a Beetle????

I'm looking for something in print to put my mind at ease that I have at least another year or so to save my down payment ... ... since I'm keeping Sunflower, I won't have a trade-in like when I bought her (got rid of both of my pickups).

[mrchaotica]

Originally Posted by TheClunker

... so I'm wondering, do I need to grab a 2009 by the end of the year, or will I have until 2010/2011 to get a "real" New Beetle...?

We'll see official pics of the redesign long before they quit selling new non-redesigned ones -- you'll have plenty of time.

Even leftover '08s are still available "new" right now, as long as they haven't been titled before.

[TrudysMom]

I made SURE to buy a 2009, just in case they change the design!

[jeromiej]

Originally Posted by TrudysMom

I made SURE to buy a 2009, just in case they change the design!

Same here!!!!

[USSVWBEETLE]

I hope they don't phase out the New Beetle by 2010, I haven't had a chance to buy one, let alone drive one! That would be horrible. I just hope people don't horde them if they are phased out and buy them all up (used or new).

[Cadenza]

Originally Posted by TheClunker

I've been digging through this thread, mostly because of my paranoia over the phasing out of the NB. As my "Intro" posting went, I've been dying to own a bug since 1988 when Mama sold her 1972 clunker, and now that I finally have my own bug, all I can think about is picking up a second one - but this one I want to be showroom new.

So, my question is this: I keep reading "insider info says ... " and "sources say ... ", but I haven't seen anything specifically from VW in printed form (or published online) that has any details on the future of the NB. Are there links to actual VW-sourced articles I missed when going through the thread?

Sunflower will always be the love of my life, as she's my first bug, but I plan on getting my second one showroom new ... so I'm wondering, do I need to grab a 2009 by the end of the year, or will I have until 2010/2011 to get a "real" New Beetle, before they chop-shop the thing to make it look like a Scion with fenders?

I've seen a few websites that show "New Beetle" concepts with flat roofs, low-profile fenders, etc. On what planet is that a Beetle????

I'm looking for something in print to put my mind at ease that I have at least another year or so to save my down payment ... ... since I'm keeping Sunflower, I won't have a trade-in like when I bought her (got rid of both of my pickups).

I think VW will have the 2011 concept ready for 2010 auto shows if they decide to make it. At the moment, there's no official announcement from VW. But with the new US plant in Chattanooga, there will be an emphasis on the North American market that's been missing for years.

I personally would love to get my hands on a Ragster/Speedster.

Let's hope VW rides out of the current Porsche-VW negotiations with its stock price and finances in tack.

[salsa-man]

A local VW dealer told me a few weeks ago that 2010 is last year for the current Beetle. He said that the redesign will have a flat roof.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

A local VW dealer told me a few weeks ago that 2010 is last year for the current Beetle. He said that the redesign will have a flat roof.

Don't believe him. He's probably thinking of the Roadster concept that was out a few years ago.

Dealers are horrible when it comes to information on new vehicles.

When the NB first came out, I decided to hold off for the 1.8t. Had been reading about it for months, heated leather, sunroon, speed activated spoiler, all this stuff interested me. Finally decided to test drive a 2.0 (before the release of the 1.8t) and see if they had any idea on when the 1.8t would be out. This was early '99.

The saleswoman told me not to believe anything I read. The NB wasn't getting the 1.8t. There would be no speed activated spoiler, and that VW couldn't do a sunroof as they were unable to get it to work with the design of the car. She said instead of a convertible NB, they were bringing the Karman Ghia back.

I saw her again two weeks later at the auto show, and she told me that she had new information. They were coming out with a Super New Beetle that had a VR6, wider fenders and much more aggressive, that it should be on the lots in a couple months.

It's sad when customers know more about this stuff than the salespeople.

[TheClunker]

OMFG are you serious? That's the concept they have? It's horrible! What's with the split hood like the bonnet of the original Beetle, along with the flattened-out fenders?

I didn't even notice until recently that the 1998-2005 NBs were the only ones with side fenders that were rounded front to back as well as down the sides; from 2006-on, the fenders are squished flat on the sides. I finally noticed it the other day when comparing a new one to Sunflower (my 2000).

I was all gung ho about buying a factory-new NB in 2010 before VW butchered it ... I still want a 2nd NB (in silver), but I'll be buying a used, low mileage 2005 now.

Too bad, VW ... you messed with a good thing in the 70s, and you didn't learn your lesson ...