Cold Weather Convertible Question

[beartoothweb]

Might be an oxymoron there, but we're new to the beetle world, and currently shopping for a used beetle, 03-06 likely for an additional car for the family fleet. My wife has always wanted a bug.

I like the convertibles, but our vert season is way short here in Montana, 3-4 months a year, and it gets freakin' cold in the winter. I'm wondering if the insulation is adequate for the cold months to make the extra fun in the summer worth it. Also, how about road noise, and all of that? She doesn't care either way. I'm building a 65 Cobra roadster, so we'll have no shortage of ways to go topless.

Thanks in advance!

[miffmole]

My 2004 NBC is surprisingly quiet with the top up (and not too noisy with it down really, compared to some cars). I've never noticed any difference in the winter, as regards to staying warm, in my Beetle or our van. The Beetle top has three layers on top. Plus, mine has heated seats.

I once hitchhiked to Montana (Helena) from Greensboro, NC with a friend...

[beartoothweb]

Originally Posted by miffmole

My 2004 NBC is surprisingly quiet with the top up (and not too noisy with it down really, compared to some cars). I've never noticed any difference in the winter, as regards to staying warm, in my Beetle or our van. The Beetle top has three layers on top. Plus, mine has heated seats.

I once hitchhiked to Montana (Helena) from Greensboro, NC with a friend...

Cool, thanks! I'm definitely shopping for heated seats (or I'll add them), we have them in our suburban, and love them, especially with leather.

SC isn't exactly cold, but the humidity is higher, so it feels colder. We'll see -40 or so at some point, but we pretty well stay home then anyway, or drive the big suburban.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by beartoothweb

SC isn't exactly cold, but the humidity is higher, so it feels colder. We'll see -40 or so at some point, but we pretty well stay home then anyway, or drive the big suburban.

It has gotten as low a 1 degree here, but that's unusual. I hope I never experience 40 below!

I saw snow there in Helena in October of 1971. That was a first for me that early in the year.

[overlander64]

I have owned a number of convertibles, and actually have several in the garage today. The New Beetle is my favorite for winter travel because it is snug in comparison to any other convertible that I have owned. The top is very snug and must have some insulation between the canvas and the inteior headliner as it is very difficult to hear rain hitting the roof unless it is a downpour.

My NBC is very comfortable in the winter, and it is my car of choice when I am traveling to Wisconsin or Michigan in the winter. The heated mirrors, rear window defroster, and very capable heater/defroster make it a pleasure to drive in the winter. I have the heated seats and they work like a charm, but I find that the heater is so effective that I rarely need them (my Chihuahua insists that I turn up the heat on the passenger seat whenever she travels with me).

There are only two issues that do cause some concern in the winter. First, the car has very minimal clearance so if one frequently drives in areas where the plows don't keep roads well cleared there could be clearance issue. The second item is more of an issue where I live in Southern Illinois, and that is the drop-down feature of the front windows that permit a tighter seal between the window and the top-rail gasket - - in an ice storm, it may be difficult to get enough of the ice cleared to permit the window(s) to drop meaning that the window might catch on the gasket or the edge of the roof - - - and I am sure that more than a limited number of these cycles would prove detrimental to the winow motor and regulator.

Good luck with your search!

Kevin

[dnyed]

New Beetle convertibles are why God created fleece hats, gloves, scarves, down jackets and heated seats.

Before I lost our NBC in my divorce, we would drive any time of the year, but usually, the sun had had to be out, and the temp above 40. As soon as the temp went from 39 to 40, the top was down!


I miss the NBC, but my ex gives me some visitation.

[beartoothweb]

Thanks so much folks, sounds like convertible would be a good option if we can find one...she's narrowed the search to cyber green with tan if we can find it, sunroof or vert, but we're trying to stay under $9k, and because i'm in montana, I'll have to go find one and get it. Searching on craigslist, autotrader, and ebay.

Does this site have any kind of "test drive cooperative" that we can take advantage of in various locations?

[TallPaul]

I live in a semi-northern climate..

I have run into the problem that last season I had the windows freeze and would not drop when I opened the door... To solve my problems... I got myself a cheep car cover for when we would get big snows or ice storms just toss on the cover..WALA! No ice buildup... (It was also usefull so I did not bump the cover with a broom snow shovel to dig out.. it helped the snow from freezing my windows. I have to say also that my NBC is great in snow.. buzzed right along last season and did not get stuck to many times..

[beartoothweb]

Just wanted to post a follow up and say thanks...we found one...and I'm buying it:



It was the right price, and should work out well, and we like the color and trim package. So, soon to be a NBC owner!

[miffmole]

It's pretty. Congratulations!
Details, please...