Need help-your age and gender as a Beetle owner?

[lazyfish]

Hi! I'm from China and I work part time for an automobile magazine. Now I'm writing an article about Beetle lovers and Bettle culture in the United States. In China, the NB attracts young female much more than other age and gender groups. Besides, it's not a cheap car for many people in China, so it's considered as a "white colar young lady car". People wouldn't choose it if they only need a tool of transportation. They would prefer other cars that are more gas saving, cheaper, and have more space. Some people have the Bettle because they love it, and have enough money, and most of the time, they are young and single (the Bettle is too small for a family of 3 members) or have more than 1 car in their family(that's not very typical in China, most families share 1 car).

I wonder if it is the same situation here in the US? Could you describe yourself a little bit as a Bettle owner? (And your life with a Bettle.) Thank you P.S. Other ideas or suggestions on my article are also welcome!

[kcfoxie]

I don't have mine anymore. I traded it for a diesel Jetta (I didn't have much choice, needed the fuel economy and couldn't find a diesel beetle).

I am now late 20s and male. I was early 20s when I owed my two beetles - both 2.0 gasoline models.

[buckbeetle]

Male in my 40's. 2005 New Beetle Convertible.

[akasha1963]

Female - 46

[Beetlescott]

Male 53.
1999 Silver New Beetle. This is my third New Beetle!

[Yello_jellybean]

I am a 29 year old female. I own a 2005 New Beetle TDI.
I don't have kids to tote around, but I can easily get 4 friends in there, along with me.
I am married and this is my 2nd New Beetle owned.

Hope that helps.
I can understand some people thinking that a VW is expensive to own, because maintenance can be pricey. BUT, fuel economy wise you have to go along way to beat a TDI.

[kaiser]

male, 35, married, 1 child, 400hp modified 1.8t 2001 beetle (30mpg too!), also have a modified 1974 aircooled beetle.

[smartchick2009]

im about to be 19 and i have a 2001 1.8t and it does everything i need it to! love everything about my car :]

[70autostick]

1999 "bettle" 2.0,im 18 and needed a cheap car to get me to college without daily maintenence,not at all describing my 1970 autostick POS..Pretty sweet lookin,unlike other crappy American sleds,and toyata/Honda sucks no matter the circumstance..And i like to party

i LOOOOOVE my bug<3

[boblamb58]

Having more than one car in a family with children in this country is pretty much a necessity. Especially when there is more than 1 child. And with the way things are so expensive these days, with usually 2 incomes meaning 2 jobs for couples, this also means a second car. I have always loved smaller cars. My first car was a Beetle, and in 1994 when the first New Beetle concepts were unveiled I knew I would one day have one. Took me just 3 years after they started rolling off the assembly line. In 2001 I bought a TDI Beetle, even though I had 3 kids to cart around. We made it work until they started turning into teenagers. As much as I did not want to, I moved on to something just a bit larger in 2007.

The Beetle was a 40th birthday present for me, that I pretty much paid for myself (financed, of course).

[kcfoxie]

Originally Posted by 70autostick

1999 "bettle" 2.0,im 18 and needed a cheap car to get me to college without daily maintenence,not at all describing my 1970 autostick POS..Pretty sweet lookin,unlike other crappy American sleds,and toyata/Honda sucks no matter the circumstance..And i like to party

i LOOOOOVE my bug<3

You know the problem there is that autostick, not the rest of the car. You could swap for a real manual and make it a pretty dependable little thing.

Seen too many autosticks fail to start in the parking lot at meets to count....

[lazyfish]

Many thanks to those who replied! The information is very helpful!

[AceJay]

20/Male/NJ. I'm 6'4" and I've tried out a lot of cars and didn't feel comfortable. The dealer brought out a Blue 1999 GLS, 2.0 Gas, Auto, and I sat inside and had so much room to move. I drove it and it felt great, nothing like the Minivan I was used to learning in. I bought the car because it was only $5,000, since it had some problems. So far I've put about $4,000 more into it due to it failing and other things. I'm mostly happy with it now, I just with I didn't get a kinda lame one. To be honest though, if I had the money to buy a new one and the money to take care of it, I probably would, even with a "luxury" model like the Hyundai Genesis or even the cheapest Mercedes or BMW being only a few thousand more.

[kcfoxie]

I should mention i'm 6'3"... I'm very tall, I liked the room of the car. I prefer it over the Jetta I drive now any day.

[O 16581 72452 5]

I work at a Chinese Restaurant, when i pulled up in my Beetle all the Chinese people were telling me how expensive that car is in China, lol.

The majority of people i see driving NBs are middle aged women.

I'm personally 24 and male.

[bitsy buggy]

32 yr old female, married, mother of two small children, first-time beetle owner. Dreamed of my own beetle for over 10 yrs and the opportunity just presented itself. I also commute 30 miles to work and the gas mileage is better than my SUV I was taking to work. Absolutely love the look and feel of driving the beetle. My beetle has more room up-front than my SUV. Has definitely been a joy to drive!

[AbuNigel]

17 year old male

[Johnny Ohio]

Male 61, 2000 1.8t

and yes girls like them too.

[scarabY2k]

6'2" Black Male, 46, Married.

Owner of a 2000 nB 1.8t. Daily driver with many cosmetic modifications. She's been in several shows and has won a few trophies/awards. Very active in the New Beetle Get Together scene.

My beetle is a keeper... she will always be in my possession

[Smileybug]

I'm a 22-year old female. My car is a '99 2.0 5-speed. I've had her for 4 1/2 years. I loved the Old Beetles and fell in love instantly when the New Beetles came out. My parents got me the car after I got a full-ride scholarship to college since it was my dream car. Great college car (gets great mileage around town). Not so good for hauling, but I'm done with undergrad now. Still great for getting to grad school, traveling, getting around town...does everything I need it to do. I just love my car