Just bought '06 NB

[jkellaway]

Yesterday I traded in my 03 Turbo and got a 06 Gecko Green with black leatherette interior. I hope I didn't make a big mistake--I LOVED my turbo but my daughter will start drivers ed tomorrow and she was terrified of the stick shift. So now I have a new automatic and I do love it but it is very different than my turbo. My turbo had the sport package and was very fancy, real leather and very fast. This one is very nice but not so fast but I guess I don't need to go so fast, right? I had a short loan on my 03 and now have a LOOOONG loan but about the same payment--hope the vehicle lasts. I am short on cash but want to get the windows tinted right away. The leatherette is not a slippery as leather--I kinda miss that. Do you think I should put the rubber mats down to protect the carpet ones? What else should I do to protect my bug in & out. I am just a girl and not very mechanically inclined or handy in any way.
Thanks in advance for any input!!!

[hestersu]

Congratulations on the new purchase! I would do the tint and the mats if you can. Find a reliable tint person in your area. Don't just settle on the first person you talk to. Make sure they can do a beetle. Tinting a beetle is like trying to tint a basketball. It's not easy but can be done. Get a good quality tint like Llumar. Do a search on tint and you will get several threads that discuss good brands.

The mats are available from the dealer and worth every penny. Look at the Driver Gear site on VW's website to see them. Watch the parts for sale threads here. You can occassionally find them there. Another possibility is ebay.

The 2.5l engine is quite zippy. As it gets broken in, you find it to be a fun engine.

Good luck on the driver's ed! Been there.

[dnyed]

Welcome to the Org, (*) and big Congratulations to you!

Have fun with your new New Beetle!


(*)Now, where were you with your 2003 NB?

[Breez]

I have NEVER met someone who regrets paying for the monster mats... they pay off!!! Trust me.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW CAR, may you and your daughter have many years of safe trips with that beetle!

[CoriBug]

Both my parents' cars were stick when I started driving so I didn't have a choice! I'm glad I learned manual first just in case I'd have to drive one in an emergency. It sure was frustrating for awhile though. My mom and I started off in our old church parking lot. A divider with rocks, trees and flat pine bushes separated the parking spaces. I had the car(Prizm) parked facing the divider with the engine on in first gear. Well, I sorta messed up with the clutch and the car drove right over the curb, flat bush(no trees, thank the Lord!) and rocks. My mom started laughing! I never thought I was going to get the hang of it, and then one day it all clicked!! That was a very good day.

Anyway, have fun and be careful!

Cori

P.S. I love my Monster Mats too. Just rinse off. If you want to black them after cleaning, use tire shine sparingly.

[Whitacre]

If you dont want to pay 100 bucks to get monster mats for now...i went to Wal Mart and bought black rubber mats just like monster mats (of course not as streamlined to the footwell as the monster mats) but they work great. They pay off here because it rains a lot and mud and black carpet is a NIGHTMARE.

Congrats on your purchase. I have a Gecko Green and black interior and LOVE the color scheme. You'll love the 2.5 engine also. Its not as fast as the turbo, but its close!

[bluebeetlebabe]

Congrats on the NB!!

[greasybug]

What a beautiful color...and car. Enjoy yourselves!

And think! You can now enjoy lower gas prices, 87 octane.