Phoenix: 2003 New Beetle TDI

[kcfoxie]

With Pathces demise and life in the south dictating that you have to have a vehicle, I caved and decided I had to use my credit.

If you don't know me I've operated on a completely cash budget for nearing 5 years, as in, outside the mortgage and car note (*sigh* I'd just gotten rid of the last one, only 3 months sober so to speak) I had a single line of credit via paypal. No gas card, visas, or anything like that. If I couldn't pay for it, I didn't get it or I didn't go (perhaps this explains why I seem so relieved to sell things at GTGs, and why I kept saying I can't afford to go anywhere without a TDI).

So last night I was getting hopeless after looking at a "rebuilt" 2002 for $7500. Up to $9000 I was OK with the note on over 4 years (NOT 6 like I've done in the past). Well, I found a red automatic 114k for $8950. I was like ugh, it's an automatic. But I decided I should go look.

Well the heated leather seats, that aren't ripped up, and the monsoon stereo with console hidden 6-disc VW CD changer... sold me. Tho I admit, I kind of want to get a 2006 monsoon single CD to replace this setup with. I have no storage.

Everything works, the automatic has life left (How much, don't know, don't care, manual swap from Patches is assured... I hate automatics) and they fixed the headlights (they just shoved them in, I made them install them properly).

I had to pay up $500 out of picket to cover fees as the bank said that the car is only worth $8100 and they'd only do oh so much. That's fine, I got it... for a good monthly rate and the insurance is about double what I was paying WITH medpay, towing, rental and other coverages. So really I only increased my budget by $250. I can still cover school, and eat, and I now have more reasons to negotiate that pay increase I'm well deserving of with my employer next week.

So my friend Nichole said on Facebook I should name the car Phoenix because it means bright red in Greek. So, Phoenix it is. This is fitting as my late parrot's name was Phoenix. I have an idea to marry my parrot tattoo and this car together in the back window, in a nice clean design. This car will not sport a lot of stickers, this one should remain clean and simple. I doubt I'll even put the chrome door handles on her.

So now the only photo taken thus far:


I gotta say heated leather is nice on cool mornings. Having tight turning air control knobs is another. Working AC even better. Did I mention the stereo? I'm burning CDs now. Oh and I LOVE the sunroof and sudden don't hate the new knob setup, with the roof open 90% the window noise isn't bad -- so I don't feel the need to get a wind deflector.

I won't keep the roof rack on this car, it'll get put on and removed as needed for travel.

Heck I can't even pull myself to take the back seat out! I've never had leather before! It's so pretty!!

[Zuri]

Glad to see you got another NB and rather quickly too! Long live Phoenix!

[kcfoxie]

Thanks

I can't believe it either, but with gas hovering at $3.90 in most spots I KNOW that it won't be dropping any time soon and TDI prices are going to hold value. If I didn't act now, I wasn't going to be able to finance one... and saving to buy one out right with school coming up on me, yeah, I'd be stuck with a very limited lifestyle depending on the bus system. While My move to Durham includes making use of the bus to get to work, we're not Portland (oregon) and as such getting from work to school on time could prove challenging. Better to have my own ride.

[marvins_dad]

Congrats!
Only one question....does it have a front grille?

[mybugrocks]

Yay!!!!!! Phoenix looks great!!!! I am quite jealous I must say though congrats Chris

[Opelmania]

Nice find Chris with a lot of nice extras and already tinted. Good luck with Phoenix. I am sure you will have a long relationship with him/her.

[2004NBTURBOS]

Congrats my friend. That was a quick turn around. I gotta say, as patch's was quite a lot to look at, that red TDI is clean and sexy. As Joel stated, nice that the windows are tinted already. I guess Roswell will be the maiden road-trip?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Nice Foxie, REAL nice! Congrats! Things happen for a reason. This seems to simply be a natural step in your phenominal metamorphosis. You've turned a page! Another new chapter!

M.

[Deserion]

Oh, very nice! You got a 2003.5.

[dnyed]

We Need More Pics!

[bugshop]

VERY NICE !!!!

I LOVE THE RED

[MichelleRoze]

Happy for you! Looks like a great car!!! Yup, leather is nice, heated seats are nice, and man a sunroof is KILLER!

[scarabY2k]

Big congrats Chris! Phoenix was well taken care of- nice find mang

Hoping to see some more pics soon!

[OhSnap]

More pics! I'm sorry to hear about Patches, I know that car meant a lot to you. Still, it's nice you were able to find another bug to love and this one seems super nice. May you drive this Phoenix in good health!

[sunnygirl]

Congrats!! Very nice, I the red!

[JonK]

Congrats on the Awesome Beetle you found!!!


Looks Great, Looking forward to seeing more pics!!!

Happy Driving,

JonK