How much does your beetle weigh?

[Turbie]

Are any models lighter than others?

I know people remove the back seats and spare tire. Does anyone make lexan windows for them?

[Duffy]

3,236 Lbs for my 2009 NBC

[Baby Sallie]

Baby Sallie(07 beetle) weights:2,965Lbs 10oz.

Laycee Lynn(10 beetle) weights:2,922Lbs 10oz.

Laycee is somehow lighter then my 07 beetle is?? they are both hardtop with moonroof so idk why Laycee is lighter

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

From the Factory, heaviest to lightest

1. RSi w/ sunroof
2. Rsi w/o sunroof
3. Verts w/ Turbo
4. Verts
5. TDI w/ sunroof
6. TDI w/o sunroof
7. Turbo w/ sunroof
8. Turbo w/o sunroof
9. Base w/ sunroof
10. Base w/o sunroof

These are also going to increase slightly as engine size increases, and as trim packages are added. Weight is also going to be affected by the tranny used.
Virtually every appearance and convenience item adds weight to the vehicle, upgraded sound system, mats, etc. The weight also changes from year to year as body parts are reshaped, thinned, change in material etc.

Unless you are developing a vehicle strickly for racing, I would suggest not trying to replace the glass with Lexan, or any other brand of polycarbonate. The material is unstable as to scratching, UV, and thermal movement.

I know where Duffy got the weight for his, I'm curious about Baby Sallie's weights.

MORAV

[Baby Sallie]

Sallie and Laycee weight I got off their birth announcement. as too how Laycee weights less then Sallie I don't get??? Sallie and Laycee are the same just different years I don't get how the weight could change that much???

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Baby Sallie

Sallie and Laycee weight I got off their birth announcement. as too how Laycee weights less then Sallie I don't get??? Sallie and Laycee are the same just different years I don't get how the weight could change that much???

See my Post above. Later years do have a lighter base weight. Cheapening of the cars I'm sure. Google VW New Beetle Curb Weight!

As to your weights, I doubt there are any records in ounces! LMAO Rather I'm sure these are based on base weights and not factual weights! Cute on a Birth Certificate though!

[Baby Sallie]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

See my Post above. Later years do have a lighter base weight. Cheapening of the cars I'm sure. Google VW New Beetle Curb Weight!

As to your weights, I doubt there are any records in ounces! LMAO Rather I'm sure these are based on base weights and not factual weights! Cute on a Birth Certificate though!

Why are later years lighter? is it b\c they use plastic??
and I was just reading what her birth thing sayed

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Baby Sallie

Why are later years lighter? is it b\c they use plastic??

That, and a general overall cheapening of everything, including the elimination of things from the automobile altogether. I would have to look real close at the two you are comparing to tell you more specifically. Maybe just the heavier has a sunroof? I dunno, but I do know the base weight of the equivalent model is lighter in later years.

Originally Posted by Baby Sallie

and I was just reading what her birth thing said

No, I know that Darlin', and I wasn't criticizing or making fun of you. It's just that they do not weigh any individual vehicle when it leaves the assembly line, or any where in it's travels for that matter. Shipping has to do with square or cubic feet that is occupied, not weight, and is calculated on a per car basis. Attention to the base weight, may be used, however to simplify shipping charges. We have a port here in Houston where many enter the United States, and then are shipped by truck or rail to the destination Dealers. The base weight is even presented assuming a full tank of gas. The factory probably puts 1 gal. in the vehicle.

As I said, I feel certain the "birth" thingy is based on the base or curb weight of the vehicle, and the ounces are added for cuteness. Notice the ounces are the same on both!

MORAV

[Baby Sallie]

I would let u see both but I not longer have Sallie I traded her back in April for Laycee and I'm not sure where Sallie is I would luv to know but the Salesguy that sold Laycee to my mom dosen't know who bought Sallie

And great my newer beetle may have more plastic then my 07 beetle that makes me feel safe

[FlashT]

The 1998 model year was the lightest. That year, it came in only two trims: base and TDI(no GLS,GLX etc.). The 2.0L base model had a wet curb weight of 2,712 lbs. The TDI was slightly heavier at around 2,800 lbs. Extras/options, like sunroofs and automatic transmissions, added to these figures, of course.

[raymondlee]

i should weigh mines.lol

i got lowering springs and shocks and loved my stance. then i put the GT on a diet

ac deleted
condenser deleted
power steering deleted
huge quiet muffler deleted
windshield washers system deleted
SAI deleted
back seat deleted
battery to the trunk
even running on timign covers

after all of that my was back up to stock height

the car is definatley light on the feet if nothing else it sure easier to work on

[4SEVEN3]

Why is the mindset that a lightweight car means its unsafe or cheap?
Ever think that they're trying to get a little bit better fuel mileage out of the car. Maybe they lightened up the wheels to improve response and fuel economy, maybe some of the systems were designed in a way to be smaller and more compact (i.e. lack of a accumulator that were found in early ABS systems, introduction of electronic power steering). Type of tire used from model year to model year can vary to some degree.

If a lighter car means it was "less safe" and cheap I guess F1 cars are cheap rolling coffins??

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by 4SEVEN3

Why is the mindset that a lightweight car means its unsafe or cheap?
Ever think that they're trying to get a little bit better fuel mileage out of the car. Maybe they lightened up the wheels to improve response and fuel economy, maybe some of the systems were designed in a way to be smaller and more compact (i.e. lack of a accumulator that were found in early ABS systems, introduction of electronic power steering). Type of tire used from model year to model year can vary to some degree.

If a lighter car means it was "less safe" and cheap I guess F1 cars are cheap rolling coffins??

Did I miss something, who's talking about unsafe (Baby Sallie was just getting a little off topic - no harm)? But when you redesign body parts, i.e. thinner material or less reinforcing, is that not one of the results? And to cheapen... of course! Can we say - "It's all about the money!"

I'll take my Burb to any VW built, for safety. Hell, my daughter was hit in one of my Bugs, while stopped, at probably 10 MPH, and it's a total! There is nothing to these little cars. Been my Burb, I might have had to replace a bumper, of course it would have done a number on the little car that didn't stop and hit her! But still, I just bought another Bug. Safety is not always a consideration.

[Smileybug]

To me, it doesn't matter when the car is totaled, but how well does it protect the owner in a crash? There have been so many pictures of accidents in NBs, both on the news and on here, where the car is just mangled, but the driver is safe. My parents were sold on getting me my car when they went to a dealer and saw a wrecked 'vert in the parking lot. Rolled 4 times, 4 people in the car. All walked away with only scratches.

I'd say these cars are pretty safe. The problem with ANY newer car is the fact that bumpers are plastic. I long for the days of metal bumpers...

[Wingnut_rb]

The better a car will "crumple" without intruding into the passenger compartment, the better. The car acts like a big spring that absorbs the crash. Some of the reason they lost the metal bumpers...that and weight savings. If a car stayed undented in a wreck.....would kill the driver at lower speeds....kinda like running a car with no suspension, every little bump would feel HUGE. Sorry to get off topic.