Is a Volkswagen R32 a safe car for a teenager?

Question 1
Is a Volkswagen R32 a safe car for a teenager?...  I want this 2008 VW R32 for my first car but my mom is suggesting I don't get it because it's a performance car. She thinks it's too dangerous. I really want it though. It's like a dream car to me.

Answers
1)   you should get a Toyota Camry, it is much more safe and a lot more practical. - Beamer

2)   In my opinion a performance car can be safer vs some of the other stuff that is on the road. I have a saying, what is learned at the track on sunday, saves lives the other six days of the week. Its all about the setup of the car and how well the driver is trained. Example Upgraded multi piston brakes on all four wheel can help you bring the car to a stop quicker, but are completely useless if the driver does not leave enough stopping space. 6 point harness is better than a standard three point, but does work if the driver does not buckle up. ABS and ESC help you maintain control, but do you know how to handle the car with the control module goes bad when you need it???? I've drove in traffic with some poorly trained State Troopers (Cutting People off and improper lane changes etc), but on the other Hand, I drove in traffic with some highly trained teenagers in performances cars drive that handle their cars better than the State Trooper driving the cop car. - Eric

3)   If it's your dream car, then keep dreaming
It's usually not advisable for a teenager to drive a car with a higher horsepower than their IQ score - Mike Vespa

4)   Listen to your mom, she's right. Go for something like a standard Golf 2.0 or even something smaller like a 1.6 (if it's available in your country) until you have a few years of driving experience behind your name. A R32 is a very fuel-inefficient vehicle (when compared to other Volkswagens), so you'll spend quite a bit of money keeping the fuel tank full.

Also note that spares for these vehicles are quite expensive, so you don't want to own one when something breaks. - Chris

5)   It's safe, but an absolute nightmare to work on yourself, and a wallet drainer to pay a shop to work on it. I know a few VW specialty shops that will not even work on an R32. - K. Reed

6)   Its a safe car in case you crash, but its not very safe for active sporty driving in the hands of an eager teen, because of its high performance output. Whether its safe or not depends on the way you drive it.

As a first car for a teen, its not advisable. It might be expensive to insure and the petrol bills would be a nightmare. You wouldnt want to be in debt or struggling over these costs, would you?

It might be hard to not buy it but its actually a wise choice by doing so. You can consider getting a lesser 2.0L Golf, or a turbocharged one. An Audi A3 or a BMW 3 Series would be nice too. Just hang on till you get a steady job, with a steady income, and you can be driving it for real in a few years time. - XF-AMG

7)   It's not dangerous, VW cars are extremely reliable and safe. The problem is the insurance for you on a car like this would be so outrageous, you and/or your mom couldn't afford the huge cost to insure you on this. If you are a teen, you need to stick with a Mazda3 or similar, really....... - FONDA WHITE - COX

8)   Please don't get it. No need to have another one of these pretty rare VW's ruined by a teen who really doesn't care about the car he's driving, and most likely down the road makes it look ridiculous and ruins it. Let a real VW enthusiast get it. - RS


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Question 2
How is the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?...  I want to get the 2011 Jetta TDI. Does this car have good reviews?? What other cars does this one compete with? I like the fact that its German and comes with a lot of nice features standard with the TDI.

Answers
1)   I think you should get it. - ce20091

2)   Cnet has a good review here with a nice video about the car...

http://reviews.cnet.com/sedan/2011-volkswagen-jetta/4505-10865_7-34139827.html#reviewPage1 - M

3)   Try searching sites like Autocar.co.uk or simply Google '2011 Volkswagen Jetta reviews', and read on!
I like the great build quality, the fresh looks (looks like an Audi A4 from the rear) and the German pedigree.
Go get a test drive! - XF-AMG

4)   Every aspect of this new Jetta is fantastic...Only one problem.....the new body style is REALLY really boring......I'd suggest a new Mazda3, those are so great and awesome looking, as well. Jettas are a bit boring, sorry to say.... - FONDA WHITE - COX

5)   It's actually not as nice as the model it's replacing. VW dropped the price of the new Jetta a bit vs. the A5 model. Consequently, the new model has a cheaper torsion beam suspension, and cheaper trim inside and out among other things. It's also built in Mexico, not Germany. Basically VW went from trying to compete with the low end BMWs to trying to compete with Nissans and Toyotas. - fodaddy19

6)   Yes VW dropped the price on the basic Jetta. However, you can still get the next two models with many features that some ppl want.
VW is just trying to please everyone; isnt that the American Way?
A friend at work just bought a 2011 Jetta TDI; he won't stop talking abt how fantastic it is. He says he will not be driving it to work; something I dont understand but....
Consumer Reports says the Jetta's "strong points include a will finished interior and a composed ride. Handling is agile and confident. The diesel version is more responsive than before. IIHS crash test results are impressive. Satisfaction Rating is "High". " They gave the Jetta a 'Recommended Buy' status.
Yes the Jetta is manufactured in Mexico [all except the Jetta wagon] . But my wife and I have a 2005 Jetta made in Mex. and it is a quality car; not a single issue and it has almost 100,000 miles on it. - fenton

7)   So you are telling me that nowadays people are to lazy to even read the reviews for the car they are interested in. They want someone else to tell them if the reviews are good. Go to a dealer, test drive the car, if you like the car do some more research and READ SOME REVIEWS. If you still like the car, buy it. So you are telling that if you really liked the car and few people on here didn't you wouldn't buy it. - RS


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Question 3
can you fit a toe-bar to a vw golf?...  

Answers
1)   Do you mean a tow bar? - Chauncey Q. Buttercup

2)   My toe is not currently attached to any bars. - Dalek

3)   Hidden Hitch makes tow bars for nearly all generations of the Golf/GTI. You can purchase them through JC Whitney and a number of other places online. If by "toe-bar" you mean an aftermarket suspension stress bar, you can check the website for Neuspeed, Autotech, and Eurosport Accessories to see what's available for your generation car. - gti_4cefed4

4)   As others have already done the toe-joke, I will refrain.
I have seen Golfs towed behind Motor Homes on the Interstate.
Check with Hertz or U-Haul or Winnebago and see what is required. - fenton


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Question 4
Bought a yellow beatle, qustions.?...  So basically over the weekend I purchased a yellow volkswagn beatle and where I brought it home I had some major issues with it. First of all I parked it in my garage and about 20 minutes later I heard a bunch of metal rubbing together and walked out side. What I found was about an 8 foot yellow robot in there. I'm just curious as to what I should do, he keeps talking about saving cybertron and some dude named optimus pride or prime or some thing. Any help?

Answers
1)   Sunday morning...too much coffee...??? - Mr. KnowItAll

2)   Just tell him that you love him and you'll give him some premium gasoline and platinum sparkplugs if he behaves. - Chris

3)   I thought you were serious for a moment. lol - Dalek

4)   It was the Beatles that had a Yellow Submarine.....
You have a yellow Beetle; or UFO..... - fenton


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Question 5
Need advice on repairs to my '73 vw beetle?...  I've got a '73 beetle thats been off the road for about 10 years. It was a lovely car and i'm looking to get it back on the road, Need to get a new starter motor, battery, wing, bonnet and oil cooler. All easy jobs but the brakes are stuck on, what do i need to do to get them working again and what parts do you think i'll need?

Answers
1)   Sounds like you are willing to tackle this job on your own. That's great, the world needs more Classic Beetles on the road!
I think the 1st thing to do is to obtain a good repair manual. "How to Keep your VW Alive" by John Muir comes to mind as one of the best. I don't know if its still in print , but its a place to start. Bentley Publishing has repair manuals that the dealerships used. Clymer also has repair manuals.
Happy wrenching! - fenton

2)   Hi there your brakes will be rusted to hubs take off wheels and give the hubs some hits with a fairly heavy hammer this will release them enough to get the hubs off to replace the shoes now you may have to work hard to get hubs off but i mostly use a heavy screw drive od crowbar one side and hit with hammer opposite side ang gently wiggle off hubs Jock - jock

3)   put the car in neutral. Crack the bleeder screws at all 4 wheels. Rock the car back and forth until it frees up. Once freed, tighten the bleeders and be careful the first time driving it. Make sure they are working proper before you get onto a busy street. - Rod Knocker

4)   Is it all four wheels or just the back wheels, check the hand brake first. Seeing foot brake would have been off when it was laid up, you should be able to free the wheels by bumping them. You will probably need wheel cylinder kits and a new hand brake cable if is seized. - Owen


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