Why do people nowadays think an original Beetle is so slow?

Why do people nowadays think an original Beetle is so slow?

I have a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, 100% stock and original. When I'm driving down the road, people are always on my tail and many illegally floor it by me. Here's the thing, most of the time I am speeding by a few mph. No, it doesn't go fast, but it's not like it only goes 20mph. I go 70 on the highway all the time. People at school laugh, saying it's so slow and underpowered it couldn't even go down a hill. Most call it a Rolls Canardly (rolls down one side of the hill, canardly go up the other). It is not powerful, but it goes. I'm able to burn rubber with it very easily. These people never even stepped foot in a Beetle. What's the deal?

Asked by: Prime @ 2009-06-20 13:41:06

Answers ::
Its just stereo type and opinion, dont mind them its just not there "cup of tea". To todays standards things in the late 90's are considered slow to some. One thing to remember, theres always someone slower and faster than you

bassguitarist90

Simple, they know absoulely nothing about cars.
Stock beetles might not be that fast, but they can be with the right equipment. With the right parts, right skill and a bit of money you could really make your car into something special.
I would LOVE to have a older Beetle in fairly good shape like what you have.
One thing to point out to them, your car is a classic. Its 35+ years old. Ask them if they honestly believe that the toyotas or chevys being built today are going to last that long. Most of these new cars being built today will be in a junkyard within 10 years.

Harry

im so sorry, but an un modified original beetle especially the older ones(older than yours)with the swing axle are slow and love the canardly which is true,they are like the original metropolitans,you need to ride with 3 people,2 to push up the hill.have you driven anything else?is your a super beetle?i dont remember much about em except the super is stouter. dont get me wrong they are cool, especially with the california window kits, but until you modify them, they can hardly outrun a dog chasing them. as a side note they are built real good, you could swing those wide opening doors and take the dog out without so much as a dent. naw serious, dual webbers and head flow and exhaust, and they were the original import lol

idontgivafork

I wouldn't let what others say bother me. You have one of the best cars ever made. Easy to work on, fuel efficient, low cost to repair and all around easy on the pocket book. There is a plant in Mexico City that makes new Beetles. This car was built as a poor mans car in Germany, just like the model T Ford here in America. People are always looking for something to talk about, and when they do, most don't know what their talking about. So drive your car with pride and laugh at the dumb bunnies all the way to the bank.

renegadesail

They're VW haters :P

I own a 94 jetta and have only owned it for a few weeks now. I wont ever by anything other than VW now. German engineering has been proven many times over. It's very likely those kids at school are into their "powerful" mufflers and loud sounding cars. It's very likely your beetle is just fine. I envy that you own anything from the 70s.

nichts_einhornchen

I think its because everyone seems to be concerned with the 0 to 60 mph time. The fact is that today, many vehicles can accelerate faster than the "so called hot cars of the 60's to early 70's. I'm old enough to have worked upon some of the "hot cars of the 60's" and the big block Detroit iron that rode the waves of NASCAR races of the time.

Back then, a 0 to 60 in seven (7) seconds was extremely fast; many cars were in the 12 second range from 0 to 60, subcompacts of the time were even slower: I think a Datsun 610/510 in 1973 accelerated from 0 to 60 in 15.0 seconds; a 1970 240 Z was quoted as 8.2 and a 1971 Super Beetle was 18.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Today, anything slower than 0 to 60 in 10 seconds is considered to be slow; even today's Kia Rio with an automatic (12.7) is faster than 50+of the cars sold new in 1973!

Even my old Super Charged Studebaker Hawk (1963) with 290 BHP, 3 speed Borg Warner automatic could only accelerate to 0 to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds; ( though this was a lot faster than the stock time of 13+ seconds over a base v8 edition).

I think some people confuse top speed with acceleration rate; your Beetle should be able to make 75 mph, maybe slighter faster if conditions are right.

At least, this is my point of view over the issue that was raised.

a car nut

people think there slow because they are little and have little engines

but they can get up and go i have a 1965 volk with a 1200cc

Brandon

Show them this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3MpngZkBuo

bill f

How much will a show quality paint job cost on a classic Volkswagen Beetle?

1963

Asked by: Soleil Renee @ 2009-06-20 20:27:11

Answers ::
1 meeeelion dollars

s h

I've gotten good paint jobs for $400, but if you want to take it to one of those specialty places, they will charge you $2000 for the same paint job.

IWIU

A lot also depends on any body work needed, but expect at least $500 and perhaps closer to $1000 (also depending on the caliber of paint job)

Stephen K

Expect around $500 - $1,000

Marianna

$2000-4000.

You could spend $1000 and get a GOOD but not show quality job.

I used to paint cars for a living.

Scott R

At least 2,000 dollars our neighbor has collects cars in a warehouse, and he has this classic Volkswagen Beetle and he spent 3,000 dollars on a good paint job ready for a show.

Stevexxx888

Its kind of a vague question. Alot depends on what quality paint, and how you want it done. Do you want flake, two tone, murals, stripes, flames, candy....... The list goes on. If you want a complete paint job for show, with the door jambs, under hood and trunk, and looking like it just came off the showroom floor and not have any orang peel, fisheyes, etc you will be in the $4,000-$5,000 price range for a single color. Now as far as some of the show cars that you see at the bigger shows, there are some cars with $30,000+ in just their paint.

hondab16tuner

GTI VR6 or 1.8T, which one is better?

I am looking at used cars and I am interested in the previous generation GTIs since they fit my budget and they just seem like fun small cars to zip around in. It seems like a perfect city car especially with a manual with great handling for the price. I may want to customize it some but nothing crazy like some tuners. Are both models good for tuning and is the VR6 much faster than the 4 cylinder?

Asked by: NorCalGuy @ 2009-06-19 15:33:09

Answers ::
vr6 has more torque and the 1.8t has maybe 10 more horsepower so similar in hp but vr6 all the way..i own jetta vr6

Jettaowner

1.8T is easier to work on... VR6 is only slightly quicker... 1.8T has the potential to be a lot faster than any VR6.

1.8T gets better gas mileage. Turbos sound cooler anyway.

1.8T is a lighter in weight motor.

VR6 is more expensive to maintain... more spark plugs, more oil capacity.

Its a no brainer.

BimmerBoi

The VR6.
the 1.8 is good, but i dk what he's talking about up there.
The vr6 has a bout 20 more horsepower.
And a 1.8 could definitely not be faster than a vr6.
and i mean that if you were to turbo charge a vr6 you would have about 240 hp.
way more than the 1.8. which is only 150.
the vr6 is the best all around.
Plus you'll feel like a beast driving it. ;]

GAR

VR6 For sure.
Especially since you're looking to go a little bit older. You sure don't want to be replacing the turbo.
The Vr6 does require premium fuel, as does the 1.8T. However the vr6 is a larger engine and will hold up better over time since it doesn't have to work so hard or rev as high.
The Vr6 is actually fairly easy to work on for maintenance. All 6 plugs are easily accessible. The engine is actually more like an inline 6, due to the narrow angle since there is a single head. I have a Vr6 and wouldn't get rid of it any time soon.

Tom C

I want a VW Bus...one of the super cool ones you see in commercials lately...where and how?

I live in Columbus, OH and have been trying to find a VW Bus,
2F&size=155k&name=VW+Bus+21+Window...&p=vw+bus&oid=3a1859984f983526&fr2=&fusr=MR38&no=1&tt=873354&sigr=11dj7r798&sigi=11g847b8m&sigb=12bbrkpqm
That kind! It doesn't have to be that color, just that model. And of course it has to be running, in well condition. Help? I've been on Ebay and Craigslist...nothin! Help?

Asked by: rachel h @ 2009-06-19 15:45:29

Answers ::
Older VW buses are well known for being under-powered and people tend to drive them very hard trying to keep up with traffic, so the engines fail in a very short time. If you buy one, be prepared to spend a lot of $$$ on engines.

Something ELSE you may want to consider is, when you drive one, you are sitting right up against that thin piece of sheet metal on the front, which is precious little protection in a front crash.

Paul

21 windows are hard to come by. Very expensive. These were very underpowered. Try Yahoo autos section.Try craigslist california. Many busses out there

Gerry

craigslist and TheSamba.com

TheSamba is website devoted to vw bugs,buses and other vw vehicles.
if you are somwhat mechanically inclined then you will have fun with a bus. as for constantly going through engines, that false. it all depends on the cc's of the engine. just make sure that its at least a 1600cc engine nothing lower, such as a 1200cc engine.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/

Jack D

When does a timing belt need to be changed on a Volkswagen Polo?

I have a 2005 (55 plate) Volkswagen Polo 1.2 petrol, it has done 67,000 miles.

There's no mention in the service book of when the timing belt needs to be changed. Also, do you know if the engine has a timing belt or timing chain?

Thanks people!

Asked by: Fork UK @ 2009-06-20 10:12:28

[Best Answer]Good morning...

Right, in a VW (POLO) the usual time to change the belt is around 80000/90000 KM (which is around 50000 MILES or more)

So i suggest to change yours, or at least let your mechanic to have a look at it!

I KNOW there is a brand (PEUGEOT) where you can change the belt around 120000 KM (around 74000 MILES) because the belts are much stronger and of course different engine...

Hope that will helpful for you!
Sorry but I am not english so i do hope i didn't do and mistake!!!
Good luck

By : ittebellu @ 1245576452

Answers ::
It has a chain.

J G

its a belt but dont change it change the car

J R

Good morning...

Right, in a VW (POLO) the usual time to change the belt is around 80000/90000 KM (which is around 50000 MILES or more)

So i suggest to change yours, or at least let your mechanic to have a look at it!

I KNOW there is a brand (PEUGEOT) where you can change the belt around 120000 KM (around 74000 MILES) because the belts are much stronger and of course different engine...

Hope that will helpful for you!
Sorry but I am not english so i do hope i didn't do and mistake!!!
Good luck

ittebellu

Is the Volkswagen new beetle a reliable car?

So I'm 17 and my dad just bought me my first car a 2002 beetle which I love and have always wanted one; but ever since everyone tells me they're no good and things always go wrong with them. So I'm contemplating on getting a different car...but what if I keep up with maintenance and etc. Do you think it will be ok? So have you had any problems with one or heard so?

Asked by: HEY-LEE<3 @ 2009-06-20 01:57:53

Answers ::
Indeed it is!

The new style Beetle is essentially a Volkswagen Golf, in other words it's as tough as old boots.

Fork UK

I've worked with Volkswagens since 1980 , total automotive service experience 30+ years, so I might a different view than many people might have on the subject. I've also owned VW's, at least 8 of them over the last 25 years, including one bought brand new.

The 2002 New Beetle is not a bad car; indeed, it has had a number of improvements since the first New Beetle of 1998.. automotive transmission updates in both software and hardware, improved rear visibility (changed rear view mirror design in 2000?), improved front disc brake pads, bumper design, alternator, and other various items.

It has some faults based upon design issues and material selection that have been around since the beginning of manufacture. For some people there is a blind spot in each of the corners when looking to the extreme left or right (pillar design), the plastic "feel soft" wears out quickly, sometimes the boot & gas door switches fall into the door, arm rest catch breaks often (poor design, cheap quality), the window regulators are known to fail and let the windows drop into the door, replacement of head light & tail light bulbs is a pain and even the battery can be a slight pain to replace. The gas door often doesn't pop open/fit well, etc. Service access to the engine is somewhat difficult due to the body/inner fender design.. and jobs take longer than on the Jetta/Golf (even though it shares the same platform as those vehicles).

Having said that, the 2.0 liter NON turbo four is a very durable motor; it suffers from only two faults: not much power for its size and a thirst for engine oil (has high oil consumption--often uses a quart of oil between 1200 - 1500 miles per quart. If you check the oil often and add as needed, the engine will last a long time; 200,000 to 250,000 miles is not on unheard of on this motor.

The window regulator issue has been delt with; there is a service bullentin (service circular) and an extended service plan to cover the window regulator (mechanical part only) for 7 years from the date of in service to repair it. Most dealerships will just go ahead and update the cable mechanism and replace the plastic clamp with a metal one so that the system won't fail at a bad time....

If you service the car according to the factory requirements and ON TIME.. you can avoid many of the issues that plaque many owners. The issue here is having someone who knows the vehicle, performing the service on it. It doesn't have to be a dealership, a good independent VW specialist can do a nice job for less money. German cars in general just don't take well to hit and miss service. If you cannot maintain the vehicle according to the factory requirements, then, perhaps, another vehicle would be a better choice.

Since you already have the vehicle, have the a dealership run the service history on the vehicle; sometimes thru the labour operations that are posted in the history, one can determine what has been done to the vehicle. Also, have them make sure it does not have an open recall campaigns; if it does, have them perform the campaigns to prevent potential problems.

Any way, that's just my point of view from my servicing experience in various VW dealership service departments over the years. Hope this helps you out.

a car nut

The new beetles are terrible when it comes to reliability. When they break (which is everyday), it is very expensive and complicated to fix. The aircooled ones are super reliable, and when they do actually break, not only is it super cheap, you can do it all yourself. Stick to the aircooldes.

Prime

Does the Volkswagon Touareg have third row seats?

Asked by: Helen S @ 2009-06-19 11:22:20

Answers ::
just a 5 seater with no third row. There is no option to even add it.

Paul

Mrs. Mark L's doesn't

mark l

no... just simply no

adrian