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Road Tests: Long-Term Test
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
May, 1999
By editors at Edmunds.com
Date Posted 01-01-1999
As reported last month, our long-term New Beetle had suffered a few problems and was in need of a 20,000-mile service. So, we left the yellow Bugster at McDonald Automotive Group, which handles Volkswagen in Littleton, Colo., and they went to work. According to the owner's manual, the following is performed on diesel New Beetles at 20,000 miles:
- change engine oil
- replace oil filter
- drain water from the separator
- check timing belt
- check coolant level
- check for engine leaks
- check for exhaust system damage and leaks
- check on-board diagnosis fault memory and purge, if necessary
- check brake system for damage, leaks and fluid level
- check brake pad thickness
- check manual transmission oil level, leaks
- check windshield washer fluid level
- lubricate door straps
- check battery electrolyte level
- check air pressure and condition of all tires, including spare
- check drive shaft boots
- rotate tires and wheels
- check operation of automatic shift lock system
- during a road test, check brakes, transmission, steering, heating and ventilation, electrical system, air conditioning and power accessories
- replace fuel filter replace dust and pollen filter
Everything was covered under warranty, since VW handles all maintenance for the first two years and 24,000 miles of a car's life. McDonald also replaced our brake fluid, which is supposed to be done every two years. The broken seatback release lever on the driver's side was repaired under warranty as well.
Next, the McDonald body shop gave us an estimate of $1,119.86 to repair the broken fog light, scraped right front bumper and paint chips on the upper left rear bumper. The estimate was high because the bumpers have to be removed in order to repair those scratches. In order to remove the bumpers, the fenders also have to come off, making this a labor-intensive process. We may decide simply to fix the fog light for $123.80 and live with the botched paint.
The car was ready on time and the folks at McDonald seemed to bend over backward and sideways to ensure that our visit was pleasant. As we drove away, we noticed that the temperature light was on and called to ask about it. Evidently, this is common for all New Beetles until the engine is warmed up.
Because our diesel Bug makes such prodigious torque down low in the rev range, it launches itself from a stop with surprising alacrity. The engine runs out of steam quickly as revs build, however, so selecting the next gear is required to maintain momentum. His inclination is to rev it to extract more power, but that only results in lots of black smoke and plenty of diesel clatter, along with an unnecessary reduction in fuel economy.
One staffer commented that the steering and brakes are communicative and, with a seat height adjuster and telescoping steering wheel, a perfect driving position is easy to find. The car is fun to drive, but feels under-suspended, particularly in front. Minor dips bottom the front suspension easily, and there is significant understeer at the limit of handling.
Much to our dismay, our Colorado driver discovered that the New Beetle's exhaust is a bit stinky, especially after pulling into the garage at night or starting the car prior to leaving in the morning. It is also noisy, but the clatter recalls the charming putt-putt of the old air-cooled Beetle, so it is actually endearing rather than bothersome--at least to us.
Unfortunately, the plastic interior of our long-term car rattles incessantly, the tiny pictograms on the stereo and climate controls are difficult to see, and the fuel door release works intermittently. Our editor-in-chief also found that driving around in a lemon yellow Beetle with fake sunflowers in the bud vase was an experience so humbling that even Viagra couldn't help. Though he doesn't consider himself a guy hung up on a macho image, he wishes we would have chosen another color or had tinted windows installed.
This month, our editor-in-chief strapped his two-year-old daughter into her car seat with ease when the front passenger seat was in its forward-most position, and managed to get a week's worth of groceries into the New Beetle's trunk without problem. The New Beetle makes a lot of sense for a single person, a second car for a family, or fun wheels for retirees to tow behind the RV in the summer. But don't you dare drive it with a scowl on your face.
Total Odometer Reading: 21,976
Best Fuel Economy: 45.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 35.4 mpg
Body Damage: $0
Maintenance Costs: $0
Problems: Electric fuel door release acting up.
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