Used 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Consumer Reviews
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Beetle Convertible Defect
My dream car, a 2014 VW Beetle Convertible soon became a nightmare. Noisy, inconsistent, & unpredictable, it spent way too much time in the Service Department than on the road. After they claimed it was fixed by VW Engineers, I was driving down HWY 111 when the convertible control panel fell out of the roof nearly hitting me in the face as it swung back-and-forth almost causing an accident. The VW corporation ended up replacing that vehicle with the same model. Unfortunately, the new Beetle had all the same serious bugs as the last one. When I contacted the VW corporation again, they blew me off. Now, I want to warn others about these cute but potentially dangerous cars. If you want to waste
Head rests too limiting
Haven't had it long but so far I love it. Fun to drive with lots of spunk. The cons are: climate control is either too much or not enough. Doesn't seem to be much of a middle road; Major issue with visibility. The head rests in back present a big blind spot when backing out. Of course the camera helps but can't give visual past each sides limits. I don't see any way around this without reducing size of headrests. After owning the car for awhile now I still have the same two complaints - limited visibility due to size of headrests and lack of adjustments with climate control. The convertible top operation is very smooth and easy to operate. Still really like the car.
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- 1.8T S ConvertibleMSRP: $9,899120 mi away
- 1.8T Denim PZEV ConvertibleMSRP: $27,590177 mi away
- 1.8T S PZEV ConvertibleMSRP: $13,995354 mi away
Classy,sex and spunky
I have a 2015 Volkswagen Convertible Beetle. I LOVE this car. I travel for work and am on and off the expressways. I often have to parallel park in Chicago and fit into tight spaces. I get around 35 miles to the gallon on expressway. And...don't get me started on the excitement of the turbo power getting on the expressway. This is by far the best car I have ever owned. Let's talk dependability..... unbelievably the best! I have almost 160,000 miles and nothing but normal maintenance has been needed. I drive mine year around. Living in Michigan I get alot of snow. And living on the lake even more snow. I have never had a issue getting around in the winter. Summer's driving in between appointments is a total destresser with the top down. This car is a must have.
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Automotive antidepressant!
My VW Beetle Convertible is perfect in the city for urban driving while also being remarkably comfortable and well suited to the highway for long trips. It has just enough features to make it feel modern without going overboard and having too much gimmickry and engineering. The styling is excellent, interior room is abundant (even for tall drivers like me), and performance is peppy and smooth as silk. I regard this car as underrated and under-appreciated by the reviewers. Anyone who drives it for even one day will be grinning from ear to ear.
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A Beetle that drives FAR BETTER than expected!
The R-Line Beetle is a very fun niche car--you need to know what you're getting into or you may not be satisfied. The DSG transmission can feel jerky in stop and go LA traffic--it was built for open road and great shifting and excels at that. The turbo takes a minute to spin up from a stop, but cruising down the road the power is always there, always available and it's ready to get out of the way in an instant. Everybody wants to compare the Beetle to the Golf GTI--why? If you've never driven a Golf GTI you'll be worlds ahead in enjoying this Beetle as it is; it's not a Golf. Ours is a convertible and "Denim" colored--yes, powder blue. Nobody takes the car seriously because it's always being described as "cute". This is fine as the Beetle is a blast to drive and my first freeway trip I kept thinking "there's no way I'm in a Bug moving through traffic as nimbly as I am". It is really unassuming to take everything you think you know about Beetles and actually drive one of the new Bugs. The strange thing about the R-line, or any loaded Beetle, is that it has great technology, just not all the technology you think it should have. The seats are manual adjustment with a pump action to raise or lower them. The mirrors are not mono-chromatic--to compensate I''ve discovered I can drive with the windscreen up at night (even with top closed) and it helps filter bright headlights. Not having monochromatic mirrors really sucks with todays headlight technology capable of blinding you on dark roads as happens frequently on my 5 hour road trips in the car. Our R-Line has blind side monitors and back up camera, which is desperately needed as the blind spots are huge in this car. It does have an incredibly outstanding Fender sound system--hands down the clearest, best sounding stereo I've experienced in a car. It has booming bass, treble is crytal clear and the volume is loud enough to leave your ears ringing if you desire. As for the convertible operation, you hold the button to open or close the lid, no latches to undo, and it'll raise or lower your windows when finishing the operation. Also, you can click and hold the vehicle remote twice while standing next to the car to open or close the lid as well. There is surprisingly usable trunk space. The back seat does not work very well as a backseat, way too uncomfortable for anything other than a ride around the block. Overall, I love the car despite the quirks it has. It does have "Sport mode" for the transmission, which I call the fun button because it makes the car even more fun to drive and I didn't think that was possible. Sport mode changes the shift patterns and keeps the engine in its RPM's longer which really brings out more of the engines power and pulls like a small freight train--you can actually get pulled back into your seat as the turbo does its magic. The car performs very nimbly in and out of gaps of slow moving traffic and pulls hard up mountain inclines. Its really a blast to drive. Interior space is great--for two people. I'm a large guy at 270 pounds and fit very comfortably with ample shoulder and arm room. Bottom line, this is the funnest car I've ever driven due to its prowess, easy to lay down power and drop top. I get a smile every time I jump in for a ride and try to keep the top down as often as possible. It is a car for people who are not ok blending in with every 4 door sedan that looks just like every other 4 door sedan. It is instantly recognizable and thoroughly modernized.
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getta up and go...
This car "silver moon metallic Classic" receives kudos from so many drive by's!! Very peppy and fast starts. Very much a keeper! No service issues in 4 years!
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Surprising!!!
Last summer I decided to live out one of my dreams. My mom has just retired and also shared a similar dream and that was drive up the PCH from LA to Sab Francisco in a convertible. After doing a bunch of research on rental car companies we chose on that we felt would work for our needs. Much to my disappointment upon arrival we were told that there are three cars available for us non of which where un my list of cars to rent or had a big American V8. My choices where a baby blue beetle convertible or a purple Miata. Knowing that we would be spending the next two weeks on the road and where going to have friends in the car with us we chose the Beetle. I was familiar with VW as I had a TDI Jetta at the time so the interior was very familiar. We through both suitcases in the trunk and they both fight surprisingly. I put the top down with ease and programmed the Bluetooth so that I could get some direction on where I was going which took all of 3 minutes. With my destination plugged we head off Oceanside, Ca which is about 90 miles south of LA. Getting in the highway I heard the distinct sound of a turbo whistling and thought to myself that this may not be as bad as I thought. We drove the 90 miles with the top down and the heated seats on and had no problems. We stopped twice on the way down to get some food and water and a bathroom break and each time we stopped there was a comment on the car. My disappointment started to turned around. With the top down, the ocean breezing filling the cabin and the stereo cranked I was really started to enjoy the car. We had no problems hearing the radio with the top down either and I was even able to make a phone call using the Bluetooth and on the other end the person could hear me just fine. After spending several days in Oceanside with some friends and a few dinner runs with four people in the car I was very surprised with how much this convertible could do. The next stop was San Pedro and again we had no issues with the car. Evening sitting in the terrible LA traffic everything seemed perfect. After two nights in San Pedro it was time for the main event. Two days on the PCH with the top down and an overnight stay in Morrow Bay. We headed first thing in the morning and sat in traffic for 2 hours before we made it up to the PCH and after several days in the car already the seats became a little uncomfortable. Both my mom and I had the heated seats cranked hoping to keep the pain at bay. We finally made it to the PCH and we started getting into the curvy bits. I started pushing the little bug hard into the corners. I was not disappointed and the German engineering was really starting to show. There was very little body roll even with the top down and it did everything I asked it to without hesitation. We finally made it to Morrow Bay and filled up the car after driving aggressive and was very happy with the gas mileage. It got 27 MPG which by the way was the worst tank I saw on this 2200 mile trip. During our stop in morrow bay I had several comments like "cool car" and even had a conversation with a VW hippie. The next day we headed to San Fran and Mom and I had come to the conclusion that the seats are pretty bad on long trips. It got to the point that we didn't really enjoy sitting in the car anymore. Granted this was a brand new car. I think once the car had more miles on it they would become more comfortable. One the 2nd key I got behind a new mustang convertible with a man and his wife driving and I don't know if he was not confident with the car or what but even at moments when he was driving like me I was able to keep with him and felt like I couldn pretty much tear that mustang a new one on curvy road with this beetle. Anyways in conclusion the things I liked about the car is the power, the handling, and the looks. I had a couple of people comment on how it looks like an old 356 Porsche which gave me the confidence that this car is no longer just for women. The gas mileage was amazing even with my abusing the car for 4 days. I think the best tank I saw was 33mpg. The things I didn't like. The seats are uncomfortable and hope that down the road they would break in. The only other thing I didn't like was the when the top was up you can forget about seeing over shoulders. With the top up you are unable to see what is next to you on the highway and in parking lot situations. It was actually a little spooky. Other than that I was very impressed with the car. I would rent one again and may even consider buying one if I was in the market for a convertiable.
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So far so good
No issues at all...car has been a dream and totally fun, Iconic ride..Rline package makes it look awesome....great beach and summer car !!
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Excellent Engine; poor interior mechanics
I went for a red TDI 2014 convertible! The car is very fun, and gets excellent gas mileage. Within a week I noticed several defects to interior workmanship. The worst one was the rubber liner that goes along the windows and convertible connection. The driver side is perfect. The passenger side has an extra centimeter of rubber that sticks out with much wind noise I can push the rubber piece so that it closes the gap, and the whistling goes away. A couple of other sucky items are the front passenger seat quick release and the driver seat leatherette lining. The entire passenger seat had to be replaced bc somthing broke. The manager said he mayhave to replace the seat liner. too many defects
My first Bug since 1970. That Bug cost me $2070.
Check value/price with Edmunds on line. Do your homework
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My Cup Cake
Really fun car - you can run with the (...pretty) big dogs and still get 28 mpg overall - and put four folks in the car with the top up or down.
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sorry to see you go
well engineered, fun to drive, no major mechanical problems. if they were to make a 2019 model i would lease again
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Gram Team's car
Love the car! Have had 5 now! Rides great, fun, great gas mileage.
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Such a fun Convertible
I love everything about Beetle convertible! I have now owned it for 18 months and still absolutely love it! I have had no major problems with it now at nearly 42,000 Only disappointment is that I was given a $200 credit card from Edmunds and I lost it :( I found it a month later and they said it was expired and would not honor it any longer. Super sad about that.
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Turbo-cab!
We found the car for almost 2 years it's been a wonderful experience.
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Back in love with the Beetle.
Purchased this car brand new in 2014. I have brought this car back to the dealership at least five times. Idiot lights on dash keep going on and off. Passenger visor falls off. Door screws keep coming loose. Right front reflector has fallen off. Bluetooth is a toothache. Transmission skips. All under warranty that has been repaired at least once and still fails to be corrected.. Since then everything has been rectified. It’s a blast to drive. Extremely quick and nimble. Tons of compliments. Behaves nicely.
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2014 conv light blue bug.
My wife bought this used VW in 2018, (its the same color as the1970 light blue beetle which was very cramp and uncomfortable inside) pros: This car has plenty of room in front seats and then some, it rides like a Cadillac and handles like a sports car, I love the automatic, manual or sport mode transmission, heated seats and mirrors, 3 led colors for speakers and door molding, the top and windows go down in 12 seconds even while moving, (under 20 mph) the Fender stereo w/cd player is the absolute best oem stereo system I have ever heard, the trunk space is a little small but you can fold down the seats to fit bigger stuff in the trunk, and 27 MPG. cons: no room in the back seat, and you cant park outside in the winter, the windows freeze, they wont open. other than that this is a fun car to drive
Love the look but breaks down constantly
My car has a little over 79,000 mi on it and it seems like every few months something breaks down requiring fixing. Whether it be the battery, certain parts, the engine, or the FSC, it seems like things stop working more than the car is worth. It seems to work a lot better in warm weather (places above freezing). The windows freeze and sometimes make it hard to open or close the door properly in winter. The rubber rim for the trunk had to be replaced after leaking all over and causing mold from rain. (I had to select a model to enter this review but I’m not sure which model so I randomly picked one. It’s a 2014 yellow convertible vw beetle)
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Ode to Joy
I bought this certified used car from a local VW dealer, in 2017, with 18000 km. I only drive it during summers and store parked in unheated garage in winter. With its cheery yellow colour, it brings me joy whenever I see it, drive it and even wash it. I get compliments regularly, along with smiles and thumbs up. This little car squeals off the line, handles beautifully and "runs like snot". The interior is simple yet thoughtful, all controls are easily within reach. Three hiccups, one simply addressed, one warranty replacement and one that eluded the dealership but drained my battery and bank card. With a new battery (and new dealership for ongoing maintenance), the problem still exists but I found a dollar store workaround that I can live with. I'm too old to be racing it like a kid, but every once in a while on an open country highway.... I've often told people: "Designed by Porsche, Inspired by Audi, Priced by Toyota". This car has German engineering and precision written all over it. Never did I ever think I would have bought a VW Beetle but now in my 7th summer, here we are. Update: over last summer's driving season, I got a "squeal" out of my back passenger tire/wheel. It got progressively worse (louder and longer) and was really annoying. By the time I got to the dealership, mechanic could not duplicate or locate issue. Finally in desperation, I left the vehicle overnight and was there when cold-started in morning. Mechanic and I drove around the lot a few times with the squeal finally occurring in his presence. The service advisor came out in a while with a smirk on his face saying "we couldn't find anything wrong" $55.00 please! The squeal was gone for exactly two days and then it returned. Have to find a different mechanic at start of next driving season. Very disappointed in the VW dealership. It will get fixed, but it's crimping my joy in the meanwhile.
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RLine not meant for big bottoms
Beetle R-line front seats are not comfortable for those of us with "larger bottoms" and legs. Also, expensive for a car in this segment.
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Great car
We use it for a promotional car for our local business, and people love it.
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Volks
Great Car for younger Driver.
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Beetle or bug!!
My first bug was a 1969. My hubby and I also own a Jaguar F series and a Ram Laramie Dually. We also own a bug cause I wanted to go retro. My bug is a convertible with stick shift and TDI series. It’s so easy to drive around, great mileage and comfort. I will trade it in ONLY if VW comes out with a electric......
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Summer Bug
Very good on gas, almost nothing for insurance, Looking to get another one for Wife. Super Happy 😍
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Beautiful Denim Blue Convertible
Great car. Just didnt have the safety features I'm looking for.
Soulshine!!
I LOVE this car!
Das auto das-aster
Car hestitates significantly when starting from a standstill. A service guy said it's due to chain driven transmission. It sucks...a safety issue potentially if you had to get out of the way. Crummy mileage on high test. Very noisy interior. Tires very noisy after rotation. Rear seat non existent.
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