Overview of the Volkswagen Beetle
When Hitler demanded an affordable car for the German people in the 1930s, the result was the Type 1 - or The Beetle as it became more commonly known. Volkswagen went all retro for a successor, which was not introduced until 2000 and called the New Beetle. It was a very different car, however: based on the Golf hatchback, it was front-wheel drive with the engine up front - the opposite of the original. A new-generation model, this time called The Beetle, was introduced in 2013, though was dropped three years later in Australia due to slow sales.
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE GENERATIONS (SINCE 2003)
2000-2013
2013-2016
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption
1.4 4-cylinder supercharged: 6.4 to 6.8 litres per 100km
1.9L 4-cylinder turbo diesel (pre-2013): 5.6 litres per 100km
1.6L 4-cylinder (pre-2013): 7.7 to 8.3 litres per 100km
2.0L 4-cylinder (pre-2013): 8.8 to 9.3 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
Every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever is sooner. Each service currently costs between $418 and $737. Volkswagen Beetle parts and accessories can be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (2013 ON)
Being based on Volkswagen Golf mechanicals, the latter-day Beetle carries the same caveats when shopping for one second-hand. Those start with the DSG transmission which must shift cleanly and decisively and not shudder during take-offs from a standing start. If it doesn't satisfy those criteria, it could be worn internally and they're not cheap to fix or replace. The seven-speed, dry-clutch version of VW's DSG gearbox (the one fitted here) was the brand's most troublesome version of this technology. The engine, too, is a complex piece of work and when it's going properly it's an amazing unit with great performance and astounding economy. But the engine with a turbocharger AND a supercharger needs competent servicing if it's to survive. Even then, we've heard of engines with damaged piston rings and stretched timing chains, so a pre-purchase trip to an independent specialist for a health check is good advice.