felixsc300

iTrader: (5)

Men have the GTI. Leave the Beetles for the women.

mmarshall

Like I said before, FORGET the stereotypes. They are a bunch of nonsense. There are more males out there (yes, straight males) driving Beetles than you think.

IS-SV

How about let's forget the argument that the new BEETLE's problem is about stereotypes. Stereotypes didn't cause it's downward sales spiral.

It's a mediocre, non-functional cartoonish-looking car that doesn't deliver. Very few enthusiasts even consider it when shopping for a small car these days.

primecut

iTrader: (1)

As a previous owner of a yellow new beetle turbo, I can tell you that there were plenty of enthusiasts for this car, male and female. My car was also modded and there were plenty of aftermarket support. Its sales are down not because the car is mediocre, but because it is OLD and have not been revised. When it first came out, it was one of the hottest selling cars just like the mini, and its resale value was excellent.

I'm not sure what's considered non-functional, but the shape of the new beetle allowed a very airy and roomy cabin feel that was unrivaled by any other car in its class. In fact, that was one of the things that I enjoyed most about the beetle. It may be considered mediocre now, but back when it came out, the car competed very well with other cars in its class.

Kudos to mmarshall for pointing out these nonsensical stereotypes. I see just as many women driving the IS as the Beetle, so I'm guessing the IS is a feminine car as well?

mmarshall

Agreed. It is certainly not the most space-efficient car I've seen, especially compared to its brother Golf hatchbacks.

IS-SV

But you like most enthusiasts didn't consider it in your recent purchase. I don't buy into the female vs. male thing either. But the weak sales numbers lately speak for themselves. And the airy *** backwards shape is novel for sure. Wonderful, back in the day it was cool...........

Och

iTrader: (3)

Hey mmarshall, I usually agree with your opinion when it comes to pretty much everything, but I gotta disagree with this one. The Bettle is indeed a girly car, but I don't see anything wrong with that. It does appeal to females, and it was obviously designed by VW to appeal to them. It is certainly fine, as there are plenty of cars that are designed to appeal to males.

As far as straight males buying and enjoying the Bettle, I don't see anything wrong with that either. Beetle is one of these "love it or hate it" cars, so more power to those who love it (as long as its not pink )

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

This could be it

primecut

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. In the context of present day, the NB is definitely outdated and mediocre. VW's strategy on this car is total failure after the initial model years. They could learn a thing or two from BMW in regards to the mini.

FKL

The car is riding on the MKIV Golf platform and is nearly ten years old. That's why sales are down. I don't know where you are getting your information, or have ever let alone sat in or drove a New Beetle, but it's huge inside and drives very well (it's a Golf). Double that with interior quality that still outpaces modern cars (including the new MKV Golf), and you may want to recheck your "mediocre" label, or at least back it up with something more than "I don't like the styling".

mmarshall

Fine. feel free to disagree with me anytime (as you sometimes do in the debate threads)....I don't mind at all. But, in this case, it sounds like you're arguing with yourself, not me. On one hand, you call the Beetle a girly car, then say that there is no problem with straight males driving it (which is true). However, you are correct that the Beetle is very popular with females....I made that clear in my earler posts. But then, so is the Miata attractive to females....yet plenty of males drive them too (including one of our well-respected CL moderators).

My point is that I don't believe in stereotypes when it comes to buying and driving cars. I myself drive a car (an Outback) that is known to be popular with females and left-wingers.....yet I am a straight, somewhat right-wing white male.

And as for pink cars having a "feminine" stereotype, that is only in recent decades. In the 1950's, pink was a popular color nationwide, especially in two-tone pinks and whites. Elvis Presley, one of the most male, "macho" singers who ever lived, not only drove pink Cadillacs, but with his enormous wealth, gave them as gifts to his friends and family. In 1971, the tough Plymouth Hemi Barracuda muscle-car was offered in a magenta-pink color.
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen, another rather macho male singer, sang about pink Cadillacs in the famous album "Born in th U.S.A"
And as for pink

mmarshall

Arguably, yes, but it is difficult to determine why sales are down....it is more than just an aged platform. It still, even after 10 years, looks like nothing else on the road....its styling has remained exclusive. And look at how long the original Beetle went (1936-2005)


Yes, the Beetle, like most German cars, has good, solid sheet metal and exterior trim (except the plastic fenders) and its general level of fit/finish is not bad, but, I disagree somewhat (not a huge amount) on the interior. Like some other VWs, the interior does not impress me with the general hardware, which, to me, feels tinny....especially controls and stalks. And the enormous expanse of dash in front of the driver, IMO is ridiculous....it could double as an aircraft carrier.

LexFather

More than any car in the world, no matter what vehicle we offer to buy my mother...the first thing out her mouth is Beetle...baby blue....convertible..Beetle.

Sure, guys buy it but it what it is.

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

I have to agree here with some folks mmarshall. When I think of beetle, I automatically think of feminine.
Old school beetle did something that distinguished it from one sex only to making it a unisex car.


When you compare that one to a modern day beetle, the modern one is just a bubble. When you think of bubbles, you don't think masculine or tough. I would rock the old beetle for sure, but the recent one... I think I'll pass. Plus I heard that particular model gave TONS of problems and consumer reports showed it had tons of issues in general.

Also if you notice in the pictures in a few posts above, you will see the nose has been extended outward. Perhaps they are trying to pull it out to make it more similar to the older model in body shape and perhaps make it more attractive to male consumers?

IS-SV

Whatever, so it's mediocre and ugly, certainly none of us want one.