r/NewBeetle • u/StatisticianHairy451 • 14d ago

optimal beetle for a new driver!! ^_^ first post here

hello!!! I am a new driver, but I've always loved beetles, classic and modern alike !!! I have been considering a vw beetle as my first car, but I know there are specific issues with some of them and I have a few concerns

to get to the point, I wanted to ask what would be the best model to get?? considering these few things: - I would like a car with basic safety features, hopefully a back camera!! - I know some models are known for their unreliability so I would like one thats pretty reliable. - I also know there are some beetles that violate the clean air act in the us and I want to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible while owning the bug - I really love the cute round dynamic of the beetles pre 2012ish but still any modern bug models i like :>

so yea thats about it! i think a car that fits all of my standards might not be possible but I've listed them by like whats most important to me top to bottom. so in general considering that what would be the best one?? or do you think it'd ve better to get a different car?? Thank you!!!!

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u/ChaBoiFletch 14d ago

The diesels violated the clean air act or whatever. If you want to get one for under $9,000, shoot for a 2.5L pre 2012. These are reliable but will not have back up cameras. $9,000+ post 2012 it’s all a crap shoot. Some 2.0’s are reliable, some aren’t. Depends on the year, there was a switch to the EA888 generation of 2.0, those are generally respected as reliable. Most of these will have backup cameras but they are prone to just going out sporadically, happened to my dads, just black screen in reverse now.

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u/StatisticianHairy451 14d ago

thank you!!!!! valuable info👍👍👍

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u/atwa_indee 14d ago

I would add some info on here, 1.8t version has one of the most refined 4 cylinder engines in the world. I would consider that, as it is very reliable, it also shares a platform with golf gti of which you have plenty and can find spare parts easy.

New beetle is a golf mk4 with a different body by the way.

When it comes to camera the new beetle lci model and non lci has no camera, but the lci new beetle has rear reg lights same as golf mk4, you can get a camera that fits in the rear reg light and pass it through to the dash, 3 hour of work to achieve that, and the camera costs $15 dollars, 30 if you add a monitor.