The Golf was/is the World Car of the Year.The writer says that the Beetle beats the Golf, among others. Highly subjective!
I've been half-considering a Golf, and have been debating 2-door vs. 4-door.My daughter would love a two door Golf and that's my constant arguement towards the four door. With the two door, your always fighting things in and out of the back seats. With four doors, it's much easier and the car is the same size.
unless the new one is built weaker, my 2000 NB TDI doors don't sag a bit even if i hang off them.On the other hand, 2-doors have a higher liklihood of sagging. That was the case on early Mk6 2-door Golfs.
We figured this issue out - reach DOWN for the belt, not up, you'll find the belt much easier to get.However, there's a downside. Get in a Beetle or a 2-door Golf, and reach for your seatbelt. It's way back there, because the B-pillar is 6 inches farther back. Yeah, there's that seat-side loop thing, but it doesn't work quite as well. With my JSW or a 4-door Golf, the seatbelt buckle is right there on the B-pillar next to your shoulder.
One of the biggest complaints I got from the kids in the back of my 2000 Beetle was not enough airflow. If they could have put the windows down, that would have cured it. Another reason I like the four door better. Of course on the convertible, I guess the back windows do go down.I think the 2-door Golf should technically be quieter, because it has only 2 doors and 2 sets of window seals. The lack of doors and the fixed windows make for less places for wind noise to come in.
On the other hand, 2-doors have a higher liklihood of sagging. That was the case on early Mk6 2-door Golfs.
I design auto interiors for a living, so I notice stuff like this more than most folks.Maybe it's just me but I test drove a used 2012 JSW with the thought of passing my 2000 NB to my wife. The problem is that I do not fit in a JSW! Being 6'1" and having long legs, my knee was smashed into the Y of the center console. have not drove a redesigned Beetle yet, no local dealers, but I still can sit in my current NB and spread out like I'm in my favorite easy chair. Bummer! Hope that the Golf 7 Estate comes to the states and has more leg room.
Surprised you don't fit well in the JSW. I'm also 6'1" and don't have any issues with legroom.Maybe it's just me but I test drove a used 2012 JSW with the thought of passing my 2000 NB to my wife. The problem is that I do not fit in a JSW! Being 6'1" and having long legs, my knee was smashed into the Y of the center console. have not drove a redesigned Beetle yet, no local dealers, but I still can sit in my current NB and spread out like I'm in my favorite easy chair. Bummer! Hope that the Golf 7 Estate comes to the states and has more leg room.
I design auto interiors for a living, so I notice stuff like this more than most folks.
I think there has been a design change that was driven by side impact standards. In my Mk4 Golf, my left knee would rest against the door trim, but my right knee was plenty far away from the center console.
In my Mk5/6 JSW, I'm no where near touching the door, and my leg is constantly rested up against the center console.
I believe VW shifted the driver's position 'inboard', to keep the occupant farther away from the door and improve side-impact ratings. Putting more of a buffer between you and sheet metal....and the other car's bumper that is trying to shove into it. To have a 5-star crash rating is a big thing for the automakers.
And then, one of those new Volkswagen Beetles appeared. I barely took any notice...until, the door swung open, and there emerged...a giant! A fat giant! He seemed to get out without stress or strain...with dignity even!
Tom and Ray referred to Daniel as one of the "circumferentially challenged!"If you've been a fan of NPR, you may remember the name Daniel Pinkwater. He once lavished praise on the New Beetle as being a great great car for 'large' guys like himself -- easy to get in and out of.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/daniel-pinkwater-fat-city