2013 Beetle 2.5L

[bigfei2000]

Down to a couple choices, thinking of purchasing the 2013 Beetle 2.5L. This will be my first car and I really don't know much about autos. Wondering if you guys can help me out to make the final decision be commenting on the car's performance vs. maintenance vs. features/specs vs. resale value, best in layman's terms. Thank you, much appreciated!

[65comet]

What I don't like about the 2.5L is the transmission is geared wrong. You can shift into top gear at 35 mph. So if you spend a lot of time on the highway where the speed limit is 70 mph, you are driving another 35 mph in that high gear and it kills your mileage. It is rated 22 city/ 31 hwy mpg, but that is if you aren't going over 55. I bet if they were smart about the trans, they would have an economical car getting close to 50 MPG. It drives me crazy seeing the tach at 2,500 rpm at 60 mph in 5th gear, when I'm in a 2002 V6 Escape 4x4 auto overdrive (4th gear) at 60 mph is only at 1,800 rpm. And the Escape is getting 28 hwy mpg with all the extra weight, one less gear, 4x4 and they both are .5L per cylinder on their engines.

[veedubmechanic]

2.5 is a poor engine.
The turbo gas engine is fun to drive. A friend of mine bought the turbo sport model and loves it!

[bigfei2000]

Thank you! Just purchased the beetle turbo and loves it!!!