Its true that VW beetles are not for everyone. I guess Im one of those ebsessed (or formerly obsessed) with the beetles; the real beetles, not the front engined 'retros'. I enjoyed driving my 6volt beetle enormously, was sad when the belly pan got so rusty that I could see the ground passing beneath me in more than one location. I would happily get another one - but an unrusted one costs much more than my 94 Ford Escort did - which is about as much fun, a lot quieter, & has a real heater as well as a.c. I also had a 1971 VW bus, which was great fun as long as there were not crosswinds. I sold it because we got emissions testing in N.VA, and the air cooled VWs were almost impossible to get to pass the tests. Now that they are old enough to be emissions exempt, If I saw a bargain on a beetle (1962-1965) or a bus (1968-1972) or a vanagon with a manual trans, I would be glad to have it.
If I lived in a place with hilly streets like Seattle or San Francisco, I probably would not want one.
My sister and her hubby live in Long Beach. They have a 1970 bus and a 1968 type III squareback. They plan to keep them till they are too old to drive. They enjoy being exempt from the smog tests.
The secret to the car being comfy for me, was to make the seat bottom less tilted, and to alter the seat back so I could recline it more than normal. I also bent the shift lever so I could reach it into 3rd without moving my shoulder. Plus I got the seats re-upholstered in fabric (in exchange for a new clutch in a Karman Ghia).