Reviews Wanted: New Beetle Convertible

[Curry_Cap]

Hello Beetle Owners!
I've just sold my much loved Mazda Protege5 yesterday , but have been eyeing the new VW Beetle Convertible for about a year. I went to the dealer, but the newbie salesperson wasn't very well informed. I've pretty much decided I want the car on looks alone, but I can't find many owner reviews on it. I love small, zippy cars and my hubby drives a Jeep Wrangler so I'm very used to the wind noise of convertibles. Can anyone tell me what they love and don't love about their Beetle? Also very interested in the zip factor on the manual vs. automatic, are manuals hard to find? The dealer had only automatics.
Thanks for any and all responses,
C

[hako]

Do a GOOGLE search for "new beetle roadtest" or variations on that theme and you'll find quite a few....make it a worldwide search as there a some European tests plus Aussie and Yank.
We have a manual - my wife is still in love with it after 4 years of ownership. Watching her wash and polish it makes me jealous.

[duhfastest]

I would hold out for the manual.