A man driving a New Beetle.

[Flowstill]

Well, I didn't have much choice in my car. It was a hand me down, but I find it to be pretty good so I kept it. I have a black 99 beetle, turbo engine, stickshift. It was my brother's but he decided he wanted to have a WRX isntead and now is paying 500 a month for that, while I get a free 99 Beetle. I mean, it drives damn well, it's fast and so far it's been pretty reliable. I got my driver's license about a year and a half ago, I'm 20 now. Not too into car's but starting to get into my Beetle. Now here's something I've had some trouble with and it's with people judging. I mean, I stay confident with it and all but it get's on my nerves. For instance I'll be driving by some people and look in my rearview mirror after I pass and see them laughing, both guys and girls. Or one of my neighbors, some punk listening to rap, drives by with his red toyota truck with his friend and they look at me like they want to kill me. I'm not gay if that's what they are against and I seriously was thinking about trading it in after that incident. It really pisses me off. It's round, big deal! Anyways, just wanted to get that off my chest somehow. Thanks for listening and feel free to reply.

[Gruven98]

Hey Flowstill.... I think that it's cool that you got your hands on a Beetle. Most people either hate them or love them. But for those who think that guys who drive them are gay, I would have to disagree and so would a bunch more.

If you turn your browser over to www.newbeetle.org, it's the largest NB community on the web. In VW in general, there's a ton of sites. Here are just a couple. Doesn't matter what kind of VW that ya have, most Dubbers will welcome anyone with a VW.

www.vwvortex.com
www.ohiovw.com

[easelkillya]

I know 3 people that own New Beetles... a woman, a man, and a gay man. I think that says a lot about it's appeal to people of all walks of life. Some people are too narrowminded to handle that, so they make fun. People have snickered at me in my 76 Beetle, but I really don't care because I love it so much. If you like your New Beetle, I say keep it. You'll regret it if you don't.

[Flowstill]

Hey, thanks for the replies. I guess I got a little caught up in what happened with my neighbors. Actually, after posting, I've really seen the beetle. I was looking at it the other day and realized that it's an awesome looking car. I somehow released all my preconceptions and judgements and found it to be a really chill looking car. I never had a problem with the look before, but now I think I really like it. It's really funny how a large scale judgement based on sexism can effect our vision. I bet in 10-20 years time, the car will be a classic just like the first beetle.

[psalm]

You sound familiar!

Get this, a friend of mine stumbled on this thread, and asked if you were my brother because the story jogged his memory.

I'm glad you like the beetle now, it really is a great car.

-The Brother

[dexterthedog]

I picked up a new convertible beetle about a month ago. Got a few "Cheerleader Car" comments from guys at work. One of them got a new Z-06 Vette last year. My comeback was that when he got it, all the guys wanted to go for a ride. Since I got the bug - All the girls want to go for a ride.
Hmmmm.....
Where would you rather be?

[lamehonda]

Do the girls also want you to go clothes shopping with them and talk about boys?

[jeff2761]

I'm a 44 year old married man. I've owned the old air cooled beetles in the past and I bought the car for my daughters but ended up driving it more than they did. I took a little heat from the guys at work who think that all men must drive a pick-up or a macho car. I say that says more about their insecurities than my masculinity. I could care less what anyone says and I'm still driving the car.

[dexterthedog]

Hey, Lamehonda - I happen to like to take girls clothes shopping... I can think of only one or two things I'd rather do than look at a beautiful woman trying on clothes.
Oh. Perhaps I should consider that a fault of mine...
And Jeff - I'm also 44. My daily driver "is/was" a GM 4x4 shorty. And soon the 72 Road Runner with its 440 will be out of storage. And although there's nothing like the sound of those secondaries being punched wide open ($$$$)- This convertible bug is still more fun to get me/us around town everyday.
I was considering an '88 928 S4 but didn't want the maintenance headaches of that timing belt.
To anyone that's going to let ego get in the way of having fun with a car - I agree, The Beetle is definitley not for you.
After all, the bottom line is that "Calvin Stickers" on pick-ups only advertise narrow mindedness?
So 'Flowstill', Have as much fun with your beetle as you're comfortable with. I've still yet to find another car with as much interior room as a big pickup and the economical sense of a compact.

[gargalanche]

im a dude, 35 years old, married with a kid. i dont care what strangers think. new beetle is a nice ride. my wife wanted it bad, and all i insisted was black, leather seats, and no friggin flowers. i would have rather gotten another jetta, but that was a hill that i didnt want to die on.

[acneman160]

let me just say somthing and i hope lamehonda hears this, im seventeen and bought a 2001 turbo beetle also. ive had some smurks on the road untill mustangs gt's, delsol's, all civics, get beat by a 14.2 second girl car. the first thing they hear is my sweet exhast, and as i pass a loud blow off valve. the next light always complement my lowered beetle. what you got to say now. never been beaten buy a honda ride your beetle with pride knowing that your not like everyone else hooking up a honda. and last, if you own a beetle, make it fast!!!

[vamc]

I think they are neat, but DAMN...a flower pot as standerd equipment?!!

[egtor]

hay I drive a 2002 new beetle sport I have had the same thing happen but I just rev the engine and beat them off the line I have won ageints lower end musttangs. I am paying around $300 for it

sorry about the spelling

[vamc]

Damn, i know the sticks are pritty quick and i also heard they make preformance parts for them. they are using the jetta engine, in that correct?

[egtor]

no they did not useing the jetta engine in the 2002 sport they use a 150 hp turbo charged engine. I want to put 20 -50 more hp in it once the warranty run out on it.