2007 Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen got nostalgic and brought back one of the most unique cars ever made. Revamped in the late '90s, the Beetle has a new more rounded look and comfortable seats. It rides much smoother than its ancestors and comes in some more nontraditional colors that are cool. The body style does leave some large blind spots that make parking troublesome.

This car has serious issues. For one the braking system is horrible and has had several recalls on that alone. The problem can cause you to crash due to not being able to stop. When buying a bug, check for the recall on the year you are looking at, and make sure that they are fixed first. The electrical systems have problems ranging from the computer's software to the power window controls. As with its animal counterpart, the Beetle does not handle the cold very well. If you are in Northern areas once the winter hits, you might have problems with the starter, and a rough idle and knocking will occur.

Maintenance on this car can be tricky in some places and many local garages may not even work on Volkswagens. The parts are expensive and the labor especially,at a dealer, is excessive. Expect to pay $150-$200+ for an oil change and Volkswagens warranty inspections, plus the cost of a tune up. Scratches on the paint will happen and touch up paint is costly.

The style and ride of the New beetle are both unique and comfortable for people under 5'10". Everyone else will feel claustrophobic and will be wishing for more leg room. There is a back seat that a child or two can squeeze into but only one adult who can curl up into a ball.

Volkswagen has tried to cater to the baby boomers and wanna be hippies by bringing back the beetle. The Bugs spend more time in the dealers then should happen with cars who are barely a decade old, and though you will stand out from the crowd, Volkswagen spent too much time on useless extras such as dash board vases then it did on making a dependable car.