Price: SOLD
Mileage: 101,200 Miles
Engine: 1.8-Liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder BKF Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Reflex Silver Metallic Exterior (LA7W)
Interior: Black Leather Interior
Additional features:
10-Speaker Monsoon Stereo System
Leather Steering Wheel
Heated Seats
Front and Side Curtain Airbags w/ Head Restraints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Top Cover
Power Windows
Power Convertible Top
Power Windows
Remote Power Locks
Halogen Projector Headlights
Carpet Floor Mata
Clear Bra
17-Inch Alloy Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 All-Season Tires (w/ less than 600 miles)
Recent Major Service Including the Timing Belt
2-Owner Colorado Car
Clean Carfax
The Volkswagen New Beetle was an instant success when it was released in the late 1990s. It had all of the charm and personality of its iconic air-cooled predecessor with none of the downfalls. The water-cooled engine was in the correct compartment, meaning that the gas tank was no longer above your feet and it had heat—something us air-cooled folk always longed for on cold winter days! It had the performance, convenience, and safety of a modern car—because it was a modern car. On its release, it was so popular, that Bill Gates bought one to park next to his Porsche 959. That’s because underneath that retro styling was the same performance platform as Volkswagen’s sporty hatchbacks, meaning that it had proper driving dynamics too. Then in 2003 Volkswagen evolved it further by making the New Beetle Convertible the replacement for the outgoing Mk3 (Golf) Cabrio and the drop-top beetle was reborn. Those who were smart optioned it with the 20-valve 150-horsepower 1.8T Turbo engine, one of Volkswagen’s best engines of all time. The result was the total package; retro styling, top-down motoring, and power and performance that the original Beetle never dreamed of.
This 2003 Reflex Silver New Beetle Convertible GLS Turbo is an outlier example of that total package. I purchased it as part of a bundle from a collector who favors late 1990s, early 2000 convertibles. He treated it to the same standard as his high dollar cars. He purchased it as a one-owner car in 2015 and completed a thorough round of routine and preventative maintenance at Larry H. Miller Volkswagen. The work included the timing belt, timing belt tensioner, timing belt damper, water pump, valve cover, cam seal, coolant flush, cabin air filter, engine air filter, oil and filter change, spark plugs, wiper blades, a four-wheel alignment, upper strut mounts and bearings, front brake pads and rotors, and more. At the same time he had them tidy up cosmetic items such as a left front wheel center cap, right rear marker light, left rear taillight housings, driver’s side door trim, driver’s side headliner cables, and front and rear Volkswagen emblems. The work was completed at 100,862 miles—less than 500 miles ago—and included a twenty-nine point inspection that is detailed in the records. After that, he mounted fresh Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 all-season tires. Invoices for the maintenance and the tires total over $5000! The Carfax shows no accidents, frequent oil changes, and regular dealer services under the first owner. In preparation for sale, we gave it a fresh oil change based on time interval, not mileage. The result of this stewardship makes this by far one of the best New Beetles on the market. Most examples were thoroughly enjoyed by their owners, and have fallen into various states of disrepair. Few owners would have the motivation or the means to spend nearly what the car is worth in dealer maintenance then preserve it in a collection. That is what makes this example so good! As it sits it is a turn-key car, ready to be enjoyed by its new owner and the next chapter of its life.
Reflex Silver Metallic is a fantastic color, and one that looks good whether it’s clean or dirty. At first glance it has clearly always lived indoors and been spared exposure to inclement weather. The collector registered it in Montana, but it never left his warehouse in Colorado. The paint and body are in excellent condition; they have no glaring dents, chips, or peeling clear coat. Close inspection does reveal minor nicks and scratches, the worst of which are on the passenger side door. The front bumper cover and leading edges of the hood, fenders, and mirrors are covered in Clear Bra. There is no rust. All panels are original except for the rear bumper cover, which was replaced by the previous owner. The trim, emblems, headlight lenses, and taillight lenses are all very nice. The convertible top and glass rear window are also in very good condition, as is the fitted factory cover. The windshield is crack-free, but it does have some pitting. The seventeen-inch alloy wheels are straight and true, but they do have minor curb rash. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 tires have less than 600 miles on them and DOT dates of 2015. They have virtually 100% tread remaining.
The black leather interior is also in very good condition. The heated leather seats are comfortable and supportive, the driving position is correct, and the headroom is phenomenal even for a tall guy like me! Open the door and there are no odors; it has never been smoked in. There are no stains or tears in the carpet and the factory floor mats are present. There is an extra set of front floor mats for the winter months. The steering wheel leather is in excellent shape. The driver’s seat has some bolster wear and minor creasing, but much less than you would expect for a car of this age and mileage. All power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, and the power top work; the passenger window clamp was adjusted during the recent service. The instrument cluster and displays have no failed pixels. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. There is some wear on the leather shift boot. The trunk latch is finicky, taking a firm push to close (a common issue). The trunk carpeting has no stains, and the jack and spare tire are present. All owners’ manuals are present and there is one key FOB with remote unlocks and alarm.
When you buy a used car, you buy the previous owner’s stewardship and this New Beetle Convertible has benefited from excellent stewardship. Common issues like the window regulators, brake light switch, catalytic convertors, and coolant temp sensor are not present. The 1.8T motor is the perfect compromise between power and efficiency, and one of Volkswagen’s most reliable motors. I have a friend who has nearly 300,000 miles on his, with the original turbo. In his words, “It just won’t die!” The engine starts on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. The clutch take-up is correct, it does not slip and the transmission shifts smoothly. The suspension is firm and compliant, and the brakes are strong. It passes Colorado emissions, which we completed prior to sale. As with any Volkswagen, it will need periodic routine maintenance, but thanks to its recent major service, the heavy lifting has been done and the maintenance clock has been reset on major items like the timing belt. We would like to find a new owner that will continue to be a good steward and enjoy this New Beetle Convertible for years to come.
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