New VW Bug...New TBird?

[Lindy]

Hey all,

Just heard the annoucement about the new VW bug, still a bit retro styled:

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/cars/v...aled-1.1058331

What are the odds Ford will follow suit by reviving the Thunderbird, and maybe add a supercharger?

Lindy

[Gobird]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

Slim to none. If they do it will be a 4 seater and Eco friendly car.

[Southern]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

I like the new beetle.But I am concerned about it's target audience. It may be too macho for the girls and still too feminine for the guys.They may have very carefully, with great precision, missed their target. ...

And unfortunately, Spence is right. Slim and none.
But if it wasn't tooooooo green...I would be a possible buyer.......

[jerrym3]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

None to noner.

[00mustng]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

......yawn.....

[007Cruiser]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

I hope it never happens.

[texasbird]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

I'll end up sounding like a broken record, but give us a 2-seater, still retro styled T-Bird off of the Mustang platform.

[doubutsu]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

James, great idea, don't think a new Thunderbird idea is a dead as some of you think.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

I agree that there will be another TBird. It could be a 4-seater and hopefully a convertible. Ford could learn from the mistakes with the 2002-2005 version and correct them. A far more luxurious interior with options that match the price tag.

[jerrym3]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

What killed the last TBird of the 90's?

I thought the platform was very sophisticated for it's time, but I think I also read it was too expensive to produce. (Too bad it didn't get the Mark motor.)

Took my 94 TBird to a shop the other day for an estimate on repairing some front end rattles. As the shopwoman pulled the car off the lift, she noted how nice the interior was.

Next day, went to KMart for spray paint (for my Galaxie project). As usual, I parked the car far from other parkers.

I came out and watched two people (middle aged man and his mother) walking around the car, admiring it, for a few minutes.

I think these cars have a shot at becoming a future classic as their numbers diminish.

[Chuckster]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

To see "VW and TBird" in the same sentence makes me gasp. Bought a new Jetta in 2000. It was a blast to drive, great design, but absolutely the worst car I've ever owned. Constant problems and horrible dealer support. DRIVERS WANTED commercials should have said VICTIMS WANTED. It's really a shame. There have been several VW's that appealed to me design wise, but a pretty face...we all know the rest of that story.

[Larro]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

Chuckster, I could not agree more. I sprang for a brand new Scirocco back in 1979 and that experience was enough for me to swear off of VW products for life!

[fums6]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

Interesting thread. We have an 02 Tbird and an 06 VW New Beetle convertible. Love them both. The VW is towed behind our motor home and has been all over the country. I reported earlier that recently there was a recall for the COPS. I had no problems but VW replaced them all free because they had some problems with them on other cars. I had the VW at Battleship Thunder and you can see it parked with the Tbirds on Joe's avatar. The Tbird is our baby and I don't plan on it ever leaving our nest. Love it.

[MintTbird]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

Like bob we are the previous owners of an 06 coupe and current owners of an 09 white coupe. Great little car. Haven't had problems w eithe. J Mayes did both cars I think. You can tell. The beetle has been around since 1998 in it's current form w a slight refresh in 06 . Just a little fretting up on the body. So 12 years is a pretty spectacular run for an unchanged car nowadays. The beetle sold decent numbers until it's last 3 o 4. Years as Vw screwed it by offering no advertising and striped them of options. When I got my wife current bugger it wad coupe or convertable. Auto or manual.and sunroof. Thatsbit for optionalequipment.the bug deserves it bu I don't knw we r in love...

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: New VW Bug...New TBird?

According to the latest consumer reports, VW like all European makes are lagging in reliability. The new bug looks great (will look even better in a convertible) and hopefully it won't have issues like some VW and Audi suffer from. Also I have read in several publications that VW may possibly have a problem marketing the latest bug. The new one has a more aggressive look than the original which could turn off some female buyers yet it might not be aggressive looking enough to attract male buyers.