You Ain’t Cool
September 29, 2006 – 7:39 pm by Matt Radel
Filed under Rants, Volkswagen New Beetle
Especially if you’re this guy.
So I’m minding my own business, sitting at a stoplight waiting to take the ramp to get on the interstate when I hear tires screech in the lane next to me. Peeking in my rearview mirror I see a silver turbo Beetle a few cars back obnoxiously inching up on the car in front of it, anxious to tear off as soon as possible. As I sigh and shake my head, the light turns green and I remember that my lane ends on the ramp. I merge toward the middle (after checking my blind spot and seeing no one close to me), as I get closer to the highway, still minding my own business.
Just as the two lanes had almost become one, I hear the same screech directly to my left and the silver Beetle blazes past me, forcing me to swerve. Expecting a bleach blonde twenty something tanning saloon employee (forgive my overgeneralizations as I write this, it’s obvious that I was pretty pissed) to be at the wheel, I give the driver a good hard look as the glorified chick car breezes past me. Imagine my surprise when it turns out to be a twenty something dude. Sporting a sweater vest, black horn rim glasses and a wild nest of hair, this weezer video reject was rockin’ the fully extended left arm AND the gansta lean. That’s right. He knew he was a badass.
Well, I gotta news flash for all of you that fit this description and attempt to run a fellow VW owner off the road:
YOU DRIVE A FREAKIN’ BEETLE!!! YOU AIN’T COOL (OR MANLY) NO MATTER WHAT ENGINE IS IN IT!!!! CHICKS WILL NOT DIG YOU, AND YOU WON’T IMPRESS ANYONE!!!!
Unless, of course, you’re this guy. As I watched him shrink in the distance and fly past others, my anger turned to pity. This dude obviously has no clue. I feel sorry for him, and only hope that he finds this post and realizes the err of his ways. And a word of advice to everyone else: don’t try to run any black Golfs off the road in Cincy. I WILL write about you.
You Ain’t Cool
September 29, 2006 – 7:39 pm by Matt Radel
Jackass drivers, they’re everywhere.
There still are some Beetles that I always turn my head for, “chick car” or not.
I owned a New Beetle for seven years, and I never considered it a “chick car.” I’ve seen people of all ages, both genders, and all colors driving New Beetles – it’s truly a “People’s Car” worthy of the name. Some famous people (none of them “chicks” ) who own – or have owned – New Beetles include:
Alice Cooper
Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing on “Dallas”)
“Hulk” Hogan
Lyle Lovett
In my opinion, the clown in the New Beetle that Mrad described above was uncool mainly because of his pushy, aggressive driving style. His choice of car had nothing to do with it.
Sorry Bill, I don’t mean to offend. Granted, this guy was a jackass and I wanted to rip on him in any way that I could. I’d never make fun of/think less of someone just because they’re a dude rockin’ a New Beetle. I’ve got nothing against people of any color, shape or age that drive New Beetles, but I think most folks would agree that the majority of people who drive them are women. And we at VB are not the first ones to make this statement. If ya don’t believe me, do a find on “chick car” on any of the web pages below:
autos.yahoo.com
autofieldguide.com
findarticles.com
I mean, it has a spot for a flower base in the dash for cryin’ out loud. BUT Alice Cooper and Hulk Hogan do wonders for the car’s image. VW should put them on some commercials….
Anyway, like I said – don’t mean to offend Bill. Dudes choose to drive ‘em (which I’ve heard has actually helped their standing with the ladies) but I still stand by statement that the New Beetle is a chick car.
Well, Mrad, I’ve seen an equal number of male and female drivers behind the wheels of New Beetles, so I still respectfully disagree with your classifying it as a “chick car” – it’s more than just that. As for the flower vase holder, that was based on a popular aftermarket accessory available in the 1950′s. Freeman and Mays put it in the car strictly for its “retro” nostalgia value, and not necessarliy to appeal to female drivers.
I also disagree with any magazine or website that attempts to pigeonhole the New Beetle by calling it a “chick car.” I guess what it comes down to is it’s all a matter of personal taste, and each of us has his or her own opinions. And in my humble opinion, the New Beetle is a car for everyone.
Sure it’s for everyone – but I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree :)
You know its strange… I’m a male baby boomer. I just recently purchased an 2006 Gecko Green TDI Beetle. I traded a very manly 2001 Nissan Maxima that dished out 227 HP; and I got the 21 MPG to prove it.
I went with the Beetle because to find a TDI Jetta loaded up with options like my Beetle was too hard to find and overly expensive. So… I thought what not try something different.
Back in the 70′s men were the primary drivers of the old Beetles; my dad drove a Beetle for a while. Gas was cheap back then; but driving the Chevy pick-up everyday with the 396 CID V8 still wasn’t practical even for him.
No one referred to the Beetles as chick cars back then; they were just called bugs. No one was catagorized for what they drove. Life was simpler back then. Heck.. I even drove a 68 VW Squareback during H.S. It was a great little car; no one ever made a comment about it being a chick car.
My wife gave me hell about the car before I closed the deal on the Beetle. She too said it looks like what a college girl would drive… LOL!!! That just set me off to want the car even more. When you buy a different car people obvioulsy notice all the other drivers with the same kind of car.. Here in MO; I’ve noticed about 50/50 male and female drivers of bugs… I mean new Beetles.
I like the car myself.. package 2 loaded the car with almost all the options my Maxima GLS had; leather; great stereo; roof… delete 127HP and add 20 MPG and that’s the Beetle… well with the exception that it still looks like an inverted bathtub; and now the Beetles have heat and airconditioning unlike the air cooled ones from 30 years ago. My two son’s never have a hard time finding it in a crowded parking lot since its different.
VW changed the styling ever so slightly beginning in 2006 to attract more of the male market. They did a good job because adding those 17 inch wheels really got my attention.. the V-Dubs give it that sporty look that I like so much; add in package 2 and exceptional fuel economy and the purchase was a no brainer.
So… everyone has a right to their opinions I suppose. I see women daily driving large F-150 4WD Trucks. They drive what they want for their own personal reasons. They may need the hauling capacity ect… I initially looked into a New Beetle because of the high MPG I would get from the TDI engine… I’ve found it is far from a chick car… it’s an exceptional vehical that I would recommend to anyone who’s looking to save money on high fuel costs and keep the luxuries comparable to a BMW 3 series.
Heck yeah, the New Beetles are great cars! I was struck by the addition of the 17″ wheels too – very nice. And a TDI, that rocks. Enjoy it during while gas is this friggin’ high!
i own the silver turbo new beetle, once owned by hulk hogan. and i must say… chick car or not, i find it to be a blast to drive. and just a quick note… parked at the beach….all cleaned up… the “chicks” seem to really dig it. how can any complain about that? ((smile))