SECOND-HAND SENSE: Few cars have a history worth talking about, and that's why cars like the Volkswagen Beetle stand out. Most people will be familiar with the origins of the "people's car" conceived by Hitler, built by Ferdinand Porsche and later transferred to the British military government in Germany as part of a reparations package.
The Beetle was never going to go away. Even when it seemed to be on its way out, it was embraced by a new American generation as a romantic alternative to the nasty gas-guzzlers of the 1970s. Those were the days, man.
This emotional bond was tugged at when the latest Beetle made its debut in Detroit five years ago. "If you sold your soul in the Seventies, here's your chance to buy it back," was one of the more memorable slogans from the advertising agency charged with putting the "bug" back in the American public imagination.
The roof's slope was cute, the shape was chic and the car was rounded and attractive. But what exactly was it? What it wasn't was a new Beetle. Without going into all the details, what was being peddled was a Golf in new clothes. Many like it, others see it as a bit of a con job.
Once you've looked beyond the little plastic vase that holds your carnation and the eye-catching dashboard, you can see the limitations. While driver and front passenger have plenty of room, the same can't be said for those in the rear who must live with the sloping roof.
Being a Golf, the Beetle basically drives like one. Its ride and handling are good but not amazing and the 1.6 entry-level engine is just adequate. The 1.8- and 2-litre versions are better. Smooth engine performance is matched by satisfactory feedback. ... You can have hard top or convertible - the convertible certainly looks the business.
The Beetle has a premium when it comes to second-hand prices, mainly because there are not that many around. A four-year-old model with a 2-litre petrol engine and 30,000 on the clock has an asking price of 13,900. A two-year-old 1.6 petrol model with 21,000 on the clock has an asking price of 16,750. It's rather a lot for a car that relies so heavily on image.
There has been one major recall of the Beetle - in 2002 - for a problem with the anti-lock brake control unit. Possible overheating could affect the performance of the brakes.
The Beetle did well in its EuroNCAP crash tests, scoring four out of five stars. The car was described as having a "solid, stable structure that gives good all round protection to its occupants. The side impact score was impressive, giving it a high score". However, testers said the rear seat belts could have been switched to provide better support for child support and protection for pedestrian's legs was described as "very poor".