Another in a series of my reviews that appeared in the online version of African Americans On Wheels, a now defunct automotive magazine that was included as an insert in the Sunday newspapers of major cities.
As with the Cavalier Z24, this was another convertible that I wasn’t really able to enjoy fully due to the time of year. I distinctly remember taking this car to Arlington National Cemetery for the funeral of a friend’s father and it was snowing. Although snow is rare in Arlington in early March, it’s not unheard of. There must have been a day that week that was just warm enough for me to put the top down and drive, most likely with the heat blasting.
Now about Volkswagen’s 8-valve, 2.0-liter engine (affectionately known as the 2.Slow). This engine, from an application point of view, is a lot like the Buick/GM 3.8-liter V6. It hung around a lot longer than it should have, but was generally reliable and got the job done. Furthermore, when you actually drove a VW powered by one of these engines, it wasn’t nearly as bad as you may have been led to believe.
One of the niceties that I appreciated was that VW got rid of the “parking light” setting. The lights are either all off or all on. Does anyone know the point of that setting, anyway? In 35 years of driving I don’t think I’ve ever felt the need to have my dash and tail lamps on, but the headlights off.
Although I call this Cabrio effeminate, I’m actually coming around to considering one of these or a Cabriolet as a fun weekend car. That is if we ever have “fun weekends” again.
The following review was written on March 8, 1999.
With its new ovoid projector-style headlamps and rear trunk lid with bumper-mounted license plate, you would think that this Cabrio is based on the completely redesigned 1999 Golf. Don’t be fooled. It’s still the same Cabrio you’ve known and loved since 1995, based on the third generation Golf. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Although a little too effeminate for my tastes, the Cabrio (shortened from Cabriolet after its 1995 redesign) has always had a cult following due to its cute shape accented by its basket handle-style rollbar. I will admit, however, that our up-level GLS test model looked good in its dark green paint, alloy wheels, and black top. The (heated) leather seats feel hard at first, but turned out to be quite comfortable and supportive, and the height adjustment feature allows you to sit much higher than in most cars. All of the controls on the revised dash are logical and within easy reach. Standard daytime running lamps have made the useless “parking lights” setting redundant, and kudos to Volkswagen for disposing of it. Unfortunately, the new indigo side-lit instrument lighting offers poor contrast. The rear seat is best left for children or those you don’t care very much about.
Driving the Cabrio is a pleasure, especially with the standard five-speed manual transmission. It’s one of the most forgiving units I’ve ever driven, as its feather light clutch, wide ratios and torquey engine allow even inexperienced drivers to execute smooth shifts most of the time. Acceleration is average, however, with the 115 horsepower engine overcome by the Cabrio’s nearly 2,800 pound curb weight.
The power top alone is worth the extra $4,000 over the base model for the GLS. Just unlatch the top with the latches that ingeniously double as grab handles, press a button, and the world is yours. Although better than in the old Beetle and Cabriolet, wind buffeting is still higher than in most convertibles, but they don’t have a top nearly as thick as the Cabrio’s, either.
Although the GLS is pricey, if you’re willing to pay, and it fits your lifestyle, you’ll definitely be happy with your purchase.
For more information contact 1-800-444-8987
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 2-Door Convertible
Engine: 115-horsepower, 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed Manual
EPA Mileage: 24 city/31 highway
Tested Price: $23,460
I think these are great – although my memories of one aren’t particularly good. My first wife and I purchased one for her (with some help from her father as we were in our early 20’s at the time) and she drove it for a few months until she had an affair and divorced me.
Afterward, I got to see her and her new beau drive around town in the car I picked out for her. It was nice though, it smelled like crayons as most VW’s of that vintage did.
I always liked these. Yes they were popular with the sorority girls that lived down the street from me at the time, but that only boosted their appeal for me; I’m secure enough of my masculinity to not be afraid to drive a chick car. Too bad the Mk6-based droptop didn’t make it across the pond.
It only helped that one of the all-time great car adverts hawked these. If this doesn’t make you want to drive around in a convertible, nothing will…
The pink moon commercial compelled me to sell my Mercedes S class and step into a Cabrio aka “Bitch Basket”. I liked it but I didn’t love it. Way too much wind noise with the top up. The car was fun and easy to drive but I went back to a Mercedes SL500 that I still drive today.
The ultimate “Chick Car” in the 1990’s for secretaries and sorority gals with well off Daddies.
Don’t be hung up on the allegedly effeminate vibe you think this car has (but you want one, so that’s pretty cool). For what it’s worth, they were pretty popular around where I grew up yet the only person I knew that owned one was:
1) a guy
2) who was married to a rather stunning blonde who drove a Volvo wagon (and never the Cabrio)
3) he received an Emmy award for his time as a foreign news correspondent in Iraq
4) he didn’t seem remotely worried about being perceieved as effeminate, whatsoever, rather he enjoyed a simple, fun, fussless, topless ride.
I’m always baffled by lables that claim masculinity and femininity of machines. Sure, there are vehicles purchased by some more than others but the best thing is when someone doesn’t give a doodie about how people view their vehicle choice. Just get in and DRIVE 😉
Ok, in 1998, we bought my wife a Golf K2, that was our first VW, That was a great little car, very solid feeling, with great road manners and handling, a basic model without AC, and only AM/FM, 5 speed,, but the K2 package came with a nice pair of K2 Woodie Skis! Plus a special interior trim and heated seats. She always wanted a Cabrio, but we just couldn’t buy a car over 20k at the time. Well she got her transfer to a new Office, in another town, that allowed us a cash windfall selling one if our two homes. So we bought a new 1999.5 (mid year upgrade), in what I believe is the same beautiful green color like the above Ghia! But we got a matching dark green top, but tan leather interior, loaded with every option but automatic! Great car to drive an run around in. BUT ours had a roof leak! The dealer could not remedy in three attempts! That also ruined the nice plush carpets! But what really pissed me off, the DEALER, we bought the car at, where we actually paid more for the car to stay local to ended up being awful! With a terrible service manager! So between that and the abysmal VW 24 month 24,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty, at that time, forced me to trade the car in, right after another puddle appeared in the rear seat foot wells again! I vacuum the water out, then let the sun dry the car out nicely with the top down, on a very hot sunny day. Then a shampooed the entire carpeting and added very nice looking full floor mats down to cover the ruined carpets. Then traded that in on another German troublesome vehicle, a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML 320, that’s another story all together! Now? We drive Chevrolet! Since then, 4 Chevy trucks, an Avalanche, Silverado and 2 Colorados, an Ext Cab and Crew Cab, all 4×4, plus totally trouble free!