Discovering the Charm of the Volkswagen New Beetle

Section 1: The Passage of Time

It's hard to believe that my kid has grown so much in just a few years. Looking at those old pictures, it feels like yesterday when he was all kid-like and tiny next to me. Now, he's a lanky teenager, and the realization that he'll be driving in two years is both exciting and a bittersweet reminder of how quickly life passes. Time truly has a way of sneaking up on us.

As I hold those pictures in my hand, I'm reminded of the moments we shared and the memories we created. It's a bittersweet journey, watching our children grow up and leave the nest. But it's also a time to celebrate their achievements and support them as they take on new challenges.

Section 2: The First Car Decision

As a hopeless gearhead, the decision of my kid's first car is a big one for me. I remember my own first car, a $600 1968 VW Beetle, which I loved dearly. It was a hard-won purchase, working my ass off at the Byte Shop to save up the money. Now, I want to give my kid the same opportunity to own a car that he truly wants.

Otto, my kid, used to be very into cars, and I exposed him to all sorts of weird and wonderful car goodness. But his tastes have changed over time, and now he wants a Volkswagen New Beetle in green. It's a unique choice, but one that makes sense given his current aesthetic preferences.

Section 3: Frutiger Aero

Otto's reason for wanting a New Beetle is because he says they are "Frutiger Aero." This aesthetic started around 2001 and peaked in the mid to late 2000s, with its colorful, glossy look. It's a look that I remember being delighted by when it first hit the scene, and it seems to have a special appeal to Otto.

The New Beetle was part of this aesthetic movement from the very beginning, and even Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, talked about it in a well-known article about the iMac. The advertising for the New Beetle and the iMac was strikingly similar, showing just how closely intertwined these two design movements were.

Section 4: The Reliability Issue

While the Volkswagen New Beetle is a charming car with a unique aesthetic, it does have its reliability issues. The early 2000s VW reliability stuff is a concern, but I think the basic 1.8-liter ones and even the 1.8 turbos weren't too bad. And if something does go wrong, it's an opportunity for Otto to learn about cars and gain some valuable life skills.

I remember spending my early driving years under my Beetle with a screwdriver, bridging the solenoid terminals to get it started. It was a challenging experience, but it taught me a lot about cars and how to troubleshoot problems. I'm sure Otto will have similar experiences with his New Beetle, and it will make him a more knowledgeable and confident driver.