Best Used Volkswagen Convertible - Golf, New Beetle, Eos

Small convertibles often fall into the category of roadsters, two-seaters designed to take advantage of a lightweight car’s propensity for excellent handling and spirited acceleration. However, the fact of the matter is that sometimes taking the roof off of a compact car doesn’t have to go hand in hand with blistering performance – sometimes it’s enough to build a car that is just fun to drive thanks to the open atmosphere that a drop top provides. This kind of free-spirited compact vehicle appeals to those who might not be able to afford a car designed to win the stoplight grand prix, but who still want something a little more special than the standard hatchback or coupe.

Volkswagen had produced several different hatches in the 1980’s, and one of them, the Golf, had also been released in a rag top edition called the Cabriolet. This tiny, 4-cylinder convertible was an instant hit, and its popularity was enough to cement it an almost permanent place in the Volkswagen lineup. As the years passed, the Golf continued to evolve and with each subsequent generation an open top version of the car was released alongside it, garnering rave reviews and repeat buys from loyal Volkswagen customers.

In the early 2000’s, Volkswagen was faced with a difficult choice that couldn’t be avoided. The Golf convertible was a consistent seller, but the company had a strong desire to release a more upscale, hardtop convertible that they were afraid would compete with the compact and cost them buyers. In addition, the popularity of the New Beetle almost demanded an open version of the car, meaning that there would be a third small convertible for sale from the company. It was decided that the Golf Cabriolet would be retired in favor of the New Beetle convertible. This also paved the way for the debut of the Volkswagen Eos, a somewhat larger, retractable hardtop which was based upon the Passat platform and which introduced a near-luxury vehicle to the Volkswagen lineup that had previously been missing.

This article looks at the most appealing trio of used convertibles produced by the German car company, the Golf Cabriolet, the Eos and the New Beetle. These Volkswagens cover a wide range of prices, equipment levels and vehicles sizes, ensuring that there is almost certainly a convertible in company’s lineup that matches the expectations of the most demanding drop top enthusiast.

1998 – 2002 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

With so much history behind it, the Golf Cabriolet is certainly one of the most familiar compact convertibles currently on the road. Combining the small, economical package of the Golf hatchback with the pleasure of open top driving and a rev-happy 4-cylinder engine, the Golf Cabriolet is unashamedly targeted at the fun in the sun crowd.

The 1998 – 2002 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is not intended to be a barn burner, as indicated by the only engine choice available: a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder engine that makes 115 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque. This might not seem like much but when combined with a 5-speed manual transmission and the vehicle’s low 2800 lb curb weight, the Golf feels a lot faster than it actually is. A 4-speed automatic is also available for those who prefer to delegate gear shifting duties to a computer. The vehicle’s short wheel-base combined with a tight suspension means that the Golf is excellent at negotiating most corners, only displaying front-wheel drive understeer in extreme situations. Anti-lock brakes are standard equipment on all versions of the Golf including the Cabriolet. Fuel mileage is 24 miles per gallon in the city and a very good 31 miles per gallon during highway cruising.

The interior of the Cabriolet is certainly not large, but for passengers in the front seats, it never feels cramped, even with the top up. Appointments are somewhat spartan, although there are a number of useful storage pockets and compartments that help to protect driver and passenger possessions from flying out of the vehicle when moving at a brisk pace with the roof open.

The 1999 – 2002 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, like most small convertibles, is definitely a lifestyle vehicle. However, if your lifestyle has room to accommodate a used convertible that is for the most part impractical but at the same time a thrill to drive on a beautiful day, then the Golf Cabriolet makes a great, inexpensive option.

2003 – 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible

When a vehicle already generates as much of an emotional response as the New Beetle did when it was released towards the tail end of the 1990’s, it is easy to imagine just how much more excited Volkswagen aficionados became when it was announced that the company would produce a convertible version of the retro-compact. While the styling of the Beetle was somewhat compromised by the need to introduce an awkward-looking whale tale to accommodate the top while it was down, the vehicle was nonetheless a popular replacement for the venerable Golf Cabriolet.

A variety of engines are available for the Volkswagen New Beetle convertible, but the options change from year to year. Initially the vehicle was outfitted with a 115 horsepower, 2.0 liter 4-cylinder. Eventually, the lineup was broadened to include a much quicker edition of the car that used a 150 horsepower, turbocharged 1.8 liter engine. In 2006, both of these motors gave way to a 2.5 liter, 5-cylinder base engine that also made 150 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic could be fitted to any of these three power plants.

Inside the New Beetle, the removal of the top improves the overall comfort of passengers in the rear seat, at least from a head room perspective. Visibility is good, with the exception of a portion of the rear view being blocked by the wide, folded top when the roof is down. Unlike many compact convertibles, passengers won’t feel squeezed for space no matter where they are sitting, a tribute to the vehicle’s excellent use of the Golf platform’s potential. Trim is given a somewhat futuristic look, and leather is optional for seats and door panels. The New Beetle convertible is not a luxury vehicle, but a fair number of options are available to spruce up the stereo and other interior features.

The 2003 – 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible is not as sporty as the Golf Cabriolet it replaces, but it is definitely no slouch, making it an attractive used convertible for those buyers drawn to its flower power styling.

2007 Volkswagen Eos

Modern-day hardtop convertibles were once exclusively the province of upper-level executive cars, expensive vehicles from luxury brands that were all but out of reach of the average car buyer. Whereas vehicles were generally large enough in the 1950’s and 60’s to accommodate retractable metal roofs, the smaller size of automobiles in the 90’s and 2000’s meant that the technology required to achieve the same effect was much more costly. However, eventually these types of retractable roofs began to trickle down into less pricey vehicles, allowing Volkswagen to seize the opportunity to build the 2007 Eos.

The Eos is unique amongst used Volkswagen convertibles, not only because of its solid roof but also due to the fact that it is positioned as a more exclusive vehicle than previous drop tops from the German car company. Larger than either the New Beetle or the Golf, the Eos comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine that cranks out 200 horsepower and is matched with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 250 horsepower V6 engine displacing 3.2 liters is also available for those seeking a more rapid ride, which necessitates the installation of a 6-speed automatic transmission. When it comes to fuel economy, both versions of the car hover around the 30 miles per gallon mark in highway driving.

One of the most intriguing features of the Eos convertible is the fact that the retractable roof also contains a glass sunroof, a highly unusual option for any drop top. As expected, the roof eats up almost half of the available trunk space, but a vehicle like this isn’t meant to be judged by how much luggage it can haul. Driver comfort is excellent, and rear seat room is also fairly good. A number of luxury options can be ordered, such as leather seats, parking assist, DVD navigation and a powerful stereo system well suited to defeating the wind noise of convertible driving.

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos is a unique used convertible which does not have much competition thanks to its hardtop configuration. For fans of the VW brand, it represents a nice upgrade over the New Beetle rag top, and is deserving of a test drive.