Originally posted by Justin Rempe:
Don't buy the 1.8T Beetle unless you're getting the new Turbo S. The regular 1.8T Beetle makes 150 hp; Turbo S Beetle 180 hp. The Jetta 1.8T makes 180 hp for 2002. To me, it felt that the Jetta handled better than the Turbo S, and I like the fact that you can get the Tiptronic tranny in the Jetta as well. Turbo S Beetle was/is too expensive as well.
The auto in the Jetta is a dog, even with the trip-tronic. My GF has a 2002 and that car is pretty quick even with the auto, but the tranny doesnt seem to handle the boost smoothly. Its not even close to an SVT on the curves though.
