It's the best selling car ever because the basic design has existed forever. If i'm not wrong, the old style beetle is style manufactured and sold in Mexico to this day. Honda Civics sell and have been around since 73, can it be likened to a car like the mustang or vette?

By following, do you mean loyalty? I don't remember the last time i saw a local Beetle club. Other then commuter car, where's the heritage? That's what i meant. The mustang is arguably (depends on who you ask) the most recognized nameplate in America. I think it was KBB's 200X poll that had the Mustang voted as America's favorite car. You get my drift?

The new beetle is an economy chick car and nothing else.
A beetle, civic, or accords loyal following can't be compared to a mustang, f-bod, or vettes loyal following.

 

There are plenty of folks into bugs. There's a few that come to the classic car show every saturday night, and there's always at least a few out at the strip racing too.

Lots of people build up old bugs because they're cheap, plentiful and easy to work on.

But then I saw Branden say he's never seen anyone talk about a 49 Ford like it was a desirable car either, so maybe the rest of the world is just different than Southern California.

 

I know the old bugs make a decently platform and project car. I've seen some converted to dune buggies and the like with oversized tires and that weird looking snorkel style exhaust sticking out of the back. But i don't see anyone doing anything like that with the new bug. Now i'm hearing that the bug even comes with a flower vase. I also wouldn't go as far as to say their following or enthusiast base is larger here in the U.S. You go to any drag, auto X, or road track and you're bound to see a handful of mustangs. The same can't be said for the bug. They're out there, just not in larger numbers. I'm just going by from what i've seen. The Bug's history is also different then the mustangs in that it isn't as rich in heritage.

I was questioning the comparison between the new Vw bug and the 2005 mustang. The bugs failures doesn't translate or forecast an automatic failure for the Mustang. The only thing they have in common is the fact that both have retro cues and that's about it. Their history, position in their respective companies (the stang is much higher), enthusiast base, etc...are different. I just don't think they're comparable. The bug should be compared to something like the new Minni (sp?).

 

Most people bought beetles and VW busses for 2 reasons - to make a political statement or because they were cheap as hell and built well for what little money they cost. Sure, they have their true enthusiasts, but as a percentage of overall sales, I'd say it's really low. Most people used them up and threw them away.

Consider - even though they made millions of them, I hardly see any on the road anymore. Yet I see classic Mustangs in far greater numbers - even other classics that were NOT made by the millions.

 

Beetle prices aren't even close to be in line with the older beetle prices. I can't beleive people pay in the $20's for a beetle. They should be $15k and they'd sell a bunch.