Thanks to the drive of Wilhelm Karmann Gmbh to produce a sports bodied car upon a tried and tested chassis we can today enjoy the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. In 1954 VW approved the plans and designs and this was quickly followed by an announcement to supply the chassis's. The European Motor Shows in 1955 saw the debut of the first models. When buying a Karmann Ghia, the model for you depends on your circumstances. The best prices are undoubtedly found in private sales and online. When viewing a car if possible take someone with you who knows what to look for. Bodywork is the key factor, if you can get the very best your budget can stretch to, a single front work alone can be very costly to replace. The mechanical side of a Karmann Ghia is all VW Beetle and therefore simple to work on and learn, if possible pick up a copy of "How to Keep Your VW Alive" book by John Muir. There are plenty of VW air-cooled specialists around and most can now be found online or ask around at shows etc for recommendations.
Unfortunately, the display's graphics are not easily discernible in daylight. At night, though, the display reverts to the trademark VW blue backlighting and is easily read. The steering wheel buttons on high-line models can be used to operate a phone, mute the radio, or toggle between the various modes of the sound system. The switch for the outside mirrors and the power window switches are on the driver's door armrest, within easy reach and sight. The windows feature anti-pinch protection and one-touch up or down. As a further convenience, they can also be opened or closed, along with the sunroof, with the master key in the driver's door lock. The center console extends between the front seats and includes a covered storage bin, two cupholders, a power outlet and climate system vents for the rear passengers. A small overhead console, just aft of the rearview mirror, holds a pair of reading lights, sunroof controls, interior light switches, a sunglasses bin and ambient lighting elements that softly illuminate the dash area at night.
Other nice touches include sun visors that slide on rods to extend their reach over most of the side window, and well-lighted vanity mirrors. The GLI interior is a bit dressier than the standard cabin thanks to additional touches of bright metal on the dash and center stack. The sport seat fabric is a plaid-like material that harkens back to previous interior designs from VW, and it may not be to everyone's taste. The durable-feeling leather that's now only available as part of the Autobahn package is really the way to go for a full upmarket experience. The rear of the cabin provides seats nicely contoured and raked for comfort. A six-foot-tall driver still leaves room behind for a similarly sized passenger, and there's enough headroom to accommodate someone much taller, especially on wagons. Still, there's no way an adult will fit comfortably in the center rear seat if there are adults to each side. A 60/40 split folding rear seat is standard across the line. Rear-seat SportWagen riders prone to claustrophobia will appreciate the panoramic sunroof option which features glass panels all the way back to the rear headrests and an opaque shade to minimize solar intrusion.
The trunk seems larger than is possible in a compact sedan (at 16 cubic feet). When the trunk lid is opened, it rises to a completely vertical position, out of the way of any loading or unloading. Completely carpeted, the trunk also has a storage cubby wall and four tie hooks. Cargo space in the SportWagen reaches almost 67 cubic feet with seats dropped; even with the rear seat in place there is a 40-inch square load deck level with a folded rear seatback. Turn the key in the Volkswagen Jetta S, SE, or SEL sedan and you're greeted by the raspy growl of a five-cylinder engine. It's definitely an in-your-ear sound that will find favor with those who appreciate mechanical sounds. We like it, but it might be annoying to drivers who'd rather talk on the phone. There has been some controversy about the diesel's EPA ratings. In third-party testing AMCI produced results of 38/44 mpg and in a December 2006 study the EPA concluded their miles-per-gallon labels underestimated diesel mileage by double digits and overestimated gasoline and hybrid-electric figures. From early drives we anticipate the Jetta TDI capable of mid-30 to mid-40 mileage.
It should also be noted that the Jetta TDI does not need fuel additives at refueling or maintenance intervals that some diesels require, and it qualifies for IRS tax credits. As soon as the Jetta pulls away from the curb, there's a feel of solidness and a sense of high quality. Volkswagen invested in structural rigidity, and it paid off in ride quality and handling. The five-cylinder engine is tuned for instant gratification, and we like it. It is all about usable midrange power here, with a relatively low 5800 rpm redline and no need to explore it. Throttle tip-in is aggressive, especially when the automatic transmission is in Sport mode so you'll want to avoid it for commuting. The engine provides little braking while driving downhill, however, and we'd prefer that it did for the control it provides. Regardless of gearbox, the 2.5-liter never felt underpowered in a week of testing on freeways, over mountain passes and around town.
