Kelley Blue Book ® - 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio Overview

Volkswagen's Cabrio is one of the least-expensive convertibles on the market. With a base price starting below $20K and available seating for four, the Cabrio offers more convertible fun-for-the-money than any competitor. Base models come standard with air conditioning, eight- speaker stereo with cassette, ABS, a glass rear window with defroster, front side-impact airbags and a central-locking system. The top-of-line GLX sweetens the deal with deeply-contoured heated leather seats, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, one-touch up/down power windows, power top and an optional trunk-mounted CD changer, yet still remains below the $23,000 mark.

The Cabrio is not a fast car, especially when outfitted with an automatic transmission, as so many are. Its 2.0-liter engine produces only 115-horsepower, but does return fairly good gas mileage (22/28). The drop-top VW rides on an aging Golf platform that has little in common with the current Golf. With its top chopped off, the platform loses much of its rigidity. Pass over an expansion joint while driving a hardtop car, and the rearview mirror does a little shake. Pass over that same spot in the Cabrio and the entire windshield does a little shake, frame and all.