I bring you the (apparently) much-coveted 2019 VW Beetle SEL Final Edition convertible. It sold new for an MSRP of $29,995, the last run after 23 million or so Beetles were sold. I was stunned, thinking it had to be a typo or because this particular unicorn has less than 5,000 miles. But all 11 Final Edition – SEL and SE convertibles, with up to 41,000 miles, are selling above MSRP.
There’s something fishy in the CarMax offerings, though. I was intrigued by the diamond-quilted pattern on the most expensive Final Edition SEL, which I didn’t see on the others. Special option package? Nope. Internet digging indicated that ALL Final Edition SEL’s got these leather quilted seats. Some SE’s could be optioned with “cloth/leatherette rhombus-pattern seats.” Presuming that’s true, I quickly lost my mind finding that CarMax has about half of their SEL’s incorrectly identified – they are SE’s. The white wheels with chrome center discs (or lack thereof) are also a tell – the SEL’s have them. SEL also got you Fender premium audio, 18″ wheels, Bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, and navigation, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control.
SEL’s sold for $2,000 more new back in the day. I suspect CarMax is asking for more for SEL’s now than they should be. That ain’t right. Unfortunately, I found none of the five SE’s for sale were really SEL’s. That would be a steal.
Regardless, all VW Beetle Final Editions came with a 174 hp 2.0-liter turbo four that could do 60 in maybe eight seconds. Not a rocket. But it has style. And seat heaters. And Apple CarPlay. And it’s a convertible.
This $45,998 Final Edition (legit) SEL is here in Lithia Springs, Georgia.
Stock No: 70220079 VIN: 3VW5DAAT6KM510844
But is anyone really buying these $30,000 cars for over $40,000? The one below just sold since I started writing this piece today.
It was selling for $41,998 and had 22,000 miles. Sold here in NJ.
Stock No: 70242789 VIN: 3VW5DAAT1KM505616
Below we have an SE listed as an SEL for a price of $40,998. Low mileage. But it’s an SE. Notice the close-but-not-quite-legit wheels. It’s here in Clearwater, Florida.
Stock No: 70245161 VIN: 3VW5DAAT8KM512210
And the oh-so-plain, not leather-quilted seats!
But even some SE models listed as SE models are hitting $40k.
This one is $42,998, probably because it has less than 10,000 miles. Worth it? Maybe to someone. It’s on hold here in Arlington, Texas. The kicker? It’s not even a Final Edition and it’s over $40k! It seems there were SE’s, SE Final Editions, SEL’s, and SEL Final Editions in 2019. Makes no sense to me.
Stock No: 70070910 VIN: 3VW5DAAT1KM509715
NOT the same car below, but an identical twin. AND a real Final Edition SE. Here in Newark, Delaware, for $39,998 with 18,000 miles. So not a real anomaly for low-mileage SEs to appreciate, too.
Stock No: 70226037 VIN: 3VW5DAAT9KM504908
If you want to save some money, you can get a genuine 2019 VW Beetle Final Edition SEL for a “reasonable” $35k. Mileage is just under 50,000. Probably not a big deal. This one is on hold here in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Stock No: 28353771 VIN: 3VW5DAAT1KM508564
Diamond quilted leather seats!
And finally, if you were wondering, you can score a legit 2019 VW Beetle Final Edition SEL hardtop for….exactly MSRP. But what’s the fun in that? It’s here in Rivergate, Tennessee.
Stock No: 70152518 VIN: 3VWFD7AT5KM701355
I’ll stop there. Everything I know about VW Beetle Final Edition convertibles I learned today. If my info is wrong, feel free to correct me. And I’m not convinced CarMax is deliberately flimflaming the SE/SEL thing. I provided the examples above to show that the one SE listed as an SEL for $41k is almost the same price as an almost the same mileage SE listed as an SE. I think it’s an honest inconsistency. I have a hunch folks willing to pay for a collectible Final Edition Beetle and shelling out $10,000 over MSRP seven years later probably know the difference between the SE and the SEL, and if it matters, will balk.