Overview & Reviews

The Volkswagen New Beetle was the cute car that started the retro-futurist design craze. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from their youth.

But that was 1998. As more than a decade passed without a major redesign, the New Beetle started to seem like a retro version of itself. With sales dropping steadily, VW decided to discontinue the New Beetle after the 2010 model year. A redesigned model, just called the Beetle, debuted a year later.

Shopping for a used New Beetle is pretty straightforward. It didn't change much, so you can shop mostly on price and mileage, though paying attention to engine availability through the years will likely be useful.

Most Recent Volkswagen New Beetle
The first-generation Volkswagen New Beetle was produced from 1998-2010. It was initially only offered as a two-door hatchback, and the convertible showed up for 2003.

Although the New Beetle was based on the Golf platform from the late 1990s, it had less interior space than today's Golf (and the '90s Golf for that matter) as well as most other compact hatchbacks. The front seats were roomy, but the same couldn't be said of the back. Trunk space was tight in the hatchback and even tighter in the convertible. The convertible came with a power-folding top as standard.

Models up to 2005 used the GL, GLS and GLX designations to reflect the various trim levels, as well as a standard 115-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual was standard on the Volkswagen New Beetle, with a four-speed automatic usually optional. A 100-hp 1.9-liter turbodiesel was also offered (the TDI trim) until the end of 2006, when it failed to meet new emissions regulations.

Until the last few years of its lengthy life, turbocharged gasoline engines were a big part of the New Beetle's trim lineup. Sold from 1999-2005, the New Beetle 1.8T was powered by a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder, which put out 150 hp. From 2002-'04, VW included the Turbo S trim in the coupe lineup. It was equipped with a retuned 180-hp version of the 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. For 2006 and thereafter, the only gasoline-powered engine available was a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produced 150 hp and was coupled to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

As the years wore on, Volkswagen added a few features like satellite radio, but changes to the equipment level were light, as the car was pretty well-equipped with items such as air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and in later years, heated seats.

Volkswagen released several special-edition models, though, including limited-edition colors and trim packages. For 2002, VW added a Sport edition, which essentially was a 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and a leather interior.

In reviews, we found that the Volkswagen New Beetle excelled at what it was built for -- cruising and being seen in. It was a good choice for young singles or retired folks who only rarely needed a backseat, but other hatchbacks were far more practical. The original base engine was pokey and unrefined, so finding one of the turbocharged units would be a wise idea. The subsequent five-cylinder offered just as much power as the previous turbocharged engines and was more efficient, but wasn't as energetic and sapped some fun out of the Beetle. Those interested in the convertible should be aware that rearview visibility is poor with the top up or down.

User Reviews:

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  Peoples Car?? Not this one. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Virginia&George - March 15 - 3:56 am

  Yes you change oil every 5000 miles, but you have to go to the dealer and buy SPECIAL VW oil?? To do any basic maintenance you need a degree in mechanics?! Even then, you may not be able to reach the fitting or part that you want to service because it is so cramped and difficult. Now after 3 years we have problems: (a) difficulty in starting cold engine in the morning, (b) things fall apart inside the cabin (ashtray, window controls, hand-brake knob, etc.), (c) when you start engine lots of white smoke is delivered by exhaust pipe.

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  Fun to Drive, but Unreliable - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By louvia - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Owning a New Beetle is a love-hate relationship. You love how it drives but hate how it keeps letting you down. Ive had endless problems with this car from the start. The transmission started leaking the first week and had to be replaced. Weve had endless brake problems due to a vacuum leak. It took Capistrano VW 4 times to diagnose it the first time it happened. Brakes have never worked well. The battery has been replaced twice. The interior is falling apart, door handles peeling, passenger sun visor wont stay up, side mirror knob broke off. Were going to replace it with something more reliable. Its a bad sign when the dealership knows you by sight.

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  Dont Buy it!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By CC1836 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Do not buy this car!!!! I have had mine for 10 days. The roof malfunctioned and cracked the side of the car. After calling one dealership who wouldnt even look at it for week, I called customer service, they found a dealer willing to look at it, but who honestly told me it wouldnt do any good because the parts wont be available until mid-may.

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  New Beetle Convert - Always a Problem - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By New Beetle Convert - February 12 - 12:46 pm

  When its all working? How fun. But most of the time something is broken. Windows, Convertible top mechanism, lights. Convertible mechanical flaps. Very expensive to fix any of it. Dont buy this car for the quality.

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  Dead at 66.000 Miles! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rick - February 8 - 8:33 pm

  I purchased my Beetle for 4 years in 2003. It was in the shop 6 times the first year! Now at 66,000 miles the engine has lost all compression. My local mechanic could not find a reason so I had it towed to the VW dealership to see if they could tell me what happened. They did not have a clue, but said the engine is definitely dead. I had the oil changed every 4000 miles. The power train warranty expired at 60,000 miles (before 2003 it was a 100,00 mile warranty. I am through with VWs! (oh yes, and I still owe money on this pile of junk)

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  Could ANYTHING else break on this car??? - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By T. - January 27 - 10:00 am

  When I purchased this car, I was under the impression that Volkswagon made reliable cars. Not the case. I have spent thousands of dollars in repairs in the last six months. I have had a new oil pan, power window mechanisms, power lockes replaced, air flow something or other, fuel injector corrected, exhaust system replaced, vanity mirrors light mechanism had to be replaced, on and on and on. Just when you think you are past the repair slump, something else happens! Now, I am dumping this car and buying a Toyota again!

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  Dont Fall Under The Cute Spell! - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By harvestmoon - December 4 - 8:40 pm

  Fell in love with the cars look and would be a happy camper if it werent for all of the little hiccups the car had. I owned this car for 6 months. In those 6 months the top stopped working, the door locks and the cd player malfunctioned, the inside started rattling and squeaking, and the gas gauge broke. This was a 2007 NBC! If you are thinking about buying this car, please keep looking. Maybe a mini? Believe me when I say HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! If you already own one...good luck!

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  Yet another lemon New Beetle - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By onclewillie - November 27 - 1:36 pm

  The worst VW I have ever owned. Hideous number of electrical problems with multiple trips to the dealer for air bags, engine indicator lights, turn signals and so on. Transmission died a few miles from expiration. I actually pulled to the side of the road, called the dealer on my cellular phone and reported the problem and gave them the mileage a told them the problem occurred UNDER warranty. The timing belt broke, roughly a 300 buck fix, but it took out all but 2 valves. Cost over 3,000 to put back on the road and then more problems with the exhaust and gaskets. Now the turbo makes a funny, and not ha-ha, noise and I am looking at my fourth set of tires. Will never own another VW.

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  Not worth it in the long run - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dont get excited - November 17 - 1:23 pm

  A car is supposed to be a reliable transportartion and reliable it is not. Too many trips to the service department, too many recalls, too many service lights coming on worrying me about even more problems. I see likewise frustrated people at the service counter everytime I come in. Im charged an arm and a leg every time, without a guarantee that the fix will work. A 10 year old KIA has had no problems. I got too excited about aesthetics of it. But the features dont work and have to be repeatedly fixed. If only I read more reviews of long-term owners. Never another VW again. They are nice when on the dealer lot, but in reality too much trouble.

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  Pain in the back - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tac724 - November 14 - 12:56 am

  I have had more trouble with this car than I care to admit. I got more frustrated because I like the way the car drives but I have had to replace so many parts in this car from an oxygen sensor 3 times to the turbo engine at 40,000. That is ridiculous! The dealerships want to rake the consumer over the coals in price of repair!