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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  Do not waste your time on Beetles PLEASE - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lylarose13 - November 17 - 8:03 pm

  I beg you. I have spent over 3000 and now need a new transmission (everybody seems to need these with these cars.) The car only has 70 Ks and when I bought it only had 39,000. NOTHING BUT A MONEY PIT of problems and every time I turn around I see more and more people with the EXACT same issues as me to a, "t." Like others have said, it should be illegal to make a car this unsafe, and unreliable. Even though my car is older there are similar problems with newer models of this car. I cant think of a worse car to own then this one. Seriously.

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  The most trouble prone car of them all. Stay away - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Vince - August 6 - 10:22 am

  I bought this car from a family member with only 16K miles and it was garage kept. Its a 2.0 convertible with automatic. I cant begin to say how cheaply built this car is and VW should be ashamed of this product. The structure of this car creaks and moans over smooth roads. The drivers door handle (plastic) was cracked and this cracked the entire door panel. Replacements are hard to find and expensive. I got a new door panel and got metal door handles from ebay. The drivers door latch switch broke. This needed an entire latch and the switch lowers the window when opening and closing the door. Without this switch say goodbye to the top. So I did this myself. Then the rear plastics all cracked. Then the flaps to cover the top frame broke and the top wouldnt move so I took them off to fix it. Then the rear window separated from the canvas. I repaired the rear glass to save me the $2500 for a new top. Once I had this fixed, then the rear drivers window regulator broke. I took this to my friend and he fixed it for $300, but then the power top broke. So I disabled the power top and do it by hand since Im done fixing stuff on this car. So its fate is destined to be the in junkyard, but for now its just rolling junk waiting for its destiny. All of these repairs are on a low mileage, well maintained car. Other driving impressions- it drives like a cheap economy car. Braking is good. Acceleration is below average. Transmission and engine are still working for some reason. Structure is poor as I described above. Interior storage is average. rear seat room is tight. Paint is good. 30MPG highway. I can not recommend this car under any circumstances even if its given to you for free. It is very poorly over-engineered. Parts quality is very poor. Construction quality is poor with cheap brittle plastic and weak adhesives holding things together. Parts cost is very high and availability is poor as it may need to be shipped from Germany. So nothing here to see-keep looking.

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  Worst purchase of my entire life - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Victoria - September 8 - 5:17 am

  I bought the car because it was cute, got good gas mileage, and I had always wanted one. Well, 3 years later and ive put around $22,000 into the car. First I started replacing minor things like the timing belt and the water pump, then the alternator, then the radiator, then the computer, then the air conditioning, but then i ended up replacing the engine, then the turbo, then the door, then the head gasket, then the transmission(as well as many many other things). This car has left me stranded on SO many occasions. Im fearful to even drive this death trap. Please save yourself the heart ache, do NOT buy an older model beetle. The only reason I have held on so long is because my grandfather keeps paying to get it fixed, but this is not an inexpensive quick fix car. It will NEVER end.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Glenn Acheson - June 13 - 3:16 pm

  This car is the worst car Ive ever owned. The transmission shifts hard when its warm - dealer says thats normal. When shifting from Reverse to Drive or vice versa, you have to wait several seconds for it to engage. Replacing the battery was a royal pain, not to mention expensive. Replacing one of the front headlights was even worse. Now one of the front lenses has fallen off... The front left turn signal fell out of place from some clip thats broken. Now the check engine light is on - who knows how much THATs going to cost. Performance is wretched, even for a 4 cyl. Mileage is only 25 mpg hwy. My 6 cyl 2000 Taurus gets 28!!!

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  Horrible Car - Stay Away From This One!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By MJEPilot - June 6 - 10:00 am

  HORRIBLE CAR!!! Poor ride and handling (shakes violently above 50mph), annoying click-click-click sound when stopped, embarrassing pick-up speed, horendous gas mileage. Main reason to not buy this car is Volkswagon Credit. Sent in payment every month, every month they would cash my payment check and then call me to tell me I never paid. I would have to pay my bank to send me a copy of the check to fax to VW Credit to prove it to them. You say "simple mistake by VW, probobaly only happened once or twice" - try eight times and others have told me of similar experiences. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - poorly designed by poor people.

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  DO NOT BUY/CHEAPLY BUILT - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VW Hater - October 27 - 2:23 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. Front bumper falls off, inside door panel falls off, pully for window snapped, replaced motor, the power steering pump gone twice, and now I am stuck with this huge piece of crap and no dealership will even take it as a trade :( *** Forget needing a simple part either because they will rape you in price! Fred Flinstone Car!!

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  Stay Away!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Liz - June 2 - 9:09 am

  WORST car to own! I have had it for 3 months and it has given me more problems than any other car i have ever owned! It is not worth your time and MONEY! omg. So many electrical problems and the inside is just falling apart! Dont let the cuteness fool you! Lesson learned here!!!!

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  A Good Deal? - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Joe - March 19 - 6:33 pm

  I stole this Beetle for $18,000 new! But...the trunk doesnt work and the gas mileage is 14 mpg! Docs right about the wind tunnel and Meyer about the lack of lumbar support. It has no power seats, no power top, no power mirrors, a bad stereo, plenty of spacious blind spots both in the front and rear, starter problems, noisy brakes, and sloppy shifting. I love its looks and it is fun to drive when it runs. Heck, the $18,000 would make a good down payment on a better car, you know?

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  Dont buy me because I suck - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By hatesthebug - January 17 - 10:00 am

  From this experience I will never buy another Volkswagen again, and thats sad because I own 3 older ones. Starting from the broken CD on through the broken sunroof, just about anything mechanical that can fall apart did. We have had our Beetle into the dealer 5 times for various issues which included a recalled oxygen sensor to sputtering performance. And ironically, everytime we took it in our moron mechanics failed to report it. I will never buy a car from Continental of Joplin again, and Volkswagen has lost my familys business forever for shoddy workmanship and terrible dealer service. I rate this car the worst ever purchased.

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  4 years of HELL - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gallagherx - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has subjected me to numerous problems over the past four years (excluding the horrendous problems posed by the dealership!). The passenger side window falling into the door driving across Canada! The headlights have burnt out numerous times and the cost of repair is outrageous.