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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Like to Worry About What Will Break Next - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Not happy - January 20 - 7:53 pmMy VW Beetles air bag sensors keep breaking, making them inoperable. I have had this problem repaired twice, the automatic top repaired three times, window regulators, clamps and motor repaired for a total of four times, and seat release replaced twice. The radio hisses, never fixed as it is a "design flaw." All of the windows rattle so badly the car sounds like it is falling apart at times, never fixed "design flaw."
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get out the raid - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By raid - January 15 - 2:00 amThis is the car for you....if you dont mind interior pieces coming of in your hands. Im on a first name basis with the service manager at my dealership.... Center console has been replaced 3 times.Back seat electrical outlet has been replaced 5 times. Hood latch.....4 times. CD changer 2 times. Air bag sensor failed....took 4 months to get the part from Germany.
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Bugged OUT - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Donna Tedjeske - January 10 - 10:00 amVW replaced my 2003 Beatle because of PA state Lemon Law (it was in the shop 13 times in the first year!). The 2004 they replaced it with is NO better. If you want to spend time in the shop and drive a rental car....buy the New Beatle Convertible. This girl is bugged out!!
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Its the little things - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By NL - November 30 - 5:50 pmThis car was not what I had hoped. The headlamps needed to be changed every two months, the gas door froze, then broke, the front console where the cups holders are broke. The a/c broke at one point due to a mechanical failure...a little piece of plastic broke inside the dash, ended up costing me $500 to fix. Ive paid the car off and hoped to keep it until the engine died...but I think the inside will fall to pieces before that happens.
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I will not own another volkswagen - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By bhill - November 23 - 2:26 pmI have had nothing but problems with my car since I have had it. Since 05 I have had to have the transmission replaced and some kind of sensor replace because it wouldnt come out of park. (that was the only two things that was under warranty) then the timing belt broke which bent the valves in the head so I had to replace them the turbo went out water pump sensor the timing belt again oh and the sun roof leaked when i first got it. And I have had to replace the headlights several times. And my current problems are the brake lights, blinkers and it doesnt want to come out of park again and an oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. And by the way, it is hard to find anyone to work on them.
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Cut My Losses - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Crazy for Buying - October 14 - 9:43 amI bought a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle for my daughter and the car was OK for 50,000 miles. Then it started having major repair bills. It overheated and cost $1,200 to replace the heads, after which it still did not work right. New brakes cost $300. We had to replace three headlights at $45 each. The motor kept giving her trouble. We spend another $1,200 on it and then it died. We put in a different motor had all kinds electrical problems. Eventually the car caught on fire and was totaled. Dont buy this car unless you want a money pit.
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beetle review - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By streetracer2345 - October 13 - 3:16 amit is ghetto , it looks and handles poorly and you would do better buying a civic, they r cheaper.
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The Worst Car I Have Ever Purchased - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Beth A. Donovan - October 9 - 12:20 amThe top hit the back head rests. VW of America had to come in twice to fix this issue and it still does not work perfectly. Also, my cars windshild wipers had to be replaced at 10,000 miles. The air conditioning leaks on my feet. The headlight fell out after the second week. The alter light does not register when the top is down and the alarm sounds, 8 out of 10 times.
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HATE IT - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By MichaelJ - September 27 - 10:00 amIf you loved the old beetle You will hate the "New" beetle. This car is a nightmare. Gas door Cable,Pwr windows,very poor. Quality of build is terrible.Most problems seem electrical in nature. Heated seats Change their control switchs at will? Throttle is dangerous it ignores your foot and does what it wants, another computer marvel.The transmission needs reset frequently as it learns driving habits according to the service people. My wife and I cant figure out who it is learning from.
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Spend your money elsewhere - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By julianna33 - September 21 - 8:07 pmFrom my experience with VW my car and others they are junk. They all break easily. I have had to repair so many things a 1K a pop 5 times at least. Not including maintenance things. The design so compact requires many hours of labor to remove and replace to get to certain things. Plus the headlight lens falls off and cost ALOT of money to replace which i have done twice now at $400 each lens assembly and its falling off again! Just a crappy car. My sister has a golf the transmission and engine are going. Other family members have toyota and honda and hey i have never seen a repair as stupid or as costly or as often as VW repairs are. Junkie cars and they say German engineering is the best HA
