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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A BIG lemon! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By KMAC - December 22 - 2:46 pmMy parents bought my bug for me when I turned 16. I was so excited when I got it! But soon I started to hate it! So many things have gone wrong such as I have had to get a new clutch, thermostat, headlight, taillights, window motors in both Windows, plastic parts in the car are always breaking and etc. Taking it to a VW dealership is crazy because they charged me almost $400 just to look at it not to mention that the parts are very costly too! Overall its a cheaply made car! I would not recommend this car to anyone else!
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Not a Satisfied Customer - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Margarita06 - December 17 - 10:00 amI purchased a 2003 new beetle in Dec. of 2002.I rated this car so low because there was a malfunction in my vehicle that caused it to "melt down"&almost caught on fire.This happened after a year of driving my car.After taking it to the dealership, they said that because the"melt down"is considered a fire, it voided the manufacture warranty.My insurance co.determined that the cause of the incident was due to a manufactures defect.After reporting this to Volkswagon America,I was told that there was nothing that could be done.I was not satisfied with the reliability of the vehicle and there is a chance that this can happen to other customers.
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Poor car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Dale Mayhall - October 13 - 8:10 amThe VW convertible would not shift into overdrive in cold weather for the first twelve miles. Windows squeeked against top. I had to visit the dealer twelve times for repairs in less than a year. I sold the car two days ago.
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Stung by the bug - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By humbug - September 8 - 12:16 amOh the beetle and its quirky electronic issues. Yes, that is the joy of owning one. You never know what light will come on or when it will just quit-even when it is brand new. An adventure in driving! A leaky sunroof, a dead transmission, faulty cluster gauge, bad starter, vac leak, oxygen sensors out. The list is so long. I grow weary of it all. Suffice to say just dont take the VW trip unless you want to spend $$ and time at the dealership. P. S. They told me not to worry if the check engine light was on-only if it flashed. A great comfort indeed.
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The Money Pit - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Diana - July 16 - 8:40 pmAll my daughter wanted after she turned 16 was a VW Bug. We found one in Albuquerque, New Mexico where we are originally from and my husband drove it back to Texas. The night he arrived the clutch went out. ($2000) Repairs were delayed due to the engine hood latch broke and couldnt open it. It is now in the repair shop again with a busted oil pan which we are finding is very hard to find without the sensor hole in it. These are the major expenses that have incurred in the very short time of ownership. The little expenses are endless. I am so disappointed in VW I thought they were better car manufactures than this.
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Happy Since I Sold It.... - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By SFborn - June 26 - 10:00 amIm so delighted I dumped this car. What a loser! I spent close to $9,000 to repair some suspension problem, the engine burned a quart of oil every 750 miles and Volkswagen would do nothing about it, and yup, I too had the pealing interior problem, the engine fan seemed to run all the time and the air conditioning vents broke. Got tired of trying to figure out what would go wrong next. Bought a Mercedes - smart move. I dumped this lemon while I could still get money for it - I suggest you do the same!
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Never Again - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Cory - June 14 - 1:00 amThis lease has become the bane of my existence. The car has broken down five times in two years (and thats not counting the small problems when I could still drive it). Bad enough it keeps breaking, but VW does NOTHING to stand behind their product. The transmission leaked when I drove it off the lot. No loaner cars, no concern for my safety. They kept telling me that they valued me as a customer, but what they value is my money.
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Listen to the lemons! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By queromare - May 23 - 11:30 pmLike many others, I couldnt list all the things that are wrong with this car. The most important one is it stalls constantly when its 100+ degrees outside. Completely unreliable, gas tank exploded one day and poured gasoline everywhere, numerous electrical problems. The car is adorable and pretty fun, but has no power, a terrible turning radius and is poorly designed for comfort inside. A vase isnt worth the hassle. I ignored the warnings, dont make the same mistake as I did! This stupid thing has cost me $6,000 so far! I now pay $500/month for it to sit on the driveway! I wont drive it past warranty! Doesnt even get good mileage ie 25/gallon!
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Bleck - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Michael Pollack - May 9 - 10:00 amThe interior rattles are ridiculous, and the dealers that I have brought it to have not fixed them and do not seem to care. It has had rattles from day 1, and the dealers have only made it worse, or simply lied about serivce that was not actually performed. It has been disappointing, and I cannot wait to get rid of it. Its cute and that is about all it has going for it. Forget about picking up more than one person at the airport.
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opened can - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By gephart meinstroff - April 27 - 10:00 amdont buy it, have had 4 problems with convertible top, no parts available.
