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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First Year = Bad Idea - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By megriley - March 19 - 3:56 am1998 was the first year Volkswagen decided to bring back the Beetle. I loved this car, but it had so many things wrong with it. Big things from problems with the fuel injectors and throttle settings, to little things like window control buttons falling off and the interior peeling. It was very frustrating. I love VW, which is why I recently upraded to an 06 New Beetle. It was probably our own fault for buying a car the first year they made it, but for a first car, it seemed like the right price and right "style" for a 16 year old girl. I would recommend that you DO purchase a VW New Beetle, but I would also recommend that you purchase a different year, as the problems associated with 1998 models are plenty.
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meh - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By cantcomplain - January 18 - 10:00 amI got this car for my 16th birthday. It was the car I always wanted...cute, fun...until you drive it. It had 30,000 on it when we bought it. Since then, weve replaced both window switches, both O2 sensors, radiator and engine mounts. The check engine light pops on periodically. We didnt recieve a maintenance record with the car. I dont think we would have bought the car if there was one. Its an electrical attrocity. If Ive learned one thing, its not to buy a prototype.
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Yellow Lemon - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By wife of ciscokid - January 9 - 2:30 amTHIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK, built in Mexico not Germany My wifes car, but I paid for it and fixed it Expensive - Waited 4 months, and paid ABOVE MSRP Unreliable – Spent more time in service center than on the road. Electrical problems (windows, radio, seat) Overheating/cooling fan short Transmission problems AC problems (not fun in Texas summers) My favorite was broken drivers door handle If you buy a car for Looks not reliability then you deserve this car
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Calling Dr.Porsche - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By BuySwedish - December 31 - 2:00 amYou can spend millions if not billions on quirky,Mtv like commercials, but you cant build a quality car?I have to say it is by far the worse car I have ever owned.This is coming from a guy who has owned three Saab 900s.Why is this? Well,Everything falls apart,everything from the side mirrors to the shift knob, to the gas door, to the window switches, to the melted fuses to the terrible radio(hasnt worked in a year)
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goodby vw - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By ttgd - December 30 - 10:00 amI HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BEETLE. THE OXYGEN SENSORS, REAR BRAKES, WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS,BATTERY, ALL WERE A PROBLEM BEFORE THEIR TIME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN GREAT AND HELPED RESOLVE PROBLEMS, BUT FOR A NEWER CAR THEIR ARE WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS. I WILL BUY AN INFINTI NEXT, SOON....
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My Horror Story - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By azuki - December 19 - 7:34 amThis was my first car at the age of 18. When I got my Beetle, it had about 72,000 miles on it, and not even 4 months after receiving it, the problems began. Immediately, my transmission died completely. My warranty company gave me a $4,000 check and voided my warranty after seeing the $12,000 repair bill. Then, the battery died. Twice. As did the alternator and air conditioning. My rear window also got stuck and that would have cost me 4 hours of labor fees just to get to the broken bits. Its not like I drove it a lot - over a course of 3 years I didnt even drive 10,000 miles. For the love of god, stay away from this car. It is one problem after another, literally every 3-5 months.
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Hate This Bug: Buyer Beware - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By ekl - July 23 - 1:40 pmThis was the car I always wanted. Although parts of the first two years of ownership were fun, overall this is the worst purchase I have ever made. I will NEVER buy another Volkswagen! Ive owned this car for 4 1/2 years. In the last year, my bug has been towed into the dealership 3 times because it will not start, and Ive shelled out $3,000 in repairs. Ive had the seat handles replaced multiple times, the trunk will not open on the first try, the headlights short out constantly, etc. To date, Ive had the following replaced: throttle body ($800), front airbag sensor ($450), alternator ($500), windshield ($350), front grill ($500). I know the bug is very cute, but dont buy this car!
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Design flaw & auto trans went out at 50K - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Not so good - June 21 - 8:56 pmThe major design flaw in this car is that your hood will get chipped from flying rocks from normal traffic. Buy a bra on day 1 if you buy this car to avoid the body shop. Also the space for your gas pedal foot is too small for an male adult sized winter boot. Also if you have sun coming from the driver side, the visor is too small to block the light. My automatic tranny went out while under warranty (less than 50K) and would have cost more than twice what my 91 Dodge Dynasty automatic tranny that went out on the car before this one.
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Do not buy this car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Carrie - June 17 - 3:56 amThe first week I owned by brand new Beetle, the alternator went out on it. Since then, I have brought it in for so many other problems, I cant name them all. From three window motors breaking, to flooding when it rains through the door, to stalling, to a faulty CD changer. The car is not built right. For the asking price, its not worth it and its not a reliable car. Mine isnt the only lemon, a friend of mine has one that had its top gets stuck and not come back up. Its been in the shop for that two times. Sorry, but Ive tried to get the dealer to take my car back more than five times. Warning!
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Dangerous to drive - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By lindagill - May 30 - 7:56 amThe first few months headlights went out on my way home from work in the dark. Both went out at the same time. Happened again a year later. No one enjoys replacing the headlights. Sensor under the brake went out first year and second year. Was told by VW to bad you have to pay again. Car will not go into gear with out it. Learned to over ride it but dangerous to get to VW for repair. Sun roof one year leaks 250.00 plus 99.00 just to talk to VW. They have a sign when you walk in 99.00 a hour even if it does not take a hour you pay for it even if you only need a 20.00 part. Rims bad never held air in tires replaced tires over and over. To many repairs to list. Linda
