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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  Dont make a mistake! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NissanOwner - March 27 - 10:00 am

  What a waste of money and time! This car was a problem from the minute I got it (new). As have others, I could list a long list of problem parts which were replaced. They never could fix the howling sound that came out of the A/C - from the first time it was used. Obviously VW knew they didnt have a reliable car when they only offered a 2 year warrenty. Id never buy a VW or Audi again.

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  Do not buy a Beetle! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By emily - March 19 - 5:03 am

  I bought this car used in Oct.2007 and within a week of buying it, it was in the shop. I have to go to the shop at least once a month, they know me by name now. First I had to replace my radio then my headlights kept burning out and its just easier for them to change them. Then my backseat came all the way off when I tried to fold it down. My engine light has come on twice now. Im taking it back in Monday because something is wrong with my transmission, I cant use the triptronic feature and all my gear lights stay on. It died on me for about 1 minute while doing 80 mph on the highway. I definitely wont keep this car past the warranty, probably wont make it another year anyway!

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  Much Improvement Needed! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bucnasty - March 7 - 11:30 am

  This is my parents car, but i drive it mostly, and have to deal with the dealership on the ongoing problem with the check engine light coming on. It comes on all the time and they keep telling us its a computer code that has to be updated, and they are waiting for it. Theyve been telling us that for a year now. Furthermore, the cup holders are awful you cant even fit a "pony" in them. They are poorly designed. Also, how can a car as tiny as a bug get only around 27 mpg? My grandmother had a huge Mercury Grand Marquee with a V8 and it got around 28 mpg. The engine needs to be revamped, there are so many larger cars out today that get a lot better mileage than the Beetle.

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  Eh, its ok - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By whitney1313 - February 25 - 8:36 am

  My 1998 bug now has 72,000 miles (bought it with 5,000 miles). So far, I have replaced the timing belt, spark plugs / wires, window regulators multiple times, alternator ($$$$$$$), wheel ball bearings, taillight (twice). The list is endless. Some of the parts that have been replaced are normal wear items, but even my mechanics have said that the car shouldnt be doing this with only 75,000 miles. Also, about every interior trim piece is sitting in the back seat. If you do buy one, be prepared to take the three layer door apart often to fix the window problems- theyre notorious.

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  Not worth the wait. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bughata - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has given me unbeliable electrical problems. The the whole instrument cluster is unoperational, as well as the console light is out. Our transmission slips when trying to downshift. This is a vehicle with only 50,000 miles it should not be this bad at this point, but it is. Our warranty is up and now is up to us to reapair the unreliability of such a neglecting company. Consumer beware

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  Piece of Junk! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kay Highland - February 8 - 10:00 am

  If you are thinking about buying a new VW Beetle, think again! This is the biggest piece of junk on the market! I have lost count as to how many times my car has been in the shop. It is in there right now because it will not start! They are cute and fun to drive but not reliable! I have had just about everything you can imagine go wrong with my car. I have had five oxygen sensors replaced, my CD changer replaced three times and have had several other issues. My Instrument Cluster went out and it is $300.00 to replace. The dealership charges $235.00 for a new battery! I just spent $300.00 two weeks ago to replace a bad Temperature gage. Do not buy!

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  Stay Away - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By iinsic - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I made the unfortunate decision to buy this car based on its design. Build quality has been horrible. I have had to replace window reg., 2 window switches, 3 O2 sensors, had an oil leak, replace a rear brake caliper at 40K miles (!?), now the air conditioning does not work. Fun to drive, terrible to own.

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  Too bad! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By savage1 - January 5 - 10:23 pm

  Major repair problems. Tried 2 different VW dealers and an independent mechanic - no one can fix it right. Had head gasket replaced ($1200), water pump, and themostat (twice) - still overheating! No temp gauge - only a red light when its already too hot. Front license plate holder fell off. Everything about this car is expensive, so make sure you get an extended warranty! Dealer service is terrible - will keep car for a week for any repairs. Oil change took 3 hours.

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  Lemon - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dfalasch - December 28 - 10:00 am

  The top broke within the first three months, stuck open, less than 2,000 miles. It took 3 tries for the dealership to fix it, and still not sure if it is fixed for good. The windows were part of a recall (clamps loosened so they added adhesive post production). Never got the recall notice, but the windows rattled so bad it sounded like it was falling apart. The last time I got the car back they misaligned the driver side window so that is hits the stops and makes a clunk. In addition, the windows still all rattle like the car was put together with Elmers glue. VW has a history of window problems. The sound system makes a loud hissing sound.

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  Poor Quality - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By mas16 - December 19 - 5:34 am

  Stay away - engineering and quality are very poor. I bought the car new for my daugher for a graduation present. With just over 50K miles we have had to rebuild the transmission and replace the cytelitic converter. Also had numorous annoying but slightly less major problems. My daughter had to stop usign the convertible top several years ago. The darn thing is too complicated and something breaks about every third time it was used. The scary thing is that every we encountered a problem I look on the VW forums and found that many other owners are experiencing the same problem.