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:
Showing 61 through 70 of 1,368.00-
pure waste of money - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By monkey mike - November 6 - 2:00 amWorst excuse for a car I have ever seen. Interior is cheap and everything breaks (glovebox latch, power window buttons, etc) plus the seats fade really quickly. On the mechanical side, this car is a nightmare. Power window on drivers side went out, and the window actually shattered inside the door panel. Took a month to get a new regulator in. Engine makes popping noises that the dealer cant figure out how to remedy. Check engine light keeps coming on. Trunk button on inside of car does not actually release the trunk latch. I guess that will fully break pretty soon. Also, the interior of the car is full of rattles and squeaks.
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Love / Hate My Bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By lovehatemybug - November 5 - 4:26 amIve babied Volkswagen Beetle. I have no kids and have had no accidents and yet I am so disappointed with the lousy platic lack of craftsmanship in the interior. The window switches needed to be replaced, I needed new clips for the moonroof contols, and there is peeling rubber on the door handles. UGH!
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Lemon - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By JOE - October 26 - 12:20 pmWhere to begin? The EPM warning light in my 2002 Volkswagen Beetle is on 50% of the time. The check engine light on more than off. The car runs when it is turned off. It runs at 40% power when EPM light is on. VW of America slow to respond. Owning this car has been an awful experience.
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problematic - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By fedup - October 2 - 2:30 pmIve had it with my stupid car. Ive had the windows stop working (they fixed that for free after realizing how many others were going bad)/ my sunroof leaked into my car when it rained (fixed that--not for free)/ sunroof opens on its own sometimes, for no reason/ spoiler gets stuck in the up position/ airbag light on, again/ hazard lights and turn signals stopped working (had to get the hazard switch replaced)/ engine light on, one issue fixed another arises 2 weeks later/ my ac stopped working, a fuse melted....MELTED/thermostat replaced and yet another coolant flush (after just a year of having it done)/and so much more. What a headache. I hate Volkswagen!
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Too many problems - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Christina - September 14 - 9:13 pmMy Beetle has had endless electrical problems. The chrome finish on the steering wheel began rubbing off after 18 months of ownership. The engine cover falls off once or twice a year, which I hear happens a lot to new beetles. A cute car, but ridiculous to maintain. I didnt start having problems until it was about 4 years old. When I bought it, I sure expected it to last me more than 75,000 miles.
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Worst Car Ever!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By jwalker - June 9 - 11:03 pmThis car has had issues from the day I purchased it brand new. Pieces fall off. 1st week, bottom of dash fell to the floor. Door handle flew off on freeway- VW fixed 3x, now door handle sticks. Check engine light ALWAYS on. VW says light covers numerous items. So numerous, in fact, that if you take the car in to fix an "extended warranty", they require you to fix all other supposed "problems" before theyll fix item under warranty so they can get $. Lights (interior/outer) go out frequently. Stuck in park twice. Starter fixed twice. Burns oil like mad. Sounds like a lawn mower. Catalytic Converter issues. VW fixes - problem happens again. Spend more time on tow truck/in service than on road
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LEMON BEETLE - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By dilyse - May 27 - 7:27 amBought this cute bug 6 years ago for my daughter. Has been in the shop more times than I can count. Ive always had it serviced right on time either at a dealer or by a VW specialist and still have tons of problems. Main ones: - SUNROOF LEAKS - ruined interior! Have taken it to a VW dealer 4 times and an independent specialist once. Still leaks. Really bad design! - POWER WINDOW MOTOR - Replaced - Misc Buttons - pop off. Design is also really a 2-seater as the rear seats are virtually useless for anyone over 5 feet tall. My daughter wanted this based on looks alone. At least this has been a great lesson for her. NEXT TIME SHELL BUY QUALITY IN ADDITION TO LOOKS. AVOID THE BUG!
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Cheaply made - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By unhappy smith - April 21 - 10:26 pmA joy to scoot about in and to park. It has had one thing after another break off in the car. It seems that they did not have the correct recipe for plastic. To replace costs $40.00 for each broken item. The trunk brake light has been replaced twice at $129.00 and this one has cracked apart. I am the only one driving the car. The cloth front seats are grossly stained, the explanation being that they got wet once.
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Never ever again will I buy a VW (any) - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By davemoon22 - April 13 - 5:05 pm1st Beelte had a bunch of issues (a/c, batteries would never last over a few months, oil leaking - had to do a major repair, then sold it). Second, a 2001 with 70k, has had more issues than I can possibly recall. I must have spent over 7k withing a 9 month period. Ridiculous. The major problem I have is with the dealerships. Theyll diagnose something is wrong, you get that done, the car still has the same issue and then they will tell you "Oh, well, then, it must be something else" Replace drivers seatbelt buckle, both windows regulators, cam shaft adjuster, turn signal relay, inner tie rods, valve cover gasket, pcv hose, door latch and list goes on: all major $$$ repairs.
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DONT BUY!!!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By had enough - April 1 - 2:00 amSpend way to much time in the shop. Some problems kept coming back over and over again. The color of yellow was a good color for this car.
