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 81 through 90 of 1,368.00-
Electrical Problems - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Burnt - September 15 - 10:00 amThis car has refused to start on many occasions since purchase. Five times the dealership has tried repairs without success. VW representatives mouth the company line but never fix any problems. We are demanding the car be taken back and will file a lawsuit if they dont. Other websites indicate there are many electrical problems with VW cars and refusing to start is one of them.
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Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Kincaid - September 12 - 3:26 amI traded this car in two years ago, and still keep thinking about how awful this car was and felt a need to warn others. It was cute, fun to drive and a real conversation starter, but the quality was TERRIBLE. I would drive down the street and pieces of the car would fall off (both on the exterior and interior). The car was three years old when I sold it because I couldnt afford the maintenance. I spent over $2,000 in an eight week period on various repairs and the dealership still didnt think they had solved one of the problems. This was an emotional purchase because of memories of my fathers 60s Beetle, but a VERY EXPENSIVE trip down memory lane. I will never buy another VW ...
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If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By foxdown07931 - September 3 - 6:23 pmWithout a doubt this is the most problematic car I have ever owned. Out of service for weeks as electrical faults could not be traced down. Repeated visits to dealer to correct same problem. Seems like every four months or so we encounter a problem. Usually electrical in nature. These costs are on top of the routine maintenance costs which are shocking. For example, every 40,000 miles a new timing belt is required at a cost of close to $900, brakes $700,headlight bulb close to $100.
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Cute but crappy - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By luvely21 - August 7 - 8:23 pmTook it in the next day after purchase to service the driver window because it didnt want to go up.The interior melts in the sun.Switches in the car fall off,like window switches. Cupholders detach therefore, i have a big orange juice stain on the passenger floor.Replaced both headlights at least once every year, very expensive, due to labor.VW made it difficult for customers to do themselves.Head of car hit pavement going over bumps.Forgot how many times I took it to get something fixed or replaced.AC filter needed to be cleaned within the 1st year and VW charged me for that. Hubcaps fell off in the 1st year of ownership.I hate this car.Even my Sentra from the 80s treated me better.
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Nice to drive but High maintenance - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Nicole Smith - August 2 - 2:00 amThis car is great to drive but has had many things break. Many problems with the emissions system and the mass air flow sensors. Also problems with the windows not working right and going off track. This been extremely frustrating and inconvenient, but it has never left me stranded.
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Artificially Sweet - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Artificially Sweet - August 2 - 2:00 amDo not buy this car unless you love going to the repair shop. My BUG was Artificially Sweet. With-in the last five months my old car has been in the shop three times for the same reason will not start, always some starter problem. VW has decided to build the complete car in Mexico where QA is not the most important thing, but cost is. VW cars are a good example of poor QA. The car has been in the shop about 7 to 8 times for some BUG problem with-in the last two years. I just hate coming out of a restaurant, get into my new car and have the car not start. No more little kids seeing my car and playing the punch game.
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Mind of Its Own - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By chicadee1652 - July 18 - 5:46 amHeres what I went through in the ten months that I owned my bug before trading it in: 2 new alternators ($400 each), 4 new tires ($450 for all), getting stranded b/c the battery was dead all the time, new front brakes ($300), and then, the mother of all, in one weekend- oil change that led to $800 repair for hose that kept engine cool, $900 for new timing belt in the engine, and the guy also told me it would need a new front axle. I said forget it, so I traded it in the next day for a 2006 Hyundai sonata which drives like a Lexus!
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The Volkswagen Co. Not What It Used To Be - 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle
By George Lafont - July 4 - 3:26 pmDay one from picking up the car from the dealer the handbrake came off when I parked. The car doesnt feel at all like a German car, in fact it feels like its coming apart. About 2 months later on my way home (45 min. commute) on a very hot Summer day, the underneath engine cover came loose fell off and broke into many pieces. When I took it to the dealer, they accused me of running into something and refused to fix it. The service manager even went through the trouble of fabricating a story that I ran over a parking turtarrier with a piece of rebar sticking out tearing the cover off and again refused. Both their customer service and chairman of the board also refused to help
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Its horrible!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By lucy99 - May 14 - 2:00 amJust like every other Beetle owner ive talked to, I have had nothing but problems with this car. Besides the horrible designs on the inside (cd changer in the trunk, cup holders unreachable, giant blind spots in every corner), i find new problems every day. After slightly over 3 years, we had to buy a new engine and theres been even more problems since we got it. There has been too many recalled parts to even count. The dealers are horrible and have broken more stuff than they have fixed. I just traded in this timebomb for a reliable toyota and will never buy another VW.
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Bad car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
By dale mayhall - May 4 - 11:16 pmWhen the temperature is less than 30 degrees this car is horrible. The A/T doesnt shift into overdrive until after 15 minutes of driving, the mileage is 15 mpg, the windows dont go up properly,etc. It will be sold shortly. What a piece.
