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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Still With Personality - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
By GREG TIBBETTS - December 21 - 9:30 amIMy initial attraction is the clean J.Mays / Freeman styling, but excellent interior materials and ergonomics make the Beetle better than similarly priced cars. This car has many detail improvements over the similar 2002 New Beetle. Its 6-speed auto transmission is a huge improvement over the old 4-speed design and even 5-speed manual that refused to accept a quick shift. It has excellent brakes and safety aids, both passive and active. Its handling is not particularly responsive, but safe and predictable. This car is able to cruise at high speeds with less wind noise than than in the past because of the 6-speed gearing. It turns approximately 3,000 RPM at 78 MPH. The leatherette looks like real leaather and is more luxurious than cloth. Plus car is style-proof.
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Great Economy Car! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By DN - December 3 - 9:53 amWe purchased our 01 Beetle TDI for the sole purpose of wanting a car that was great on fuel and have been relatively happy with it. Its by no means a luxury car. Its loud on the highway, but great on gas. We average mid-upper 30s in the city and upper 40s on the highway. We did manage to squeeze out 54 mpg on the way out to Nevada last summer. I would recommend this car for the econo minded person.
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Good value, cool snug bug, but.. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By toms - December 1 - 9:13 amNimble handling, chic style and VWs engineering has not let us down in the 2 years weve driven it. Warning! Replacement of body panels may be extremely delayed. We had to wait two months for a new rear right panel - from Japan - to replace our dented end. It kept our New Beetle in the shop all that time.
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VW Beetle cute but unreliable - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Bwittany - November 28 - 10:00 amI love the way this car looks but I have had so many problems with the car and the dealership that I cannot wait to sell it. Ever since I bought this car it has been nothing but trouble. In the end the car is cute and fun to drive but I will never buy a Volkswagen again because of the problems I have encountered.
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New Rag Top - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Beth 66 - November 28 - 10:00 amGreat car, fun to drive, lots and lots of looks from other jealous drivers. The top is very easy to put up and down and does not leak!
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It a GREAT car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Cricket Loftin - November 28 - 10:00 amI have had my "bug" for only about 5 months it is the best car i have ever had.I am only 18 but it will last me a lifetime. I would never give it up. I trust it.
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Its has a few faults but its about LOVE! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Beetleboy - November 28 - 10:00 amI have owned my aquarius blue convertible for 5 months now. I love the car. It is fun to drive, people notice you, young and old love this car. I had problems with my air bag light that wont go off and windows that will not go back up under the convertible top. It has been to the service dept several times for these problems. They are happening less frequent now. My dealership and service advisor have been great. They bend over backwards to please me. I finally broke the 30 mpg barrier after 4500 miles.These are little problems people have. This car is great to drive!! Oh, by the way, this is my 3rd VW and I will continue to buy them.
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only three complaints! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By TiffieTu - November 28 - 10:00 amThis is my second new beetle in as many years. The first a 2000 GLX, I kept a year before VW of Amer. replaced it with a 2001 GLX, gratus. Car kept loosing power after coming to a stop and attempting to accelerate again. They spent a year trying to correct without success. New 2001 does the same thing and now they "own-up-to" its "Turbo-Lag which all Turbos have and They cant do anything about it."
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Breakable - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By SS - November 26 - 7:10 amI have had my 1999 Volkswagen Beetle for six years and I have had to replace a little bit of everything. Everything that can go wrong with a car has. It is fun to drive a Bug, but it has so many blind spots.
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Great and Horrible - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By ChasYoshi - November 20 - 11:06 amI bought this car and immediately loved the way it drove and the gas mileage. After a year or so, the paint began to chip off of the hood from road debris. Then the whole paint job on the front of the car started to fade from the sun. After that, it just went downhill. I put to water pumps on it and replaced a head gasket. The drivers side window only rolls up when its wet or when I push it up as Im pushing the switch. When it rains, water leaks into the back seat and the trunk. The airbag light is on continuously. The volume control on the Monsoon radio will only turn up if you hold it a certain way. The high-beams have stopped working altogether. I just sold it today...
