Overview & Reviews
Optional 17-inch alloy wheels can be ordered on GLS 1.8T and GLX models. Exterior mirrors are larger, high-intensity discharge headlights and a Monsoon sound system are available, and all New Beetles benefit from redesigned cupholders and a trunk entrapment release button. Rain-sensing wipers and a self-dimming rearview mirror now come on GLX models.
- Cute yet classic styling, excellent crash-test scores, affordably priced, turbo model is fun to drive.
- Compromised rear seat/cargo capacity compared to Golf, could use a stiffer suspension.
User Reviews:
Showing 31 through 40 of 107.00-
Fast and Fun - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By T C Jester - December 2 - 2:00 amGreat room for two passengers. Car is comfortable running at about 90-95 mph.
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Bug is fun, but not practical - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By mollyfied - May 21 - 10:00 amMy husband bought me a 2001 turbo Beetle for Mothers Day. Although its been great fun, having to get out of the car and pull up the seat every day, several times a day, to let our daughter out of the back seat quickly becomes a drag -- as does the five- speed manual stick. The performance has been good, although we had repeated problems with the ignition. The car would just turn over, and then die. This happened fairly frequently, but of course, not at the dealership. They didnt repair it. Im trading it in for a VW Passat wagon.
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VW Not Such an Honorable Manufacturer - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Jon - May 6 - 1:23 pmIt seems like shop mechanics are a thing of the past. Nowadays they plug the car into a computer for $200. Its a great car, but the temp light has started to flash on and off. Well we took it in to get looked at and were told in a bright tone that wed need to get the engine replaced for $8000. When asked why. Because youre loosing oil pressure? Oh whats causing that? Hmm.. Dont know.. Can you find out? Yes but then wed have to get dirty and open the engine up. Thatll cost you $4000. So you think the engine is stuffed? It might be, or it might last 10 years, cant tell. I dont know whose to blame! VW, VW dealers or the car. I think Ill buy a horse. I will never buy a VW again!
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Volkswagen: KING OF UNRELIABILITY - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By netchic1 - May 2 - 2:00 amI bought into the hype and really regret it. My 2001 NB Turbo is cute, but its in the shop about 1 time every 2 months minimum. Headlights go out within 2 months of buying the car, radiator hose broke w/in 1 month of being new, battery just went dead b/c alternator was faulty, check engine light has gone on twice, door lock on driver handle pops out - been broken 2x, the center console latch broke, and this is all under 24,000 MILES!!!! VW service at dealerships are not all that great, I had an awful run in with the Boardwalk Auto Volkswagen in Redwood City, CA. Most VW Service Dealers are backed up with all the VWs that have problems.
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Fantastic Car - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By teamster151 - April 27 - 10:00 amWhat a great overall experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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2001 VW Beetle GLS TDI - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Green Bean - April 2 - 10:00 amGreat little car. Gas mileage is unbelievable! 45+ MPG!
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At 168k, heres hoping for 200k+ miles - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By ThunderBunny - January 8 - 1:26 amThis review is for an 01 1.8T New Beetle (Auto), GLS trim with 17" rims, sports suspension, leather (heated) seating, steering wheel & shifter, and sunroof. At 50k miles, the ECU was chipped to 1 BAR. Now at 168k miles I must say my NBs been an excellent vehicle. The only items fixed under warranty were coil-packs and a MAF sensor. I replaced the Cam Chain Tensioner, 2 Oxygen/1 MAF sensors, valve cover gasket and a few hoses at 154k miles. Otherwise, everything else works! (Knock on wood!) I guess Im lucky as the NB is not rated highly for reliability. But with my other cars, I do my own maintenance/repair and follow the scheduled maintenance very closely. Hope itll go beyond 200k miles!
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Do not invest into this car. - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By AnnaM. - December 8 - 10:00 amWhen I first saw the bug,I can admit i was in love. As a college student,I saved every penny to afford this awesome looking car. I had to have the GLX-Turbo,leather and the fin.To be honest this car is the worst car built on the market. I have had my beetle in the shop for recalls over seventeen times. I have the dealership programed into my cell phone it is that bad. I pay for my car to be in the shop, on average I am only able to drive it two weeks out of a months. I highly suggest not to purchase this car.Unless you like spending time at the dealers service department.
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Fun to drive when the car works. - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By hombeboyfu - October 23 - 10:26 pmThe TDI Beetle has some nice characteristics to it like great fuel economy, reasonable amount of torque produced from the 1.9L engine, and overall fun to drive. The down side is the car is almost completely plastic. So expect thing to randomly break apart on it. These cars is riddled with electrical problems that doom every VW owner to spend massive amounts of time and money at repair shops. In conclusion, unless you have plenty of money, time, and want to become a good friend of your local VW/Audi Tech avoid this car like it was an ex-spouse with the plague.
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Ode to Jerry - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Greta427 - October 15 - 8:10 pmThis car is not for anyone who cant handle a few (well okay, a lot) of quirks. Having driven this daily for three years and put 100K miles on it in that time I would describe this as a reliable car. Word to the wise all VWs have a timing belt, if it blows, chances are so will your engine :( I loved this car. It was super fun to drive, had lots of zip for a 4 cyl and with low annual maint costs. Keep up with the maint and you will have little to no serious issues. I would highly suggest replacing the timing belt sooner than recommended just in case. Overall, my beetle, Jerry was very dependable with few "real" problems. Check engine light was always on due to fault O2 sensor.
