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 81 through 90 of 107.00

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  For the Love of Torque - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By linderov - February 10 - 6:50 am

  This has been a terrific car, very durable and reliable and looking good doing it. My kids dont ever complain about being cramped although I think they probably are. Its cozy and all their friends love it. With the sunroof and windows open, its like a convertible, too, fun and loud, and like a party ready to go. Even though the car is now 6 + years old, it still attracts attention, and not just from kids, although kids really love it. It gets 45 mpg in mixed use, typically. Ive never had problems here in Detroit with the cold weather and diesel. The diesel is quiet and pleasant sounding in normal use, and has a higher pitch singing sound when you hammer it to kick in the turbo.

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  A happy bee outside but mad bug inside - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Billy Tam - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I own it for 2.5 years now. I wanna say so far most of the things are ran fine. I mean new car doesnt means no problems, but old car should be have some problems. So for my bug, while under warranty, it replaced fog beam light bulg, replaced rear brake pads at the 20k factory service, fixed the error on driver side window, and this is it. For the commute of 15 miles one way, it gets 24 miles a gallon city and freeway.

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  Bursting the bubble - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kestrel - December 19 - 2:00 am

  The Beetle is fun to drive and for the money delivers enjoyable performance. My complaints with the car lie in the maintenance problems that I seem to always have with it. Under warranty I had to replace a headlight, the emergency break lever, and the center console dash light. The last was not covered by warranty. After 30000 miles I have had to replace the cables that pop open the gas cover, the emergency break cables and one new tire, all of this in addition to routine maintenance. The aluminum spokes of the steering wheel show wear. Some of the rubberized plastic is pealing. The exterior paint started to chip and spider around the door pulls.

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  Perfect reliability and so fun to drive - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By DaveInSoCal - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Bought a 2001 New Beetle Sport 1.8T for my wife. I specified the 1.8T motor as I knew I would also be driving it very often. The power and reliablity of the motor has been great. The handling and comfort is well balanced. Compact enough to easily park and drive in traffic and the city. Weve had it for almost 2 years and have not had one problem. My wifes friend got a Civic and has had several problems, so shes still so happy with the Beetle. The design seems timeless, too.

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  SENSATION OF THE ROAD - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By J. GUTIERREZ - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I DROVE IT ACCROSS THE COUNTRY, FROM CALIFORNIA TO FLORIDA. THE PERFORMANCE, THE DRIVING WAS ABSOLUTELY AN EXPERIENCE, LOVED IT. THE CAR ITSELF WAS THE SENSATION OF THE ROAD. EVERYWHERE WE STOPPED SOMEONE WILL APPROACH US TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CAR AND OF COURSE THERE WAS ONLY ONE ANSWER: WONDERFUL!!!!!

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  Still gets a big smile - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Andi S. - July 31 - 10:00 pm

  Weve had the car for about 18 mos, a little over 22k miles. Not a single bug (no pun intended) with it in all these miles. Fuel economy is outstanding at 45 mpg overall (as low as 39mpg in NYC traffic, 52mpg highway). I can fit adults in the back seat for short trips (like taking client to lunch last week). Great fun to drive, and definitely does NOT fit the profile of the traditional diesel. If youve never driven one, you should try one out.

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  Beetle Madness - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wlplumb - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Wifey loves it! Clutch went at 8K mi. Dealer wanted to blame me. Roadside service provided damaged car but would not repair. Second clutch OK at 52K. Pieces fall off all the time. Cosmetic engine cover snapped in two in cold weather. Headlights fail frequently and cost $55 to replace due to stupid design of light housing. Front grille fall off all the time due to stupid design of fasteners. Interior: no illumination on half the dash so you cant operate the HVAC at night. Dash protrudes so your hand collides with it when shifting (its a 5-spd.)

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  Great fun-to-drive automobile - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Patrick - February 3 - 7:06 am

  I have been driving for more than two years and this is my favorite car. The authentic volkswagen sound, the internal computer, and the comfort level are amazing. The ECU could use some work however as it limits the revs and it changes the shifting pattern too often (due to adaptive transmission). The winter driving is ok as long as you do not give it too much gas, and you can even drop it down into 1st or second gear for better stability and torque. The flaws I do not agree with are the window motors, as they wear out quite easily. The O2 sensors go quite quickly as well, we have had the car for about 8 years and it has gone through over 14 O2 sensors. The handling is very good on turns.

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  A Continuance - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By lynnurd - January 29 - 12:30 am

  Less than a year after my powertrain warranty expired, my OBD II inspection failed. Apparently my second intake air flow is screwed up (dealer said itll cost ~$500 to fix). To top it all off three days later, my blinkers went out. Its not the fuses, I can tell you that much. I am not going to get my money back on this car. Im only driving it until I can afford another car - which will be a few years. VWs stink.

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  The porsche of the middle class, the 2001 vw Beetle Vortex Blue Edition. - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By vortexblue2001 - November 9 - 6:26 pm

  Purchased this Beetle in 2006 with 216,000 thousand miles. Now has 255,000 thousand miles. When i purchased the car it needed many things like 4 coils, 4 spark plugs, all the filters,brakes, etc. Basically a a deep regular maintenance. I spend about 1,500 hundred dollars which included the parts and labor to put it up to speed, of course i did not take it to the dealership otherwise labor alone will had cost me 1,500. After that never had a problem with it. I replace the water pump and timing belt 3years ago so i have another 60,000 miles more to go. The Beetle has a ( 5- speed manual transmision) thats one of the reasons the car has lasted this long.This car is a good car if you service it.