Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen revives a legend using retro styling touches wrapped around Golf underpinnings.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 86.00

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  cute but dont buy - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Cheer Chick - June 14 - 12:10 pm

  I loved this car when i first bought it, but then after I had it for a week it was back in the shop. Ive had the transmission replaced twice on this thing. The light bulbs keep goin out and the window buttons always break. My window broke while it was down which was horrible. The dealer always is really expensive too. My brake light switch went out too and I couldnt move my car. This car spends more time in the shop then it does on the road! VW seriously needs to rethink some ideas on the Bug. My interior door handles are pealing and the cup holders stink. I cant even put any drink besides a can in there. It also needs more horspower. It has horrible acceleration! Dont buy a new Beetle.

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  Poor quality - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By tracy - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my bug unfortunatly since the warranty has expired: I having a variety of problems. The electric window on the passenger side failled. The onboard computer is now having problems again after having been replaced under warranty. The cost for changing of a headlight was $500.00 ( an internal problem ) One of the headlight burned out again 3 months after replacement the other one after 6 months. The molding on the back window is falling off. Volkswagen has spent massive amounts of money on advertisements to make us forget about their not so good reputation. It appears to me that they are still unable to build a car without problems.

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  Never buy another - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bonerrick - March 31 - 4:13 am

  first, this car sets so low to the ground that I scraped the bottom and broke the oil pan, 2x. costly repairs! Then the it overheated and the timing belt, pump had to be replaced, another costly repair. The windows dont work, especially in winters. The door doesnt open on the passenger side and a rock hit the windshield and put a big round crack on the driver side. Now, the check engine lights comes on and when I put it for diagnosis, it says that a valve is going in the wrong direction. What next!!!! the door lining is falling down on me when I drive so have to use duck tape to keep it in place. never will I buy another german made car, made in Mexico...

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  Eh, its ok - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By whitney1313 - February 25 - 8:36 am

  My 1998 bug now has 72,000 miles (bought it with 5,000 miles). So far, I have replaced the timing belt, spark plugs / wires, window regulators multiple times, alternator ($$$$$$$), wheel ball bearings, taillight (twice). The list is endless. Some of the parts that have been replaced are normal wear items, but even my mechanics have said that the car shouldnt be doing this with only 75,000 miles. Also, about every interior trim piece is sitting in the back seat. If you do buy one, be prepared to take the three layer door apart often to fix the window problems- theyre notorious.

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  pure waste of money - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By monkey mike - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Worst 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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  Dracula - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 80sgirl - November 14 - 6:33 am

  As the title of the review states this car has totally sucked the money out of me. So far I have put $1000 in it, but it needs MAJOR repairs...Recently, the air bag light has come on and stayed (checked the code in computer and it disappeared, came back 3 days later, told could be electrical glitch). Passenger door lock switch needs replaced, the relase to shift A/T from park wont work, and now, no brake lights. I HATE this car now but loved it when I got it...It has been a complete NIGHTMARE!!! Major Electrical problems with VWs (read the rest of the reviews)...STAY AWAY or youll be sorry.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kincaid - September 12 - 3:26 am

  I 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 pm

  Without 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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  A Bug that will bug you ... - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By J Thomas - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Consistent problems mark this car. Electrical system required a major investment to get the car running again. The air conditioning went out annually requiring finally another major investment to fix. The power windows go out almost as often. The back hatch rattles periodically as the wiring harness in it slides around. Seals came down from around the windows. The two dealerships that serviced the vehicle were inept at fixing problems and bent on creating reasons to jack up the cost of repairs. They seemed to be distinctly dishonest. (In contrast to the dealers for my BMW or Chrysler.) I have vowed to never buy another VW.

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  Doooont buy VWs any car ! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jaysohn - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Engine stops anytime everywhere.... Nobody knows why it happens even dealershop guys. I changed every parts except flower vase, but it still keeps asking my money for changing some parts.