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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  woo hoo! - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gogoguerilla - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I think the bug is the ULTIMATE road trip car in that its just a blast to drive... it has its quirks, but so do all cars.. and I prefer to see these "quirks" as "character"... Its a great car for med-long commutes as well as sporting arond town.. as aforementioned, its also done a few long hauls with me with no major problems. its a car that you instantly make a part of the family... i would recommend it to anyone whos not in dire need of tons of trunk space, but loves an airy, roomy, comfy, super fun car... id definitely also consider doing some upgrades, too (i.e. performance chip, exhaus improvement, etc.)

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  Mostly Good - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Heatherdear - October 30 - 1:16 am

  For the most part, my Beetle was a good car. It was small, easy to park, fun to drive, and got fairly good gas mileage. However, it seemed like every 4-5 months it had to go to the shop to get worke on because something went wrong. I went to the Post Office once and when I went to leave, the brake sensor went out so the car wouldnt recognize that I had my foot on the brake so I couldnt take the car out of park. It had to get the coils on several cylinders replaced multiple times. There were other issues as well but I still enjoyed the car. I can honestly say that in a bad accident, the has great safety features, providing miniscule injuries.

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  250k! <3 my bug. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dulciepoo - October 29 - 12:35 am

  My parents bought this car at 60k, gave it to me at 120k, and ive driven it up to 250k, and its still going. Ive had some issues, of course....its a car. Heating/cooling fan went out, clutch replaced once, windshield wiper fluid stopped spraying? cheap interior. Still, it is time I look for another car, and I am looking at VWs. Expensive repairs, but a VW will stay running forever. Do not pay $60 for your headlight. I bought the bulb for $12 and a small mechanic did labor for $8. Find someone else to do repairs! Youll pay 1/3 the price that you did at the dealer. Just make sure he/she knows what theyre doing.

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  Fun to drive, keep your walking shoes - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By George H. - October 28 - 6:20 am

  Great visibility and fast, fun ride. Be prepared with your cell phone--mine has quit running twice, needed tow, took about a week to repair each time. Trunk wont unlock 80% of the time with either the remote or inside release and one of the remote key fobs just quit working. This review is from the owner of a 2005 Mercedes SLK (so I know fun to drive) and a 2006 Honda Ridgeline (so I know high quality). Before its out of warranty Im going to get something else--another Beetle if the JD Powers and Consumers Reports ratings improve. This beetle replaced a 2001 model I bought used; that one never broke. In fairness, this is a very early build of the new model.

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  Been 10 great years - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By trazy - October 13 - 6:16 am

  I purchased mine back in 03 from a dealership with 35k miles. I just crossed the 110k mark. So far Ive had nothing Id consider a "major" problem. At 90k miles the water pump went out. I also replaced the tensioner and belt. Yesterday it started misfiring bad and learned the coil pack had gone bad. I also replaced the spark plugs and the wires while having that replaced. Aside from that just changing the oil, brake pads, filters...etc. Only needing 2 sub $500 repairs in 10 years of ownership. To me, thats great. Little things have broke though. Switches, trunk latch, knobs. But those are little DIY cheap repairs.

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  No Problems with This Beetle! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By BlueBug - September 23 - 2:16 am

  After reading about all the problems on the New Beetle Convertible, I had to review mine. After nearly 20,000 miles its been flawless except for a turn signal issue that the dealer addressed. Dealer told us to ALWAYS use the top cover or risk having the top torn away at highway speeds.

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  Pretty but Dumb - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Pretty but dumb car - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on impulse during a sad time in my life. It cheered me up for about two months. Unfortunately it has had four engine repairs, a broken hatchback door, battery died three times, and the a/c had to be replaced twice. I also replaced the clutch, air filters, and multiple electrical components. Its a beautiful, fun drive vehicle, but its reliability stinks. I am trading it in for a Toyota Corolla. I forgot to mention how lame VW dealerships are.

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  Go Diesel - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 02 White Diesel - September 16 - 10:10 am

  Purchased new. Average mileage has been 40, mix of highway & city driving. Have had problems with headlights burning out. Had to replace the horns. Have had to replace several brake light switches. Trans. wont shift if defective. So far engine & trans OK. Low fuel light is on all the time. $600.00 to repair. Ill live with it. Overall, I love the car. Good mileage, easy on tires and easy to do my own oil changes. Well see how long the engine/trans last. Diesel should go 250,000 miles easily. Im using Stanadine Fuel Additive.

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  Not Happy - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gecko06 - August 19 - 9:36 am

  I have had one thing after another go wrong with my 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. The window was out of alignment, the emergency break over loose, the inside panel rattled, the trunk wont open with the auto-button on key. It rides good but all these little things make us wonder why we gave up the Honda Civic for a cooler looking (but not built) car. Weve had to visit the dealer almost five times to solve these problems. For the Honda we just visited for oil changes and maintenance.

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  turbo 5 speed fast and great MPG... - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cali guy - August 4 - 1:58 am

  Its was my sister car at 79k miles on it. It look and drove great. I was impress with MPG and Yes at 30 plus plus mpg!! Now at 100k and moved to the horrible south Texas! With humility and very Hot I noticed the door panels are pulling back-off like, there leather and its anoing! It has cute looks thats what girls and women like but really its a nice car. With the 1.8L turbo and 5speed manuel...its a Fast little sleeper...hehe I love it at stop lights with big trucks or mustang even the 320z it just leaves all of them at the light! And the drivers look as they only see my tail lights!! Ha!! But as the car it has one of the Best n World engine top 10... But with the window regulator(drivers side was out!) and door trim pulling out...and headlights work great but fade to fast... It has problems....Sad cuz its actually a good little Fast great MPG...car. I drove PCH highway for those that dont know that the twisty road on the west coast...and with the top down..it was a fun fun little car to drive...and I drive spiritly quick to I may add. So for a safe and good MPG and a Fast car with manuel n turbocharger its great. But some quality built materials would be appreciated.