Overview & Reviews
For 2004, the New Beetle is no longer available in GLX trim. There's an improved TDI engine and restyled 16- and 17-inch wheels. Turbo S models get uniquely styled 17-inch wheels as a late-year addition. New safety features include head curtain airbags and upgraded head restraints. The Monsoon audio system is now standard on the GLS and new GDL headlights are optional. Later in the model year a fixed rear spoiler will replace the power-operated unit and a CD player with MP3 capability will be added. Convertibles get new exterior colors and color combinations. All Beetles get a new fuel cap warning light this year. TDI models can be equipped with a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which is a six-speed manual transmission with electronic control of the clutch and gearshifting. It can be operated in full automatic mode, like a traditional automatic, or shifted manually like a Tiptronic.
- Cute yet classic styling, range of engine choices, long list of standard features, good crash test scores.
- Tight rear-seat accommodations, limited cargo room, high price of Turbo S model.
User Reviews:
Showing 101 through 110 of 245.00-
The Piece - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Honey4Duke - March 4 - 10:00 amI Love it! All my friends can go and take a ride with me.
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Love My Convertible - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Funmaster7 - March 4 - 10:00 amI have had it now for a month and love it. My friends no longer want to drive their cars anywhere. It is a real attention grabber and very practical compared to other convertibles. I previously owned a Jetta for 5 years before the Beetle and never had any problems that why i decided to stick with VW!!
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My Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By AJBP - March 4 - 10:00 amOriginally purchased this car for daughter, as it will be pd by her 15th dday. Beautiful car. A real looker. Silver/Blk rag. Fun to drive especially w/top down. We have had a blast in it.Have had several problems with mine though. Part craftmanship, part dealership. Lots of breaking parts!!! Overall, I like the car , just tired of it ALWAYS being in the shop!!
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My little green bug... - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By cher - March 4 - 10:00 amI have dreamed about owning a VW Beetle ever since they came out with the new ones!! So, last Christmas my husband got tired of hearing me go on and on about getting one, so I received a beautiful gift box with the keys inside to my new Green Beetle!!! I was soo shocked and just love it to death!! I am the happiest gal in the world driving it!!
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Never, Never Again! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By NY Nurse - February 28 - 7:26 amI wanted one of these cars for ever. I finally bought one a year and a half ago. It has cost me more in maintenance and repairs in that year and a half than any other car Ive ever owned for the entire time I owned them! I went over a bump and it cost me $850! There is always something broken, now it is a window sensor. Dont be fooled with the German engineering thing - Its now Mexican engineering and they are not the same. I am selling my little lemon bug. Lesson learned.
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Gotta love the TDI, 1yr later still loving it!! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Long Range Customs - February 17 - 7:35 amAt 66", the little VW Beetle has absolutely the most comfortable seats my wife and i have ever been in for long road trips. A few years ago i made a 5400 mile trip in 84 hours flat, yes do the math on that one! I certainly was tired when i got to my destination and returning home but was no where near as sore as every other vehicle i have ever been owned! Gotta love the VW seats and interior design! The fuel mileage of the little 1.9L is incredible. At 80 mph for nearly the entire trip with severe side/head winds at times i still averaged 45MPG for the entire trip!!We typically see 42 city and 48-50hwy. I use light weight synthetic oils in the engine and tranny. I run my tires at their max on the sidewall giving me nearly perfect tread wear across the entire surface of the tires. My best tank was 760 miles on one tank! I spent a lot of time nursing it to the top both times. INCREDIBLE!! My only complaint however, is that VW used flimsy "Rivets" to hold the third member together that the ring gear bolts to in the little 5 spd transmission. A couple of the rivets flew out and punched a 3"-4" hole in the lower side of the transmission housing. At about 156k we removed the tranny to install a new clutch and much to our surprise we found the "inspection hole" they caused when they flew out. Costing us an unnecessary case replacement/tranny rebuild! We drilled out the remaining rivets and installed the recommended API bolt kit and all is good! It has absolutely ran like a swiss watch before and after that. Cant say enough about the little TDI beetles, loveem!! We liked it so much i am heading to purchase another one as ours was just hit in the front end by another driver and was totaled. All occupants we completely safe thanks to the Beetles design!! :{)
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Wake Up USA - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By capemaycruiser - January 21 - 10:00 amThe VW Beetle TDI diesel, pervasive in Europe due to really high fuel costs and forward looking regulations, is a pleasure to drive, easy to maintain and much less stressful at the pump than a comparable gas burner. The high torque (and low rpms) of the TDI makes it quiet and powerful on the highway while demonstrating the hill climbing strengths of a goat. And burning high cetane, low sulfur fuel or better yet a 20% blend of biodiesel, keeps the emissions low. In 18 months and 34K miles, my TDI Beetle has performed flawlessly and has been a hoot to drive past a bus load of school kids instigating a punch buggy frenzy!
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Not Particularly Happy - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By chris love - December 8 - 7:16 amToday I sit in the service department for approximately the 10th time in 2 years for yet another repair that has nothing to do with regularly scheduled maintenance. I purchased a new car to avoid this type of situation. Its a cutie, but it has ultimately been a disappointment as far as quality, especially electrical components. I am trading it in for a more boring but infinitely more reliable Japanese model after today. If you have a lot of time on your hands to spend in service dept waiting rooms this is the car for you! good luck...youve been warned!
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Great Car, Poor Volkswagen Quality - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Kaye - November 1 - 2:00 amWhen I first got in my Beetle I smiled but after 1200 miles I had a frown. The front seats bolsters had premature wear on them!! I took it to the dealer they replaced them under warranty, but they are still showing some wear. The ride is smooth, it handles great(it is a little heavy) I love it. I am noticing that when you open the door and the window lowers a 1/4 inch it somtimes hangs on the roof when I close the door.
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3939329209 - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Ayana - October 21 - 10:00 amthis vehicle is great for everyone from teens to adults excellent car A++++
