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:
Showing 1261 through 1270 of 1,368.00-
Love to drive it, but tired of problems. - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By SunBear - October 19 - 3:40 amWhen I bought this car, it had about 60ish thousand miles on it. Has transmission problems, doesnt like to go in reverse or it slips around the third gear. (Automatic). And VW wants 3k+ for a replacement! Even rebuilt ones online are over 1k. Replaced the water pump twice, the timing belt once. The headlights have both gone out, and take forever to replace. We have done all of the work at home, to save money, and it is a pain to do work on it, things are hard to get to. Car burns oil Recently replaced the starter and battery. I love driving this car, I can take corners at 45+ with no problem. The CD player it came with never worked, and my seat heater stopped working- but its a sturdy car
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shh...she thinks im a corvette.... - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By kiddlekat - October 10 - 2:00 ammy convertible is black with tan interior,named Ringo cause its a beetle. i am really impressed with vw they have made a small car but with large car details (side airbags)the convertible is very roomy even the back (i have twin 13yrolds) is good not for long trips but for the beach and back its great.
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Like marriage - its the little things - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By behamsa - October 7 - 9:43 amI still love my bug after 8 yrs, but there are definitely some little & not so little design flaws that cause $$ and growls. Frequent headlamp replacements costly. Plastic "butter tub" under front of car gets thrashed regularly due to ridiculous clearance (Replaced several, lost count. Also the oil pan went with it 1 time!) Paint and rubber continues to come off door panels. Anything interior plastic is subject to break/replace over & over. (Window & climate controls, cup holder, gas door cable) And I have replaced so many cheaply glued hub cab emblems that I finally gave up! The devil is in the details on this car. Dealer service is $$$. But all said I still love to drive this baby!
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Looooove My Beetle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By KKelsch - September 28 - 10:00 amI love my Beetle, 6 speed, how many women out there can drive this baby? Only one thing wrong with it - I have to remind myself every time I drive it. You dont need a Traffic Award!
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Lemon - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
By 1998 new beetle - September 24 - 10:36 pmThis car has been a lemon since we purchased. We have spent over 22 thousand dollars in repairs. As we speak the car is broken again. We spent more in repairs than we paid for the car. I called the corporate office for Volkswagen, their comment was that they could do nothing about. The car has been broken down ever few months apart from the lat. Each visit is always 1 or 2 thousand if not more. I would not take another one of these cars if it was given to me.
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Its great ... - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Ky - September 22 - 11:03 amThis car is the perfect car for a teenage in high school or college. My parents bought me one last October, and it has worked great for me. I went fromm a 2001 4Runner to this and it is much easier to drive. I would recommend this car to any parent thinking about buying a car for their child. Even my guy friends think it is one of the best drives they have ever driven when they get behind the wheel. The only think they are againt is the color i picked... mellow yellow, but i love it and thats all that matters right. My neighbors loved the car so much they went out and bought the exact same one color and everything. Overall its a great car.
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Volkswagon New Beetle - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By jamiebug04 - September 22 - 2:00 amI love driving my Bug, however I have had many problems with the electrical system..The windows have been fixed 5 times, the gas door has been fixed once, the Oxygen Sensors have been fixed twice, the trunk wont open with the electric switches, and the CD player wont work. However, I have had no problems with the engine. I would not recommend others to buy this car because of the annoyances of the problems.
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FUN DRIVING IN THE WIND - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By TERRY MEYERS - September 22 - 2:00 amVERY SMOOTH RIDING AND SHIFTING . WE HAD A 2001 BEETLE AND THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. IT IS A FUN CAR TO DRIVE AND HAS A LOT OF PEP. WE HAVE A 1.8 TURBO CONVERTIBLE. THIS IS A CLASS CAR VW YOU HAVE COME BACK.
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Save your money!! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Heather Boyd - September 22 - 2:00 amThis is the worst car that I have ever owned. Repairs are as follows: Headlights 2 times,Disc brakes and rotors (at 30000 miles), Check engine light on constanly(costing $90.00 every time) EGR valve,Air dam,Brake switch,Fuel line freeze up at 25 degrees. Not to mention the 24/24 warranty.Dealer is tired of me coming back all the time. Save your money!!! Also... At 50000 miles it will cost you $500.00 to replace the timing belt.
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55,000 miles and the car wont start! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By beetle_owner - September 19 - 4:17 pmThis is the cutest most fun to drive car ever....when it works. Oh...are you thinking about taking the car to a mechanic outside of the dealership to have it worked on for cheaper? Dont even think about it...many mechanics either wont want to touch your beetle or they will not be able to fix it since its an electrical nightmare thats built like a puzzle! And how is it that a chord has broken on the top? That happened at about 40,000 miles. One more thing...if something breaks, like the radio...you have to get it fixed right away before it starts affecting other electrical things in the car...sigh...selling it asap once it comes out the shop (been there a month already).
