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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  Good transportation - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By adermard - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Two major components needed to be replaced (clutch and cruise control) but otherwise mostly minor things have broken. Its small, fun to drive, holds things alright with the seat folded down. Comfortable on the highway and gets an unbelievable 44+ mpg at 90mph, 49 at normal speeds. Enough power, it feels equally as fast as a standard beetle. Interior is funky, you either like it or you dont. Everything was easily replaired but this is the list of things that have broken: mirror adjuster broke off, window switches, center console latch, the drivers window (warranty)

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Monte - May 9 - 9:16 am

  For starters folks, if your looking at a used Beetle be prepared to put a little time and money into it. I have found so many things that the first 2 owners never took care of its crazy. My Beetle has 90,000 miles on it and its never had the cabin filter changed, the plugs and wires where still O.E., the fuel filter had never been replaced. I dont blame the car for these issues I blame the previous owners for not taking good care of the car. Since changing out the items mentioned I average 28 mpg in town and 33-34 mpg on the highway.

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  Great.....at the begining - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Aryn - May 9 - 12:26 am

  At first I loved my bug, and now I still love the way it looks. I havent had any major mechanical problems, but my headlights went out and I took it to Tires Plus and they had the hardest time trying to put new headlights in and didnt get them fixed the first time so I had to go twice. I also have never had all of my break lights work, even 10 minutes after they are replaced. The trunk release has not worked since I bought it. And I cant go over 60 without it reving to 3,000 rpm. So gas milage isnt what you would expect. The worst thing is the cost of maintenance! But after a year and a half I am still attached, that must say something.

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  Dont Even Think About It! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ace - May 3 - 8:06 am

  Lets start with the blinds spots: there are plenty - front and rear. Also, there is no light for the back seat, no leg room for my passengers there either, and I am only 510". The mirror adjustment is chintzy. Why doesnt the top stow away? Latching the roof is hard to do but thats okay because so is the trunk. The air conditioning is not very strong and the louvres are a joke. The car is fun at 30 miles per hour, but if you go faster the road noise (wind) will challege the sound system. Gas mileage? Try 18 mpg, can you believe it? The transmission is nice and loose ( I mean slipping). I guess this is why the finance man said that nobody keeps them after their two-year lease is up! Who could blame them? How about power seats?

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  "Milly" The Turbo Beetle - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Paul Hadley - April 27 - 2:00 am

  "Milly" has been a solid performer. Reliability has been good. The car is FUN to drive. Nice power to weight ratio. Service became a headache when I moved to Tucson, Az where there is just one Dealer and they know it. Even this is improved now that they have a new service manager. I have just traded "Milly" for another new Turbo Beetle...still searching for her name.

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  Problem car - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Upset - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new, and from 5000 miles on have had nothing but problems. Its been in the shop about 6 times for problems, not general auto service. Ive had electrical problems galore with this car, to the point where they have replaced 4 sensors, and now finally the entire electrical cluster. The A/C broke. The power windows, and ABS system have malfunctioned. P.S. I only have 30,000 on the car.

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  Diesel Slug Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By flthc - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Averageing 40 mpg @ 40% highway 60% city driving with the 1.9 TDI 6A. Its pretty peppy to boot. Better gas milage than the hybrids at a fraction of the cost. NO SMOKE or SMELL and great mileage, why would anyone not get the TDI?? I paid 17,200 plus tax and I got a price quote from deales from this web site in my area. Very pleased!

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  1999 Volkswagen New Beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By zoomzoom06 - April 25 - 7:40 am

  Ok, so I loved this car when I first got it. Fun to drive, envy of friends, etc. Well, then the problems started. This car eats fluids like crazy, the oil and anitfreeze especially. The fuse for the brakelights blew. The check engine and ABS lights stay on for no reason. I have heard these are common problems, but come on, youd think they would have fixed them. Also, I hate pumping it with gas. If the pumps nozzle is not in just the right position, the stupid thing stops because the sensor says the tank is full although it is not. There are so many more problems I could list, but there is not enough room to put them all down! Reconsider whether or not to purchase, and dont do it!

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  liked it in general but several problems - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cchrissyy - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed driving the beetle because it was responsive and comfortable. However, we had reliability probems literally from day 1 until the last day, when we picked it up from a service apointment and drove it to be traded-in! I would have kept it longer but we outgrew it- afetr 4 weeks of a baby riding in the back, enouh was enough! we needed a 4-door.

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  NEW BEETLE GLX CONVERTIBLE - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By DAVE - April 17 - 10:00 am

  JUST PICKED UP A GLX TURBO CONVERTIBLE THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BUY. I DROVE THE 2.0 NOT ENOUGH GET UP AND GO TO PURCHASE ONE FOR FUN. THIS CAR HAS LOTS OF ROOM, HANDLES VERY WELL AND IT IS A REAL LOOKER. THE ONLY COMPLAINT THUS FAR IS THE CONVERTIBLE BOOT COVER LATCH NOT THE BEST DESIGN, MADE OF PLASTIC AND SHOULD BE STAINLESS STEEL.