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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  If Only I Knew - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By LoveHateVW - January 23 - 4:56 am

  Bought this car at 99K miles, previous owner took exceptional care of it. As had happened with my previous VW though (2000 Jetta), stuff started going wrong with the car shortly over the 100K mark. While understandable with a high-mileage car, the small things in the design of this vehicle were what surprised me, negatively. Shoddy plastic parts often broke down, such as the hatch release and center console. The sunroof is also a water hazard, but I hear VW has issued a recall on that. Love driving this VW, but hate owning. Water pump, oil pan, timing belt, starter, and window reliability are some things to look out for. Keep this in mind if you are even thinking VW.

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  My former dream car - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Scott - January 22 - 10:46 am

  I wrote a review titled "my dream car" about a month and a half ago. Ignore it! I sold this vehicle last week because of the multitude of problems. I had it in the shop 17 times in 10 weeks. You read that right, 17 times in 10 weeks. I litterly had the car 4 days a week because the dealer had it the rest of the time. I am now $1,162.16 in debt just from fixing the car and I am 19 years old. It was my worst nightmare. I replaced 2 ignition coils, the alignment went out 3 times, spark plugs, window cables, oil changes, O2 sensors that "a squirrel ate" through. Oh and VW did not cover it because it was not a defect in the car. Just for the sensor it was $320.00!

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  Great interior room for a small car - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Wild Blue Yonder - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I am always amazed at how much stuff I can get into my Beetle. Just pop down the back seat and load up boxed up computers, office chairs, you name it. This weekend I bought a bistro set with a table and two chairs...all pieces fit in just fine. I also carted home a rocking chair in it...in fact I tried fitting the chair into my Mazda 626 and it did not fit...had to come back home and get the Beetle.

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  Bug of my Heart - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By briansfreehold - January 15 - 3:00 am

  I traded in a 1997 Kia Spotage for my cyberpunk green 2002 Bug and have had almost nothing but great luck with it. Of course after 30.000 miles any car will have some problems, like the plastic PVC around the bottom of the engine came apart as I was driving it on the freeway, and there is some hesatation with the automatic transmisstion (which was taken care of by the warranty). I stil just love this car. It may not be as cheap to fix and run as the old VW bugs but what is? Of course, the gas milage is sorly laking from what they said it was on the sticker. I get 23 mpg on the freeway. Bottom line, it still kicks butt over most of the other jelly bean looking cars that are on our roads now (BORING).

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  The car I wish I didnt buy... - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Unlucky Owner - January 7 - 2:03 am

  At first we loved the car, looked great, roomy and drove nice. However, during the first year we developed Nothing but problems with no help from the dealer. Suspension problems, engine noise, cd changer was replaced 4 times, window broke, rubber coating in the interior is peeling, thermostat went bad, plastic console broke, seats have mysteriously stained. Service has been horrible. I cannot recommend VW to anyone. See www.myvwlemon.com - I am not affiliated but they helped me solve some problems. Do not buy this car.

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  my darling beetle! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By margetz@aol.com - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I will never own anything but Beetles!

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  Turbo S named MAX - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By wldwsel - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Fun to drive - lots of features. My first new car was a 68 VW Bug, so I can can compare and say this one has all the things you would have wanted if you could have afforded to modify it, plus its much larger inside.

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  2006 Beetle Convertible - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jennel - January 3 - 11:16 am

  My Beetle Convertible is adorable, fun, and a perky drive. It has more pick-up than youd expect, and is built more solidly than expected. It has a great sound system. I love its creative tidbits. It gets lots of smiles from strangers. I feel like a kid adrift in cotton candy...and guilty too! Its too nice. Negatives: teeny trunk; no storage. If you need storage, this has to be your second car or simply skip it. The front seating is fairly comfortable - the seat moves 7 directions so you can sit up, like in a chair, or down more as if in a sporty car. The 2006 model has the armrest farther back and its too far back for me. I really dislike it and find it uncomfortable. The convertible top is too hard for me to shut.