Overview & Reviews

A Turbo S model debuts, motivated by a 180-horsepower version of VW's1.8-liter turbo engine teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox. Other exclusives for the Turbo S include Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), a slightly stiffer suspension, 17-inch "Delta X" alloy wheels, revised turn signals and foglights, a front spoiler, a redesigned rear bumper with Turbo S badging and brushed alloy interior accents. Additionally, a rear spoiler will deploy from the hatch when these special Bugs reach 45 mph. Exterior paint for the S is limited to Reflex Silver, Black, Red and Platinum Gray. Later in the year, a Sport model debuts -- it's essentially a GLS 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels, leather interior and a Sport badge on the deck lid. Changes for the rest of the lineup are minor: New colors such as limited-edition Snap Orange and Riviera Blue further enhance the Beetle's eye-candy appeal, and 16-inch wheels with 205/55 tires are now standard across the board. For 2002, all-new Volkswagen vehicles come standard with an improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen offers a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles.

• Cute yet classic styling, excellent crash-test scores, affordably priced, turbo models are fun to drive, available six-speed manual and stability control with Turbo S model.

• Compromised rear seat/cargo capacity compared to Golf.

User Reviews:

Showing 131 through 139 of 139.00

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  its mediocre - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By slb805 - August 14 - 1:36 pm

  So I bought the car and initially it ran fine, but over the two years Ive owned it, things have begun to break down. The passenger window screeches when I roll it down, it gobbles up oil and gas. I have to put oil in it every 3 wks or so its a rare occasion when the engine light is off. Its an automatic, but the transmission shifts very funky it lurches sometimes and lately has been making weird noises when idling its fun to drive when it puts out but unfortunately that is becoming less and less. It seems like 1/2 the ppl who own a beetle love it & the other 1/2 absolutely hate it! I think Im growing to be the half that is displeased dont be fooled dont buy the car because its "cute"

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  Horrible, simply horrible - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By admiral - August 12 - 2:20 pm

  This car is very uncomfortable and slow compared to what I want.

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  Worst car ever - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Beetle Driver - July 7 - 11:36 pm

  This car has been in the dealership 12 times in 6 months for stupid things like spark plug wires and everytime it costs at least $400, if you want a car that is cute and reliable get a Japanese car like Honda/Toyota, steer clear of German cars, they are expensive and so is the upkeep. When you average out the costs its about $100-200 a month for repairs alone.

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  Ill never buy another VW - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Piece of JUNK! - June 11 - 10:56 pm

  Where do I start? First major problem was the water pump went out. Son was driving and kept driving when it over heated. Had to get a new engine. Ended up buying a used engine and still cost over $2,000. Water pump went out in that engine. Another $800. Water pump went out again in less than a week. Was replaced for free. Water pump went out a fourth time after 6 months. Was replaced for free. The plastic interior is breaking apart everywhere. The paint on the hood starting chipping the same year I bought it (2006). Doesnt get good gas mileage. I got almost as good gas mileage with my full size truck. Now the transmission fluid is leaking and they want $4000 for a new one.

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  I Love my TDI - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Markusbarkus - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I went back to school and needed a more economical car, so I traded my 2000 323i sport/premium for a 2002 Platnum Grey New Beetle GLS TDI. I love to low end grunt in the city. I am shocked with the amazing fule mileage. With the BMW I had to fill up every 6 days or so, with the VW I fill up about every 3 weeks. I just had it chipped with no degredation of mileage and GOBS of Torque!

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  Nostalgia--gotta love it - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SpottedOne - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Due to a long drive to work and the fact that mom had a Beetle when I was a kid, I now own one too. I have had nothing but complete satisfaction with my Beetle so far. Im averaging about 39 mpg. Some people are put off by diesel due to the smell and I gotta say, its a different smell, but it is not as bad as what you might think. It is a bit louder, but again, not that of a semi. For anyone thinking about it, I would highly recommend taking one out for a drive and talking to your local dealer (or unlocal, I drove over 75 miles for mine) and doing some research. What it will save me in fuel cost a year, will make a couple of car payments.

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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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  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).