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:

• 

  2000 new Beetle Turbo - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sjef van den berg - March 18 - 8:10 pm

  My Beetle drives like a bat out of hell. It has great road holding ability and a solid overall feel. I truly enjoy driving the car and will buy another one. Unfortunately, the 1.8 turbo engine is no longer available.

• 

  My Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By AJBP - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Originally 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!!

• 

  Fun, Reliable - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Volks Driver - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I have the base 2.0 liter, GLS, 5- speed. No problems except for the power window holding clips, which were replaced under warranty. The car is fun, stylish, economical and reliable.

• 

  problems - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Cookie - February 13 - 10:00 am

  gas door quit working twice; drivers window rattled and was fixed; next day, same window shattered mostly in the door; left windows almost close but back goes back down; weve spent more time at the dealers than we had hoped we would; makes you wonder what is going to happen next time;

• 

  238000 miles - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rose - January 26 - 5:40 am

  To all the skeptics: sit down and read this! 238,000 miles on my TDI Beetle. No major engine issues. Serviced regularly: oil change every 6k; 20k/40ks; 60ks timing belt. Tire rotation every 5-8k on the best Mich. Destinys. 3 complaints: seats are not made for comfort, whats up with the head light lenses falling out:replaced 5 times and rear seat is not for passengers with legs. Had to put her to rest this week. A ford driver with bald tires had a blow out on the mountain, swerved to miss her, slammed into guard rail. Saved a life, yet totaled my new beetle. Gonna miss her. If you have in-laws or pals that say you should sell your TDI...DONT LISTEN!..There just jealous of your mpg!

• 

  TDI Plus and Minus - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Terry Thompson - January 11 - 11:20 pm

  The TDI Beetle is a great idea, I bought it because I assumed it would get good mileage and last a long time. Yes and no. It generally gets good gas mileage but there is a problem. Our diesel fuel isnt all that good and the engine has a tendency to combine some of the bad components with carbon particles which, over time, ends up clogging the intake manifold. There has been a solution (a rather expensive one) but VW no longer supports it. You can get to about 30,000 - 40,000 miles before something has to be done. Know this going in, if VW figures out a solution to this problem, the car is a great buy, if they dont stay away.

• 

  Little Buger - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ornary Old Coot - January 4 - 5:10 pm

  Ok, so bought this turbo beast of mine at 114000, here I am and 2 oil changes later (at 5000kms a piece, first one as soon as I got her ), Im at 120000kms n she drives like a dream. I call her pristine, mind you after the manual sunroof blocker had to be removed and the sunroof is visible all the time I may have to change that. I got her reasonably young, and is amazing to drive. I take off ramps rated at 40 km/hr at 80 and she hugs every corner. When I bought her, she came with 17" Momo Italia 5 spokes, wrapped in pirellis. I had a 96 jetta b4 hand and this one is much more fun, aside from a lack in cupholders and a bit of trunk space, handling is superb for a front wheel drive

• 

  Bug - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JR - December 22 - 8:56 am

  The Volkswagen Beetle is a car with good room, power, gas mileage, and design. It is fun to drive and easy to park, which is a real plus in city driving and living.

• 

  Lots of Little Problems - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By dc - December 14 - 12:43 am

  Driving the car is fun, but the electrical components are lousy. My local service department is not very good and is very costly. We have had a lot of trouble with it, nothing with the drivetrain, but lots of little electrical problems.

• 

  Little Things... - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Ladys Bug - November 21 - 6:16 am

  I bought my 99 Beetle with 38,000 miles on it. It now has 52,000 miles. It is pretty good overall, despite the little "Mickey Mouse" problems that most bug owners complain about (cup holders, visors, etc.). The cloth seats do stain easily. The plastic does melt and scratch/break easily. The lights are iffy, however they are not as hard to replace as most think. Get a Haynes Repair manual (about $12 at any auto shop). My cars headlight was replaced in 10 minutes and for only $3 (the cost of the bulb). Everything seems to be working fine except for the CD player which is located in the trunk and a leak in my a.c. evaporator. The shop quoted me about $2,000 to fix it. I said "no thanks" and just added freon. Its good for now until it all leaks out again, in which case i will add more freon.