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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  No where to go - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Slugbug flu - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Problems from the start. The gas cap will not release. Battery died just after 2 years old. Dont ever jump start! A/C fan is dead. Starter dead. Brake cover fell off as did the mirrow button. Now the car has been in the shop 5 times for a over heating problem that they cant even seem to fix. The car has been a problem from the start. I have so many other things just no more room. VW hirer better engineers.

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  Lemon - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 1998 new beetle - September 24 - 10:36 pm

  This 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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  55,000 miles and the car wont start! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By beetle_owner - September 19 - 4:17 pm

  This 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).

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  BAD CAR! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By sm - September 11 - 2:06 am

  Do not buy a VW. I cannot wait to get rid of this lemon. I bought this brand new back in 2000 and have had nothing but problems. Although they are not too major, they are annoying and cause a lot of anxiety. About once or twice a year my car decides not to start AT ALL and leaves me stranded. It will be running like a beauty one day and completely dead the next. Electrical problems galore, peeling door handles, plastic parts break, etc., etc., etc. Fortunately my father is a mechanic otherwise I would be seriously in debt up to my eyeballs. I actually feel guilty trading this lemon in!! I am getting a Honda or Toyota next time. This thing has been recalled more times than I can count!

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  What a Dissappointment - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By RDFreier - September 9 - 4:26 pm

  Had problems with the car from the start. Engine would just shut off while driving 60 mph on the highway. Wife had many close calls with that until they found the problem in the programming. Then car leaked water into the floor of the back seat. VW said it was the sunroof drain. After over $2k in repair charges problem still not fixed. Battery died, car sat a little and leak filled the floor. Ive got bad mold smell, VW cant fix leak and Ive basically got a junk car as I cant afford to replace the interior. What a piece of Crap. Should have listened to my little voice that said VW has reliability problems. Dont buy a VW

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  CRASHED! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bo - August 23 - 1:40 pm

  SO my parents bought the bug for my older sister then it was handled down to me..i hated it at first because i felt like i was driving in a BUBBLE and it was not air resistance.(everytime driving on the highway i felt like i was going to be blown away with the wind)..ANYWHO i came to love the bug cuz it started to become fun until one day i lost control on the highway and crash!!!! (accident not my fault) ohh and did i mention SO MANY DAM PROBLEMSSS!!!! ughhhh so yah i dontthink ill buy another beetle again..and coming from a future car designer this is bad..design is good..reliability...not so good

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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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  Not so good this time either !! - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By 01YellowSlugBug - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd New Beetle. I owned a 98 and a 99 - both which had quality issues. I have been less than impressed with the 2001 as well. It seems that VWs quality hasnt improved much and its customer service needs improvement. I will not be purchasing a 4th Beetle or VW at all.

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  Very frustrated!! Dont buy - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By fjklajdfkdl - July 28 - 10:00 am

  7 trips to the repair shop, with 9 problems and it only has 26,000 miles. 3 window problems, 3 dead batteries, oxygen sensor, air flow meter, rock shield on underside of car rips off when you go over speed bumps even at a slow speed. Drivers side mirror blocks your view of other vehicles, especially at 4 way stops. I love driving the vehicle, but just too many problems.

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  Rattle Bug! - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Buzzbuzz93 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car in the shop three times for rattling in the interior. The hatch has been removed twice to fix it. When the car was built a screw was left in the dashboard which started to scratch against metal. After they removed the dash to fix it, they failed to hook up all the vents properly. There is still rattling in the doors, but I have given up that they will fix it. This will be my 1st and only VW. Where it that quality German engineering VW boasts about? Not in this car. Buyer beware!