Overview & Reviews

A high-performance turbo model debuts this year. A small spoiler over the rear window is the only exterior telltale that the Bug next to you has the 150-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four from the larger Passat sedan under the hood.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 103.00

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  Not my Grandmas 58 - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By straightliner - January 10 - 10:50 am

  First VW Ive owned. Purchased used w/55K and doubled the mileage. Not bad in the beginning, but repairs have been escalating. Went through three water pumps, mass air flow sensor failed, intake leak (causing check engine light and failed emissions), radiator replacement. Funny, but all the electrical glitches and broken plastic others complain about havent been a problem. The alarm system never seemed to work as advertised, trunk latch doesnt always catch and I got stranded w/the valet key once, but otherwise OK. Fun to drive, love the stick and still turns heads after all these years. Im glad I tried it, but approaching 110K and $4,000 in repairs, Im ambivalent.

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  Never Again - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By JJ - September 23 - 6:33 am

  This my LAST VW. I have electrical problems galore. Now the headliner is coming off and some of the leather on the drivers door is coming unglued. What terrible quality for a German car, and VW wont stand behind their own work after a measly three years. I am going back to the Japanese cars. They know how to make quality and stand behind their products.

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  Not What They Used To Be - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Rebecca - May 7 - 10:10 pm

  This is my 4th Beetle and my favorite thing about the new Beetle is that the heater works. Heres a list of things that no longer work in the car; drivers side window no longer goes up and down, tape player stopped working, antenna fell off, passenger side window motor had to be replaced (as well as drivers side, but still doesnt work because the button broke off), side view mirror button broke off, trunk doesnt latch, hood latch occasionally doesnt work, locking gas door no longer locks, A/C no longer operating. This is unbelievable considering I am the only driver of this vehicle and am no kid. Also, most importantly its oil consumption worrisome at best.

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  Save Yourself - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Thomas Davis - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The reliablity of this model is far below expectations, requiring over $5,000 of repairs in the past 4 years especially exhaust windows and amenities and gear shift/gear train. Stay away from this lemon!

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  VW New Beatle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By gilandis - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have has several problems with the vehicle. The most recurring problem has been with the windows switches. They have been replaced three times; two under warranty and once at my expense. The battery needed replacement after 3 years.

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  Love the body, HATE its guts! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By kmad - July 6 - 2:00 am

  It is constantly running out of oil. Just had to put in 2 quarts yesterday. The door locks work only when they want to and the AC doesnt seem to be a cold as it should. Trying to work with the service departments can make a person go bald. (from pulling your hair out). They actually told me that my car was using up oil because oil in the US is different from oil in Germany so I need to check it often and add oil as needed. They estimated 1 quart every 800 miles. If this were true Im sure VW would be importing SPECIAL German oil for VW owners, put an outragous price on it per quart and make a huge profit on it. My car only has 40k miles on it!!!

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  Always Broke Down - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HOLLY - June 17 - 1:30 am

  I bought my car new in 99 & was so happy for about 2 yrs. The wipers never really cleared the windshield sufficiently & the radio never picked up ANY stations. Cup holders were a joke & the emergency brake would stick when it was cold out (makes it hard to warm up a standard when you cant set the brake) Heater took too long to warm up & if the ac fan was on high forget accelerating. The brake and headlights were a constant hassle as was the O2 sensor (replaced it 3Xs & only the 2nd was covered by a recall) I had 3 breakdowns while traveling, costing thousands. Melted fuse box, blown motor, peeling interior & exterior. I cared for this car properly but always wanted to push it off a cliff!!

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  Debt. - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By savannahb - December 11 - 7:35 am

  We bought this car as a first car, and at first, it was great... Until about two months later when we spent $1200 on engine, heating, and oil repairs. (Mind you, $1200 is a little less than half of what we paid for it.) Then the buggy worked fine until the window rolled down and wouldnt roll back up... And the tail light bulb burst... And the battery kept dying. If I had the choice, Id sell it to my now-well-known VW repair man for spare parts and buy a RELIABLE car.

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  So disappointed - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Andrea - May 17 - 6:30 am

  This car was bought with 32,000 miles. It now has 56,000. Let me put it this way, I will never buy a VW again. I hope this will help some poor soul from making a $5000 dollar mistake. That was $5,000 dollars in repairs. Too many to list. Worst was mass air flow sensor and fuel injectors. Who ever heard of replacing fuel injectors!?

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  I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By SYR - November 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF S... THANK GOD HAS A WARRATY COVERAGE. AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY IS UP, IM SELLING IT.