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:
Showing 281 through 290 of 1,368.00-
awesomeness - 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle
By rocky balboa - January 9 - 4:56 amYou can cause pain just by driving it. Punch buggy is still popular, right?
-
Smiles At Ya - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Zonk - January 3 - 6:43 amWe have raised our families on old and new Beetles. We have owned a 1966, 1972, 1979, a 1968 Ghia, along with a 1999 New Beetle, tomoatoe red hardtop. We have always wanted a convertible and finally found the opportunity to own one this year. This new salsa red with tan interior and top is our "dream come true Beetle." It is fun to drive with the roof up or down. The power roof is sweeeeeet. The leather interior is nice and comfortable. The dash is ergonomically freindly. The Beetle sound system has a very quality sound. We have the 17" tires and wheels and I think the ride is compromised with this combination. Our Beetle always draws comments and waves when cruising the highway.
-
Tangerine - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Trixiebaby - January 1 - 10:00 amI bought a new Beetle convertible to replace my 1998 VW Cabrio, with 130,000 miles on it. Honestly, I was quite nervous making this purchase, in light of the recent quality control problems and past poor reliability of this model, at least in the hardtop model. Im keeping my fingers crossed! So far, the car has been a joy - only downside is that the top is a little hard to secure when putting it back up.
-
18 Wheeler VS. Beetle - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By BugDieselVW - December 26 - 10:00 amI was hit by any 18 wheeler and the cars protective features really did a super job. I survived the crash with only a few bumps and bruises. Even the windows stayed in tact. I loved my Bug before but now I am in love.
-
Will always be my favorite and possible only type of car!!! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By frunklaje - December 17 - 11:22 amAwesome little bug! It can carry a lot even three dogs, nice spoiler,(not a surprise it comes out at 90mph) great mileage have gotten 40 on highway, very small and compact but still a lot of head room. PS: Very strong panels. Ran into a van, van got a dent but no scratch on the beetle.
-
Lov my Bug - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By gank - December 12 - 12:24 pmI needed a commuter car. I bought my yellow bug used at 100K km. I now have 380K km on it. I replaced the clutch about 40K ago, upgraded to a racing clutch without the double throw. The car has has brakes at the normal interval, had to have have the AC repaired last year after 12 years service. Everything else works great, I hope to get 500K on her, the only issue I have is the running boards are too easy to rot out... but its a cheap fix. Im now looking for another TDI for the wife... BTW I drive it like I stole it and average 53-56 MPG Oh yeah, women seem to like the yellow beast.
-
Knockout at 18900 - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By coastie - December 7 - 10:00 amWow! Having driven Japanese econo boxes for the last 7 years, I am quite impressed with the Bug 1.8T. I was on a shake down cruise to Reno and paced an Audi A4 all the way over the mountains on I80. It seemed that this car was not going to unwind or unstick from the road!
-
Owing a bio bug - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
By David in Colorado - November 27 - 3:40 amI purchased this car used for the diesel engine as I was commuting 720 mile per week in my job. The car handled very well in all kinds of weather like snow and ice. Mileage was right at 40 mpg on the highway. I started mixing my own bio fuel 50/50 oil and diesel and was surprised at how well the car ran. about 10-15% loss in power but for the fuel savings I gained it was well worth it. The TDI engine coupled with the Automatic 6- speed gearbox is like new at 116000 miles. I have owned many newe cars in my lifetime and was a Honda owner before this but Volkswagon TDI performance along with durability and realibality really impressed me.
-
1999 VW Beetle (2.0 Engine, GLS, Automatic) - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By hulahips2 - November 8 - 7:43 pmLove my buggie!!!!!!!!!! I bought this used with approximately 55,000 miles on it back in 2010. Now my mileage is @ 75,000 and it has held up nicely. My buggie can move when I need it to, stop when I need it too. Suspension is awesome! I can fit into any stall with ease. And i think the quality is top notch (excluding switches, etc.), however, the German glass is top notch, so is the body from rust and the door closes nicely. in fact I really like the way VW makes the doors close, that certain sound it makes! LOL Im truly a VW believer.
-
Love the Bug! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By vp_lynn - November 7 - 9:03 amI love the new VW Bug! With more smile in the front and back itll make you smile just looking at it. The gas milage is better than the Focus I that I traded in and the handling is very smooth. The only thing Ive noticed is that due to the short distance between the front and back wheel you really feel the big bumps. But test drive one and fall in love!
