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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  Fun Car / Not Reliable - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By m_dsdrc - July 10 - 5:06 am

  I love the design of the 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. Its the cutest car ever made. But it is poorly put together. What ever is made of plastic in that car is going to break. I have had to replace all the window switches in it. And now I cant use my CD player because the plastic switches on the radio have broken. My flex plate in the engine craked and had to be replaced. The actual part only cost $36 but it ended up costing me $800 after labor. So its not that the parts are expensive is the difficulty to replace things in the car. I had to also replace my alternator, air conditioner, and the window units. My fuel door will not open from the inside If they would just fix all these minor problems it would be an exellent car!

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  Happy Fat Man - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Chanman - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Our Beetle is a 2003 Convertible GLS with leather and a six-speed automatic. This past Fall my wife and I took our 2003 Beetle Convertible on an 18 day, 5000 mile excursion to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and most points in between. We packed a weeks change of clothes for warm and cool weather, plus a cooler packed with drinks, food, and cameras, ect. NO PROBLEM!! I am a big, big man, pushing 400lbs. Yet we were both very comfortable and the car performed without flaw. Let me tell you...there is nothing like the Rockies in a rag-top!!

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  VW BUG CONVERTIBLE - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By pjones - June 7 - 10:00 am

  The only disign problem I have with the convertible is the windows catch on the roof when the doors are opened.

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  Great engine - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By greg2877 - June 6 - 8:56 pm

  I gave this little car 4 stars for the engine only. It is very sound and will last forever, if you keep up with the regular oil changes. I bough the car 2 years ago, and had to do zero repairs for the engine. The inside is a different story. The only thing solid for the car is the engine and the steering wheel. A lot of the inside is made of plastic and actually, under the hood, a little tongue comes out to open the hood, and that broke off, so now I have to magician my way to open it. Its tricky but can be done. The inside is breaking. The sunroof,door handles, locks, and glovebox. I would say, the inside would cost me around $1000 to get fixed. If I do the work myself.

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  Fun car/Poor Qualty - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Treva Hagstrom - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car but has been towed in several times. Several Headlights 5-8 Many window regulars 5 Electronic key entry About $350. This car has had 3 Batteries. This can only be installed by the dealer.They have to reset the computer. This cost about $135. Several other people have had the same Problem. We are not happy with the qualty.

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  TDI Diesel Beetle After Seven Years - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By diesel - May 23 - 3:06 pm

  After seven years of daily use, I am still very happy with my Beetle. Other New Beetles have had reliability problems, but I have had no problems with the engine or transmission. I have had minor problems with the window switches breaking, but the replacements seem to have held up. This is a much better engine than the 2.0L gas, and it gives far better economy. The downside is whenever we go somewhere I always have to drive!

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  Good transportation - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By adermard - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Good car. Two major components needed to be replaced (clutch and cruise control) but otherwise mostly minor things have broken. Its small, fun to drive, holds things alright with the seat folded down. Comfortable on the highway and gets an unbelievable 44+ mpg at 90mph, 49 at normal speeds. Enough power, it feels equally as fast as a standard beetle. Interior is funky, you either like it or you dont. Everything was easily replaired but this is the list of things that have broken: mirror adjuster broke off, window switches, center console latch, the drivers window (warranty)

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  Great.....at the begining - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Aryn - May 9 - 12:26 am

  At first I loved my bug, and now I still love the way it looks. I havent had any major mechanical problems, but my headlights went out and I took it to Tires Plus and they had the hardest time trying to put new headlights in and didnt get them fixed the first time so I had to go twice. I also have never had all of my break lights work, even 10 minutes after they are replaced. The trunk release has not worked since I bought it. And I cant go over 60 without it reving to 3,000 rpm. So gas milage isnt what you would expect. The worst thing is the cost of maintenance! But after a year and a half I am still attached, that must say something.

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  1999 Volkswagen New Beetle - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By zoomzoom06 - April 25 - 7:40 am

  Ok, so I loved this car when I first got it. Fun to drive, envy of friends, etc. Well, then the problems started. This car eats fluids like crazy, the oil and anitfreeze especially. The fuse for the brakelights blew. The check engine and ABS lights stay on for no reason. I have heard these are common problems, but come on, youd think they would have fixed them. Also, I hate pumping it with gas. If the pumps nozzle is not in just the right position, the stupid thing stops because the sensor says the tank is full although it is not. There are so many more problems I could list, but there is not enough room to put them all down! Reconsider whether or not to purchase, and dont do it!

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  liked it in general but several problems - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By cchrissyy - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed driving the beetle because it was responsive and comfortable. However, we had reliability probems literally from day 1 until the last day, when we picked it up from a service apointment and drove it to be traded-in! I would have kept it longer but we outgrew it- afetr 4 weeks of a baby riding in the back, enouh was enough! we needed a 4-door.