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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  You Pay for the performance of a VW - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By jay - April 6 - 7:23 am

  Bought it used with 40K miles. Have used it for commuting and drive it hard over two mountains every day. The speed, handling and torque is outstanding. Use V or Z rated tires for better handling. Great in snow! I average 36mpg with an automatic driving hard. Body still looks new. Needs extended sun visors!!! Now the negatives....from 92K to 135K was about $4K in maintainence-- exhaust;cat. converter; axle boots; plus the ENIGINE LIGHT at least 2 time per year at a cost of 3-400 each time! Now faced at 145K whether to keep to dump as I can still pass everyone on the road and go uphills at incredible speed and confidence. Plus--an incredible stereo and safety features for a 10 yr car

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  My second New Beetle not as good as the first - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By eliteboi - April 5 - 10:51 pm

  I previously owned a 2000 New Beetle 1.8T. That car was GREAT. It gave me very few problems, and it never left me stranded. One of the worse mistakes I have made. Ive had lots of stupid problems come up. I bought the car with 68k miles, and all service records. I had no warning and the water pump went out, at 68.5k. Replaced two wheel bearings, the tie rods, the door speaker. I could go on. I have had this car a little over a year. The best part was when the inner axle snapped getting off the highway. I think my car must be a lemon. It is getting harder and harder to justify keeping it. My car looks great, but it doesnt perform half as well as my 2000 did, which had twice the miles.

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  Nice Dress, Shame about the Bod - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By MTLA - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Think hard before falling for the Beetles very real charm. Replacement brakes at 35K, failed starter motor at 45K, broken hood realease, failed glove box hinge, sheared off mirror adjuster, 3 new O2 sensors, 3 mass airflow sensors later were ready to say bye bye. Add to that a customer service dept which manages to sound concerned and attentive while never actually giving the immpression that theyll ever do anything.

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  2001 VW Beetle GLS TDI - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Green Bean - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Great little car. Gas mileage is unbelievable! 45+ MPG!

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  I Love my Bug - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Laura - March 31 - 2:56 pm

  I fell in love with my Volkswagon Bug when I drove past it one morning. I went out and test drove it, and it was beautiful! It is a five speed and has a nice take off. Everything changes so smoothly. The large dash is something to get used to but you dont even notice after a bit. I love the large windows and everything is within reach of the driver (stereo, air hazards) This is a car for a woman looking for a little bit of cute fun!

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  Never buy another - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bonerrick - March 31 - 4:13 am

  first, this car sets so low to the ground that I scraped the bottom and broke the oil pan, 2x. costly repairs! Then the it overheated and the timing belt, pump had to be replaced, another costly repair. The windows dont work, especially in winters. The door doesnt open on the passenger side and a rock hit the windshield and put a big round crack on the driver side. Now, the check engine lights comes on and when I put it for diagnosis, it says that a valve is going in the wrong direction. What next!!!! the door lining is falling down on me when I drive so have to use duck tape to keep it in place. never will I buy another german made car, made in Mexico...

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  Little Things Get Expensive - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By heartstrings - March 28 - 11:13 am

  The 2000 Beetle is faster than you might think. It is excellent in busy traffic. The Visibility out of the windows is also excellent. This is the car I prefer to drive in large cities. The downside is its little plastic parts break and fixing it is expensive. Both of the window motors have broken, the gas cap release cable broke, the gas cap release button broke, etc. If you want a car that is fun to look at and drive this is a great choice. However, be prepared to fix little stupid plastic parts.

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  Dont make a mistake! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By NissanOwner - March 27 - 10:00 am

  What a waste of money and time! This car was a problem from the minute I got it (new). As have others, I could list a long list of problem parts which were replaced. They never could fix the howling sound that came out of the A/C - from the first time it was used. Obviously VW knew they didnt have a reliable car when they only offered a 2 year warrenty. Id never buy a VW or Audi again.

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  Awesome - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Kate - March 23 - 10:36 am

  I love this car so much. It is a great every day car as well as weekend car. I drive it to school and on vacations. The front seat is so spacious and the backseat is actually comfortable. It is a great car!

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  Experience of 2002 VW New Beetle Owner - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dave - March 22 - 7:06 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. It has had multiple problems: a noisy catalytic converter (a rattle), the electronic door locks and truck opener quit working, and I couldnt even open the gas filler door to put in gas. The real shocker was that the car caught fire as I was driving it! That cost $7,000 to repair. I did not fix it, but instead sold it to a junkyard because the local dealer had a monopoly (no other VW dealers where I live and no one else would work on it) I had some high repair bills. This was supposed to be an "economy" car, but overall the repairs cost me as much as a Hummer to drive. There is no way the fuel economy of the VW could make up for the repair bills.