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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  Do not buy a Beetle! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By emily - March 19 - 5:03 am

  I bought this car used in Oct.2007 and within a week of buying it, it was in the shop. I have to go to the shop at least once a month, they know me by name now. First I had to replace my radio then my headlights kept burning out and its just easier for them to change them. Then my backseat came all the way off when I tried to fold it down. My engine light has come on twice now. Im taking it back in Monday because something is wrong with my transmission, I cant use the triptronic feature and all my gear lights stay on. It died on me for about 1 minute while doing 80 mph on the highway. I definitely wont keep this car past the warranty, probably wont make it another year anyway!

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  Luv Bug - 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Bug Luver - March 18 - 1:23 pm

  Love my Bug I get so many compliments on my car. It is so much fun to drive and my husband who is 6 2" has plenty of room and is comfortable, it is my favorite car, the only improvement would be mpg, other than that the best car I have ever owned

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  Even An Old Guy Must Have FUN! - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Craig - March 16 - 9:23 pm

  You will absolutly enjoy the ride, German engineering, convertible, and its quick and responsive engine. Spend the extra $1,500 dollars for package 2, you need great wheels/rims to go with a great car.

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  Luv My Bug - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Jennifer B - March 15 - 3:00 am

  This is the car I have always wanted! Its fun to drive and the new Gecko Green for 2006 is so pretty! I got the manual transmission with package one and satellite radio.

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  I hate Volkswagen! - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Teresa Mota - March 10 - 8:30 pm

  This car is my nightmare. I hate it so much. I have it since January and I already spent $3,000 fixing it! Im so tired of all that happened with it. And Im broke obviously. Do never ever ever buy a Volkswagen whatever model it is that has more than 4/5 years. Im from Portugal, and there I had a Renault twingo, you probably dont know what it is, but its way cheaper and way better than this thing! And my car was from 1994! Shame on you Volkswagen!

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  LOVE MY BUG!!! - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By VW LOVER - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY VW BEETLE....SURE, IVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT, BUT WHO DOSENT HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEMS?? MY WINDOW BROKE BUT THEY REPLACED IT & ALSO WENT AHEAD & REPLACED MY OTHER ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAD A NEW, IMPROVED MOTOR FOR THE WINDOWS. I LOVE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD & SEEING PEOPLE LOOK & SMILE AT ME!!! I WOULDNT TRADE MINE FOR THE WORLD.

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  Love the Look, Hate the Repair Bills. - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By paige - March 9 - 5:20 pm

  I love the look of the Beetle, it looks like a smiling face. I however, am not smiling anymore because of the numerous repair bills, including replacing the tail, head, and brake light bulbs all of the time. I have replaced the auto window switches numerous times. I have had my car for 8+ years and I expect to replace and repair things, but this car is nickel and dimeing me to death! Its a horrible feeling taking your car somewhere and not being sure you will be able to get back home. I had to replace a plastic component in the gear shift that broke and I could not get out of third gear, then some months later, a gear shift cable broke and I couldnt get out of 2nd gear. Time for a new car!

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  Much Improvement Needed! - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By bucnasty - March 7 - 11:30 am

  This is my parents car, but i drive it mostly, and have to deal with the dealership on the ongoing problem with the check engine light coming on. It comes on all the time and they keep telling us its a computer code that has to be updated, and they are waiting for it. Theyve been telling us that for a year now. Furthermore, the cup holders are awful you cant even fit a "pony" in them. They are poorly designed. Also, how can a car as tiny as a bug get only around 27 mpg? My grandmother had a huge Mercury Grand Marquee with a V8 and it got around 28 mpg. The engine needs to be revamped, there are so many larger cars out today that get a lot better mileage than the Beetle.

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  LOVE MY NEW BEETLE - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HOLLY - March 3 - 10:00 am

  LOVE MY NEW BEETLE. FUN AND EASY TO DRIVE AND VERY COMFORTABLE.

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  Eh, its ok - 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By whitney1313 - February 25 - 8:36 am

  My 1998 bug now has 72,000 miles (bought it with 5,000 miles). So far, I have replaced the timing belt, spark plugs / wires, window regulators multiple times, alternator ($$$$$$$), wheel ball bearings, taillight (twice). The list is endless. Some of the parts that have been replaced are normal wear items, but even my mechanics have said that the car shouldnt be doing this with only 75,000 miles. Also, about every interior trim piece is sitting in the back seat. If you do buy one, be prepared to take the three layer door apart often to fix the window problems- theyre notorious.