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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Happy 2nd birthday to my Turbo S - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By RRRRRED - May 22 - 12:20 amHad the Turbo S for 2 years and havent gotten a speeding ticket yet. The mpg was what I expected, but the appointments came as a surprise. What a thrill to drive. (Wife hasnt driven it yet). The Monsoon w/ cd changer is an exceptional sound system. Quiet, stable and a real zoomer. The heated seats are great in the winter, and the AC blasts you out in the summer. The best VW Ive owned.
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My dream car - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By colinator - May 20 - 10:00 amI keep forgetting that those cute guys arent looking at me anymore, but the car!!! I use the car every day, and it got me through the blizzard and rain just fine. Now I am just waiting to use the best feature - skyline view, a little more often. The top goes up and down in a breeze (pardon the pun). Trunk space - there is enough for a trip to a shopping mall, but not much else. But thats what borrowing your friends SUV is for anyway.
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fun to drive - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By jbrum0205 - May 13 - 10:00 amI bought this car for my wife, and she just loves it. She likes how easy the top goes down. She says that its easy to close too. Now I like how it handles. My two girls just love it. Theyre already fighting hows going to get it.
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Low price for German engineering - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By macobug - May 4 - 2:00 amThe car handles very well. Nice responsive steering in tight corners. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob gives a racing feel. The many materials used for the interior gives it a feeling of quality--not cheap plastic. Great acceleration at high RPMs. Quiet interior even at 90 mph! If you like zip around quickly, this is the right car at the right price.
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New Beetle Turbo S - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By LuvBuggy - May 1 - 2:00 amEveryone told me that it had limited cargo space ... well I was able to transport a new Toro Snowblower 2450 GTS for a friend 80 miles for a Christmas present ... Couldnt do that in any other compact car!!!
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Love the bug - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
By mariabug - April 27 - 10:00 amThe only problem with this vehicle is the front spoiler is low to the ground and gets damaged.
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Great Fun Car - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By shawn - April 23 - 6:23 amThis little vehicle is extremely trust worthy, and gets 45 mpg regularly, just driving around with mixed highway and city miles. It starts at -30 degree weather, great car for your future kids to get to college on.
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My 04 Bug - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By my04bug - April 17 - 11:50 pmThe car is fun to drive and fairly economical (the turbo takes premium). My only complaints have been with dashboard warning lights that light with no apparent reason, a center console that cannot be locked, and a balky roof that has had to be repaired on several occasions.
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tops with no top - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By beetlemom - April 6 - 10:00 amBest car overall ever. fun reliable suprising roomy with the exception of the trunk which is just an extension to my pocketbook. Good pick-up great with the top down, easy to use. Poor visablility with the top up in the back left and right hand corners due to small rear window, but NO prob with top down!!!!!!! BeepBeep!
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Away we go - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Andi R - April 6 - 10:00 amRides beautifully, fast as a bullet, very roomy inside
