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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  The most trouble prone car of them all. Stay away - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Vince - August 6 - 10:22 am

  I bought this car from a family member with only 16K miles and it was garage kept. Its a 2.0 convertible with automatic. I cant begin to say how cheaply built this car is and VW should be ashamed of this product. The structure of this car creaks and moans over smooth roads. The drivers door handle (plastic) was cracked and this cracked the entire door panel. Replacements are hard to find and expensive. I got a new door panel and got metal door handles from ebay. The drivers door latch switch broke. This needed an entire latch and the switch lowers the window when opening and closing the door. Without this switch say goodbye to the top. So I did this myself. Then the rear plastics all cracked. Then the flaps to cover the top frame broke and the top wouldnt move so I took them off to fix it. Then the rear window separated from the canvas. I repaired the rear glass to save me the $2500 for a new top. Once I had this fixed, then the rear drivers window regulator broke. I took this to my friend and he fixed it for $300, but then the power top broke. So I disabled the power top and do it by hand since Im done fixing stuff on this car. So its fate is destined to be the in junkyard, but for now its just rolling junk waiting for its destiny. All of these repairs are on a low mileage, well maintained car. Other driving impressions- it drives like a cheap economy car. Braking is good. Acceleration is below average. Transmission and engine are still working for some reason. Structure is poor as I described above. Interior storage is average. rear seat room is tight. Paint is good. 30MPG highway. I can not recommend this car under any circumstances even if its given to you for free. It is very poorly over-engineered. Parts quality is very poor. Construction quality is poor with cheap brittle plastic and weak adhesives holding things together. Parts cost is very high and availability is poor as it may need to be shipped from Germany. So nothing here to see-keep looking.

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  Nice to drive but High maintenance - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Nicole Smith - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is great to drive but has had many things break. Many problems with the emissions system and the mass air flow sensors. Also problems with the windows not working right and going off track. This been extremely frustrating and inconvenient, but it has never left me stranded.

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  Artificially Sweet - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Artificially Sweet - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Do not buy this car unless you love going to the repair shop. My BUG was “Artificially Sweet”. With-in the last five months my old car has been in the shop three times for the same reason– will not start, always some starter problem. VW has decided to build the complete car in Mexico where QA is not the most important thing, but cost is. VW cars are a good example of poor QA. The car has been in the shop about 7 to 8 times for some “BUG” problem with-in the last two years. I just hate coming out of a restaurant, get into my new car and have the car not start. No more little kids seeing my car and playing the “punch game”.

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  In for a surpise - 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Superchiqa - July 26 - 10:50 am

  I bought this car, wanting a car with personality - and I got one. A bad personality. The car is fun to drive and is great to fit into places but it has its share of problems. 1st started having check engine lights come on (all the time!) for a "loose gas cap" then electrical problems that would come and go - chip in door latches "burned out" and the car would re-lock itself as Im trying to turn it on, causing the alarm to go off. Then started having oil and gas consumption problems - thats just the main problems too! If you have money to keep up with the cost of VW repairs, then you could enjoy one of these cars.

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  Second Childhood / Cool car - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Dottiegarrison - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for anything but another minivan. My sons all have their own cars now and my daughter and I were looking for something fun. Shes 9 and I am 45. I remembered my fathers VW bug and it brought back many good memories. We bought a mello-yellow VW (2004) convertible bug. The car is fun, handles well and we love the car!! The VW stero/radio and CD player in the car is fantastic! I drive a lot for work and now I can blast the beach boys on the CD player with the top down/work/save on gas (the milage is great)/all with a smile on my face. I would buy the car again! Even my 18 year old son says the sound system is awsome!

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  Lemon? - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By HAKOSAMA - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car (with 40 miles on it) because it was a VW and Ive been hearing about the wonderful quality of VWs. 3 days later the Clutch went out. If I ever get it back, its been 2 weeks, Ill let you know if I still like it. I did talk to a friend who has had one for 4 years and his turbo has gone out twice. Lets keep our fingers crossed or Ill have to go back to Kias and Mazdas.

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  Could be greatly improved - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By raul - July 19 - 2:00 am

  1) Head rests dont come up far enough for a tall person (Im 6.2) 2) Sun shades should have sliding attachments, also better "sunshade -- center mirror" shape interaction, so that sun light doesnt get in through so easily when sun at right front. 4) Should have more room for the right knee. 5) Tighter suspension for the turbo version (car wabbles easily when stopped and a car passes next to you at fast speed). 6) Wiper for the back window 7) "Check engine" light should provide a number or letter code, so that owner can look up whats wrong. 8) Should be a little more silent in highway, there is quite some road noise at high speed.

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  Mind of Its Own - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By chicadee1652 - July 18 - 5:46 am

  Heres what I went through in the ten months that I owned my bug before trading it in: 2 new alternators ($400 each), 4 new tires ($450 for all), getting stranded b/c the battery was dead all the time, new front brakes ($300), and then, the mother of all, in one weekend- oil change that led to $800 repair for hose that kept engine cool, $900 for new timing belt in the engine, and the guy also told me it would need a new front axle. I said forget it, so I traded it in the next day for a 2006 Hyundai sonata which drives like a Lexus!

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  Love that Car! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By Phyllida - July 17 - 11:26 am

  I love it so much that I do not want to trade it in for a 2007, although I probably shall. With every New Beetle there is usually one problem. For the 2000 model, it was the parking gear, which was somehow attached via computer chip to the brake light and the cruise control. For the 2003 model, it was the alternator and the heater. The car handles so beautifully on the road that these are mere annoyances!

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  Hippie car - 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle
  By richard - July 16 - 3:03 am

  Bought the car new in march of 2005. A fun car to drive, gas mileage is 24 around town and 29 on the highway. We have taken this car on three long distance trips with no problems at all. We use the back seat for luggage as the trunk is not of any use for suitcases.