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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I love my Bug! - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By BugLove - March 26 - 2:00 amMy New Beetle has been absolutely wonderful. I have driven sports cars all my life, and I dont feel that they truly reflected who I am. They were fast, not very safe, and gas guzzlers. My new beetle however, is reliable, environmentally friendly, and very very cute.
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proud beetle owner - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By pjrph - March 19 - 2:00 amI absolutely adore this little car. Not much rear room but perfect for one or two.
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Very poorly built. - 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Regretful - March 16 - 8:46 pmIve had a 2000 GLS model for 2 years and the entire time, Ive constantly had trouble with it starting. Ive had to replace numerous sensors. The window tracking for the power windows has broken on the passengers side. The drivers window NEVER goes up completely on the first try, which has resulted in the switch breaking. It cost $40 to replace a headlight because VW built the car so that consumers are unable to change it themselves. Every time I take it to the dealership, I never come out spending less than $300. This car is made to keep your pockets empty. I believe corners were cut when building these cars to supply enough for the demand.
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Been good for ten years - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By sunman42 - March 14 - 12:26 amI realize I probably drive this less than most, being blessed with a 2.5 mile commute (each way), but its gone ten years with no major work due to anything other than stupidity (mine, in barreling into a deep pot hole this year that required a new catalytic converter) or age (the impeller in the water pump broke in two this year, and I took the opportunity to have the timing chain replaced - all small engines need it sooner or later. I have lost no switches or other details, but would have preferred (1) a remote that actually opened the hatchback, rather than leaving it partly unlatched but closed on cold days, and (2) a drivers window that opened a bit faster. Good, safe car, fun to drive
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good gas mileage Fun, Cute Bug ; ) - 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Tiff7575 - March 6 - 5:56 pmI bought a pre owned VW beetle PZEV Auto, I love the car so far I have only had it two weeks bought it at 37,510 miles one owner lease Great gas mileage about 32/35 on the FWY. So great with gas prices at $4.20 Very clean car beige on beige Leather with all of the upgrades. Cute, fun to drive with get up and go I bought the Beetle over the Jetta just because I thought it was a cuter car more my style And not as common as the Jetta is in CA. Overall great car and I will recommend it to anyone. Also next time I buy from VW I hope to get the Eros or VW beetle convertible.
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Fun and dependable - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By jvoelzow - March 5 - 2:00 amFun to drive, handles great, goes like hell.
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German Engineering? - 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle
By julse520 - March 4 - 12:02 pmI bought this as my first car thinking I was being smart by buying something with good fuel econemy and reliability. I love to drive the car when its working properly.For the first two months or so, she provided me with all of that until one day, during rush hour traffic, the car lost ALL power completely. After that, car SLAMS into gear. Now, the car likes to do that randomly in awful places. The turbo lag on a hot day is ridiculous. I feel like Im going to be killed sometime soon. And also, all the plastic finishes in the interior break. Car is made extremely cheep. Oh yea, german engineering? Its made in MEXICO if that explains the awesome reliability haha
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Nice, but dont go cheap when buying. - 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
By Leia Cullifer - March 3 - 10:00 amThis black Beetle was bought just a couple of months ago and havent had any problems with it. I do think that it needs some more power under the hood as the 2.0 w/ auto tranny is rather slugish. I would suggest the 1.8t w/ manual to compensate for the poor acceleration. I do notice that it doesnt sound very nice from the outside, it seems to have a puttering type sound that def gives away its lack of performance. The rear hatch does have a lil rattle or clunk to it when enetering or leaving the drive sometimes. Other than that the car is great. I love the comfort of the seats. The pump style height and vintage roller style recling seats give it a nice ride no matter what body type.
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Dont Be Fooled By Good Looks - 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
By bobk - February 28 - 2:00 amIve owned two older Beetles (63-69)and a 91 Jetta. As you can see I like VWs. I fell in love with the New Beetles looks and overlooked its flaws. After 66k miles I have to admit I made a huge and costly mistake. Problems include 2 blown headlights, both power window switches broken, passenger power window wont go up, uses alot of oil, dead battery while driving, replace starter and moisture in oil. Ive found out since that these are normal problems for New Beetle owners. During all of this VW wont do anything!
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Cute, but.... - 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle
By ST - February 28 - 2:00 amI have had my new Beetle for almost three years now. As cute as it is (and it is!), I have had many minor frustrations for such a new/low mileage car. Such as: gas cap release lever broke, passenger side window broke (in down position, of course), window switch came right off in my hand. As someone who only owned Japanese cars, my first and only VW has been very disappointing. I would not buy another VW made in Mexico.
