Volkswagen New Beetle

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $170000.00 from TN

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 new beetle

Summary:
The new beetle is a cute car but don't buy the older one's. They are nothing but trouble! I bought my new ( which was stupid) and I've had tons of electrical problems. I would be ashamed if I was VW.

Strengths:
Cute car, has enough space in the front.

Weaknesses:
Electrical! My car has been in the shop at least 15 times, car wouldn't start, couldn't get it out of park, headlights out, airbags replaced? ( never been in a fender bender and I had to get the replaced because the sensor went off). Every part I think has been replaced.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $19000.00 from Sonnen Volkswagen

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 New Beetle

Summary:
I absolutely love my new beetle! It's Gecko Green with tan leather! Previously I had a 1999 Toyota Corolla. Extremely reliable but, the beetle is so fun to drive and I feel extremely safe. The doors are heavy and the long dash makes you feel very safe. I love the pep and Sport mode (which I call Super Beetle mode). I've taken this car on two road trips: Las Vegas and LA and was very happy with the engine performance and comfortability. I highly recommend the beetle!

Strengths:
Engine is quick to respond and breaks are sturdy. I love the sunroof, sounds system, iPod jack, and overall design. While the trunk is small, I am able to fit much more than I thought. Overall, I love the look, drive and safety.

Weaknesses:
The trunk release button has acted up and I have to press the button twice. The dealer will adjust free of charge.

Similar Products Used:
1999 Toyota Corolla
1956 Beetle (Baby Blue)

Price Paid:  $19500.00 from Momentum, Houston

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 New Beetle

Summary:
I've got two now. 2000 Diesel Silver and 2006 gas Yellow. Lots of pep in both. Daughter drives old one to high school. Next year she will take the 2006 to college. Sunroof, 6 CD changer & XM radio will make the trips home more fun. I want my diesel back.
Diesel runs about 30-33mpg just back and forth 7 miles each way to work. Gas gets 20-22. If you want something to scoot around to/from work/school, these are both great. The Beetles are intended for that purpose.

Strengths:
Great mileage with the diesel. Road mileage with the gas should be good also. Fun to drive. Acceleration is excellant. Great around town. People always comment about seeing me around town. Popular with High School kids. Picture of our decorated Senior car will be in the yearbook.

Weaknesses:
Little hardware problems with 2000 Beetle. No real problems yet with 2006. 2000 Beetle had glow plug relay fail. Engine would not start. Dealer wanted $450. (relay and glow plugs), local guy was $150. Relay only. Dealer (Momentum in Houston) was more interested in their Audi sales so service was not very good. Local service much better. Avoid the dealers. They will replace everything rather than find/fix what's broke. 2000 Beetle had electric windows fail but warrantee covered it. Gas cap compartment door does not open. I have to force it but it is cheap enough that it can easily be popped open by hand. Vinyl seats wearing badly where my hips slide in on seat back. Leather in 2006 Beetle does not drag on my hips like the vinyl in the 2000 so the problem is less likely. Both cars: If you unlock the car with the key fob and you don't start the engine, then the car will automtically lock itself in about 30 seconds. Keep the key on your person at all times. The potential exists to get yourself locked out. Both cars have had problems with the cheap plastic splash guards under the engine. The low ground clearance does not allow these to last very long. You will hit the concrete parking logs(for lack of a better term) and curbs so you will have to mess with the splash guards until you rip them off the car.

Similar Products Used:
1987 Honda Civic, 1983 Honda Accord. Both very good but not as much fun.
My 1st car: 1972 Plymouth Duster. Almost as much fun as the Beetles.
1961 Beetle (college car) Last Beetle without a gas gage. 30 MPG all the time. Best car ever in snow. You could see my mid-life crisis coming.

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from Armstrong Buick and

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 new vw beetle

Summary:
This car leaked a week after I got it. The trap on the moonroof was plugged. Window fell and wouldn't come up. Break lights would stay on after you turned the car off. These last two are recalls. But I have to say, Armstrong Buick took care of everything for nothing. Service great. Now the gas hatch won't open. I had to pry it open, cause it don't run without gas. The car runs great, its a turbo and it has alot of spunk. The engine purrs, but the body is crap. It belongs in a litter box. I hate to pawn it off on anyone else. It has 94000 miles on it. I can't believe vw would produce such quality, I'd be ashamed.

Strengths:
power, cute and fun to drive.

Weaknesses:
brake switch (recalled), window clips (recalled) lamps burn out frequently. I wish they'd recall the whole car.

Similar Products Used:
Honda's and Acura's. If I ever get rid of this car, I'm going back to an Accord or TL. Anybody want to trade for a black 03 TL with a bug for a down?

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from State of CO

Year / Model Reviewed:
1998 new beetle

Summary:
I've had this car since 2002 and it has been one thing after another. They really went cheep on the parts for this car. I have had to replace the break light switch 4 times in 3 years. Both window clips broke, my reverse gear just went out, one time I couldn't open the gas tank, the electrical system is a joke (watch out I've been locked out of my car 2 times). At random an interior button or switch will decide to go on strike. I would not recommend this car to anyone! While its fun to drive and looks cute, its a real lemon. In fact I'm trying to sell mine so if anyone is interested in a real POS I have one for ya

Strengths:
It looks cute

Weaknesses:
See description above