Volkswagen New Beetle (2009 and older) Midsize | Compact

Volkswagen New Beetle (2009 and older) Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The New Beetle is a 2-door, 4-passenger family coupe, available in two trims, the S and the S PZEV.

Both trims are equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, I5, 150-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 191-200 of 316  
[May 24, 2002]
Kevin
Model Reviewed: /Beetle

Strength:

Car has a high safety rating, decent gas mileage, eye-candy.

Weakness:

Interior moldings are fragile and cheap, cup-holders are useless, vehicle has spent more time in the VW service department with many critical issues.

I purchased the 2001 New Beetle Turbo, and the day the vehicle left the dealers lot is when the problems began. First the electric window switch fell out of the door, the next month the other window switch on the pass. side stopped working. Next, the window regulator, the thing that raises and lowers your window broke leaving the window down until it arrived at the serivice depot, oh by the way the passenger window regulator broke also, go figure. Next problem, the A/C compressor was making a terrible noise while the vehicle is stopped at a red-light, stop sign, etc.etc, they replaced the compressor and tensior arm on my return visit, and yes it still was not fixed correctly. Anyhow, my point is this, if you are going to buy this vehicle which by the way is assembled wholly in MEXICO, expect to have problems. I will never buy a Volkswagen product again, customer support is literally non-existent at the corporate level, they do not care and why should they. Newsflash VW, your New Beetle is garbage and I mean that literally, to those of you thinking that I am a disgruntled owner, your right I am and if happen to fall victim to owning this piece of junk you too will soon see what I am talking about. Oh, by the way in MEXICO they assemble alongside the New Beetle the old rear-engine Beetle style and sell it to 3rd world countries, maybe VW should sell that piece of junk here in the States without the modifications, at least we know that car still functions well. Finally, if you have the choice between vehicles stay away from the eye-candy that this vehicle represents. Purchase a vehicle that is made in America, der beetle sucks.

Similar Products Used:

Volvo S-60, Honda Accord.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[May 21, 2002]
SPBUMPN
Model Reviewed: GLS

Strength:

Really roomy. Looks great. SPunky :) its my little Yellow "SPBUMP" (speed bump) SPBUMP is my plate. lol Trunk button broke also.. but still works.. :)

Weakness:

THOSE CUP HOLDERS.

Ok Where to start?... I Absolutly love the beetle. ever since it came out in 1998 I fell in love, of course I didnt ever think I would get one so i was in denial. oh well anyway... I have had my New Beetle Since lets see.. Graduated June 2001 so it was in July.. (Im paying for it myself.) well for one I think i made the mistake of buying such a "used" car. when i bought it, it was pushing 49,000 miles. I guess for it being that many miles I shouldnt have but oh well. Im from Germany and this car was made for me. Since I got it the Check engine light has went on about 6 times 1st time I freaked out and it was a vaccum leak but after it kept going on and off i ignored it and it went away until this past weekend.. will explain later.. but i guess since its the shape that it is ROCKS are attracted to it.. Already had to replace Turn signal lights, Windshield. and now one of my fog lights has a crack in it. but.. anyhow this past weekend my car was idleing wrong 0-1 and feeling like it was goin to stall out. so I took it that day to VW in Springfield (they are great) it ended up Needing 1:Injection Coils 2: MAF (mass airflow sensor) 3: O2 Sensor (recal anyway) 4: Spark Plugs 5: Air filter and last but not least a new CAT converter. but its good that all this happened now cause its under my factory warrenty and extended warrenty. I made out good so im not mad i only paid for plugs and filter and $50 deductable. My car also has its pluses It does pull my Jetski so Im impressed with that. I spent $300 on Dash Kit which looks AWESOME go to www.superiordash.com and check it out, and I also bought a Wings West Body kit for 500 and a wing for 300. Its awesome . but all in all even with all these problems I love the new beetle.

Similar Products Used:

1989-Honda CRX 1996-Honda Civic CX I loved all these but I love my SPBUMP

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 12, 2002]
Amanda
Model Reviewed: New Beetle

Strength:

-it''s cute! -those toasty seat warmers -safe design and safety features -easy to master interior controls

Weakness:

-"cheap bottoms" -the incessant falling-off hubcaps -interior peeling problems on door handles -interior cheap parts that break and fall off easy -eats gas -funky smell

Alrightie- I love my beetle but I must admit that it has its flaws. First off, I have had to replace more than one hubcap, for it seems the little suckers fall off everytime I hit a pothole (which, by the way are everywhere in Tulsa). I also had to replace a whole wheel- meaning the "barrell," (is that the word?) tire, rim, and hubcap after yet another pothole- The dealership said that this was a common problem with the beetle since the bottoms of the cars are "cheap" (their words not mine)and the total cost set me back 400 dollars :( Other problems- the commom "peeling" problems on the interior doorhandles, cheap interior parts like the shift''s side falling off, and a VERY unpleasant smell the car can make that the dealership has yet to fix with two air filter changes. However, the car is VERY safe, I was rear-ended by two cars about three months ago, and the car and me were hit very hard, but the damage to the body of the car was minimal and I walked away unharmed... Had a bit of a problem with the EPC light switch after the accident, but was fixed (loose wire?) All in all, I would say that nothing beats walking outside to your cute little beetle in the morning on your way to work BUT my stomach drops everytime I hit a bump in the road, in fear that I might have caused yet another $400 in damage.

Similar Products Used:

1991 Audi 80

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 12, 2002]
Jennifer Choi
Model Reviewed: /Turbo GLX

Strength:

Quality, speed, road handling and safety rating.

Weakness:

Price of 17 inch tires, price of maintenance services, VW Customer Service. The brake switch recall incident left me two days without pay and even though I have extended warranty on my vehicle, I still had to pay $50.00 out of my pocket for the car rental. When sending emails and calling vw customer service they informed me that I was just "out of luck". Also, don''t fall for the car loan insurance they sell you (through Landcar). It''s just a waste of money.

For the most part this car is really great. Be prepared for the attention from other people, (it''s a real conversation piece". Also be prepared to have Honda''s, Mitsubishi''s and Subaru''s think your trying to race them. Only one service problem, (brake switch-recall issue). Get''s great gas mileage, is very comfortable and has more luxury features than the usual import.

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 10, 2002]
Shute72
Model Reviewed: Beetle

Weakness:

Interior pealing , paint chips off. Dealership are unhelpful after car is sold. Then what you to grade them high when you receive consumer rating cards in the mail.

This car has been nothing but, problems after about 2 months. There is an horrible odor from the vents that has now been serviced 4 times and still not resolved. Another issue is a rattle in the rear that still hasn''t been resolved after 4 times. I''m now contacting a lawyer to and have placed a claim in with VW.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[May 06, 2002]
Rachel Smith
Model Reviewed: VW New Beetle GLS

Strength:

The look of the care!

Weakness:

Everything else

DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! I have mad many problems in the past 2 years with this car. The gas latch never works, the rear brakes, the cluster which controls the interior dash lighting, the horn, and the temperature sensor have all been replaced out of my own pocket although the car is a lease. The interior is peeling as well. The car has had all these problems and it only has 19,000 miles!

Similar Products Used:

1997 Saturn S-Class, 1989 Plymouth Sundance, 1994 Jeep Cherokee

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[May 06, 2002]
Phoenix1429
Model Reviewed: VW New Beetle GLS

Strength:

A lot of head room in the front and pretty decent gas mileage.

Weakness:

Everything else.

I hate my car! Volkswagen booby-traps their cars so you have to take it to the dealership for everything (including oil changes if you want the warranty to cover an damage done), then they charge you an arm & a leg for it. If your headlight goes out, don''t even bother trying to do it yourself. There''s no way. And then they''ll charge you $45 for the labor (not including parts). I had my breaks go out after only a year. Right now my break lights don''t work until I slam on the breaks, and I''ve already taken it to the dealership twice & they said they''ve fixed it. I''m about to call a lawyer & see what my options are going through the CA Lemon Law. Try getting a new rear bumper. It costs $850 with 10 hours of labor. It takes over an hour just to get the stupid thing off because you have to disconnect the rear fenders, the electrical, everything. Don''t waste your money on one of these pieces of crap!! You''ll love it for about 6 months maybe, but then you realize that not only did you spend way too much money on that junkheap, but it''s going to cost you a whole lot more for the upkeep. It''s a money trap.

Similar Products Used:

''96 Pontiac Grand Am (never had a problem), ''99 Acura Integra (also, never a problem besides basic wear & tear)

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[May 04, 2002]
aconroy310

Strength:

Energy, uniqueness, durable, cute, and fast.

Weakness:

Expected better mileage, perhaps more headroom for the backseat passangers.

I have owned my Beetle since the beginning of this year, I have had NO problems (knock on wood) yet. I purchased a standard and believe it has great spunk, energy, and reliability. I can control the speed I want during the rain, snow, and sleet. The cars durability is great and very strong. I feel very protected in the car and safe. Overall, I feel the car is a great purchase and thus far have had no problems. So far with this purchase, I wouldn''t change a thing. Anyone who is interested in buying the Beetle should. Its a unique car with lots to offer. I bought a 2001 leftover and got a great deal on my GLS. Make sure you wheel and deal for a 2001 right now, b/c you can get a great price right now to get them off the lot. Go for it!

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 25, 2002]
maddziner

Strength:

Lots of interior room.

Weakness:

Very shoddy manufacturing of most interior and electrical components. Car has too large an appetite for money frmo my wallet.

Biggest piece of junk car I have ever owned. Check engine light comes on 4-8 times per year, usually requiring repairs not covered under either the manufacturer warranty or the uh "bumper-to-bumper" extended warranty. Trunk release has never worked correctly, it''s about a 50/50 shot of being able to open it in one try. Power window controls broke at the dealership. AC Compressor has gone south a couple times. AM radio picks up noise fomr the engine and power window motors, naking it mostly unusable. Several interior parts have fallen apart or fallen off inclduing parking brake lever and window controls. Loud rattling noises often come from engine compartment, but the dealer says all is fine, "oh, but you need a new XXXX that is not covered by your warranty and will cost you a few hundred dollars". We usually buy a new car about once a year, so have purchased many new cars. Nothing else has even come close to being such a piece of junk. SAVE YOURSELF MONEY AND GRIEF, DON''T BUY ONE OF THESE THINGS!!!

Similar Products Used:

1999 Honda Accord (no problems), 1995 Acura Legend (no problems), 1997 Honda Civic (no problems), 1995 Saturn 4 door(no problems)

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 24, 2002]
jim

Strength:

acceptable handling

Weakness:

nearly everything...overpriced, horrible warranty (only 2 years) & dealer service (they dont really repair it). this car has a cheap interior, numerous electrical problems, windows that go down and never go up, faulty stereo, etc etc. it sqeaks and rattles like crazy. it also has a flower holder (lol) and is the #1 chick car of all-time. avoid at all costs. http://cartalk.cars.com/About/Guy-Chick-Finalists/chick.html

Worst...vehicle...ever. My roomate bought this "vehicle" after being suckered in by the VW ads. "german engineered", yet built in Mexico (all VWs cept the Passat are). VW is the Bose of the car world...highly marketed crap.

Similar Products Used:

civic, integra

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 191-200 of 316  

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