2004 Volkswagen New Beetle User Reviews

Pros

Sun Roof that was about it on mine.

Cons

Transmissions are horrible!

I just recently traded in my 2000 VW Bug, and boy am I glad that I did. I have never had so many problems with any other vehicle that I have owned. It shifted funny, idled loud, and would shift out of gear while on cruise. Explain that. I would not reccommend a VW Bug to anyone! Now the Jetta's, thats another story. I have many friends that have them and are very pleased. I think maybe they should have took more time to explore on the new Beetles and then maybe they would be worth the money that you pay. I now own a 2003 Honda Accord Coupe, and I love it. I would reccomend a Honda to anyone. But definitly not a VW Beetle! Please save your money and your time, because you will waste it arguing with the VW dealership about the problems with your car!...read morehide

Pros

well designed interior

Cons

no trunk handle, advanced airbag system problems, mirror problems, window problems

Overall the beetle is a piece of crap. I feel I had spent too much money for it. I could have gotten a fully loaded civic with a CD player and sunroof for 100 bucks less than the price I paid for my base model AT GL. I have been to the dealership 7-10 times within the short 10 months of ownership, just repairing items. The window was fixed twice, the mirror twice (warped), the trunk oiled, wheels balanced, and the best of all the airbag problem. VW dealership has fixed the airbag problem twice, yet it still occurs (the light will come on the console if the seats are moved within 10 seconds of starting the car, interfering with the software the "advanced airbag system" is controlled by). I am going through arbitration on Jan 7th to resolve my bad beetle problem. Not to mention I have had the worst service at 2 seperate VW dealerships for maintenance....read morehide

I own a 2002 GLX Turbo Bettle. Sure, the car is fun when you first get it ... people are stopping you everywheres and asking you about your car. Then, here comes two years later, now the car has some wear on it. I drive a 70 mile commute round trip to work everyday. I have been to the dealership more times with this car than any other car I've own!! (Plus, this is my first new car. I previously owned a Mazda 626, a BMW 325i, and an Acura Legend, all used.)
Within the first month of owning my car, the ignition coil in my engine and windows were recalled. One morning before work, my engine light came on and wouldn't stop flashing. I had to get the car towed to the dealership, leaving me stranded at home. It took 3 trips to the dealership to get the ignition coil right. Another day, the engine light came on again but didn't flash this time. Made another trip to the dealership, waited forever to find out that the intake valve was blown. They fixed it alright but won't explain to me how this occured. Now, the heated seat doesn't work, my visor is broken and I recently noticed a tear in the leather seats. The big whammy is that the interior roof is now ruined! The roof drains clogged somehow, allowing water to leak into my car via the sunroof. Now, I have lovely water and mildew stains inside my car. Now, I've noticed the same problem in the trunk also! Took the car back to the dealership once again, and I had to pay $45 for them to unclog them because its not covered under warranty. And when I ask what about the stains, they told me to "shout it out yourself." Any hot day, the car smells like mildew! (Now, how am I supposed to trade in a car w/ roof stains?!?) My warranty runs out in 8,000 miles and now they want me to pay a small fortune for extended warranty! Be forewarned before purchasing a VW!! They are expensive cars made cheaply!!! Anytime you have to take your car to the dealership because something went wrong, YOU get the blame regardless and they offer NO help! IF YOU LIKE LIVING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEN BUY ONE....read morehide

For those of you who have had trouble, I'm sorry. But, my 98 TDI rocks. I've got nearly 200,000 and other than regular maintenance have had no trouble. I do a 110 mile roundtrip commute through the mountains at tire squealing speeds every morning and evening. It is nearly as tight and quiet as the day I purchased it. I've chipped the TDI and it pulls and accelerates easily as well as the 1.8 turbo....and I've averaged 50.2mpg over the last six months. And what about cheap? Sure it's simple but no rattles, creaks or breakage. My car still looks new inside. I like it so much that I just purchased another new 2005 TDI for my wife....read morehide

After our toyota blew up after 15 years and 150,000 miles, decided to buy a fun car since we have our family SUV. This car is a blast, second only to a mini cooper. Our kids love it. I love it. And hubby isn't assaulted by the femininity of it due to the more manly color (haha). After a month we're amazed by the strangers asking us questions about it. I look for excuses to run errands just so I can drive it!! I feel like the commercial "There are passengers and there are drivers"..this fun little car makes you a driver....read morehide

i've had the bug for a year and a half already now, and i really don't like it. the car is always put-ting everywhere i go, the inside is just cheap plastic, and i feel like i'm always driving a toy around. it's so expensive to keep this car running safely! it seems that when one thing gets fixed, another thing has to break. i havent been proved otherwise. and it eats up gas like no other and i have to fill up every couple of days. you have to make the car work to speed up on freeways and uphill or else you'll piss the people behind you off. i dont know... i just feel like im driving a toy and thats something i really don't like. if you want to look cute, then go for it, but i dont think its worth it. get a car that actually looks, feels, and drives like one!...read morehide

This is my second Beetle with a diesel. The first I sold (big error). The 2004 has a more powerful motor....plenty of power, it rides great, well equiped, and the average 40+ mpg doesn't hurt my feelings (45+ mpg on the road). I'm over six feet tall and have plenty of room. Buy the diesel you'll like it! It's a great compliment to a full size truck or SUV....read morehide

My wife and I bought our 2.0 GLS Convertable a month ago and have had nothing but pleasure from it so far. We decided to get a 'fun' car (we have an SUV too) for a change and it certainly is that! It handles very well, is easy to throw around corners and is really smooth on long highway jaunts. The build quality is amazing both outside and inside. It may take you longer to reach your destination in one though - strangers have stopped to talk to me about the car 4 times in a month. The only downside for me was the reaction of my buddies... the car is a little "effeminate" apparently! Driving with a buddy with the top down confirmed those comments! Overall though - great value and quality....read morehide

I have a 2002 beetle... everything is okay, so far there aren't any major problems.... but this car drinks gas like drinking water (and drain your money down the drain). The best milage I've gotten so far is 21.5 mpg, while usually I am only getting 20mpg. I used to drive a Honda Accord and it gave much better milage and it had a much more powerful engine. Beetle eats gas and has no horse power because its too heavy - one heavy bug! Don't try to cut in front of people when driving up the hill.. because it's very difficult. I have the manufacturer 6-disc CD changer installed, and it is so buggy. It always have error and I need to get out the CD's to reset it all the time, very annoying. Yesterday my moonroof opened and closed itself a few times! hm... I wonder if the problem starts at around 30k miles (right now my car is at 28k...)...read morehide

Six months ago, I traded in my 1998 gasoline powered Beetle for a 2004 TDI. Having owned diesels in the past, I was prepared for the noise and the smell in exchange for the awesome fuel mileage. Well, guess what - this car does not smell like a diesel!!! And while I can open the windows or the sunroof to hear a mild version of the "diesel rattle", when all the portals are closed, this car doesn't even sound like a diesel. The fuel mileage? 36 mpg in the city and about 46mpg on the hiway with enough pick up and go to beat most surprised individuals away from a light. Inside it's got an incredible amount of room. Three adults can ride comfortably (or me and my 3 grandchildren). The hatchback lets me visit the hardware store and buy pretty much whatever I need. The back seat folds down for added cargo room. This will probably be the car I keep forever....read morehide