Used 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Diesel Consumer Reviews
Used New Beetle for sale
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Old Faithful
Stephen H., 09/06/2015
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
At 243K, still going strong. Needed new transmission at 230K but likely because I overuse the 5th gear at low speed to improve mileage and wore it out. My only complaint is the interior parts. Rear seat fell apart in the first week. Center console fell apart shortly after. Surprisingly rotten and cheap parts on such a worthy vehicle. Diesel needs to be treated with anti-gel for 3 months of Northeast winter and I had a pre-heater installed after the glow-plugs cooked and were too rusted in to replace. This diesel car had real trouble starting below -10F with glow plugs working and below 20F after they died so a heater really protects battery, starter and engine. Check engine light has been on for last 100k miles but that’s just something you deal with in the age of science and technology. That crap never functions right for 1/2 the life of a vehicle. Still my primary commuter as it gets 45 mpg.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Up In Flames!
diannr, 07/23/2011
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 4A)
22 of 24 people found this review helpful
Bought our 2002 TDI in December for our daughter. Two weeks later we discovered it had a messed up transmission. Counting on fuel savings over the next 5 years, we spent $3500 to have the transmission rebuilt. There were alot of rattles in the interior but we planned to address those after recovering from the trani. expense. Last weekend the brakes failed while parking, proceeded to smoke from the rear then caught on fire! A total loss for us however the salvage yard is scoring a good engine. Apparently firewalls work from both directions. I would not recommend this car!!
238000 miles
Rose, 11/05/2008
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
To all the skeptics: sit down and read this! 238,000 miles on my TDI Beetle. No major engine issues. Serviced regularly: oil change every 6k; 20k/40k's; 60k's timing belt. Tire rotation every 5-8k on the best Mich. Destiny's. 3 complaints: seats are not made for comfort, what's up with the head light lenses falling out:replaced 5 times and rear seat is not for passengers with legs. Had to put her to rest this week. A ford driver with bald tires had a blow out on the mountain, swerved to miss her, slammed into guard rail. Saved a life, yet totaled my new beetle. Gonna miss her. If you have in-laws or pals that say you should sell your TDI...DON'T LISTEN!..There just jealous of your mpg!
Lots of Little Problems
dc, 11/13/2006
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Driving the car is fun, but the electrical components are lousy. My local service department is not very good and is very costly. We have had a lot of trouble with it, nothing with the drivetrain, but lots of little electrical problems.
Nostalgia--gotta love it
SpottedOne, 05/12/2002
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Due to a long drive to work and the fact that mom had a Beetle when I was a kid, I now own one too. I have had nothing but complete satisfaction with my Beetle so far. I'm averaging about 39 mpg. Some people are put off by diesel due to the smell and I gotta say, it's a different smell, but it is not as bad as what you might think. It is a bit louder, but again, not that of a semi. For anyone thinking about it, I would highly recommend taking one out for a drive and talking to your local dealer (or unlocal, I drove over 75 miles for mine) and doing some research. What it will save me in fuel cost a year, will make a couple of car payments.
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