2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Discussions

Volkswagen Beetle Transmission Problems

• Re: Transmission/Engine Problem? Or in my head? [erturner]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Mar 7, 2011 4:45:54 PM

  I believe your New Beetle has the 2.5 engine and of course 5 speed manual. Interesting that you think it revs too high in 5th gear. I purchased a 2009 Jetta (same 2.5 engine), and when looking at the Jetta, I drove a 2.5 manual (5 speed), 2.5 automatic (6 speed), Diesel (6 speed manual) and Diesel (6 speed automatic). I thought the exact same thing of the 5 speed manual. ... Read More

• Possible New Beetle Owner

  Written by: allisond on Apr 28, 2011 8:16:19 PM

  I am thinking of purchasing a Beetle and found this site. I found a 2005 convertible Beetle with 31,000 miles at a decent price, but am a little concerned about early transmission problems. I'm also looking at a 2008 Beetle (hard top) and was hoping you all could tell me if VW made improvements to the transmission problems from 2005 to 2008. Should I not even consider the 2005, which seems ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Body Work Problems

• 2008 Beetle Convertible

  Written by: belaircarguy on Jun 29, 2008 7:03:04 AM

  I just purchaed a 2008 Beetle Convertible - SE model. Got it mainly for my teenage daughters, and also wanted a convertible as I haven't had one for years. The car is great....lots of pep, good brakes, comfortable seats and fantastic stereo. I did look at blogs etc. for VW Beetles, and it appears most of the problems were on earlier models. More recent models seem to be pretty trouble free. ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Transmission Problems

• Buyer Beware! Scary dangerous VW transmissions!

  Written by: vwisajoke on Apr 12, 2011 7:32:10 AM

  Hey guys...so glad I found this forum. I am seriously concerned with the safety of people driving Beetles. I have a 2004 Beetle AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION bought in 2006. I bought it when it was around 30K miles and still under warranty. Around 2008 (at this point it was maybe 40K miles because I worked from home!). Anyway...around 08 I would be on a CA Freeway (scary!) just driving along at a ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Body Work Problems

• Re: Buy a new one? [katyhy]

  Written by: dneal on May 28, 2008 9:13:47 PM

  I just leased a 2008 SE about 3 months ago. I have 2000 miles on it. I also own a 2006 VW Passat and used to work for VW (2 years ago). Quite honestly, I would never buy a VW without having a warranty.... I would also get rid of the car once it was out of warranty. From what I have witnessed, you are really gambling with these vehicles. Don't ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: vw convertible won't lock open [kyfdx]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Sep 5, 2010 7:45:23 AM

  2006 VW's all have a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty. I own a 2007 Jetta, a 2008 New Beetle Convertible, both with this warranty. I also have a 2009 Jetta. In 2009 VW cut back to 3 years, 36,000 miles. Check it out on Edmunds for the year and vehicle for original warranty information. Bel Air Car Guy

• Re: vw convertible won't lock open [bettty45]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Sep 4, 2010 4:17:24 AM

  2006 VW cars should be under a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty. This starts from the date the car was put in service. If you purchased the car new, then of course you know that date. If you purchased it used, I would take it to a VW dealer. They can check it on the computer records for VW and let you know if it is still in warranty. By the ... Read More

Should I buy a 2010 New Beetle?

• Re: Should I buy a 2010 New Beetle? [kikiny]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Sep 4, 2010 4:11:41 AM

  I purchased a 2008 New Beetle Convertible in June 2008, brand new. We now have about 15,000 miles on the car. Have had only one minor problem with the power drivers window, which was fixed under warranty. In reading this forum, many of the complaints are from early year New Beetles. VW began production in 1998 and the convertible in 2003. Few complaints on newer years. We love our convertible - ... Read More

VW New Beetle (GL, GLS & GLX)

• Re: Hard Decision [brit7college]

  Written by: belaircarguy on May 16, 2010 4:21:12 AM

  If you review problems with the New Beetles, most were the first few model years for the sedan (mechanical). Convertibles started in 2003. They had two problems early on. The rear window was glued in (not unique to VW - apparently many convertibles had this), and after a few years the glue let loose, and the window would come loose. Some owners had them reglued (local car upholstery shop) or had ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: 2006 Beetle Convertible 2.5 [jeep53]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Mar 27, 2010 3:59:00 AM

  I purchased a 2008 Beetle Convertible new in June 2008. I looked at the reviews and complaints of Beetle Convertibles prior to purchase, and it appears most complaints were from the first / second model year (2003-2004). There were problems with the rear window getting loose, as well as various engine problems (not the 2.5 engine). Our Beetle is almost 2 years old, and we have not had any problems, plus ... Read More

• Re: 09 New Beetle Convertible price [viewty]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Oct 10, 2009 4:31:34 AM

  VW only has about $1000 markup from invoice to sticker price. You can check it on several pricing websites to confirm. In my case, I bought a 2008 Beetle Convertible in June 2008. Got about $1500 off sticker. I would say if you are getting a total of $2500 off sticker, you got a good deal. Not sure who is kicking in the $2500 for Friend and Family, but I doubt ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Transmission Problems

• Re: New Beetle transmission problems/PLEASE READ [trannybugsme]

  Written by: daniel_herbert on Oct 6, 2009 7:16:46 PM

  John, I purchased a used, 2005, Volkswagen Beetle Turbo GLS for my wife in July of 2008. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 24K miles, and to date has 32K miles. The four-year bumper to bumper warranty expired in February of 2009; however, the vehicle is still well below the 50K mile warranty threshold. Approximately 7 weeks ago, my wife began complaining that the vehicle was running "rough". ... Read More

• Why wont volkswagon recall Beetle Transmission with same problem

  Written by: sunshine0966 on Aug 24, 2009 5:37:27 AM

  "Your VW might not be as reliable as you once thought. Announced earlier today, Volkswagen of America has decided to recall 13,500 of their cars The Boston Globe reports. The reason? Problems with a dual-clutch transmission that causes a warning light on the dashboard to appear. Audi of America, the luxury division of Volkswagen, also made a recall yesterday. This affected 2,500 vehicles with similar problems. All of the cars were ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Maintenance and Repair

• Re: Radio [keygo]

  Written by: keekidoll53 on Feb 27, 2009 8:30:43 AM

  I have a 2008 Beetle last week I brought my car into the dealership to change out the Ipod jack. THEY BROKE MY STERRO system in the process trying to get the radio out to replace the Ipod jack. The first several months the Ipod jack was fine and then I noticed my cord was NOT secure when I plugged it in. If I went over a bump the cord would ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: 2005 VW Beetle convertible [jeep53]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Feb 16, 2009 3:15:08 PM

  I purchased a 2008 Beetle Convertible (new). I did look up forums etc. for problems, and about the first or first and second year of the Beetle Convertibles, there were some problems with the rear windows of the top coming loose after a few years. Apparently, the window is glued into place and it seems the glue may have begun to fail. Some people were quoted very high prices for a ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Maintenance and Repair

• Re: 2008 Beetle Convertible Problem [mediaguy2]

  Written by: elias on Jul 26, 2008 7:23:50 AM

  Media G2, yeah, that's why all the manufacturers have 'technical assistance center', to help the dealer mechanics diagnose rare/unusual issues. My sympathies lie with the mechanics since my job for about 30 years has involved diagnosing difficult technical issues. Failure of ambient temperature sensor sure does sound obscure/rare and tough to diagnose for the non-software-inclined. Many mechanics have many certifications in the software/ECM stuff, at least one per dealership, as far ... Read More

• Re: MPG in 2008 New Beetle 2.5 [elias]

  Written by: mediaguy2 on Jul 26, 2008 5:11:48 AM

  thanks for your response. what struck me odd about all this was that the service people said they had to consult with vw engineers to try to diagnose the problem. after a couple of days they decided it was the ambient temperature sensor, which involved taking off the bumper to install. when they put it all back together the ac was still doing the same thing, taking 10 minutes to kick ... Read More

• Re: 2008 Beetle Convertible Problem [mediaguy2]

  Written by: belaircarguy on Jul 26, 2008 3:45:29 AM

  Media Guy 2 - I have a new 2008 SE Convertible with automatic. I have not encountered a problem with the windows. All windows retract completely into the doors or rear panels (for the back seat). I do know the windows will lower about 1/2 inch when you open the door or press the remote unlocking fey fob. This is designed so the window glass can seal correctly into the convertible ... Read More

• MPG in 2008 New Beetle 2.5

  Written by: keekidoll53 on Jul 25, 2008 12:59:09 PM

  I have had the absolute WORST gas milage in my New Beetle 2008 Automatic 2.5 I check the milage and gas usage every time I fill up my tank. I've owned my New Beetle since April 16, 2008 Yesterday I discovered with my around town driving this past 10 days I only got 17 miles per gallon. I am not that heavy on the gas peddle. That's as bad as an ... Read More

• 2008 Beetle Convertible Problem

  Written by: mediaguy2 on Jul 25, 2008 12:44:35 PM

  We have had the car less than a month, love it, but the ac takes 8 to 10 minutes to come on. it is the S model with manual trans. we took it to the dealer who couldn't find the problem. the dealer said they conferred with VW engineers who said it was the ambient air sensor. not in stock so it was shipped, installed and the same problems exists. now ... Read More

Volkswagen Beetle Body Work Problems

• Buy a new one?

  Written by: moto7 on Apr 25, 2008 4:00:37 PM

  My wife really wants a new beetle conv. but after reviewing some of the problems mentioned here, I'm a little cautious. Most of the serious and common problems seem to be with the 2004's. Does anyone know if Volks has corrected any of the consistent engineering/mfg issues like the windows, etc. on the newer models (2007, 2008)??. Is there a blog or website that informs of VW problem addressing?