2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

Not what I expected

Written by: maciosaig on 10/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle SE PZEV 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I bought this car for my wife and after buying an 07 Passat and being extremely satisfied with that car I figured Id be just as pleased with the bug. Was I in for a shock I've owned convs in the past so I was away of frame/body flex but this car takes it to new extremes. The handling sucks, power is poor and comfort is great for the driver and front passenger, and my small 3 year just about fits in the back seat. Now there is a rattle in the front end somewhere and the thing is noisy on the highway. For the money they charge these cars should be much more powerful and handle better. I'm not sure how the fit and finish will stand up over the next few years, but I'm not confident

Favorite Features

The retro look and power top

Suggested Improvements

Much more power, better fuel economy, better handling, better build quality, and much lower price-its built in Mexico with super low production costs there is no reason this car should cost this much. I would not recommend this car at all.

Report inappropriate post

Love my New Beetle!

Written by: Karen1963 on 10/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle SE 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I wanted this car for a long time before my husband bought this one for me as a surprise Christmas gift in 2007. It is so easy to drive, and the seats are a good fit for me. I have the automatic, so the gas mileage isn't the best, but I really love the experience of driving it every day. This is the best car purchase we have ever had and I will likely own this car the rest of it's life!

Favorite Features

The New Beetle is so distinctive and the salsa red really gets everyones attention. I just love the way it looks!

Suggested Improvements

I would love to get better gas mileage and I think the car is very reliable, so the warranty should last longer.

Report inappropriate post

Has been great!

Written by: eldaino2 on 09/18/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

My wife's 08 beetle has been pretty great. its a fairly smooth riding car (an impressive feat considering its based of the mkIV platform and thus has a torsion beam rear suspension) and is a a great long distance cruiser. the stock tires are not the greatest and in typical stock fashion has grown loud and tiresome, but the car itself is very quiet, peppy with great low end tq, and style my wife loves.(and i actually don't mind it either.)

Favorite Features

great shade of red, solid tuetonic driving experience, great highway cruiser, good range on gas tank, fairly inexpensive to maintain, decent steering feel, low end torque, engine growl.

Suggested Improvements

armrest location, cup holder placement is slightly weird, a chassis this stout and that weighs this much should get better rear seat side impact ratings. (maybe actual airbags back there? only a big deal if you carry people in the back, in our case thats a no.)

Report inappropriate post

My New Beetle is simply awesome!!:)

Written by: MeowlGal on 06/13/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle S PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I love my new car!! This is my first beetle,I used to own a Volkswagen cabriolet convertible and loved it! I traded in my Toyota truck and got my beetle..I named her "Rubi"!! What a cute and fun car. This car is in mint condition!! I am so happy I bought her!!:)

Favorite Features

The seats are so comfy..you just melt into them when you sit down. I also love the hatchback..very cool!

Suggested Improvements

None!!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Time Travel

Written by: OBX NC on 01/02/2009

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle S 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Love the car, brings back super memories, makes the day fun and exciting. . My fuel mileage averages 25-29 mpg without pampering. Have owned a Miata, will take the Beetle any day,anytime.

Favorite Features

The heated front seats, great on cold mornings or just to ride with top down on cool days. Harvest moon beige, cream top with cream interior is just a fabulous color combination.

Suggested Improvements

The adjustable armrest is difficult to lower, the release button is difficult to reach. The car tends to bottom out on minor bumps. Some utility of the large dash would be of benefit(storage or bin).

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

LUV BUG :)

Written by: Beach Girl on 11/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle SE 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I purchased my brand new 2008 Convertible Beetle and love it ! (so far )I just traded my 07 Sebring in for it (never get a Sebring) I live @ the beach so its great to take the top down and just cruise in, very comfortable, great stereo Love the SRadio that it comes with, leather heated seats this car has it all my fav car out of all the cars i have had , I would def recommend it to anyone my husband didn't like the beetles @ 1st he said it was to much of a girl car but after he drove it he loves it too , gas is av.

Favorite Features

1) heated leather seats. 2) stereo & comes with Sirius Sat Radio. 3) fun to drive , and you can fit it anywhere not a big bulky car. 4) has a convertible top you gotta love that. 5) I like the turn signals on the side mirrors that helps out. 6) FLOWER holder lol ha ha

Suggested Improvements

just a lil rough when hits bumps but i have heard that all VWs are like that.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

The Volkswagen Co. Not What It Used To Be

Written by: George Lafont on 10/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle S 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 5M)

Review

Day one from picking up the car from the dealer the handbrake came off when I parked. The car doesn't feel at all like a German car, in fact it feels like it's coming apart. About 2 months later on my way home (45 min. commute) on a very hot Summer day, the underneath engine cover came loose fell off and broke into many pieces. When I took it to the dealer, they accused me of running into something and refused to fix it. The service manager even went through the trouble of fabricating a story that I ran over a parking turtarrier with a piece of rebar sticking out tearing the cover off and again refused. Both their customer service and chairman of the board also refused to help

Favorite Features

At this point I'm disgusted with the car.

Suggested Improvements

Build them in Germany not Mexico and be responsible of your car's defects.

10 out 18 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Sweet 16 again

Written by: Czar on 09/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle S PZEV 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

My wife purchased a 2008 SE convertible for use at our beach house. She loves this car to death. Fun, quick and easy to park. Can fit 4 when needed. Top down fun in the sun.

Favorite Features

Automatic power top.

Suggested Improvements

A little more power would not hurt. Trunk is ultra small.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

A Slice of Heaven in every Ride

Written by: Ireland3 on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle SE 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I purchased the yellow SE in July and have been driving it everyday just smiling. The handling is great,and the seats are comfortable. I just love all the fun it is to simply go anywhere now in my new "Sunflower Yellow" bug. Gets tons of compliments and fits in the smallest spots. I updated mine with "daisy" steering wheel covers, flower vase, license plate, and seat covers for an even cuter look.

Favorite Features

The way it handles, so smooth and secure, the color, and the shape of the car. The gas mileage is average esp. since it contains 6 airbags and has a big engine.

Suggested Improvements

A door for the back seat passenger to get in easily. Maybe one that opens to the back of the car, and rear windows that open also.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

cyn in florida

Written by: beetle girl on 08/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Triple White PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I love this car; but triple with the white arm rest is whacked. Could get a little better gas mileage.

Favorite Features

Feels like a girl car.

Suggested Improvements

Change the arm rest to black or metal to hard to keep clean.

Report inappropriate post