Used 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Worst Car I've Ever Owned
I traded this car in two years ago, and still keep thinking about how awful this car was and felt a need to warn others. It was cute, fun to drive and a real conversation starter, but the quality was TERRIBLE. I would drive down the street and pieces of the car would fall off (both on the exterior and interior). The car was three years old when I sold it because I couldn't afford the maintenance. I spent over $2,000 in an eight week period on various repairs and the dealership still didn't think they had solved one of the problems. This was an emotional purchase because of memories of my father's 60's Beetle, but a VERY EXPENSIVE trip down memory lane. I will never buy another VW ...
98 New Beetle
Sturdy, fun to drive and responsive. The NB is a pleasure to encounter amid the overdone body styles. It has fairly serious lack of quality in the electrical components. Switches, coils, fuse blocks and fans are of less than acceptable quality. If you can do these repairs or have a trustworthy technican available you will love it.
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,750692 mi away
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,900972 mi away
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $2,4951,113 mi away
4 years of HELL
This car has subjected me to numerous problems over the past four years (excluding the horrendous problems posed by the dealership!). The passenger side window falling into the door driving across Canada! The headlights have burnt out numerous times and the cost of repair is outrageous.
A Bug that will bug you ...
Consistent problems mark this car. Electrical system required a major investment to get the car running again. The air conditioning went out annually requiring finally another major investment to fix. The power windows go out almost as often. The back hatch rattles periodically as the wiring harness in it slides around. Seals came down from around the windows. The two dealerships that serviced the vehicle were inept at fixing problems and bent on creating reasons to jack up the cost of repairs. They seemed to be distinctly dishonest. (In contrast to the dealers for my BMW or Chrysler.) I have vowed to never buy another VW.
Love the Look, Hate the Repair Bills.
I love the look of the Beetle, it looks like a smiling face. I however, am not smiling anymore because of the numerous repair bills, including replacing the tail, head, and brake light bulbs all of the time. I have replaced the auto window switches numerous times. I have had my car for 8+ years and I expect to replace and repair things, but this car is nickel and dimeing me to death! It's a horrible feeling taking your car somewhere and not being sure you will be able to get back home. I had to replace a plastic component in the gear shift that broke and I could not get out of third gear, then some months later, a gear shift cable broke and I couldn't get out of 2nd gear. Time for a new car!