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Used 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
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4.13 out of 5 stars

11 years and still a great car

Pinky, 05/11/2009
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this car when it first came out and now, at 105,000 miles, it still runs great. A few repairs here- and-there, but great overall quality and driving experience. The mileage remains consistent, the look is still classic and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

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1.25 out of 5 stars

Do not waste your time on Beetles PLEASE

lylarose13, 11/21/2011
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Hatchback
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

I beg you. I have spent over 3000 and now need a new transmission (everybody seems to need these with these cars.) The car only has 70 K's and when I bought it only had 39,000. NOTHING BUT A MONEY PIT of problems and every time I turn around I see more and more people with the EXACT same issues as me to a, "t." Like others have said, it should be illegal to make a car this unsafe, and unreliable. Even though my car is older there are similar problems with newer models of this car. I can't think of a worse car to own then this one. Seriously.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Excellent

brit_008, 09/30/2008
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I absolutely love my bug! I've had it for almost 2 years. Never really had any problems. Except for the rear brake lights. In case other '98 owners didn't know, the brake switch was recalled on all 98 bugs. (lights stay on, etc.) my lights had been staying on and I searched it out and found out that's what it was. I'm the second owner, and the first never had any problems with it. So, I took it to my local vdub dealer and they fixed it right up. Never had any trouble since. Great car, love they way it handles. Very fun to drive.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

If your not a mechanic don't buy the Bug

Not a mech don't buy, 08/20/2009
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Windows failed out of warranty, rip off repair. A/C quit needed new compressor, condenser and expansion valve, I put them in. Front wheel bearing right side went bad, I put new one in. Lights fail alot hard to change both rear and front lights. Parking brakes cables stuck from rust, I replaced. Rear brakes wear way too fast, calipers go bad for no reason. Water pumps fail randomly, I replaced that. Beetle needs may parts redesigned for reliability. Simple things cost too much, center of hub caps emblems fall off cost 30 dollars way too much for nothing. Gas door gets stuck, adjusted alot to make it work right. VW engineers have no clue on design for easy of maintenance nor reliability.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Lemon

Paisley Jane, 07/08/2009
1998 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I only had this car for 6 years, 2 of which it was only driven about once a month by my parents because I lived out of the country. Despite this, it had 1000s of dollars worth of repairs needed every year. One month after purchase it needed $1000 worth of repairs. The final straw came yesterday when they told me I needed $5000 worth of repairs to ABS system, some fuel thing, etc. I took it directly to Toyota and traded it in.

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