Used 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews
Used New Beetle for sale
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Debt.
savannahb, 05/27/2013
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
We bought this car as a first car, and at first, it was great... Until about two months later when we spent $1200 on engine, heating, and oil repairs. (Mind you, $1200 is a little less than half of what we paid for it.) Then the buggy worked fine until the window rolled down and wouldn't roll back up... And the tail light bulb burst... And the battery kept dying. If I had the choice, I'd sell it to my now-well-known VW repair man for spare parts and buy a RELIABLE car.
never again for me either
cademan1, 11/11/2009
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDi 2dr Hatchback
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car as a computer just before gas went crazy the first time in '03. I'm a big guy and I fit very well. I didn't want to but Japanese. I should have recognized the omen of the check engine light coming on during the test drive. The car is regularly in the shop. The dealer cashier knows my voice on the phone without me telling her. The VW dealer could never fix it the first time usually taking three times until I gave up. The independent shop is marginally better, mostly because he costs about 50% less.
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle for sale near you
Showing 3 of 4 listings
- GLS 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,577918 mi away
- GLS 1.8T 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,5001,017 mi away
- GLS 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,4601,105 mi away
See all 4 listings
Heartbreaker
RachieSLC, 03/08/2004
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T Turbo 2dr Hatchback
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was so excited when I bought my Beetle. I had wanted one since they came out in 1998. I had about a good 2 months until I realized the air conditioning didn't work, which was just the beginning of my repair woes. I have had my car in THREE times to have the air conditioner fixed along with the windows and window switches, the gas and trunk hatches, the temperature guage, and other problems. In the two years I owned this car, I took it to have it fixed TEN TIMES. My clutch went out and it cost $1400 to have it fixed. The week after that, my check engine light came on. I sold that lemon and bought a Civic Si.
Not my Grandma's '58
straightliner, 08/28/2007
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
First VW I've owned. Purchased used w/55K and doubled the mileage. Not bad in the beginning, but repairs have been escalating. Went through three water pumps, mass air flow sensor failed, intake leak (causing check engine light and failed emissions), radiator replacement. Funny, but all the electrical glitches and broken plastic others complain about haven't been a problem. The alarm system never seemed to work as advertised, trunk latch doesn't always catch and I got stranded w/the valet key once, but otherwise OK. Fun to drive, love the stick and still turns heads after all these years. I'm glad I tried it, but approaching 110K and $4,000 in repairs, I'm ambivalent.
Beetles are Extremely Uncomfortable
baileym12, 10/06/2005
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
3 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1999 Volkswagen Beetle because I was looking for a car with good gas milage three months ago. I have to comute at least 60 miles one way to work. The seats are extremely uncomfratable, to the point where I have extreme back pain and I have to use a towel to support my lower back. The quality inside stinks, it is very poorly designed, has bad cup holders, and everything is plastic and falls off. The side mirrors are postioned very high so there is a big blind spot when you take left turns, which is very dangerous at night. The only thing that the Beetle has going for is its gas milage and reliablity. It says 32 mpg, but I can manage 34-36mpg. I haven't had any problems mechanically, but the unbearable cabin design forced me to trade it in.