Used 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Bugged Out
dbug, 11/11/2004
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have owned the car for two years. I bought it with 33k miles on it and it now has 86k. The major problem I had with the car was the plastic grill. A plastic highway cone hit the front grill and broke it. $3600 dollars worth of damage! Then a week after I got the car back the compressor failed. The VW dealership who did the work claimed that one didnt affect the other but since they had to take the entire front of the car apart it seems rather suspect. They want $1700 for a new compressor. Everything on the car is plastic and either breaks or falls off. I wont be buying another VW product.
A good and a bad car.
Tara, 04/30/2008
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
A week ago I wrote a review for me bug and a couple of days when I wrote the review I have noticed that the transmission is doing some weird noises.
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- GLS 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,5772,314 mi away
- GLS 1.8T 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,5002,418 mi away
- GLS 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,8502,453 mi away
VW longevity
lisa'sVW, 12/11/2007
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have wanted a VW since I was a child. In 2000 I purchased my first beetle. I am still driving it to this day. The bug has over 110,000 miles on it. The only problems I have had are the buttons on the radio snapped off inside the dash and I had to have it repaired, my heater died, and one sensor when bad. I can not stress enough to have only a VW dealership work on your car for any repair. I recently had new belts, spark plugs and wires, and few other things done to my car, only because I wanted to be a good "mommy" and take care of my baby. The garage was not a VW repair shop. To fix what they messed up has costed me over 1500. I have learnt my lesson.
Calling Dr.Porsche
BuySwedish, 01/21/2004
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
You can spend millions if not billions on quirky,Mtv like commercials, but you can't build a quality car?I have to say it is by far the worse car I have ever owned.This is coming from a guy who has owned three Saab 900's.Why is this? Well,Everything falls apart,everything from the side mirrors to the shift knob, to the gas door, to the window switches, to the melted fuses to the terrible radio(hasn't worked in a year)
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.
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.
Don't get one
RollTide, 03/25/2004
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
My VW is fun to drive howeever I am not sure I can afford to drive it... Although I did purchase an extended warranty I am out over $1000.00 in one year. Knobs fall off, lights go bad, 27 miles to the gallon, Radio Sux, Poor workmanship
Fun car with a few minor bugs
fourfish, 05/09/2002
1999 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've enjoyed this car since buying it new in 99. Door rattles were and window switches were all fixed under warranty. Had an $650 repair at 41K to replace a gas tank breather tube (engine check light was on). Overall, it's a fun car.