Used 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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poor emissions
I would love this car if I could keep it out of the shop-the price of repairs could have afforded me a much more expensive car! I am getting out VW this year as they have refused to help. Other people I know have much better response from their cars and their manufacturers!! I see other people have the same citrus experience!
Never Again
This is the most unreliable car I have ever owned! If it could go bad or break it has. I first bought a 1998 New Beetle because of the looks, it had so many problems I got rid of it within one year. I figured that by the 2000 year models, they would have the bugs worked out, WRONG. Same problems as the 1998 model plus some. I can't believe it, what a piece of junk. It is so unreliable I will not let my wife drive it, I am afraid she would get stuck out somewhere. The dealer and VW of America are NO help. Never, Never again, no more V.W.'s for me!!
- GL 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,99595 mi away
- GLS 1.8T 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,500175 mi away
- GLS TDi Diesel 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,500194 mi away
2000 New Beetle GLS
Given all of the problems we've had, I still like my car. The New Beetle is great to have around town ... great styling, easy to maneuver in crowded parking lots, reasonable power. The key problems we've had, however, are with the electrical system. We've had to replace a CD harness, ignition switch, side airbag harness, among other things. I'd get another Beetle, but definitely would keep my fingers crossed about the build quality.
ENGINE sucks
Nothing but problems since day 1...you can't have the sunroof open without cracking the windows because it creates this really annoying wierd noise. It eats oil like no other...had the engine replaced at 78K miles...Thank God for extended warranties because of all the crap that's gone wrong with it - O2 sensor, MAF sensor, drive belt, airbags, computer chips, headlamps ($65 each), wiper blades ($25 each), water pump, thermostat, coolant housing. My recommendation - DON'T BUY....well that's unless you're thinking of buying mine.
German Reliability A Thing of the Past!
Annual maintenance costs have exceeded past cars that were 3-20 years old. The Malfunction Indicator Light is forever coming on even though mass air flow and O2 sensors have been replaced several times. The blue temperature light failed due to a short. The right side marker light fell out of the fender because the plastic clips failed. The master key with the remote control was dropped 3 feet resulting in total failure. The outside temperature indicator failed. The power window switch on the driver side has failed. The engine had significant carbon buildup requiring expensive cleaning due to other sensor failures mentioned above.
The bug didn't bug me
Fun Car to drive 2.0 gas version feels sluggish ,however its styling won me over great looking car ,we plan to get ba convertable soon
goodby vw
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BEETLE. THE OXYGEN SENSORS, REAR BRAKES, WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS,BATTERY, ALL WERE A PROBLEM BEFORE THEIR TIME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN GREAT AND HELPED RESOLVE PROBLEMS, BUT FOR A NEWER CAR THEIR ARE WAY TO MANY PROBLEMS. I WILL BUY AN INFINTI NEXT, SOON....
Beetles Suck
I am tired of having my beetle because it goes to the dealership every 3 months. i have had to replace the radiator, water pump, the window switch 3x, the back brakes 6x, the headlights 3x, the speedometer went out, the check engine light comes on all the time, and i have replaced many oxygen sensors. There are a lot of other things that have went wrong on my beetle, but there is too many to remember.
NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
I had nothing but problems since day 1! The dealer had my car more than I did. I take very good care of my cars, this one just did not see to want to hang in there. my egnition coil, window swithches, brake light switch, temp gage, emergency brake handle, glove box lever, cooling system, power locks, moonroof/shade, and gage cluster all went bad or broke! To replace a headlight you have to go to the dealer!! ($50.00) Breaks are VERY expensive too! I will never own a VW product again! If you are in the market for a bug..THINK TWICE! DO NOT BUY! The warrenty is awful! even with an extra warrenty i bought, i put in $3000 more!
Pretty Good Car
Very reliable car. Performance is fair, but gas mileage is only mediocre.
My Black Stink Bug
Too many repairs at 45k mi!! Yesterday the driver's side window got stuck down in the door--either motor gave out or window clips broke. Two weeks ago I replaced the battery and also recalled part changed. Already replaced the brakes at 30K. Broken window switches, replaced engine belts, replaced relay sensors for horn to honk again ($500). Peeling interior. Stiff suspension and bottoms out easily. Trunk doesn't always close easily. 6-CD changer doesn't always register. Have a crack in windshield but costs me extra to replace d/t over- size. The worst part is the sucky dealership service. HATE VWs now. I'm dumping this thing for a generic but RELIABLE Honda
Do NOT buy this car!!!
Buying this car was probably the biggest mistake I've made. The day I drove it off the lot, nothing but problems. The 'check engine' light was always on, the car had trouble starting EVERY morning, it ate TONS of oil, over a quart every 1,000 miles, the a\c made the entire car shake, and if you did use it, the vents would stink for several days afterward, door handles peeled, sunroof leaked, too much to list here so I'll stop here.
Fun and dependable
Fun to drive, handles great, goes like hell.
2000 VW Beetle - aka Crap Mobile
This is the most disappointing car I've owned. The interior is falling apart - plastic pieces break, the arm rests are peeling off the door. Several recalls. HORRIBLE service from the VW service shop - LIES, LIES, LIES. A few minor issues with mechanical, but majority is interior problems. I do not recommend buying in the VW family!! If you do - GOOD LUCK!
Too many problems
My Beetle has had endless electrical problems. The chrome finish on the steering wheel began rubbing off after 18 months of ownership. The engine cover falls off once or twice a year, which I hear happens a lot to new beetles. A cute car, but ridiculous to maintain. I didn't start having problems until it was about 4 years old. When I bought it, I sure expected it to last me more than 75,000 miles.
Buggin'
I haven't owned my Beetle for very long but what little time I have had it I LOVE IT! Who would have ever thought these little cars would have so much room and POWER! These are not stripped down cars, they too have lots of neat options. It hugs the road so when meeting big trucks you don't have to worry about being blown around. Great gas mileage!
In love with my car. :)
In my opinion this is the best car. i love it! being a smaller car like i am, its the perfect size. very comfortable. safe. Drives amazing. great sound system. i couldn't have asked for a better car from my parents. as long as you take care of it, nothing goes wrong, I've had no major repairs been made. oil change, and tires balanced. thats about it. Thank you VolksWagen.
I would never buy a vw again
I bought this car two years ago and have had nothing but problems. my wipers have broken twice, my driver door lock has fallen out, my battery has needed to be replaced, my instrument cluster has been replaced ($500), my emc has been replaced, my rear brake pads and rotors have been replaced.....this car has spent so much time at the garage. do not buy this car.
Fun to Drive, but Unreliable
Owning a New Beetle is a love-hate relationship. You love how it drives but hate how it keeps letting you down. I've had endless problems with this car from the start. The transmission started leaking the first week and had to be replaced. We've had endless brake problems due to a vacuum leak. It took Capistrano VW 4 times to diagnose it the first time it happened. Brakes have never worked well. The battery has been replaced twice. The interior is falling apart, door handles peeling, passenger sun visor won't stay up, side mirror knob broke off. We're going to replace it with something more reliable. It's a bad sign when the dealership knows you by sight.
Cute Car
i really enjoy this car, its fun to drive and really cute. Although i did have minor problems , sensors, the a/c smells horrable, drinks a lot of gas, peeling inside the car...all cars have minor problems unless u catch a 'lemon'then ur screwed, but overall it drives well.
VW's have problems
I have taken my car to the shop SOOOOO many times. It constantly has electrical problems and does not qualify for the lemon law. When i go into the shop there are always other angry VW drivers there regretting purchasing this car as I do. Don't get suckered in by its cuteness. These cars will break.
Don't buy a Beetle/Jetta
Read all of the other reviews because I have had every one of their problems. This car might be German engineered for the awesome motor and styling but the Mexican build quality with Mickey Mouse switches ain't worth a peso. Unfortunately the only thing on this car that hasn't failed is the Check Engine light...It's still glowing strong!
There are Pros and Cons!
Pros: Great if you are considering the car for just two people, Nice head room and leg room. Attractive, I have had a lot of people stop by and compliment my car. Never had this experience before with other cars. Easy drive and park because of small size, Helps if you are living or commute to big cities. Decent mileage. Cons: Too little space in the back seats if you have extra riders. Cup holders (Yr 2000 model) are terribly placed. Cant fit in a medium size drink!! I have had frequent problems with engine "check" indicator turning on often. Heard of similar complaints from other owners too. Over all, a great second car for a small family!
Say It With Me Now, L-E-M-O-N
Where to begin? Ah yes, my Beetle has miserable failing sensor lights-replaced too many times to count. The radio volume button is obsolete, turn it up, it goes right back down. It also has collapsing windows. The a/c blows the stench of the dead. It has broken knobs, buttons, switches, handles, and peeling rubber coating. Things that have had to be replaced include the turbo, electronic immobilizer, headlights once a month, clutch, brakes, brake lines, thermostat, and water pump (which caused a blown head gasket and a cracked head b/c by the time your thermo sensor goes off, already too late). Volkswagen dealership service stinks. They charged me for 5 hours of labor for just trying to figure out what was wrong, then said that they were "pretty sure" the turbo was out, then charged me to fix that too.
disappointed
Mechanically the worst car I ever owned. Nearly doubled the purchase price in repairs in 2 and a half years. Big bummer.
New Beetle
This is by far the worst car I have ever owned. I am a mechanic, and I can barely keep this thing running. It only has 49000 miles on it, and it costs about $200 a month in replacement parts alone. This car just falls apart, and you can't keep up with all of the broken items. This is definitely the last Volkswagen I will ever own.
Just Fun
Car is fun to drive, and safe feeling
New Beetle for the Young at Heart
My only problem with the car was when it was two days old. I had an electrical problem where the windshield wipers would go on, the emergency flashers would activate, and myriad other electrical impossibilities. It took 3 weeks to get it back to me... problem; a bad ground in the headlight. Since the day I got it back, it has been problem free. I really enjoy the spirit the turbo GLX displays and only now, after two years, have come to drive it a little more sensibly. My two biggest complaints are the useless cup holders and the reception on the radio, which is really bad on the AM side.
2000 Beetle - Cute, but never again!
We bought the car brand new and had problems with the air bag lights right away. We have had the car into the dealer numerous times for the air bag light indicator. The check engine light comes on frequently and many sensors have been replaced. I would not buy another VW. (We learned how to replace headlamp bulb ourselves - it's very expensive to have it done at the mechanic shop.)The car has a reputation with many mechanics!!
Lots of problems
Original wiper blades made screeching sound. Told they were aftermarket.They came with car. Out of stock. They wouldn't send to me. I replaced on my own. Battery died within 30 days. Road service never showed up. Gas tank filler lid wouldn't open. Inition was faulty. Several problems with indicater lights. Most recent "engine malfunction" Dealer hasn't even looked at.Car at dealer for 5 days. Floor mats useless. Poor design on tabs that hold in place. Call to owner of dealership refused eventhough they were on premises. Every time oil is check it is down 2 quarts. Told this is "normal" Enough said.
something smells
i've had this car over 2 1/2 years and the only major problem i have is the a/c smells horrible. they tell me for $300 they have to flush the a/c vents. this is a normal thing that happens to this car. also outside light bulbs are a little hard to c
Interior
The material on the doors are lifting & coming unglued. Paint inside on door is bubbling. I am not real happy with this. I take very good care of my bug. I keep her in the garage & as I said I only have about 35000 miles on it.I plan on keeping my bug for as long as I can, but the inside is falling apart. Coastal VW will not do anything about it. Said it was wear & tear. In 5 years your car should NOT be falling apart on the inside.
Don't do it............
Looking to buy a VW Beetle? Don't do it! We have had our Beetle for 1 1/2 years. We bought used with 60,000 on it. Shame on me for not doing my homework. It has been a nightmare. OK, it is fun to drive, gets 43+ mpg and we have put 50,000 miles on it. But the frequent costly repairs out weighs the savings at the pump and the fun of driving it. VW has an electrical issue. I get the thing fixed, and try to sell, but another indicator lights pops on: check engine, ABS, brake pads - you name it, it has been broken. At this rate I will never get rid of it.
FUN car...but.....
Fun car to drive, has a lot of pep. but i will not be getting another Beetle. And after 2 years of ownership (we bought it brand new with hardly any miles on it) i am ready to give it up. mechanically it is sound...but for a 2 year old car lots of little things have gone wrong with it as soon as we drove it off the lot. The drivers side window we were told is a 'known problem' with Beetles. Also al of the face plates on the interior are coming away and becoming loose. the rear hatch almost never releases on the 1st try...usually it takes 3-5 tries before it will release.
Bad Decision
Bought this car used with only 26,000 miles on it. It has always been very fun to drive and the handling is great (except in the snow). But the reliability is the worst of any car I have ever owned, and I have had some bad ones! The list of problems includes the permanantly on check engine light, replaced fan control unit at 65,000 miles, air bag problems, broken fuel latch and trunk latch, knob for mirrors fell off, broken arm rest latch, steering rack replaced twice, air conditioner went out at 68,000 miles, broken knobs on the stero, some dash lights are burnt out, etc. I could go on and on forever. And NOTHING on the car is inexpensive to fix. It even requires premium gas because of the turbo. Don't make the same bad decision I made.
Buy one
This car is cool! The punch from the low-revving high torque engine is great down low, but when the turbo kicks in it has even more power. The power is great, the build quality is amazing, pictures don't do it justice. Everything is nicely made and nothing creaks or rattles, it is solid and tight to the road. It drives like a Porsche until you hit a bump at which point it turns into a Bentley and you don't feel it. This car oozes with engineering perfection. The amazing thing is on a 150 mile trip I got 43 mpg and that's not just highway. What a car - it's balanced in every way. Buy this car!!
Life in a Bug
My bug is a problem free vehicle as long as I perform all of the maintenance exactly on time. It knows when something is late and will then cause problems. Local repair places won't deal with it however. www.newbeetle.org has a very active community that has taught me much about the car. I also have a Vag-com from Ross-Tech Industries to read my car's computer and save trips to the dealer.
Good value, cool snug bug, but..
Nimble handling, chic style and VW's engineering has not let us down in the 2 years we've driven it. Warning! Replacement of body panels may be extremely delayed. We had to wait two months for a new rear right panel - from Japan - to replace our dented end. It kept our New Beetle in the shop all that time.
New Beetle 2000
I've had no serious problems with the vehicle, very satisfied. Great: value, ride, performance, comfort & reliability. Surprising versatility with hatchback design - carried lots of stuff that looked like it wouldn't fit. Only nuisance problem has been the oxygen sensors - hopefully rectified with the recent recall & repair.
Most fun I've ever had
I wasn't looking to buy a Beetle when I was shopping for a car. But after buying one, I don't know if I can go back. The engine is amazing, the interior is very comfortable (the heated seats are a must, and the overall interior look is addictive. Strangers smile and wave at you just because of the car. Most people would not consider a bug because of the looks, but everyone I know has become a fan of my car.
VW Beetle cute but unreliable
I love the way this car looks but I have had so many problems with the car and the dealership that I cannot wait to sell it. Ever since I bought this car it has been nothing but trouble. In the end the car is cute and fun to drive but I will never buy a Volkswagen again because of the problems I have encountered.
VW bug = fun
I have had my car for almost 4 years and have had no major problems. I did have to have the trunk latch replaced and have the windows worked on, but all was under warranty. Overall, I have really enjoyed the car and I would recommend this car to someone who wants a somewhat unique car with a practical side. I think the turbo would be a nice touch, although I have never driven one.
Too Bad
This was a fun car. But its low level of quality really stinks. Something was always broken. The bulbs for the headlight are impossible to change if the plastic mounting/locking device for the headlight assembly break (the dealer confirmed that was the case). 10,000 miles before the timing belt was due to be changed the tensioner broke destroying the engine. And because VW makes the engine mounting holes different for different models with the same engine you can not interchange them. This became a pricey repair ($7,000 before it was done). The airbag and a sensor both went bad. Several sensors went bad. It was a nightmare. I was very happy to get rid of it.
Bug delite
This car is so cute. i wanted to sleep in it the first week we got it. Early on week took a 1,000 mile road trip. It was wonderful. I was surprised how little road noise there was. The car is now over three years old. It works perfectly. I have moved to a hilly area and would prefer a little more tourque in the higher gears. The body has held up well. The interior has done well but then I had the seats covered from the beginning. Overall, it is a fun car. It still competes well with the new models. I will probably keep it another 4 years (50,000) miles before buying another VW. PS This is our 4th VW.
I love this car
Since I got this car, there was only one problem with it and it was EZ Lube's fault. Took it there for an oil change and the next day oil was on my driveway. I recommend getting a Beetle. It's one of best cars I ever had and I think it's really reliable. All these other people who had problems with it probably didn't really take good care of their Beetles. My Honda Civic had more problems than this car.
Just don't...
I have had nothing but one problem after another since I bought this car and it only had 12,000K miles on it! Now after I have spent $2,000 plus a $1,500 warranty, I am going to take a huge loss on the trade too. This car stinks and now everyone knows it. Just save yourself the trouble.
I LOVE MY BUG!!!
I bought my Bug used over a year ago and I just love it. I have had NO mechiancal problems with it. It has a lot more room than I thought it would have. The car is a fun car to drive! I would buy another one in the future I'm having so much fun with this one.
Electrical Faults
My 2000 Volkswagen Beetle is fun to drive, but has had multiple electrical problems. The gas cap release failed at 250 miles followed by the driver's window motor at 12 months, 6 days and 7,500 miles, followed by the battery at 23 months, the speaker wiring at three years and the radio at four years. The dealer tried to make me cover the window motor because I was six days out of warranty but I shamed him into doing it gratis. I plan on replacing the VW with a more reliable Japanese car.
A Real Gem
We bought our 2000 GLS used and have enjoyed it more than any other vehicle we have ever owned. It has been very reliable as well as fun to drive (a hard mix to find). We are taking her for her 40k service this week and haven't spent a dime on maintenance that wasn't a regularly scheduled service. Would buy another VW bug anyday! Have had great service at Ed Murphy VW in Schaumburg, IL!
Poor Electrical System
We purchased our 2000 Volkswagen Beetle new in November 1999 and traded it in today because we need to make room for our new baby. All in all I would say that owning this car was a positive experience and I would be happy to continue driving it if we didn't need more room. Our biggest complaint is the electrical system. We had to replace the mass air flow sensor at least once per year and the trouble lights on the dash would come on and turn off for no reason. The cost of unscheduled yearly maintenece was high, at least $800 per year. We did not consider another VW because of the electrical problems. We're gonna miss you little buggy. We all had some great times together and I loved smokin' those Hondas just as much as you did! Sorry bout all the curbs.