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Used 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
111 reviews

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Like marriage - it's the little things

behamsa, 05/11/2008
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I still love my bug after 8 yrs, but there are definitely some little & not so little design flaws that cause $$ and growls. Frequent headlamp replacements costly. Plastic "butter tub" under front of car gets thrashed regularly due to ridiculous clearance (Replaced several, lost count. Also the oil pan went with it 1 time!) Paint and rubber continues to come off door panels. Anything interior plastic is subject to break/replace over & over. (Window & climate controls, cup holder, gas door cable) And I have replaced so many cheaply glued hub cab emblems that I finally gave up! The devil is in the details on this car. Dealer service is $$$. But all said I still love to drive this baby!

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2.63 out of 5 stars

Mexican

Keith Henson, 04/19/2004
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Before buying, please consider: Abnormal headlight failure, 3rd brakelight never worked, VW emblems fall off optional $600 wheels, rear brakes fail at 24,000 miles, each key costs $200 - about the size of an egg, plastic falls off all the time, plastic under car - $300; parking light lens $107. Can't reach filter to drain water as required; car too low to use ramps, difficult to get in reverse, has timing belt on diesel???? Buy Japanese for half cost and get 4 times the life.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

Fun to drive when its not in the shop

EmHeCo, 06/24/2009
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I got this car about a year ago as a graduation gift. With in the first two months the entire instrument panel went kaput. $700+ to replace. Found out, windshield whipper motor was burned out. Air conditioning went out. Then the gas door broke off, struts went, oil pan failed. Now...exactly a year later, its in the shop again. Head gasket, started and something else needing to be replaced after car overheated and broke down. I am not hard on her, I take good care of her, always oiled. But I have now put almost $4000 in to her. I admit it is really fun to drive, turns on a dime, parks like a dream and has some kick. When she isn't up on the lift.

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3.13 out of 5 stars

Sarah's Bug

freeman525, 09/29/2002
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fun to drive but totally unreliable--Check Engine light stays on even after repeated trips to the selling dealer-- Interior: a niggtmare- plastic casings at seatbelt housing, temp gauge... have roken repeatedly after normal use

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great fun-to-drive automobile

Patrick, 06/10/2009
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have been driving for more than two years and this is my favorite car. The authentic volkswagen sound, the internal computer, and the comfort level are amazing. The ECU could use some work however as it limits the revs and it changes the shifting pattern too often (due to adaptive transmission). The winter driving is ok as long as you do not give it too much gas, and you can even drop it down into 1st or second gear for better stability and torque. The flaws I do not agree with are the window motors, as they wear out quite easily. The O2 sensors go quite quickly as well, we have had the car for about 8 years and it has gone through over 14 O2 sensors. The handling is very good on turns.

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