Used 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews
Used New Beetle for sale
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.
It's the little things
NL, 08/10/2005
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car was not what I had hoped. The headlamps needed to be changed every two months, the gas door froze, then broke, the front console where the cups holders are broke. The a/c broke at one point due to a mechanical failure...a little piece of plastic broke inside the dash, ended up costing me $500 to fix. I've paid the car off and hoped to keep it until the engine died...but I think the inside will fall to pieces before that happens.
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle for sale near you
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Nice looking but at a price
nohoguy, 08/05/2005
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLX 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the car because I liked the styling, the handling and the turbo engine. These good things about the car are lost in the inconvenience this car has brought me. Since I got this car four years ago, I have had five lightbulbs blow out - two in the headlights, two in the console and one taillight. The armrest has broken twice. Both power windows have malfunctioned. Plastic shielding has fallen out of the moonroof twice, one time falling on my shoulder. Worst of all, my ac failed right in the middle of summer, for my ac problem I went to an ac specialist who tested my ac for $0 while the dealership in Santa Monica wanted to test it for $200. No joke, these cars are very unreliable.
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
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.
Constantly breaks down
chvie06, 08/15/2011
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
5 of 15 people found this review helpful
After owning this car for about 2 years, it started giving me problems. I spent over 2,000 dollars within 2 months on repairs before finally getting rid of it. I had to get 2 new batteries (the first one only lasted a year), new alternator, new valves and hoses, turbo cut off valve, battery fuse panel, alternator harness, ball joints, shocks, and new brakes and tires (brakes and tires were understandable, though). Right before I got rid of it, it wouldn't accelerate and wouldn't exceed 5 mph. The sealed system was also frustrating because you couldn't do simple tasks like refill the brake fluid by yourself. You have to take it in to a VW shop and pay for everything.
Burned by the BUG
Booger Bug, 02/17/2004
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Presently filing a lemon law suit. The car has been to the dealer more than 18 times: multiple areas of dash, etc. peeling, electric window would not roll up, would not go into reverse, rear brakes replaced at 24,000 - dealer said this was normal. Anyone else told this tale? Popping noise in front, radio replaced, rear latch replaced, glove compartment door cracked, heated seats burn your rear on 5 setting and settings 1-4 are hardly noticeable,and the list goes on. Dealer uncooperative; service department incompetent and unfriendly. Don't get bitten by the bug...run, run away.
A Continuance
lynnurd, 12/29/2006
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Less than a year after my powertrain warranty expired, my OBD II inspection failed. Apparently my second intake air flow is screwed up (dealer said it'll cost ~$500 to fix). To top it all off three days later, my blinkers went out. It's not the fuses, I can tell you that much. I am not going to get my money back on this car. I'm only driving it until I can afford another car - which will be a few years. VWs stink.
designed like a mtd yardman lawn mower
123madella, 07/10/2018
updated 07/10/2019
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
i think the same people designed my mtd lawn mower. there idea was how bad a design flaw can we make so it will definately break. then all parts around that area will break as you work on it. finally sold it. had a party when it left.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
So far, so good
Scmil315, 12/22/2002
2001 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall, this has been a good vehicle. Strengths would be interior room for drivers and front seat passengers (I am 6'2" tall), adjustable steering wheel, shift smooth and quick, vehicle provides a good feel of the road. Stereo is powerful, CD changer was a nice little plus. Added the bra to the front to protect the white paint from stone chips, a must on this blunt-nosed little buggy. Colors of the dash are driver friendly at night, with purple and red gauges that are easy on the eyes. Remote controls for entry are a nice plus too. Sunroof feels almost like a convertible! Wide tires give good road feel, but a little road noise sneaks through.