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Used 2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
144 reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

I beat you with a bug! ha

Chase, 05/30/2002
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo S 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

this car rocks, smoked a rsx type s and most other honda appliances, engine has mad potential. fun to drive.period. excelent quality

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Few problems-overall largely pleased

az owner, 04/18/2008
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bought with 88K miles--probably paid too much, but was pressed for time for a move and new job. Purchased knowing would have long daily commute & weekend travel home--excellent mileage on freeway driving, 'tween 46-50 mpg. In town usually around 38-40. Very keen on quick acceleration. Yes, some frustration with electrical, e.g. persistent glow plug light was annoying, but fixable at low price. Sunroof fun and climate control okay. With back seat down good storage capacity. Sound system good, but put in XM receiver and sold off original system at purchase. Very satisfied all in all-but several of the complaints here have some validity in my view.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Almost 1 year with not a single problem

sailflorida, 03/24/2002
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Still love it after 10 months. Have still not found anything wrong with this car. I have looked since day one for build defects and found none. As a perfectionist it has given pride. I am however waiting for window problems because I hear alot of complaining about it but so far OK. I am sorry my warranty is the old 24 month one because I hear bad stories of dealer charges (and ineptness) where I live. I am hundreds of miles from selling dealer and that is a bummer.

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5 out of 5 stars

My Herbie

psperl, 03/16/2002
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I turned in a 2002 Lexus LS 430 sedan for my Beatle. I wanted to make life simpler for myself upon retiring from professional life. The Lexus was a great auto,but I didn't need it anymore and don't miss it, as my Bug is such fun to drive.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

I LOVED this car, just too small...

Nicolle, 07/30/2009
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I absolutely adored this car. She was gun-metal grey and I named her Judy, after Judy Jettson. Also lovingly called her the bubble-mobile because EVERYTHING inside is round or rounded. Super fun to drive, very reliable, very comfortable. But it did some weird stuff, as do all my vehicles. The overheat light kept coming on, even when I'd first start it up. Then it would go off. Then come back on. Eventually I was driving on the highway and it severely overheated, melted the head gasket and there was anti-freeze in the oil. Ridiculous. I had thought the light was malfunctioning, not the cooling system. Only complaint about it is that any time something went wrong, it was EXPENSIVE to fix!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Go Diesel

02 White Diesel, 10/22/2007
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Purchased new. Average mileage has been 40, mix of highway & city driving. Have had problems with headlights burning out. Had to replace the horns. Have had to replace several brake light switches. Trans. won't shift if defective. So far engine & trans OK. Low fuel light is on all the time. $600.00 to repair. I'll live with it. Overall, I love the car. Good mileage, easy on tires and easy to do my own oil changes. We'll see how long the engine/trans last. Diesel should go 250,000 miles easily. I'm using Stanadine Fuel Additive.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Fun but Poor Car

Sean, 04/22/2005
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bought the Beetle in August of 2002 with 6 miles on it. 4 days later, the climate control went out and it was 6 months before they could fix, so we were with a broken moon roof. The oil pan has busted twice and the transmission won't go directly from park to reverse, without first droppin it into 1st then going slowly back to reverse. The dealer says nothing is wrong. The driver side seat had to be replaced and cost $500. The windows go up when you want them down, and the driver's door only opens from the outside when you ask it nicely. Other than that, I love the car. But I'm not sure the good cancels out all the bad.

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5 out of 5 stars

Surprised By A Beetle

Extremely Satisfied, 01/07/2010
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I did a ton of research before settling on this car. I am not disappointed. As soon as it was in my hands, my wife and I took a 1,000 mile trip. We left for a week and brought our two bags, overnight bag, my laptop w/ case, and Christmas presents AND our bedding for a cabin stay over New Year's. It swallowed all of this plus more from my wife's parents. All the while, it got 33mpg hwy. That's 478 miles of range on regular 87 octane. If you can find a TDI, get it. But this is and should be the #2 choice. The 2.0 liter motor is a revver. I never once thought it needed more power. With its full load, it pulled the Grapevine at 72mph easily. It is roomy and comfortable too.

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1 out of 5 stars

My former dream car

Scott, 04/05/2006
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLX 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I wrote a review titled "my dream car" about a month and a half ago. Ignore it! I sold this vehicle last week because of the multitude of problems. I had it in the shop 17 times in 10 weeks. You read that right, 17 times in 10 weeks. I litterly had the car 4 days a week because the dealer had it the rest of the time. I am now $1,162.16 in debt just from fixing the car and I am 19 years old. It was my worst nightmare. I replaced 2 ignition coils, the alignment went out 3 times, spark plugs, window cables, oil changes, O2 sensors that "a squirrel ate" through. Oh and VW did not cover it because it was not a defect in the car. Just for the sensor it was $320.00!

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5 out of 5 stars

Love my Bug!!

KariF, 08/03/2004
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS TDI 2dr Hatchback (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

This is the best car I have ever owned. It is fun to drive, has a lot of power for a small car and gets great fuel mileage. I wasn't sure that I wanted a diesel at first, but now I'm so glad I did. I visit the gas station once a month. This car makes me happy every time I get into it. It is also so comfortable to travel in. I love that you feel like you are sitting up very high. I never feel like I'm in a small car. I will be keeping this car for a very long time!

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