Used 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews
Used New Beetle for sale
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A good car, only for the first 3 years
Jane Doe, 07/09/2016
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
These fall apart. At 140k miles I've replaced/ repaired so many stupid things. Like what? The rear 3rd brake light seal leaks. This lets water into the trunk lock which sets off the alarm every time it rains. And, requires replacing if the trunk latch! The water pump and mini fold are made of glass reinforced plastic that doesn't stand up to prolonged hi temps. Both cracked and needs replacement at different times. Quite the unreliable car if you keep it more than 3 years
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Never again will I buy a VW New Bettle
Joe Acushnet, 04/07/2017
updated 04/13/2020
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this pile of junk at 78k. Within 6 months the timing belt broke, then the turbo went away. Thanks to VWs poor design with 5 valves per cylinder and a interferance motor it bent 18 valves. My machinist says that and the 2.0 are by far the most expensive car he works on and he sees lots of them. Worst car I have ever owned!
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2003 Volkswagen New Beetle for sale near you
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- GL 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,4002,497 mi away
Don't be Fooled by the Hype
Jeff A., 06/13/2003
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLX 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The heated seats don't work like they have in the past. Dealer insists there is a temperature sensor in the seats to determine how hot the seat should be. Even with the air-conditioning on in freezing temperatures, the '5' setting does not work at all. Not impressed with the fuel economy in the cold months. Averaging 21-22 mpg in the city. Power windows have a tendancy to roll back down after you've rolled them up. Sluggish start after sitting overnight. There is a wind vibration inside the car if the sunroof is open and traveling less than 20 mph. Very annoying.
Warning..do not purchase a new beetle
Robert, 01/08/2016
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car for my daughter in high school. Now I spend all my spare time trying to keep it running. Plastic motor parts crack and need to be replaced almost weely. I have replaced the anti freeze overfill tank and heater hose connections. The transmission is junk. Jerky and shifts hard. Dangerous to drive. Many electrical issues. Interior gets wet when it rains. To many issues to remember. Do not get ducked into the cuteness of the car. They are totally worthless vehicles
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Worst car I've ever owned
Glenn Acheson, 06/08/2009
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is the worst car I've ever owned. The transmission shifts hard when its warm - dealer says that's normal. When shifting from Reverse to Drive or vice versa, you have to wait several seconds for it to engage. Replacing the battery was a royal pain, not to mention expensive. Replacing one of the front headlights was even worse. Now one of the front lenses has fallen off... The front left turn signal fell out of place from some clip that's broken. Now the check engine light is on - who knows how much THAT's going to cost. Performance is wretched, even for a 4 cyl. Mileage is only 25 mpg hwy. My 6 cyl 2000 Taurus gets 28!!!