Used 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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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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Warning..do not purchase a new beetle
Robert, 01/08/2016
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 15 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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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)
3 of 3 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.
German Engineering?
julse520, 07/13/2012
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLX 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this as my first car thinking I was being smart by buying something with good fuel econemy and reliability. I love to drive the car when it's working properly.For the first two months or so, she provided me with all of that until one day, during rush hour traffic, the car lost ALL power completely. After that, car SLAMS into gear. Now, the car likes to do that randomly in awful places. The turbo lag on a hot day is ridiculous. I feel like I'm going to be killed sometime soon. And also, all the plastic finishes in the interior break. Car is made extremely cheep. Oh yea, german engineering? It's made in MEXICO if that explains the awesome reliability haha
Beetle Review
PilotRicky, 09/17/2003
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Fun to drive. Still gets smiles. Two airbags replaced already. One time check engine light kept coming on...was some module problem. Front turn signals have repeatedly messed up, (started blinking way too fast), dealer has never resolved the problem. Well built car, lots of fun. Needs the VR6 engine and all wheel drive to make it what I really want.
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