2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Review
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Review
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Used New Beetle for sale
Appraise This CarVolkswagen New Beetle model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Cute yet classic styling, range of engine choices, long list of standard features, good crash test scores.
Cons
- Tight rear-seat accommodations, limited cargo room, high price of Turbo S model.
What’s new
For 2004, the New Beetle is no longer available in GLX trim. There's an improved TDI engine and restyled 16- and 17-inch wheels. Turbo S models get uniquely styled 17-inch wheels as a late-year addition. New safety features include head curtain airbags and upgraded head restraints. The Monsoon audio system is now standard on the GLS and new GDL headlights are optional. Later in the model year a fixed rear spoiler will replace the power-operated unit and a CD player with MP3 capability will be added. Convertibles get new exterior colors and color combinations. All Beetles get a new fuel cap warning light this year. TDI models can be equipped with a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which is a six-speed manual transmission with electronic control of the clutch and gearshifting. It can be operated in full automatic mode, like a traditional automatic, or shifted manually like a Tiptronic.
Edmunds says
The image car in VW's lineup, the New Beetle offers a unique combination of safety, fun and upscale features for its price range.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.90 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$202/mo for New Beetle GL
New Beetle GL
vs
$191/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle.
5 star(69%)
4 star(14%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(3%)
250 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
1 out of 5 stars
The most trouble prone car of them all. Stay away
Vince, 10/25/2015
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
I bought this car from a family member with only 16K miles and it was garage kept. It's a 2.0 convertible with automatic. I can't begin to say how cheaply built this car is and VW should be ashamed of this product. The structure of this car creaks and moans over smooth roads. The driver's door handle (plastic) was cracked and this cracked the entire door panel. Replacements are hard … to find and expensive. I got a new door panel and got metal door handles from ebay. The driver's door latch switch broke. This needed an entire latch and the switch lowers the window when opening and closing the door. Without this switch say goodbye to the top. So I did this myself. Then the rear plastics all cracked. Then the flaps to cover the top frame broke and the top wouldn't move so I took them off to fix it. Then the rear window separated from the canvas. I repaired the rear glass to save me the $2500 for a new top. Once I had this fixed, then the rear driver's window regulator broke. I took this to my friend and he fixed it for $300, but then the power top broke. So I disabled the power top and do it by hand since I'm done fixing stuff on this car. So it's fate is destined to be the in junkyard, but for now it's just rolling junk waiting for it's destiny. All of these repairs are on a low mileage, well maintained car. Other driving impressions- it drives like a cheap economy car. Braking is good. Acceleration is below average. Transmission and engine are still working for some reason. Structure is poor as I described above. Interior storage is average. rear seat room is tight. Paint is good. 30MPG highway. I can not recommend this car under any circumstances even if it's given to you for free. It is very poorly over-engineered. Parts quality is very poor. Construction quality is poor with cheap brittle plastic and weak adhesives holding things together. Parts cost is very high and availability is poor as it may need to be shipped from Germany. So nothing here to see-keep looking.
1 out of 5 stars
Worst purchase of my entire life
Victoria, 01/13/2016
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
I bought the car because it was cute, got good gas mileage, and I had always wanted one. Well, 3 years later and i've put around $22,000 into the car. First I started replacing minor things like the timing belt and the water pump, then the alternator, then the radiator, then the computer, then the air conditioning, but then i ended up replacing the engine, then the turbo, then the door, … then the head gasket, then the transmission(as well as many many other things). This car has left me stranded on SO many occasions. I'm fearful to even drive this death trap. Please save yourself the heart ache, do NOT buy an older model beetle. The only reason I have held on so long is because my grandfather keeps paying to get it fixed, but this is not an inexpensive quick fix car. It will NEVER end.
2.63 out of 5 stars
Poor Quality
mas16, 09/19/2011
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
Stay away - engineering and quality are very poor.
I bought the car new for my daugher for a graduation present.
With just over 50K miles we have had to rebuild the transmission and replace the cytelitic converter.
Also had numorous annoying but slightly less major problems.
My daughter had to stop usign the convertible top several years ago.
The darn thing is too complicated and … something breaks about every third time it was used.
The scary thing is that every we encountered a problem I look on the VW forums and found that many other owners are experiencing the same problem.
2.38 out of 5 stars
Worst Mistake Of My Life
design_o_mite, 01/31/2012
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Within three days of buying a 2004 Beetle convertible from a used dealer for $8,600 (incl CA sales tax and dealer fees), it became obvious the tranny had issues. (88K miles on the car.) Less than 2 months later, I've replaced the transmission, and axle, the triptronic...to the tune of $6500. I'm not into this car 15K and every week, something new (engine valve) keeps popping up. The … dealer had to have known--the car didn't "know" what gear it was in the first time I took it on the highway. It only made it the 5 miles home after purchase uneventful. I've now maxed out my credit cards and even w/ the new tranny, the car is STILL shifting choppily!
2004 New Beetle Highlights
Convertible
GL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $202/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the New Beetle include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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