2003 Volkswagen New Beetle consumer reviews

I have owned a Bug for about 7 years-first a 2002 that was smashed by a wild Grand Cherokee and then a 2003. My daughter and I have had very few problems with them...in fact, the 2003 has sat through several Michigan Upper Peninsula winters and has never needed the battery jumped or had trouble in deep snow. I sent her off to college with purchased road service but she never needed to use it.

My company Planet Solar has 3 TDI Beetles and I love them. Bought them ranging from 40k miles to 120k miles. Sure the fit and finish gets a bit worn, a few rattles while driving, over 120k miles, but so does my Mercedes. But that diesel motor is bullet-proof and will go forever! Bottom line, I'll probably buy 3 more this year.

Bought thei car used with 20k miles and had it one year. It was in for repairs 11 times, problems included, lights burning out excessivly, windows that would go down but not go up. top that wouldnt go all the way down, watterpump that went out, transmission that wouldnt shift right, and then the headlining started falling out. that was the last straw. Cost me a lot of money for one year and never another european car in my garage.

beautiful car..i'm in love. BUT..already had to take it back to get a window fixed, thankfully still under warranty cause it was $300 just for the regulator. Worried about transmission..seems to shift hard and this seems to always come up in reviews. Any suggestions? They told me it was "just how a VW shifts". ?!?!

In one month I'll have owned this car for seven years, and it has been super. Runs great in all seasons, climbs mountain highways with ease, handles and rides very nice for a smaller car. And it still averages about 30 mpg (mostly city driving) with the original factory performance upgrades.

For the good on this car, it's cute. However, with four noted recalls under it's hood regarding safety and reliablity all the cute in world does not make this car worth the trouble. First, it has a cold start issue, 40 degrees and under fails to start, The window motors failed intermittenly the 1st two years then after replacing with original parts failed again two years later, on the 5th year the back window fell out of the convertible, which will require an entirely new top with the price far exceeding $2000.00. The value of trade in is $5500.00 at a dealer with these issues. Resale to an unwitting buyer is in the ranges 7 to 77K... Not the best buy as an ego car if your income is not totally expendable.

I bought a 2003 Beetle.The day it came home after a day sqeeking sounds started coming when the car moved. After 16 days the engine light came in.Got rid of this car soon by getting a honda accord 07 model.Horrible experience.

Lusted after the TDI for years; got 49mpg! After 2 mos the lock assembly came out of the driver side door(!) b/c some "pin" broke inside of it. Couldn't lock the car until service was done. Then one rainy night, the tailgate latch busted and the trunk popped open and set the alarm off in the middle of the night while I was trying to sleep. Couldn't set lock/alarm or close hatch until service repaired latch. Front latch (cheap plastic) busted when I was trying to open engine bay. THEN latch on glove cpmpartment busted in the middle of me driving and glove compartment door just popped open on its own as I drove. Lastly the paint started fading. Repaint okay but you could tell. SOLD it after 9 mos 14k miles. RUN! Love it from afar, but do NOT buy one! TY.

I bought this car for commuting and it is great ! Love driving it around the city and my kids love it. Great space for the driver and front passanger, however the back space does not fit 2 adults. I have 2 kids and they are OK with the space. Great for commuting and drive around. With 5 stars crash test, you are in good hands.

My husband bought me a turbo Bug, "limited edition" where the seats matched the exterior (I begged for 3-4 years). It sure was a fun car to drive but I wonder if it was in the shop more than I got to drive it. Finally after I put 12,000 miles on it, a bearing spun in the engine (yes, i bought it used). Mind you, I did an oil change every 6months, like they suggest. I never reached the 5,000 miles before I had an oil change. Don't get me wrong I loved this car with all I had in me. Now I just feel drained by it. I am still struggling to get it fixed but will probably sell "as-is" with no enigne. It is hard to find the engine that goes in this car because there are so many people trying to replace their engines, and they are not cheap!!!