2001 Volkswagen Beetle CLS 1.4L turbo from North America

Summary:

Stay far far away!

Faults:

A month after I got my car, my air conditioner broke, it has continued to break three more times since then.

My clutch has broken (I was told not from the way I was driving).

I have had to have my entire break system replaced because it went bad.

My headlight went out.

I also had my brake lights stay on without turning off except when the fuse was pulled.

My window wipers are atrocious and never work.

I have had to have chords and hoses fixed in my engine.

The plastic on the door handles are losing their finish.

...I think that's it.

General Comments:

This car was fun to drive between the turbo and the stick shift, however, I just couldn't keep up with the maintenance.

I got this car as my first car, and I still have it. I am constantly taking it into the shop to have things fixed and replaced. I am running out of money to fix it!

It might be a cute car, but it is such a hassle to keep up with.

I will never own a Volkswagen again, and I do not recomend them to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th May, 2004

7th May 2007, 09:14

I would just like to say that I have had my 2001 VW New Beetle for 80000 miles without any problems. Do not be afraid. Also, as a side note, the Subaru comment is bunk. I've owned SEVERAL subarus and would recommend them over and over again.

11th Apr 2008, 19:45

I have just bought a new used turbo 01 Beetle, and already the problems start. The nice thing is it's an 01 with only 39k, so I guess I could sell it for a decent price.

My car smells like crayons, which I heard is normal, and the check engine lights and brake lights have already started.

I'm giving this car six months. If it sucks, it's gone. Back to my turbo 99 GSX.

2001 Volkswagen Beetle GLS TDI from North America

Summary:

Cheap to keep and fun to drive

Faults:

Absolutely nothing. Car has been perfect!

General Comments:

The VW New Beetle TDI is a blast to drive. The fact that it get nearly 50 mpg is just a bonus.

Most people think smelly and nasty when they hear diesel, but there is hardly any smell and the turbo has plenty of torque and power.

The front seats are roomy, but the rear is tight. Luggage space is so-so, but it can handle 3 good-sized suitcases.

The GLS is loaded. Monsoon Sound, power everything, moonroof and alloy wheels.

For a small car, the TDI Beetle is a bit pricey, but has good resale value.

Be certain to properly maintain the car as it uses synthetic oil and MUST have a timing belt change at 60,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th May, 2004

2001 Volkswagen Beetle GL 2.0 Liter from North America

Summary:

Lemon disguised in a cute car body

Faults:

The Volkswagen New Beetle was awful. I dreamed of that car from the time I was a child, and I finally was able to purchase it.

After about 3 weeks, the transmission blew out.

It was in the shop for a week and then a week after I got it back, the radiator went.

The next thing to go was the drivers side headlight.

Then the passengers side went a month or so later. The next problem was the oil. They never did figure out why, but it lost oil all the time. I was driving on the highway and the oil light came on, so we pulled off the next exit and went to a store right off of the exit - checked the oil - NONE showed up on the dipstick. We purchased 4 quarts of oil, waited until the car had cooled and the oil had settled, put 3 quarts in, and drove it to the dealership.

They looked at it, couldn't find out what was wrong and said that it must have just had a problem at the last oil change.

A month later, same thing. More oil had to be put into it and this continued for the next few months until my drivers side headlight went out AGAIN.

This time they made me PAY for the headlight even though it was only 5 months old. At that point I got rid of the stupid thing. I wrote a letter to Volkswagen, but to no avail.

General Comments:

A horrid car disguised in a very cute body. I loved the look of it, and it handled really well - when it was working...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th March, 2004

24th Mar 2004, 21:44

From the looks of things, you got a lemon, and a seemingly unscrupulous dealer to boot. If your car is going through that much oil, it's a serious problem. Make some phone calls to Volkswagen customer relations. Be firm, but not rude with them. If you can't get anything out of them, then perhaps a call to a consumer advocate (or whatever they're called) would be in order. Lastly, a lawyer should be consulted if you still haven't had any luck getting the problems resolved.