2001 Volkswagen Beetle GLS 1.8 T from North America

Summary:

Good

Faults:

Flange piece leaked coolant, but covered by warranty.

Fuel/vacuum pump replaced. Same warranty.

Driver's window motor and hardware broke. Warranty.

General Comments:

Great gas mileage, comfortable for the size of vehicle. I have been lucky considering what I have read about the Beetle, but I go easy on it. It was a lease vehicle for the first 4 years, so apparently got great maintenance as far as I can discern from the records.

I bought at 54000 in fall of 06. Not much to report, so far real lucky.

Quick off the block with turbo, very quick.

Also one note, I understand that synthetic oil is best when the car is a turbo. That's it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2009

2001 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Junk

Faults:

Many recalls.

Gas vac-lines fall off.

Sun-roof leak.

Ignition problems.

Uncooperative service representative that can only make excuses.

VW is living on its past laurels. Never in a million years would I consider buying another VW.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd January, 2009

2001 Volkswagen Beetle TDI 1.9L turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Comfortable, great fuel economy, fun to drive

Faults:

Control panel (dash) broke down at 200 000 miles

One motor mount needed to be replaced

Driver mirror cracked (extreme cold weather)

One muffler pipe section was replaced

Hood latch fell apart

Oil pan fillets stripped - had to replace the oil pan

Replaced engine starter motor.

General Comments:

This may seem to a lot of repairs, but I have run the car for over 200 000 miles, and I had VERY LITTLE issues with this car. In Canada, repair shops that service Volkswagen are common, and they do a great job at a low cost. For example, I got a used dash for $100, so I never got into repairs that cost more than $400.

Biggest maintenance issue is timing belt replacement every 60 000 miles: about $500 each time

After running the car 200 000 miles: no engine problems, no transmission problems, no turbo problems. I guess you can say this is a good car.

Fuel efficiency is incredible: over 50 mpg in warm weather (May through September). And this is a good size car - not an Toyota Echo or such.

Driving this car is really fun!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2008

31st Dec 2009, 03:37

I have to agree with you on this. I've had my TDI Beetle for 9 years. The interior is falling apart, but it has the best fuel mileage ever! It was recalled a couple of times for windows and a parking brake. My VW dealership fixed them both at no charge as expected. I wish I had the money to buy a brand new one just for the sake of it, but this one is paid for and I'm hoping to keep it for years to come. I am driving my real life dream car.

2001 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I love it!!!

Faults:

None!!!

General Comments:

Great little girlie car!!! Love my Beetle to bits!!!

Volkswagen produce the worlds greatest cars (under VAG - Volkswagen Audi Group they produce BMW, AUDI AND SKODA also).

It has been reliable in the year I have purchased it... I feel safe in its sturdy structure and the 2.0 litre engine is nippy enough to zip in and out of lanes on the motorway etc.

I love my car... it's a cult following... cute, cool and reliable!!!

BBEETLES ROCK!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2008

2001 Volkswagen Beetle Basic - GL I think from North America

Faults:

My 2001 Beetle has always eaten oil. It was scary at first, but since then it's true that I average putting about 1 liter of oil in between each oil change. This situation has caused me to become quite a regular at checking the oil out of fear. And of course too much oil will hurt the car, too.

I used to have problems with the headlights going out often but for some reason that has gotten better... knock on wood.

I'm starting to have some problems which I think are electrical or latch related. First it was the hatch latch that now requires two or three times before it will open.

Most recently my gas door is taking about ten clicks to open and I can't get it open without the latch. That's frustrating.

General Comments:

Besides getting used to the oil eating and headlight costs of having to take it to the dealership to change the light, it's okay.

I like the size as it's easy to handle in the city and it has plenty of room for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2008