2004 Volkswagen New Beetle consumer reviews

Very solid riding. Reliability and cuteness, what else can you say! Everyone smiles when they see my bug.

Bought mine used with 24K miles on it...six months ago. Since then: replaced headlight $250, back window won't go down $700, Airbags censor $400, and now the window in the convertible top is falling out. CAN'T BE REPAIRED!! Has to be replaced...cheapest solution $2,500!! Major defect...and it happens to a lot of them. DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE CARS...unless you want to buy mine:-) Check out the forums before you buy a beetle convertible or any other VW for that matter.

I bought a similar 2004 New Beetle and had nothing but troubles. I have replaced three batteries and repaced two alternators while making several trips to a mechanic to fix this problem. The passinger side door seized closed and I had to have the electronics reprogramed at the dealer. After paying all the repair bills, I am stuck with the car. Avoid all the problems and simply do not buy a New Beetle of any year. You will be much happier.

If you're thinking about buying a new or used Beetle, one thing to consider would be the cost of the canopy replacement. VW will replace a canvas top for approximately 4,100 dollars (I didn't even ask for an estimate on a leather top!). Even an after-market canvas replaced by a shop other than VW can run about 2,600+. Be informed before you purchase. Hope this helps.

The funnest car I every drove. Love riding around in the spring and summer with the top down. Drives great in the snow. Gets alot of attention on the road.

Owned car for 6 years. NEVER ever ever had a problem. Reliable, great gas mileage, comfortable, cute

This car just surprised me at many levels. Easy to operate, easy to drive, easy to maintain, easy on the eyes. The convertible styling is beautiful and the ride was really good. For a tall guy like myself (6'2") the car was surpinsingly more confortable that Boxsters and Audi TTs, even the other three passengers were amazed about how much space there was for all. Never had a car that received so many looks and nods, even with the light yellow exterior, probably because it screams "I am fun, life is good, why so serious?" My only wish was a more powerful engine. So if you like to rev, get the Turbo, otherwise the 2.0 has plenty of power fun to drive you around.

We have had this car for 5 years & now have 64k miles (bought is with 18k.) It was our daughter's first car at 16. I love the crash test ratings, the reliability, and the affordability of owning it! I like to borrow it when running errands - I feel younger & 'cute' in it and use less gas than my truck. She has been the envy of her friends in her bug. I never worry about her having problems with her car even driving in the mountains. As for the negatives out there - there are problems in any model sometimes. I have had my own lemon car, but I hear very few negatives about the bug.

After three years of ownership I can say this is the best car I've owned bar my original 1964 VW Beetle. I've owned a lot of VWs over the years and many other cars as well; however, my Volkswagens seem to outshine all the others. Like an Apple computer, everything just works. I can commiserate with those who have had problems with their Beetles. I had the same type problems with other makes, but never with a VW. I have to wonder though, when a reviewer doesn't know he difference between "breaks" and brakes. Some folks just drive their cars into the ground and never take care of them and then they are surprised when they break down (there is the proper use of the word "break"). Cheers!

It drives very smoothly and swiftly. When speeding you don't feel the speed eventhough is a small car.