2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

What Fun!

Written by: bbg on 09/02/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am having a wonderful time driving this car! It handles beautifully and brings an element of fun to my dull, everyday driving. Just put the top down and go! Even strangers make comments about how great looking the car is. It has a zip to its acceleration. We have had four of us ride comfortably, and the trunk has room, more than you would expect (15 plastic grocery bags worth of room!). Its gas mileage is excellent, and I don't cry when I fill up at $3.00 a gallon. The roof has not had one drip or leak even in the heavy rain. This car has surprised me with its many small touches of thoughtful design (e.g. the cupholder that moves right to accommodate a large size bottle). A+ choice!

Favorite Features

The electric convertible top is this car's "knock one out of the park" feature. I really like the heated seats, the "four windows at once" button, the security key, the front and side airbags,and the moving cup holder. This car even came with a solar panel to charge the battery!

Suggested Improvements

I would suggest a CD player (already available on newer models) and clearer directions for taking care of the top.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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2004 VW Beetle GL Coupe

Written by: jesmari on 08/24/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is a great car for the small unique design. It is fun to drive and has great stability. It is very reliable. The only con is a minor electrical fault in the airbag system. The system frequently gave a false alert of having problems, without there actually being a problem.

Favorite Features

The spacy interior design, great road stability, and good fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

Give it a better electrical system. Continue to make the "turbo" engine .. and include Turbo automatic transmission.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Poor Customer Service After Sale

Written by: criderun on 07/05/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This little car has been great until we have tried to get some warranty service done. We have had problems with the battery going dead from about the time the car was 6 months old. The dealership's equipment would not show the battery was bad since the car was jump started and recharged. Every other place in town tested the battery and showed it was bad. We have been fighting this for over a year now. Anytime we go out of town and the car sits for 2-3 days the battery is totally dead. We finally had the car towed to the dealership while it was dead but they are over a week behind being caught up on doing warranty work. Now I am no longer considering that new GTI. Nice cars, bad service.

Favorite Features

The styling always catches people's eyes. The optional 17 inch wheels really set off look better than standard 16 inchers.

Suggested Improvements

Place more emphasis on customer service after the sale instead of taking my money and then closing up tighter than a clam. There needs to be a signal amplifier for the radio since there is not a radio antenna, just the wire embedded in the windshield.

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

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I Love Beetles

Written by: Nancy on 06/23/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 1.8T 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I really enjoy this car. I was hesitant at first to get one, but now am so glad I did! It is great on gas, fun to drive, and very comfortable. There is much more room inside than one would expect in a small car. I have the 1.8 turbo. It is a great performer and so fun to drive. It handles really well. I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for better gas mileage without sacrificing fun and performance.

Favorite Features

This car is fun, has an ergonomic interior design, along with cute rounded exterior styling and a choice of bright summer colors. It has a great sound system and performance, too.

Suggested Improvements

I can't think of a thing. It's perfect as is.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Do not buy this car

Written by: Carrie on 06/22/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The first week I owned by brand new Beetle, the alternator went out on it. Since then, I have brought it in for so many other problems, I can't name them all. From three window motors breaking, to flooding when it rains through the door, to stalling, to a faulty CD changer. The car is not built right. For the asking price, it's not worth it and it's not a reliable car. Mine isn't the only lemon, a friend of mine has one that had its top get's stuck and not come back up. It's been in the shop for that two times. Sorry, but I've tried to get the dealer to take my car back more than five times. Warning!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

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I love this car

Written by: Holly on 06/14/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is the best car ever and even if I could have any car in the world I would still want this one!

Favorite Features

I really like the flower vase. I think it gives the car its charm.

Suggested Improvements

It should have a little more power.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love this Bug

Written by: Momsmoose on 05/27/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My wife has always wanted a Bug ragtop. This is our first convertible and we just love it. It rides well, looks great, and really goes. Ours is a silver, 1.8 Liter Turbo with a black top and black leather. It also has the low profile tires and custom wheels. An older gentleman asked me if it was a Porsche, so I told him, Why yes it is! While no Boxster, it's great fun. Do yourself a favor and buy one!

Favorite Features

The power top works great, the Tiptronic in manual mode is neat, it has a good sound system, the rear seat wind deflector.

Suggested Improvements

Improve the turbo lag and the trunk is like a big glove compartment.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Yep Yep my Bug is Sexy!

Written by: Cheetoz on 04/30/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I absoluety love my bug! I'm a new driver and it's really easy learning to drive in it. You just feel good when driving. It makes you comfortable. You're not at all worried about who's going to see you in some busted up lemon. Confidence is key, if you feel good about what you're driving, you drive well. It's gotten to the piont of being annoying, because most of my friends are talking about getting one. So to keep from falling into the crowd make sure it's personalized from the licsense plate to the extra long dashbroad!

Favorite Features

The six cd changer.

Suggested Improvements

Personalize everything you can.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I hate my car. It makes me sad.

Written by: tangentgirl on 04/14/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GL 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car is cute, but man does it stink. Little things keep breaking. Sure, they're under warranty, but it's a pain to have to bring the thing back to the dealership. I've had to repair the following things: Seat back/fwd levers - these constantly break, both trunk arms, the lock on the center console, the front panel accessory slots (empty), rear phone charger - it fell right out, the back window is starting to have problems rolling down correctly, the front airbag sensor, various electrical problems - including one that made the car turn off while driving. Fun. Also, there's a wheel noise that I need to get checked now. I feel like I drive a 1987 Taurus or something, except with a payment.

Favorite Features

It's cute. It's fun to drive a convertible in the summer, especially by the beach. The color - galactic blue - is superpretty.

Suggested Improvements

I wish it had better overall quality. I wish it were faster. I wish the cupholders and the things to push the seat forward were not stupid. Man are they stupid.

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love to drive

Written by: ladyatfals on 03/29/2006

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle GLS 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

From the moment I got the car it was a lifestyle change. People were just friendlier-smiling, waving, driving up and commenting "I love your car." It is as fun to drive in the winter as it is in the summer.

Favorite Features

Heated seats, fun mail from the Volkswagon company.

Suggested Improvements

Bio-diesel choice

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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