2006 Volkswagen New Beetle Consumer Reviews

good gas mileage Fun, Cute Bug ; )

Written by: Tiff7575 on 06/03/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I bought a pre owned VW beetle PZEV Auto, I love the car so far I have only had it two weeks bought it at 37,510 miles one owner lease Great gas mileage about 32/35 on the FWY. So great with gas prices at $4.20 Very clean car beige on beige Leather with all of the upgrades. Cute, fun to drive with get up and go I bought the Beetle over the Jetta just because I thought it was a cuter car more my style And not as common as the Jetta is in CA. Overall great car and I will recommend it to anyone. Also next time I buy from VW I hope to get the Eros or VW beetle convertible.

Favorite Features

The sun roof, monsoon stereo

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders and arm rest

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Never Again

Written by: txjules77 on 05/16/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I'm just waiting for my lease to end. This is my 2nd VW (I leased a Jetta previously, similar problems). I refuse to take it to the dealership for oil changes bc it would cost me $80+/oil change! This car has lived in the shop. I've had constant electrical problems, including the traction light staying on (and waiting a full day for the new part to come in), the seatbelt light coming at random (they said they "couldn't duplicate the problem" so they couldn't fix it), back latch doesn't work. I'm fed up with VW in general. And customer service sucks. With all the repairs, they don't offer a free rental car. The only way I got on with the last repair is the guy who drives you home was not in.

Favorite Features

The car is very cute and has lots of personality. It drives well and is comfortable, when it's not in the shop. And the 8 speaker sound system is really nice.

Suggested Improvements

Needs an indicator light for low windshield washer fluid. Need a free rental car for the customer stuck with no transportation-- I shouldn't have to pay for a rental car at signing. Other dealerships give free rental cars! Need a back latch that WORKS.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Do not buy a Beetle!

Written by: emily on 05/10/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I bought this car used in Oct.2007 and within a week of buying it, it was in the shop. I have to go to the shop at least once a month, they know me by name now. First I had to replace my radio then my headlights kept burning out and it's just easier for them to change them. Then my backseat came all the way off when I tried to fold it down. My engine light has come on twice now. I'm taking it back in Monday because something is wrong with my transmission, I can't use the triptronic feature and all my gear lights stay on. It died on me for about 1 minute while doing 80 mph on the highway. I definitely won't keep this car past the warranty, probably wont make it another year anyway!

Favorite Features

Comfy seats, long dash, looks cute, fun to drive when it actually works!

Suggested Improvements

Quality issues! Cup holders still suck, windows still have problems, blind spots are pretty bad, gas mileage not so great

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Fun car....but there are issues

Written by: kris on 03/23/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I bought my 06' after a ton of research. I really love my car, it's fun to drive and i get pretty good gas mileage. I've had a TON of issues with my dealership, so don't go to Fladebo in Irvine CA. Also, my car kept overheating and my temp light kept flashing red. It took 4 days for the dealership to fix it and the entire coolant system had to be replaced (thankfully it was covered by my warranty). My top gets stuck sometimes too, and wont go all the way down. Surprisingly good trunk and passenger space. My husband is 6'2" and has lots of leg room. The car drives pretty well, but it can be really bumpy. By far one of the best convertibles for under 25K.

Favorite Features

iPod hook up in dash, heated front seats, great sound when the top is down

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Well I had enough

Written by: lemurees on 03/21/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Just got rid of my brand new(when I bought it) 2006 Auto Beetle convertible and I am relieved. Powertrainwise everything was great, but I just wanted to forewarn anyone that you will have lots of small problems. And off warranty I am sure these problems will cost $$$. Let's just say an oil change was $80-120. Over a 2 year period I added that it cost me over $400 in oil changes and PM. The dealership was a rip-off and the only reason I had the oil changed there was I ALWAYS had something to have fixed, including the conv. top not coming back up. I can go on. I traded it in with a broken headlight! Anyway I bought a new car with PM included. The beetle is nice if it is not your only!

Favorite Features

Cute. Very simple and fun to drive. Fairly good gas mileage. Easy to wash! Nice headroom. Lots of little extras and safety features. The clock and Temp. display was useful

Suggested Improvements

Better quality! Bumper to bumper like 100,000 miles! Easier headlight removal!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive, keep your walking shoes

Written by: George H. on 01/07/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Great visibility and fast, fun ride. Be prepared with your cell phone--mine has quit running twice, needed tow, took about a week to repair each time. Trunk won't unlock 80% of the time with either the remote or inside release and one of the remote key fobs just quit working. This review is from the owner of a 2005 Mercedes SLK (so I know fun to drive) and a 2006 Honda Ridgeline (so I know high quality). Before it's out of warranty I'm going to get something else--another Beetle if the JD Powers and Consumer's Reports ratings improve. This beetle replaced a 2001 model I bought used; that one never broke. In fairness, this is a very early build of the new model.

Favorite Features

Style, performance (this thing is fast and has a slick automatic transmission). The hatchback makes it really handy. You've got to drive one of these to appreciate the great visibility--it's almost like the top is down although it's a coupe!

Suggested Improvements

VW has got to do something about reliability. I've bought at least 24 new cars and this is the only one that has ever stranded me and twice at that! The trunk won't properly close and has been repaired twice and the electronic locking system is flakey at best. The sun roof is too small.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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2006 Bug Convertible

Written by: Bill F on 08/21/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

Had a few problems with tail lights not working, burning out and a dashboard recall. My wife loves it but now we have a teenage daughter driving so will have to trade it off for safety reasons. I honestly don't think the quality is up to what they sell these things for. Interior is cheaply done, floor mat holders break off in the first couple months. Get the XM radio, ours did not have it. They are cute though and fun to drive and easy to park. There are some blind spots. Also in Houston with large pickup trucks, the bug is sometimes not seen. I would own this car as a 3rd car.

Favorite Features

Top ease up and down. Great acceleration and handling. Ease to get into the back seat if needed. Interior room for adults is great.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign the drink holders, they are not user friendly. Get rid of the floor mat holders, they break off way to easy, use rubber mats instead. No storage inside the car, put in a coin holder someplace.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Did I tell you, how much I love my bug?

Written by: happydazbugluvr on 07/27/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I do! I love my bug! And our children do too! The children and I love the attention we get everywhere we go! I love driving my cute mellow yellow bug to work with the top down every morning. I wake up every day to a great day! I love, love, love my bug! Funnest and happiest car I have ever owned. I can't imagine my life without my bug!

Favorite Features

The convertible top and the color. I have the manual top and it couldn't be easier. I never liked yellow cars, but the "mellow" yellow is perfect for me, soft and bright and sunny and happy! I love the body style and the small size overall of the car. This car is perfect for a petite girl like me.

Suggested Improvements

I only have two suggestions.F ix the trunk. It is kinda hard to close most of the time. And the passenger blind spot is pretty dangerous.

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Lovin' my Red Bug

Written by: RedBug on 07/10/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

I traded in my SUV for this cute ride. The back seat is roomy enough for my two kids and I have even driven around my adult friends in the back seat. I love the way I can feel the road and take drives with the top down for pleasure. It is great for girlfriend trips to the beach and just having fun. Roadtrips are okay, just be sure to stop for the rear seat riders to stretch their legs. I've had RedBug for over a year now, and the only minor problem was the interior was separating from the clips holding it to the back glass. It does have a blind spot, as most convertibles do.

Favorite Features

I put a Hula Man on the dash and I love how people smile when they see my car. I love being able to plug in my iPod and listen to music with the top down.

Suggested Improvements

Move the rear drink holder and add an extra one to the back. You can't lift the armrest when a drink is in the backseat holder. Add an iPod holder and we're all set!

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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My wife loves it but I don't

Written by: Different Opinions on 07/06/2007

Vehicle

2006 Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5 2dr Convertible (2.5L 5cyl 6A)

Review

My wife is totally happy with the car. It is a reincarnate of her '69 convertible. I find the gas mileage to be low (only 22 mpg AFTER they fixed the transmission. It was way lower) and lots of quality control issues; they left the suspension blocking in when they prepped the car, there was no heat when stopped at stop lights due to improperly filled radiator (my wife that this was normal for a Beetle), the roof boot does not snap into place, the transmission shift computer failed, and if you look at the paint wrong, it scratches. It is powerful and comfortable, and does have a distinctive style. My wife loves the car. The 10K checkup is Monday and that will be $300 for an oil change!

Favorite Features

Style and design.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, improved qualty control.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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