2007 New Beetle: squashes bug or mighty insect?

[Elkins45]

What’s the consensus on the 2007 era new beetle? Are they decently reliable and trouble free or are should they be avoided? There’s one for sale locally at a halfway decent price and I’m interested, but not if these vehicles have a real history of problems.

 

[Elkins45]

I should specify that it’s a 2.5L I5 with the six speed auto.

 

[Nick1994]

I had an 04' that I sold 6 years ago. The interiors don't hold up. Door panels break (dealers can get the pieces and sell for $1,500), the leather isn't very durable, saggy headliners, the black plastic interior panels have a thin rubber coating that peels off, I had sunroof issues, and the speakers are a custom size, I paid like $350 for 2 new door speakers.

It was a TDI and the engine and transmission needed major work (after a $2,100 DMF replacement) so I sold it.

 

[CleanSump]

SIL had a gasser. What Nick said about the interior applies. He also went through 3 rear window lift assemblies which are a pain to get to in the back. Never had motor problems. His was a manual trans and the clutch lasted forever just like my 2.5 Jetta.

 

[skyactiv]

It seems VW made the water cooled Beetles cheaper compared to their other cars. Plus the car was expensive new for what it is.
If it was a 2007 VW Golf with a 2.5 I would say go for it.

 

[930.engineering]

He also went through 3 rear window lift assemblies which are a pain to get to in the back.

Which New Beetle had 'rear window lift assemblies'? These cars are two door only.
If you say Convertible, then yes, but that's perhaps not what the OP is looking for.
.

 

[KCJeep]

VW's 2.5 in line 5 is a reliable work horse. The rest of the car I'm not familiar with.

 

[RooflessVW]

Engine and trans are great!

The rest of the car is terrible. But they're very endearing little cars and you grow to love them quick.

 

[svtrit]

I have an 02 and it’s a good little car, for my daughter. We have an automatic with the 2.0

Ground clearance and oil pan punctures are a huge issue. The interior is terrible, smells like melted crayons, and used to blow foam out of the HVAC vents until I tore the dash apart and fixed it. The stock stereo is terrible, and I think the mileage should be better. Lastly, the **** horn goes off all the time with the spare key, and sometimes the key fob. Electrical gremlins are a menace with this car.

It drives anywhere. Mountain passes, deep snow, it’s pretty stout. I’ve toyed with the idea of lift kits to make it a Baja big. Daughter isn’t interested.

I won’t be buying another one, but it’s fun to own while we have it.

 

[Trav]

I have had my Beetles for 7+ years now, I love the ugly little bast...s The mechanicals are great and very easy to repair when needed.
Rust is not an issue but they have issues with interior plastic parts, if you lube the window runners with silicone grease they last, I did mine when I first got it and never had and trouble.

 

[michaelluscher]

It's got all the standard vices of that era VAG product

It's basically a Mk4 Golf/Jetta or Mk1 TT in Herbie disguise

I heard the O9G auto had valve body issues?

If it's the 2.slow I4 or 2.5 I5, the engine should be reasonably durable

Apart from control arm bushings, crayon smelling biodegradable interior trim and some classic VW electrical problems, it should be a decent driver

If it seems like it was cared for, and priced right, look at it

Humble Mechanic on YT specializes in that particular eurotrash

 

[atikovi]

Engine and transmission are pretty solid, but not sure I care for the cartoonish styling. The MK5 Jetta and Golf look way better.

 

[Trav]

I wish I was 18 again with a Beetle, no matter what car I drove (some real nice ones too) nothing ever got the attention of women like the Herbie, they should have advertised this thing as chick magnet #1, its crazy.

 

[Elkins45]

There’s also a Jetta with the same engine and similar miles for the same price. Is the Jetta interior better or worse than the bug?

 

[atikovi]

There’s also a Jetta with the same engine and similar miles for the same price. Is the Jetta interior better or worse than the bug?

Certainly more upscale.

 

[CleanSump]

There’s also a Jetta with the same engine and similar miles for the same price. Is the Jetta interior better or worse than the bug?

I had a Jetta Wolfsburg 2.5 manual for a few years until a teenage girl parked her mom's Outback in my trunk.
It was a great driving car. Took it all up and down the East Coast. Not a dragster, but surprising acceleration for a non-turbo 4 banger once moving.
Only major problems were the headliner (they ALL suffer from deteriorating foam causing sagging headliners, needed a new secondary electric radiator fan, and an alternator at around 125k miles.

Yes, she literally was parked in my trunk, sitting at a red light. Her radiator was draining in my trunk! Pushed me into another Outback and totaled the Jetta. I wasn't hurt at all. Outbacks seem to be popular around Tysons Corner, VA.

 

[atikovi]

I had a Jetta Wolfsburg 2.5 manual for a few years until a teenage girl parked her mom's Outback in my trunk.
It was a great driving car. Took it all up and down the East Coast. Not a dragster, but surprising acceleration for a non-turbo 4 banger once moving.

Except it was 5 banger.