By happy on 10/13/10 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I bought the station wagon new. I previously owned an M3 BMW and this car has the road feel and gives me as much pleasure as the BMW. I have an antique shop and can load anything in the car; Hoosier, table and chairs, things that look impossible to fit even into an suv. The biggest problem with all VWs is the dealerships. The car is wonderful but my dealings with the dealership have been awful. The car has had no problems and I only see the dealer for routine maintenance. The men at the counter are friendly and pleasant but the job always takes twice as long as they say and seem pleased that they only charged an arm and a leg.
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By DosGattos on 09/04/10 02:35 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
This car is a piece of junk. At first it was great to drive and I had no problems. Once the check engine light came on in 2008 I have had nothing but problems. I can't count on one hand the times the coils have been changed. The sunroof opens on its own, speakers are intermittent, doors wont lock, lights burn out, brakes wear quickly,etc.. Right now it is sitting in my driveway because the engine light is on again (2nd time in 3 months) and it shakes horribly and smokes. Don't buy this car!!
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By kory on 08/18/10 18:33 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I bought this car last January and I've been really impressed so far. The fuel economy isn't great, but if you use premium unleaded (which your supposed to use) you should see about 29mpg hwy and about 20 city. Car looks very euro which is a plus. 2003 is the last year they stopped making the classic European style and they started making them look more like an electric razor on wheels. 2003 is the best year for this car!
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By 2003 VW passat on 07/30/10 20:41 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
I have had this car since Jan 2009, and this is the most comfortable car I have ever sat or driven in. The only problem I have had since buying the car was a CV boot which was just a month ago and it was torn and needed to be replaced asap. So I recommend to you VW owners to not go to a dealership for ANY repairs including headlight/tail light bulbs & oil changes unless you want to pay up the butt in bills. Find a car mechanic. The only thing I don't like about the car is that the headlight bulbs are hard to find and replace. My advice to VW owners is to not to go to a dealership unless that is your last option! I love my car and I guess I was just lucky compared to other reviews.
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By Lilly on 07/07/10 14:56 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I love my 2003 GLX 4-motion Volkswagen. I think it looks great, it drives great, and I love the way it handles. Only problem I have in Salt Lake City, Utah is the dealership is the last place I want to take it after having a problem with a recall on the fuel pump--which they insisted I should have them replace since it was free! and two days later when I was going up a hill, the car stopped on me and I had to be towed. I guess the "new" fuel pump was defective. The dealership in Sandy, UT also told me I needed a new serpentine belt when they had just replaced it within a year. I have found an independent repair shop in SLC now that I trust; otherwise I would never want a Volks in SLC, Ut
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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
By Daniel on 06/12/10 01:18 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Purchased the vehicle with approx 80k miles. Loaded, flagship model in the lineup, everything electric/mechanical still works fine. This car is a tank -- very heavy, very "safe" feeling. V6 feels underpowered. Should've bought the V8. However, 4motion has saved my life twice. No hesitance to load my family (with newborn) into car.
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By RickF on 06/06/10 10:38 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I purchased a 2003 VW Passat Wagon with 38,000 in Jan 2006 for $12.9K and drove the car for 4+ years with never a problem. Sure I had to replace the usual stuff Brakes, Tires and the battery, but all in all the 03 Passat was the best, most reliable car I have ever owned. I just purchased a 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI to replace it, and I hope it is just as good. I see concerns that VW repairs are expensive, but not really much more than anything else. Find a good local VW Mech, stay away from the dealership 4 repairs, $100 per hour labor can add up fast. Also, if you cannot change the headlamp on one of these cars (others complaining), you have no business under the hood, it is a 2 min job.
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By not all bad reviews on 05/14/10 23:51 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
Bought it in 04 with 20,000 miles and now have 145,000 miles on it. Had to replace the coils and brake light switch. Had my own mechanic do the work and got reimbursed most$ because of recalls. Fun to drive. Had a water issue but fixed it myself. If I had mechanic fix it would have gotten reimbursed due to recall. Only issue I have is the headlights are wired backwards so the main lights are on all the time. Also have a heated seat issue but beyond that I love the car. Parts are pricey and the dealers don't have a clue. But have not had the issues these posters have had. Anyone who's borrowed my car liked driving it.
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By jshanley on 05/08/10 12:43 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
This car is truly an amazing vehicle, from the comfort and control to the stability and the safety you feel driving such a powerful vehicle. I purchased my car with 31,000 miles and have since put 9,000 on in less than one year because I simply love driving it!
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By Ryan on 04/03/10 20:14 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
This car is a joy to drive when the check engine light is not on. It has Great hwy mileage. As for the down side I paid 6700 for the car a year ago in very good shape still looks great but have replace over 3000 dollars worth of crap on the car in 5 different visits to the dealership. I got a stack of papers from the previous owners of every service visit and oil change so i thought i would be ok. I was wrong regardless of how well you take care of this car is just a nightmare in random repair bills.
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