Used 2003 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Reviews
Buyer's Beware
I bought this car brand new in 2002. At first, everything was great. Good gas mileage. Sporty little car. Great for zipping around town and did well on road trips. However, it started having all sorts of problems after about 18-24 months, beginning with the "small" and annoying (head lights constantly burning out, display lights inexplicably going off and coming on, airbags needed replacement without ever having been used or the car being in an accident). Then, around 65,000 miles, the check engine light was constantly on. Then, the transmission blew and it needed a new timing belt, air sensor, alternator & more. It has cost me thousands to repair and has become a money pit.
Best car I owned
I bought this car at auction in 2009 with 130000 miles on.I paid 2500 dollars (for ,then,6 years old ) Never had any problems with it ,super reliable. Now it has 235000 miles and it still drives good. I used synthetic oil. The fuel pump had to be replaced last year. Other than that only regular maintenance expenses (tires, brakes etc) still has the original clutch .Amazing
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- GLS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,995785 mi away
- GL 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $2,8002,065 mi away
- GLS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,4992,067 mi away
Great Utilitarian Vehicle
I've had my 2003 Golf GLS for 3 years now. I bought it used with 10,200 miles on it. I've put 65,000 miles on it. I like how competent it feels no matter the conditions. It's heavy enough to feel safe on the freeway and light enough to get great mileage. I'm a paint contractor and I haul all my gear in it daily. It holds my Little Giant ladder with just the passenger front seat put down. I've even put 2'x8' wood planks in it and was able to shut the hatch. I call it my "clown car". When we go camping it holds all of our gear with ease...camp kitchen, coolers, coleman stove, sterilite tub, etc. My wife's 2010 Honda Insight can hold about half as much...really! In short...I love this car!
Love that Turbodiesel!
Okay, I'll be truthful. I've only had the car a few days so I will change the ratings accordingly, but I got it for $300 over invoice and I thought that was a great deal on a car that gets 50mpg on the highway, has a solid interior feeling like a more expensive car, even if a few things need attention, a solid, sporty ride, and the power of the turbodiesel. It amazes me every time I get behind the wheel. I can go up steep mountain grades in 5th gear and it still wants to go faster.
Buy one, you'l love it!
This 2003 Golf TDI is without a doubt THE most fun car to drive of all the cars that I've owned. (Actually, this is car #21). The diesel engine has tons of torque and really runs great matched with the manual transmission. The gears are smooth and shift even better than the Hondas I've owned. This TDI has a nice little wheeze when the turbo is heard, but that is only when the windows are open. I love the moon roof and the Monsoon radio- the best stock radio in any vehicle Ive had. I like the visibility, too. The seats are very comfortable. I get a reliable 45 mpg, and I drive 80 mph. The maintenance has been super low and Ive done most of it myself. I would buy another TDI without a doubt.
Always thought VW were known for their reliabilit.
When I first bought my Golf it had 70k miles on it and I had every intention of driving it until 300k. Unfortunately at 148k that doesn't seem likely. For the first year i had it it went relatively alright, nothing too big. After that, it was all down hill. Almost all the knobs for the audio adjustments have broken off, the paint on the buttons and controls have all worn off, the ceiling lining it peeling off, the cloth padding on the doors is falling off, the hydraulic hood strut in the back has failed, not to mention the key fob wont unlock the trunk anymore, and that's just to name a few things. So far I've replaced the radiator, had several misfires, replaced 2 of the window clips (which have a history with failing resulting in your window falling off the track), the side mirror cover has fallen off on the highway twice, and not to mention it consumes oil like my gramps consumes whiskey. All in all, I've spent close to what I paid for it maintaining it, and that's only 80k miles in. Currently looking to sell it and get something more reliable.
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Efficient and Reliable
I've got 221,000 miles on my TDI and it's running like it's got a quarter of the mileage on it. It's a great commuter and the gas mileage is what sells the car. It is a little under powered but for 45 mpg's the sacrifice is well worth it. The looks are good but not everyones cup of tea (I've upgraded a few things here and there and it is quite the little head turner). The interior is much nicer than most American or Japanese cars but it is pretty basic for a German car. The build quality is typical German excellence, rock solid. The drive is nice, great for the highway but not the most fun car to take on twisty roads. My advice, upgrade a few things and this car will be golden forever.
Adequate basic transport
Don't delude yourself into thinking that you are getting "German engineering" on a budget because a lot of corners were cut to make a car this cheap. The engineering design thought is there, but it's betrayed by utilizing plastics instead of metals, and Brazilian assembly. This is most evident in the elegant, but squeaky interior. For the price, this car serves a very good purpose: a small yet spacious, relatively comfortable, nimble, easy-to-park city commuter that needs minimal maintenance considering it's German origins. The 2.0L non-turbo engine is reliable for a VW, easy on gas and acceptably quick in the city when combined with the equally reliable 5 speed manual transmission. I got this car in 2013 with ~80,000 miles on it, and have since put on another 35,000. Maintenance-wise, I have done the predictable, reasonable maintenance that has included oil changes (Rotalla T6) every 5,000 miles, timing belt, battery, engine mount, strut mounts, sway bar bushings. There has also been a small amount of unexpected maintenance, that is a result of design faults: original water pump with plastic impellers upgraded to metal impeller model ($70), coil pack cracked leading to misfires in wet weather ($120), low pressure power steering line cut by the nearby radiator fan ($15), thermostat failed ($30), center muffler rusted ($180). Future repairs include: grinding starter in cold weather, abnormal wear on rear disc brakes. Apart from the power steering line that almost left us stranded in middle-of-nowhere, Maine, the other repairs were not very urgent and not overly expensive.
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This car's been a dream...knock on wood.
Stand Trans a must with this engine. ONLY FUN-TO-DRIVE ECONOMY CAR W/ PERSONALITY ON THE MARKET. Chassis so solid, drives like a dream. Great crash test ratings make me feel safer than I would on truck/SUV-strewn roads. Interior easy on the eyes. Seats need better lumbar support, and velour upholstry sucks. As GLS owner, I suggest sticking w/ the GL. GLS options aren't as well-designed as rest of car. Big-picture: 26K problem- free mi in first 12 mos w/ average 45- 47 MPG, and starts down to -55F here in ND has convinced me of the overall value and sound design of this car - esp. that engine!
Great Little Car
This car is great! I love everything about it but the main reason why I'm writing this review is because of the lack of information about the audio system online. My car has the Monsoon system, and man oh man, is it awesome. I have a friend who has a Chevy Trailblazer with the Bose system and this thing is seriously just as good. Here are the specs, straight from the owners manual: 4 tweeters at 20 Watts each (Two in front, two in back), 2 Woofers (Front Doors) at 30 Watts Each and - get this - 2 Subwoofers at 30 watts each (rear doors) = 180 total watts. Sure, 60 watts for the combined subs doesn't quite match aftermarket subs of 1000s of watts, but TRUST me, you'll be plenty happy.
VW is a whole new standard of automobile
This is my first economic vehicle, and my first Volkswagen. You can easily fit people inside, or lay the rear seats and fit lots of stuff inside. The quality of vehicle compared to all other makes is amazing. Everything from the drive to the notice to detail interior. This car is fun, stylish, reliable, and economic. Once you get in a VW you're hooked.
A great car!
My Golf TDI starts up without a problem in single digit temps. The performace is amazing from the 1.9 TDI. The 90HP rating is VERY misleading, as this car simply flies. It's comfortable and has a very substantial feel while being driven. The sound from the base stereo is better than that of the Bose units found in the Nissans.
Constant costly repairs
Original owner blew motor due to low oil and had a brand new 1.9l engine and turbo charger, decarbed, replaced EGR valve, water pump, timing belt and tensioner at 135,000 kms. At 160,00, replaced glow plug harness. 163,000 kms mass air low circuit replaced. I bought it with 172,000 kms on car and 35,000 on new motor. At 223,000 replaced front struts and mounts and sway bar bushing, 226,000 cleaned airtake manifold and carbon, new timing belt, water pump. 242,000 replaced fan motor for heater. At 302,000 engine light remains on and blowing some oil out somewhere and the alternator pully came off. Both are expensive repairs. Uncomfortable seats, and cheaply built - not worth the repair bills.
VW isn't what it used to be!!!
I don't know if consumer reports and all the people complaining of problems are cry'n wolf...??? My car has had multiple problems since day one! I am pretty sure VW-DE is at fault, whether the car comes from Germany or South America. My trani and motor came from Germany and both have had serious problems. My trani was replaced (main bearing and 5th gear syncron shot), my fuel injection pump was replaced, and not to mention all the other lil things that were replaced. Two thumbs down for the Golf. Hope the R32 and the MKV will be better. Message for the German's: "stop sending us crap, were catch'n on to you!"
Old car - First Time Driver
Comfortable - Not luxurious - Suits my needs. I am a first time driver so this is an excellent car for me to drive around town and haul things. It parks parks easily. When I get lost, I can quickly do a u-turn. I don't have to worry about where I park it or if it gets a ding while I am driving. It has never failed to start even in the worst freezing weather or in high heat. It is not flashy but it gets me around town and suits my skill level.
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Test drive before you buy a competitor
This car, even with it's not so impressive specs (115hp and not an amazing amount of torque) is quite amazing to drive. I have the 5 speed manual, and I can tell you, it's sportive if you drive it right (downshifts...). The build quality is excellent, all comes standard, it's near perfection. I have read the reviews on this site, and most people say it's not powerful enough, but most (editor and users) have an auto box. What in God's name do you expect from that... Take a spin in a 5speed manual and you will realize the hidden potential.
Not quite as bulletproof as promised
he Brazilian Golf seems a little more fragile than it's German bretheren. Sure the plastics are still top notch, the interior well designed and the shut line laser tight but there are hust a few too many problems. Windshield wipers that snapped in the first half mile, a dashboard that worked loose by 2000 miles, a passenger airbag that failed and had to be replaced at 5,000 and some very fragile wheel hubs and you see why my confidence has been a little shaken.
very disappointed
THIS IS MY 2ND VW AND BOTH WERE LEMONS THE DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING TO INSTILL FURTHER CONFIDENCE IN VW. RATTLES AND CLUNKING FROM DAY ONE FROM A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE WELL BUILT.DON'T BE INFLUENCED OVER GOOD LOOKS
Best Car I've Owned
I love this car. In the past I owned a '95 Honda Accord and a '98 Jeep Cherokee. The Golf has been a lot more reliable than either of those. It has plenty of horsepower for me. I drive 64 miles round trip to and from work and it gets great gas mileage. I'll definitely go with another VW when it comes time to get a new car.
A big let down
After having the vehicle for 4 days I noticed a fluid leaking from somewhere in the engine compartment. I brought my brand new TDI with 500 miles in to be evaluated. After 4 days I was told the transmission was destroyed by metal shards in the casing. This was over 2 weeks ago. Since then VW has tried many attempts to put me in a vehicle I don't want or did not ask for. I traded in a BMW 3-series for this VW. If I get my money back I know which dealership I will be visiting!
I'm very glad i bought this car
I bought this car new and have mostly used this for city driving. I haul a lot of stuff. I'm a paint contractor and I do work in decorative concrete. I can fit my little giant ladders inside the vehicle, and other ladders on my roof rack. It handles a lot of sacks of concrete, with no adverse effects on braking, handling. I can get 8' 2x4s in there also. I've gotten 4 sheets of 3/4 ply on the roof and still an easy drive. Its surprising just how much this can haul. This is a fantastic Urban car. The best, imho. Enough power to hit the highways in the burbs. Short enough to parallel park in tight spots. Amble space for groceries. And great mpg for city.
VW GOLF TDI
This car equipped with the turbo diesel is a real winner. With an auto transmission I am getting 43 mpg. After maybe having bought 20 new cars over my life this is the first car that after three months has no long list of warranty repairs needed.Great fun to drive. Handling is more like a big heavy car. Since 1977 I have driven BMWs only. I will not miss them. I miss one thing: 6 way electric seats.
Perfect commuter car...
This car has everything you need and nothing you don't. It's a blast to drive, and even more fun when you can drive PAST the gas stations for 700 miles on every tank. This is my second TDI and I would never buy another gas-powered car again. The entry fee for membership in the VW cult is low and the benefits are high. What a cool car this is.
Awsome
great car, fun to drive, quick ,stylish, loads of options for both exterior and interior,I'd say a 10
golfmania
I test drove the honda civic, mazda 6, and a couple of other predomanatly asian builtcars, and nothing against those companys but the vw blows all of them out of the water, can't compare that german engineering.
Commuting Bliss
After driving a Nissan Altima for 78,000 miles I wanted to find a car that would make my 3-hour commute more enjoyable. I tested Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and even a Vibe. all left me a little disappointed with their performance. After driving the Golf I was hooked. The car is faster and handles better than any of the other 4- cyl models I tested. The build quality is awesome and feels solid compared to the tin can feeling of the Japanese autos. I purchased a GLS w/ winter and Monsoon and have never been happier with a car. Before you buy that Honda Try a VW.
It's my 3-d VW Golf. May be the last.
It's my 3-d VW Golf at a row and may be the last. I bought it slightly used, just because I want to have German assembled Golf. And what I find out - each new Golf generation increasing driving fun and loosing QUALITY. So far it's a first time when I'm considering to buy another car but not Golf5.
We love it....
Last time I owned a VW diesel was a 1984 Rabbit diesel, what a difference in the 2003 TDI Golf! Had the car 2 weeks and we are amazed with the fuel economy & performance. Our dealer gave us a price less than Edmund's TMV. We have a Black exterior w/ black interior cloth and the car looks great. Also, I can fit three childrens' car seats in the back for transporting around my son and his two cousins. My only concern is that it is currently in the shop due to a power failure that happened yesterday - though that could be a faulty battery that the dealer may or may not have failed to put in, so I hesitate to blame that on VW. Just can't beat the TDI!
VWGOLF GL 2003
This is our third VW and our second Golf dating back to 1997. We loved our 1997 K2. It performed very well and saved us a lot of money on owning and operating costs. We have a 1999 Cabrio GLX that has been great and just bought a 2003 Golf GL. We didn't think they could improve on a great product, but they did. We expect years of economical, fun service out of this golf as well. We consider it a best bet for all around utility, comfort, economy and reliability.
Great car
Great car, have almost 8000 miles on it already and no problems. Insane fuel economy, runs great!. Real perk for anyone the likes a peppy car and good fuel economy. Car is designed very well and it fun. On a trip to New york from Montana drove for 1 and a half days almost nonstop. Did not feel stiffly sore or pained after spending almost 800 miles at a time in car. Just stretched and felt great. Was perfect for trip, and for 5000 miles only took about 80$ The diesel is also very torquey and can climb steep grades in 5th gear and even accelerate where standard gas engines can't! Love it!
my golf
very nice and fun to drive in manual
Outstanding car
I have owned 28 cars. This is overall the best I have owned. The TDI's low end torque is amazing. I feel like I am driving a six cylinder instead of a four. Don't be afraid of the automatic. I love it. I just hope this car is reliable. I wish Toyota made a diesel for U.S. consumption. If it stays reliable this WILL be the best car I ever owned. Just 3000 miles so far. Great seats. Starting so far at about 18 deg.F.
The Best Economy VW Ever in the USA
I am very pleased with VW is doing nowadays in the USA especially when it comes to the Golf. Golf has always been a worldwide best seller and here in the US if the Golf is probably the most cost-effective VW you can get. I highly recommend any person who needs a very reliable economy car, try the GOLF gas or TDI engined as they both deliver excellent mileage.
Classic and cool
I often read that this car was pricy when comparing it to the competetors, Focus, MP5, Matrix, Vibe..... but in reality, its a great deal. VW puts so much on the Golf as standard, where the competion will sell a really stripped down model. Put all the features you would want onto the car, and the Golf is very competative, and more refined in my opinion. It drives great, feels classy, and with TDI gets great fuel economy, and lots of pep. Its unfortunate more US car makers do not yet have the diesel option, though that should change once we get the cleaner diesel in the states.
Just Great!
Reliable, Excellent fuel economy.
VW TDI
I am very pleased with VW Golf TDI
Golf Fun, even after Audi A4
After owning an Audi A4, I am surprisingly happy with the Golf. The handling, quietness and comfort are very close to the A4. I was disappointed at first with the fuel mileage, but after slowing down to 65 MPH on the highway, I actually got 40 MPG. My only complaint is that 5th gear revs too high. At 65 MPH, I'm at 3200 RPM.
amazing car
Wow this car is Amazing the ride is great and it is fast its faster then my old 97 mazda626 4 cylinder 5 speed and the fuek economy is amazing its better then on the honda hybrid and it wont need service until it gets to 200,000km
This car will surprise you!
This car will surprise you with it's refined diesel engine, the power, the fuel economy, and so much more. If you think diesels are horrific, this car will change your mind.
One Cool Little Hatchback!
Man, this little car is really cool. It's no speed demon (it doesn't "accelerate" quickly), but it does have great torque. We dropped the back seats, loaded it up with camping gear and drove up to the mountains without a glitch or moment of hesitation going up the grades. It's all about the torque! I'm very impressed with how much this car holds, and with how well the interior was designed in order to accomodate so much cargo. I'm also very impressed with the build\materials quality, especially in the interior. Plus, it has a very nice, quiet, comfortable ride at all speeds.
Excellent Vehicle
I bought this vehicle to replace my 1997 S10 and I couldn't be happier. The power is adequate, the mileage is excellent, and overall it seems to be one of the best vehicles I have owned.
VW solid dependability
I have owned my Golf TDI GLS for about 2.5 years and it has been a great car. It's tough, it's fun, it's well built and sturdy, and it is tremendous with fuel mileage. I love everything but the seats. The driver's seat (for me) is not as comfortable as my old Mercedes but, I will find, and pay the expense for, a set of GTI heated leather seats for this car. It's not worth getting rid of the car! I am a taller/big guy and I still fit in this car and it's road handling and performance is magnificent. Buy one of these, you won't regret it! -CR
50 MPG Baby
This was the last year for safe Biodiesel use. Great car, keep it under 60, and get 60 MPG!
well worth spending your money on a golf
I owne a Golf GL 1994, i got it in 1996 with only 45,000km on it, for a good price. Ever since then i love the car its been great driving it. Good performance, fast good on gas, a nice looking car in general. Did some mods. on it but overall to be honest i would be lying to you if i didnt said this car is the best car on the market today.
Diesel is The Way to go
Previously owned 95 sentra,92 GTI, 89 Shadow Turbo. Wife owns a Matix. The Golf has more quality than the Toyota. Test drive both and you'll see. Golf almost as fast but will get 80% better MPG. GM should be sued for giving diesels such a bad name in the 80's! Power delivery is enjoyable as it has a 'liquid' feel. My Shadow turbo felt the same way.
Love it
This is a great car. This is my third VW and I just love driving it. It's very different from my previous Civic. The Golf handles better, takes corners faster, less body lean, feels more solid than the flimsy Honda (although it's a great car too.) It's no BMW, but it also doesn't costs like a BMW. The hatchback is just a bonus. When I flip down the backseats, the trunk space is huge, definitely a lot bigger than the trunk of a regular sedan.
Great Car
This is my first VW and I love it! Test- drive it and you will buy it. If you are interested in Golf, go and get a GL instead of GLS because the sunroof actually cut off the interior height above your head. It was amazing I got a 110 speeding ticket when I was trying to test the performance of my new car. It can run stably around 80-90.
Love it.
Peppy, and responsive. Stylish, and convenient. Fun to drive, can't say enough good things about this car. The dealership where I bought this car is great also. I recommend this cat to everyone.
Excellent Car!!
So my 2002 Jetta Wagon did not work out (in shop 11x in 1st yr). This replacement car is amazing. Fun to drive, fantastic mileage, great features, fun , fun, fun (want to drive all the time)!! Hopefully second time around is better.
Fool me ONCE !!!
Apparently I am one of the few individuals that have had trouble with the Golf, but I assure you, it has been nothing but trouble. Although it drives ok and handles about the same, it certainly has its problems. The check engine light always seems to be on and impossible for the VW dealership to fix. Plus, the power window cables keep breaking causing me to take it once again back to the dealership. Grrr What a waste of time and energy. VW certainly fooled me.