Used 2003 Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
Used Golf for sale
Always thought VW were known for their reliabilit.
Jack, Nashville, TN, 01/15/2016
Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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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Adequate basic transport
Vladimir, Boyds, MD, 10/14/2016
Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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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2003 Volkswagen Golf for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- GL 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $2,800684 mi away
- GLS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,499687 mi away
- GLS 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,9952,102 mi away
Old car - First Time Driver
Marianne Mulcahey, Pawtucket, RI, 05/04/2018
Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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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Best Car I've Owned
VeeDubber, 05/24/2007
Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
Not quite as bulletproof as promised
dusty_d, 06/29/2003
Volkswagen Golf GL 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.