Used 2003 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Reviews
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MyJettaGL2.0
I recent bought this new 2003 jetta GL 2.0L. I am satisfied with its performance. Fun to drive. String. Reasonable acceleration considering the fact that it is V4. I had a hard time finding the 12V outlet, but it was hiding "nicely". Music system is good. Wish they have MP3 support too. Man this is file swapping era. NEway, The only problem that I see this is a fuel consuming car. I dont thisnk that I drive that bad, but I am getting even less than 20 mpg city. Their test rating itself is 23. So expect yours to be close to +/- 20.
Doing It Again
We love our 2003 Jetta so much that we are giving this one to our teenage daughter and are eagerly awaiting for our new special order 2006 Jetta to arrive. We have had problems with our Jetta but no more so than with any other car or truck that we have owned. We have recommended this car to others we know. It is a great product, and we have been getting terrific service. We can't wait to get our new Jetta this spring.
- GLSMSRP: $2,450434 mi away
- GLS 1.8T WagonMSRP: $2,999861 mi away
- GLS TDI Diesel SedanMSRP: $7,5001,008 mi away
My car
For the past year I have had my GLI and have loved everyday of it. This car delivers great pick up and a smooth driving experience with a comfortable interior to match.
Very Average
I bought my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T new in '03. It immediately had some problems with the ESP (took it back twice for the same problem). A year later I had to go back to the dealer for some other electrical problems. Now there's a rattle in the engine compartment and it's making a popping noise from the front left wheel while turning (yet nobody can find a problem). This car was babied from the beginning and I am still having problems with it. However, it is fun to drive. The 1.8T engine has nice power and minimal turbo lag. Its suspension is mushy at speed though, I've been in cheaper cars that handle better. The Jetta looks are great inside and out, with the exception of a few cheap looking accents (door grips wear, floor mat holder broke).
VW Lover
Bought my Jetta after owning the Accord, Camry, Mazda 626. Outside of the fact that I had a minor problem with my drivers side window, it has been perfect. Of all the cars in it's class it is bar far the most exciting to drive. I have driven friends Audi's and BMW's and although they are better (I can't lie) for the dollar this car holds more than it's own. Great car.
Hot Rod Wagen
We purchased a VW Jetta Wagon with the VR6 and Sport suspension. It has seen a lot of miles and we havn't had a single problem. The workmanship is outstanding and the performance is amazing. This little grocery getter won't stop for groceries. It just blows on by. It's a blast to drive and always want's to be driven. The only complaint I have is that it's hard to drive slow. If they can change the location of the cupholder, I could cruise all day. This is really a Passat, except $8,000 dollars cheaper. This is my first VW and I am really looking forward to the V-12 powered Toureg. No more Hondas/Toyotas for me...I'm hooked
Great Value
I bought my Jetta Wolfsburg with 9,000 miles on it, and couldn't have gotten a better deal. It has a great interior and quiet ride all coupled with V6-like performance and the whine of the turbo. There's nothing like rolling the windows down and listening to the 150,000 RPM turbocharger work. I might just keep this car forever!
I am very, very impressed.
The Jetta looks great, runs great, feels incredibly solid and is amazingly quiet on the highway due to the low RPM of the diesel. It uses so little fuel, my average being 46-49 mpg, that I often forget when I last filled up. Suspension a bit soft for my liking; added Neuspeed/Bilstein Sport suspension, 205/55HR16 sport tires and rims, and now I'm in absolute driving heaven. Smmmooth transmission! Interior reminiscent of high-end luxury imports, stock stereo kicks butt. Aftermarket performance and body styling options are endless. Before I bought my first Volkswagen, driving was a chore. Now I come up with excuses to drive. Driver Found.
Feel Cheated
The mantra at the time of purchase was reliability. Now the mantra is how expensive maintainance will be to keep it from breaking down (again). My car has only 36,000 km on it, it has cost me a fortune in preventative maintainance and still broke down leaving me stranded about 600 miles from home (ERG valve). Dealerships have a monopoly and once you purchase they are free to charge you what ever they want if you want to keep your warranty. I do not feel confident driving distances after authorized service technicians have warned me of potential breakdowns. I will never buy VW again.
A year and a half in review
The GLI offers a lot in a small package.Sporty and fun to drive. Car is tight on the turns and loves to be pushed. Car feels stable at high speeds and is up to almost any task. I have 14k miles and after some early monsoon radio issues I havent had a prob in 10k miles.18 MPG in the city 25 on the highway-bit low for a car in this class. If i had to do it again I would get the leather package (cloth attracts hair) . All in all a good car that is fun to drive but beware this is no Honda Accord
Jetta Crackdown
Attracted by the impressive body styling, I realized i wanted a Jetta. Things only got better when i found they came with a Turbo charger. I decided on getting the leather seats too which is a definite plus. The only downside is that the service at the dealership is terrible. Also, my car keeps getting more and more rattles.
Most fun car I've ever driven
I already owned a '96 Jetta with a 2.0L engine but the upgrade to the 204 hp VR6 engine was just asounding. This car is just too much fun to drive! I have upgraded a few parts but even when it was stock it was a real treat to drive. I've since left it in the garage as much as possible as it is in immaculate condition and only has 15,000 miles on it. It's my weekend driver for when I want to have fun. I would recommend the Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system as it makes the car sound amazing! I have had people tell me they could hear me coming from a block away before they could see me and thought a Ferrair was going to go by! I love this car!
I once was a Skeptic too
I have owned My Silver Jetta named Brach for a year now and I could not be more happy with this car. It is without a doubt one of the best values on the market, and call me lucky but I am a very aggressive driver and I have not had one problem with Brach besides my wheels having to be balanced and rotated often ( I am really agressive). I sell Nissans, and we have an X5, Maxima, and Intrigue that I drive on the regular, all costing far more than the Jetta and it always feels like it is in the same league as the others. Great car.
TDI Jetta Wagon
I LOVE my TDI wagon! It is zippy and gets 50 mpg. I have never had a mechanical problem with it. We use biodiesel fuel and reduce our emissions considerably, making it an environmentally sound choice. I feel very safe driving it with the extra airbags and safety features. Would buy it again in an instant and intend to keep it for years to come.
Excellent
Excellent. The car is safe. I had an accident and it was amazing that I survived.
Great Commuter
I've had this car for 4 months now and have put over 30,000 km on it driving from Calgary to Saskatoon and Calgary to Vancouver. Car is great for commuting and relatively cheap for regular maintenance. If you can do regular maintenance on a gasser - you can do it on a diesel! Just be sure to use a good diesel fuel additive/fuel filter to prolong the life of your injection pump and take it for a good run regularly to keep the turbo clean and prevent sticking. My injection pump recently went from cheap fuel filter, bad diesel and no fuel additive - $2000 bill, follow the above advice to avoid this costly repair and you'll be happy with the car!
GREAT CAR!
I love my car. i drive alot for my work and i have had my jetta for over 7 months and i have 42,500 miles on it and i love it. I have not had any problems and its comfortable and fast. I also drove it from philly to california and back and it was great.
Jetta TDI
The TDI Jetta I purchased is real tight and trouble free in the early going. Fuel mileage on my first highway trip was 52 MPG.
quick, loaded with features, Fun!
I've driven my Jetta 1000 miles, and I am really having fun with every mile! The manual trans, excellent handling, braking, and turbo have made me feel like I'm in a rally car- with interior comforts and luxury. Performance is VERY good. City fuel mileage is not great at about 25.7 right now.... I rate the build quality so far as excellent, except some stray door rattles, and everything works great. Amazing features, attention to detail- gently dimming lighting, trunk release, and the unique remote key. This is my 9th car, probably the best overall quality. LOVE the interior lighting - I could drive this car all night long!
TDI
Great car that averages close to 50 mpg. Could be easier to work on simply things like headlights.
Turbo Jett
Great car...can't beat it for the money.
my first VW
hi I just want to say that I recomend the jetta to everyone, i feel very safe (4airbags) the car just hugs the road on turns and curves ..i live in N.Y and out highway are not the greatest ...but my jetta is taking the bumps and potholes like a champ ! good luck everyone..p.s the leather and sunroof make a difference !
Jetta GLS 1.8T 5M
The Jetta is fun to drive, it scored very high in the IIHS crash ratings. Who else gives you a side curtain airbag. VW Dealers in the Chicago area suck! I had to go out of state for a good lease. I have the optional sport pack and the car handles great with the 17" tires. $250 for the ESP stability package that its a bargain! The Jetta gives you alot of value for the money. Check out the crash ratings on VW competitors,except for the Honda Civic,they suck! Great car for the class. Cup holder designed in the middle of the dash is terrible!
Great
I love the car
Watch out for Certified USED-Jettas
My car is the reason why certified used cars should be included in the Lemon Law. But beware... they are NOT! With 3000 left on the certified warranty my car has been in the shop every month since purchase. Included..5 window regulator replacemnts, 2 Mass airflow meters, 3 transmission removals/adjustments, and 25 days in the shop within a year! what a P.O.S...
donotbuyajetta
i thought i was buying a reliable car. i had heard great things about vw's and jettas. test drove my car and thought everything was fine with it. boy was i wrong. my car has been in and out of the car dealership getting things fixed. my stero has stopped working twice, my console broke, my rearview mirrors do not work, my brakes jerk when i stop (even when it is not wet) and my car shifts really hard and jerks. also, the service where i purchases my car is not good. i keep telling them the problems and they keep telling me nothing is wrong.
girlfriend
The saleswoman at the dealer compared the TDI to the 1.8t as "Do you want the wife or the girlfriend?". This is definitely the girlfriend. Goes like a scared rabbit-don't want to say what I've done. It will throw you out the door before it leans anywhere. The sport seats wrap around you and keep you there. I drove from central Ontario to Cape Breton and back in 12 days and never felt bored or uncomfortable.
excellent
Great performance car! great handling and fun to drive. Also VW customer service is excellent
1.8T spirit
First new car I ever purchased - after test-drive speeding up a long hill with the 5-spd, just had to have it! Winter package great for MN. Dealership replaced ignition coils on recall w/o problem; now seat heater is on recall. This car "floats" on highway, is smooth in city, turbo kicks in at low speed. Gets respectable gas mileage - up to 39- 40 highway on cruise control. Love the nighttime lights and overall look. Large trunk w/pass-through. Only real issue is fuse on windshielf fan-blower that blew twice in two months last winter - dealer couldn't find cause.
Bigger - pocket rocket!!
Own a 2003 GLS 1.8T for 3 weeks now. Love the drive. Even more standard features. Just remember it's a compact car, not a luxury car. No complains while I still have the new car warranty.
I love this car
This car is a rocket, it looks and feels solid, finishing is superb. I would buy it again, no question about it. My only complaint is a tendency to rattle: doors in warm weather, some console pieces in cold weather.
A great ride
My Jetta has been an excellent purchase. The only problem is the interior, the plastic is pealing. But it is what is under the hood that I really like. It zooms through the traffic, has great gasoline mileage and still is comfortable enough to pick up mom and dad at the airport. I have been very happy with my cool looking jetta.
Unhappy with my Jettta
Two year old vehicle with 70,000 miles. Almost all my miles are highway as I commute on weekends. Car is in the shop constantly. Have replaced the clutch, even though I am still on my original brakes. The cruise control module does not work and wiring harness is next to be repaired. It is a shame that such a fun vehicle to drive is such a piece of junk to own.
Worst Car EVER!
I have had nothing but problems with this car! The water pump, pistons, cylinders, locks, windows, suspension, (and the list goes on) have gone OUT on me numerous times!! I go to the mechanic at least 2 times a year, and average spending $400-$500 each trip. I hear a constant LOUD rattling sound when I drive on the freeway, and hear loud squeaking noises when i go over speed bumps, and make wide turns, & no one can fix it! I WOULD NOT recommend this car!
Nice for Finances During Gas Craziness.
This is a fun car to drive with good fuel economy during bad fuel times. You have to watch for little things, like the gas and coolant caps, that can cause you some grief if not screwed on properly (I've learned several calls later to my delearship, "this light came on..."). Overall I would say this is a very good car for the money and I feel safe and cool driving it.
Great Value with Tuning Capabilities
I was surprised when I first test drove the new Jetta. I had been looking at many comparable new cars and once I drove the new Jetta, my mind was made up.
Good Buy
This car is very comfotable, reliable, and fun to drive. It has good interior materials. Its Moonson stereo system is great considering that it is factory installed. I have had a few of problems with the electrical system, but no major problems. I am very satisfied with the purchase and recommend this car to all European cars lovers.
Power, Style, Price... VW ROCKS!
Car Description: Alaska Green, Beige Leather, Monsoon System, Rear Spoiler, 17" Alloy Wheels and Sport Suspension, Cold Weather Package, Power Sunroof, & 5 Speed Manual. Car Review: A blast to drive, test drove a GLI and a 1.8T and was hard to justify the X- tra $3 G's for the V-6. Go with the manual to fullt see the fruits of the turbo, also the 17" alloy wheels and sport suspension really does make a difference in terms of looks and handling. Alaska Green isn't a color I see too often up here, so the car stands out in all of the Reflex Silver and Black Jetta's we pull up next to.
VW Jetta Wagon GLS TDI
Great little work vechicle. I dont know how they got 45 mpg from this model, the best that I have got is 40.9 mpg. Overall a nice little wagon
good car
have only had it 6 weeks and am very satisfied. The dealer was great. The car is likeable and fun to drive. The car feels like more expensive cars that i've owned. The car is quiet on the highway and comfortable to drive for hours at a time.
Awesome Car!
I've driven nothing but Mercury Grand Marquis and needed a smaller city car with enough power to not make me regret trading in a V8 4.6 liter engine. To my surprise, the 1.8T had perfect power and was right in my low 20K price range. I bought it in Platinum Gray with Monsoon, Cold Package, ESP. I've driven it for over 6000 miles and consider it to be the best car on the market because for a reasonable price you get a ton of options along with 4- cylinder that drives like a V-6. There's no need for a VR6 unless you want ALL the features, but at their price, I'd just buy an A4.
Love the car, but it has some flaws....
After three years with my 2000 1.8T Jetta, I eagerly climbed into my 2003 'Reflex Silver' Wolfsburg Edition Jetta with 16" BBS wheels. The car is TIGHT, instantly responsive and predictable, therefore safe in the way it handles. ESP has gotten me out of many tough situations on wet Florida roads. The ABS brakes work perfectly, maintaining driver control of the car. This edition of Jetta seems to have more 'turbo lag' than my 2000. Still it is very quick off the line, gobbling premium fuel, and glides down the highway like it's on 'rails' at expressway speeds! It has a very precise road feel and is fun to drive!
Wolfsburg Again
I really do love my car. I used a seller in Watertown,Connecticut and my seller was a great guy yet when I brought the car in for its first service, the car was late in being returned, they charged $30 dollars for am oil change and they returned the car unwashed and with Seagull droppings on it.
Great little car
Picked up my Jetta TDI in late June. Great little car. My new job is putting me at 30000 miles/year. I was driving a 2000 E150 conversion van. The fuel savings alone will cover almost half my payment!!! I'm hitting 44 mpg just scooting around town - I can now see why everybody says they blow by 50 mpg highway with these.
I am screwed
I have a 2002 1.8t. While I have no complaints with the handling of the car I am concerned about its reliability. I have had to have a linkage replaced on the tiptronic transmission. My monsoon stere system kept shutting itself off or wouldn't go on at all. The finish on the drivers door handle has all but peeled off. The cup holder is a mess and whats with no cupholders in the back seat at all? The A/C is anemic. My first VW and my last.
Great car! Just keeps going, going.....
Great fuel economy car! People are amazed, they say they didnt know VW made a Deisel car! Its sporty, fun to drive and keeps going going going and going! We fuel it maybe twice a month and we drive it alot!! Highly recommend this car to anyone who does alot of driving!
50mpg and Fun-to-Drive
Purchased the VW TDI Wagon at the end of June. As of July 20th it already has 2,250 miles on the car. It has averaged just shy of 50mpg on mostly highway miles. It is fun to be driving a stick shift again, and the low end torque of a diesel in amazing! The car is very nicely equipped for a $20k car.
Overall College Car
I've had my Jetta for almost two years. I tried to drift once but I forgot I had a FWD so I smashed a curb costing me 2,500 $!!! I love switching into step-tronic or w/e its called to give that extra kick of acceleration. Great on gas but It is a girl car so society says but w/e. Really interesting bass in the car too! never thought my Jetta would be bumping bass that good.
I Guess I Got the Good One
So far, I have not had any major problems with this car unlike others that seemed to have lemons. I've only had to replace the spark plugs (40k), water pump (60k), and timing belt (60k). However, this is standard maintenance for Volkswagen cars. The interior lighting is amazing in this car. It feels like I'm flying an airplane at night! I agree that this car is not built for a tall person b/c there is little room in the back nor the front, but I'm only 5'5", So its perfect for me. The turbo is great in this car. It never hesitates when you punch it. Guess I got the good one.
There is no alternative
Amazing what 4 cyl, turbo, and German engineers can do. As former engineer, am picky. Found attention to detail superior to any other. Every inch has purpose. For 03 they smartly combined savings of GL int. with performance of 1.8T. Engine has economy of 4 cyl. but pep of turbo. Was willing to give up leather/sunroof for 1.8T. With stick, it flies. Amazingly, the "base" interior LOADED. ANY other brand in base interior would leave you with deficit in comfort or performance - requiring extra $ in aftermarket improvements.