Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Nice Job
Replaced a 2000. 20 HP makes a difference, no turbo lag.
bought new, owned for 6 years, 100k mile
Bought car new in 2002 and just turned 100k miles. Problems...coil packs replaced by dealer when new...no charge. Cars manufactured prior to 7/02 had defects which VW took care of under warranty. Had engine sludge problem at 82k miles which vw fixed for free although technically out of warranty...changed to synthetic oil. car has had regular maintenance by VW dealer which provides excellent service. Car has experienced some minor issues (emergency flasher replaced, headlights burned out, etc.) but overall has been very reliable....no major engine or transmission issues. Very fun to drive, excellent ride on highway, solid German engineering. Bought new 08 last year....10k miles no problems.
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $1,999236 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $2,295518 mi away
- GLX WagonMSRP: $3,250559 mi away
My Passat
For a four cylinder vehicle it has good acceleration and power. I have always loved Volkswagons my first car was a 1967 VW Bug. I feel if a car made in 1967 lasted over 30 years it is waorth another investment.
Exceeds Expectations
Pleasing performance, fine fit and finish, quietness, excellent sound system, features, features, features -- still finding new features.
No Regrets but not perfect
We owned our Passat wagon for almost 5 years and 52,000 miles. Overall this has been a good car. My wife loved it for hauling around our first child for the first 4 years then I got it when we put her in a Honda Odyssey for hauling our two kids. I used it as a commuting car into Houston from the burbs or to the park and ride. The car has a nice tight steering feel and great suspension. The overall ride quality is very good. I think the instruments are good and not too complicated which I have often read. The engine was good but the car felt a little underpowered at times with the AWD. I would generally recommend this car.
A great car, but needs TLC
We bought it brand new off the boat from Germany, and we still love the car at 75,000 miles. These cars do require a little extra appreciation of the engineering and sophistication of the 1.8 turbo four with its low speed torque and light weight. Previously, we owned 3 Toyota Camrys, which also required more repairs as they got older. VW and both local dealers have been good about recall notices and anticipating problems. I started using synthetic oil changes at 5000 miles when VW offered the 80,000 mile warranty, and I think it protects during cold starts and gives a little better mileage, despite the extra cost.
1st VW
For my 1st VW I am totally impressed. I have owned several Audi Vehicles with Quattro and been very impressed. I owned the original 4000 Quattro and liken this car to it in the sense that it is an exellent value. The performance of a 20 year newer car is of course better by leaps and bounds but at the price that it sells for this car is a value. I am impressed with a wagon that can run with the best of the performance cars of today and is still versitile enough to hall almost anything. This car is new to me and of course only time will tell, but my Audi 4000 went for over 400,000 miles.
More than Expected
Still a "new" VW owner but am impressed so far. This car is solid, handles well and gives you a sense of being sporty yet practical. FUN TO DRIVE.
LOVE my Passat
Great car with great fuel economy. Whenever I am on the highway I get around 30 mpg. Mine has 95,000 on it right now and is still running great. The exterior is a little boring but greatly improved on in the new Passats. The body is very sturdy, I have backed into my garage door after slamming the gas and it barely has a scratch. Great for a first car or anyone who is on the road a lot.
Love my VW
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!
Great car, couple of issues
Comfortable ride. Good mileage around 30mpg. Love the fresco green color. Two negatives about the car are: 1) delay in acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear, 2) poor visibility out the back window because of the head rests getting in the way.
reliability an issue
Has anyone else had problems with the radio, ignition coils and then the recall for the right tire well/gas tank "explosion risk"? It looks great - when it is not in the shop.
Quantum in a different world!
Excellent handling and road feel. Solid bodywork and trim. Involved in minor wreck with Toyota 4runner and Toyota mangled. Passat bruised but still driveable and operable. V-6 has more power than you can realistically use on US roads.
Pleased with the 2003 Passat and Oakvill
As a 16 year owner of the 1st model year of the VW Jetta, I answered the call for drivers wanted in 2007. My used 2003 Passat is truly a joy to drive. I faithfully change oil out @ 8K with Castrol Synthetic 5 w 40 and look forward to enjoyable years of driving. Purchased in 2007 with ~ 83 K I have now in 01/09 133 K with only a transaxle boot replacement
Volkswagen Succession
Our third Passat (first automatic) ... and each one keeps getting better (oh yes, we still have the first, a 95 GLX VR6 and near 110,000 miles) but this one is IMPROVED with state-of-the-art interior, updated warranty and tiptronic transmission. An automatic that preforms like the 5-speed. Driving the car is fun! Only negative is the small trunk space which dosen't accommodate too many pieces of luggage, and the reduced fuel economy.
I luv driving this car
I now search out the "Rustic Roads" (an actual state designation in Wisconsin), in order to push this car a little closer to it's edge. Cornering at high speeds is like riding on rails, and I enjoy leaving the wannabes way back after corners, only to have them zoom up on the straight. Then at the next corner... The foldback mirrors are great fun, and I've used them while driving onto a ferry boat in the Apostle Islands. I REALLY love driving this car! Only possible negative is the mileage, but unless I start driving like I'm from Minnesota, I can't expect good fuel mileage. ;-)
Thrilled!
After owning 2 other VWs and a few other makes, this is the best one by far. Fun to drive, plenty of space for people and stuff. It feels like a car costing much more. I would but another one without hesitating. Car had a foggy taillight on delivery. Took it home and did what dealer suggested to remedy the problem. When that didn't work, they replaced it under warranty. Have also had a few rear bulbs burn out already but they, too, have been replaced for free. Service before and after the sale has been fantastic. The 1.8T is plenty quick, but like most people, I'd love a tad more power.
W8 6M What Fun!
Just picked up my new W8 6M last weekend, and put 2500 miles on it already. What a fun car to drive!! Only complaints, no where to put CDs, seats should be a bit more comfortable, Recaro would be nice. This engine/tranny is a blast to drive. Can't wait to see a few mods come out for the car, and can only imagine what the Phaeton with a manual tranny would be like! Excellent experience with dealer. Will be back to by another VW when I get bored with this one (if that can happen). Can't beat the quality and amount of car you get for price paid when compared to MB, BMW, and Audi.
Solid, Comfortable & Fun to drive
My Passat is quiet and nimble and yet it "rides heavy" on the highway. When I looked at the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series I realized that would get much more creature comfort for less money and still have a car that is a joy to drive. If you want significantly more sportiness you have to go for the BMW 330 or the A4 3.0 (more $$$). The Accord seemed tinny & the Camary is as plain as a soda cracker (by the way... what's up with the funky exhaust pipe hanging so low under the Camary??? it's ugly and odd.
fun to drive but few flaws
Presumably good car, but few flaws and none mentioned on this forum. Like everyone the interior colors are great. But confusing controls on the dashboard. The build is good with an eye on safety.Fun to drive,sporty. But too many electrical faults. Bad Monsoon sterio system. Too many reported problems with their ignition coils. They are redesigning their ignition coils after too many of the Passats started giving problems. There is a backlog for these parts for a few frustrating weeks. If you are the next unlucky victim cross your fingers cos the wait can be painful.Does not have a good defroster. Can be painful in those foggy cold days.
2003 Passat GL
I enjoy this car. I had a 2000 Accord EX V6 A, and I simply like the Passat better. It handles great especially since I've added 17 inch wheels and high performance tires -- like night and day. For a basic family sedan that looks sharp and drives well, the Passat is the way to go IMHO.
some pluses; some minuses
I purchased a VW Passat V6 sedan two weeks ago, even though my first choice was the Infiniti G35. Honda Accords were also in the original mix. So far, the Passat has performed well but there are certain caveats; e.g., no key lock for trunk; the homelink remote transmitter does not light up in the dark; small door handles; gear shifts do not light up;fairly noisy engine.
a very well car by VW
i own a 2002 vw passat and i am just in love. i bought it last november and i already have 24,000 miles on it and it doing well.
I'd do it again
I was immediately disappointed that I leased and did not buy my Passat. It is a fine car. It has been reliable. I just find the car fun to drive. Had an 88' Camry and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Mileage has been ~28 in the country and 33+ on trips. Great handling. Love night inter. lighting. Suprising power from a four cylinder. VW got it right. I am buying the next one.
Frustrated with computer related prob
Picked up my brand new 2003 Passat on 6/28/03. Towed to dealership on 7/6/03 with 113 miles, due to computer prob. Picked up the repaired car on 7/9/03. Towed to the dealship again on 7/26/03 with 581 miles for similar computer prob. and the car is still in the shop, as of 8/1/03.
I love this car!
Bought it last fall after months looking for a gently-used 2001.5 or 2002, but couldn't find a V6 anywhere. Traffic around DC can be frustrating, but I stopped complaining about my commute after buying it. And if I ever think I spent too much, all I have to do is drive something else to realize that every last penny was worth it. This car looks great and is a blast to drive! It handles wonderfully (I cried for my old Saab every day that I drove the very vanilla Dodge that replaced it, until I bought the Passat), is great on short AND long drives (nearly 24,000 trouble-free miles), and handles anything from sand to snow with aplomb.
I still love it even I had trouble
I had some unhappy experience with my car, losing wheel cover twice; rear brake right can't turn off. However, I am so comfortable with the interior design, performance and the service of my dealer; over all, I believe buying passat still a good choice.
Funnest car I've owned
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.
Best Car, Best Value
This car has been wonderful. I drove the new altima and accord and they both felt cheap compared to the passat. I thought I would have to sacrifice value, but I got heated seats, computer, 2 extra airbags for around $21,000.
W8 Underated Overachiever
This car is exactly what I was looking for. A quality sedan with the power to pass easily on the highway and the handling necessary for City streets. Going around corners is fun and exiting in rain or sunshine. The car holds its line and it is nearly impossible to loose control with the all wheel 4Motion drive.The manual mode of this transmission allows the user to drive the car like a stick shift without the hassle of a clutch. The leather interior is comfortable and luxurious and with the Monsoon Stereo blaring and the sunroof open driving beachside down A1A is a gas.
I love it so far
I've only had it a couple of weeks, but so far it is great. It handles well. There is a little turbo lag, but it is quick. The build quality is fantastic. It is really quiet, and feels very solid and tight. It comes with a lot of nice standard features and safety features. I am hoping that it is as reliable as the Rabbit I had for 15 years. It is a pleasure to look at as well as drive.
Passat Lover
I am really happy with this car. Ive had Toyota,Honda, Chevy, and Ford. Ive also driven countless cars. This is a great buy if your looking for a sporty family sedan with good traction and steering.
Passat is great!
My first venture from the Honda line in 15 years and I'm glad I made it. This car is a dream to drive. I've made two trips of 12 hours each way to see family and the Passat made it relaxing. The sound system is sweet to the ear.
Charlie
Love the car. Bad points include, transmission(automatic- dowmnshift seems to shutter.) Not smooth coming to a stop. Gas peddel is akward to my driving position. I have to change foot position from start to cruise position.
'03 Passat GLX (5A)
I believe that the Passat is the best 4 door family sedan for the money (compared to Honda (didn't care for the '03 Accord redesign), Toyota, and Acura (TL Type-S didn't do it for me)- it DOESN'T compare to domestic products). A quality German-engineered and built car, many features for the money (interior design and fit and finish alone make this a wonderful car), safety (side curtain air bags, etc.), and good looks to boot. May be a few $K more than Japanese cars, but once you drive one, you'll understand why. I came out of a BMW and wanted to stay with German quality, reliability, etc. and feel that this is a good compromise.
Sweet ride, excellent value
We compared the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima before deciding on the Passat. In almost every aspect, the Passat beat out the other two. Comfort and safety ranked high on our list of priorities, but when you can get that AND the pleasure of driving a VW (which Honda and Nissan simply cannot copy), it was a simple choice. With 1.9% financing AND $1000 in loyalty bonus, PLUS a dealer incentive of $1500, the 2003 Passat is a fantastic value for the money. With all the standard features of the GLS, we feel like we just stole a luxury car... Put all those features in an Altima, and watch that low base price shoot through the roof.
Electrical nightmare
Love the looks and driveability of car but will never buy another VW. I have had one electrical issue after another. Repair costs are high. UNDEPENDABLE!
pass otty
luv the feel and performance, wish the styling were more defined
Best Car In Price Range, By Far
The Passat is very quick "off the line" in every day driving, and that there is more than sufficient speed to merge and pass on the highway. The car also cruises quite comfortably at 70-90 mph. The seats in the car (eight-way power) are extremely comfortable and very supportive during aggressive driving. However, everyone has a different back- end - some of my friends prefer softer seats than those in the Passat. On value - you get an all-wheel-drive car with gobs of luxury features for under $31k (see below). I've not owned the car long enough to discuss reliability. We'll see.
Best car I've ever owned ...
Mind you, I've only had it for three weeks, but I absolutely love this car. The only problem encountered thus far was the MIL light going on less than 24 hours after I bought it. Dealer said a hose came disconnected, and it was fixed in 15 minutes (hope next service call is that attentive!). Have driven it on snow and ice, and it handles like a dream. This car was MADE for states with terrain like Colorado. Snow, ice, mountain passes, dirt roads ... it can take it all. Clean it up, and you can take it on the town. Fiance says she feels like she's riding in a luxury automobile when she rides in it. For the price, I don't think you can come closer to driving perfection.
2003 GLX
Fun to drive but Lots of road noise. Comfort is excellent. Bad Triptonic future
Looks Good in the Shop
I've had the car one year and already had to replace the starter. The A/C would not turn off. One recall repair. And several rattles in the dash. The VW charm is quickly wearing off. The VW Service is a nightmare.
Merc 4 VW price
Great car. Drives and handles like a Benz. Gives you a tight and solid feeling around curves and zigzagging.
my vw
the car preformance is more then i thought it could be. this is my first new car and i am glad it is a vw. we bought ours after my sister got hers, after us my in-laws purchaced theirs and love it also.
2003 Wagon great car
2003 Passat GL Wagon, 5 sp MT. Heated seats and monsoon audio. Great car. My wife drove for 5 years 98,000 miles and we bought her a new 08 Passat sedan (arrest me red) with a 6 sp MT. This car is new to me since I only drove it a handful of times since 2003. Ride: Great Performance: Great Comfort: Great Safety: You feel very secure in a VW Reliability: Fine, we have a very good dealer near by that is a pleasure to deal with.
Least reliable car I've ever owned
Everything you've read about the Passat is true - they are great to drive, look awesome, and have excellent fit and finish. Have really enjoying DRIVING this car, but can't say the same for my experience with its reliability. Hands down the most expensive and problematic car I've ever owned. If it wasn't in the shop for a $85 oil change (synthetic required by VW) it was in for a service recall or a problem like water leaking into the passenger side for the 4th time. Finally, the water pump failed at 78K mile destroying the timing belt and engine in the process. I've had enough and this car was sold as soon as I got it back from the repair shop. I'm in a Honda again and happy.
Fun Car w/Flaws
Just finished first month's lease on my new 2003 Passat and I must say I have mixed feelings regarding the car. It's a great driving car who's engine might be a might small for the transmission it's mated to. The car has a rich European style interior with infinitely adjustable front seats providing superior comfort.
Great Car
Its a Great Feeling
Excellent, sporty, usefull wagon
Though we have only driven our VW for 3 months, we are exceptionally pleased with the quality, solidity, comfort, and ease to manuver. As far as reliability, we have had no trouble. Time will tell
GREAT CAR
I love our wagon and I test drove a lot of wagons before we bought this one. It is reliable, sporty and perfect for someone downsizing from an SUV (we had an Explorer) It is the safest car out there and you are not limited to a trunk. The back opens up and the back seats lay flat giving plenty of room.