Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Warning!!!!
If you purchase a 1.8 beware you are looking at a hefty timimg belt replacement that even if it fails VW will not back you and you will pay 5K for repairs!! Ask the sales person before you buy!
Great Car
Leased a 2000 before this 2003 and loved it. Most of this review will be to compare the two models (exact same). The handling, performance, price and amenities are, in that order, unmatched in other cars in the class. If you like to drive, the Passat is the one you'll buy after test drives. That said, one beef I have with the 2003 is the softer ride. It's still neutral around curves (no over or under steer). The increased horsepower (150 to 170) is fairly noticable and appreciated but comes with an equally noticable drop in gas mileage (approx. 30 to 27 around town).
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $1,999437 mi away
- GLX 4Motion WagonMSRP: $4,695474 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $2,499794 mi away
lemon
Ignition coils go bad between 50-75 K miles. Major design flaw. VW will not claim responsibility for this issue as I have contacted them. I don't mind 3 or 4 recalls and countless other items that had to be replaced during the warranty, but it is unfair for the owner to pay for ignition coil replacement, which seems to be a common issue with this engine. Ask any VW owner or dealer.
What a great car!!!
I have been a Honda girl for years. Had 6 of them. Then I drove my Passat and it was love at first site. The car handles great and has a much heavier feel than my Hondas did. The Turbo feature is just the ticket for driving the hills of West Virgina. It accelerates smoothly.
Most fun I have ever had driving
This is flat out one fun car to drive. The V6 is really peppy! Had the car out in a snow storm and the kept up with SUV's great winter traction and handling in the front wheel drive version. Great fit & finish you can feel the quality they build into this car the first time you drive it. ROCK SOLID
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.
Excellent car- great buy!
My Maxima was totalled in an accident. We were looking for a V6 family-sedan under $30K. Our shortlist was Passat, Acura TL and Maxima. We test-drove many cars- older 528i, A6. We've previously owned Mazdas, Nissan, Toyotas. We did a lot of research on the web- Edmunds is awesome! After a couple weeks, we converged on the Passat GLX and absolutely love it! The exterior/interior is eye-catching and the handling is far superior than the Japanese cars. I am hoping the Passat will last me as long as the Japanese cars- they've increased the warranty to 4years now which is great. German cars feel stiffer than the Japanese cars, and make you stick to the road.
Love my Passat
I checked out this website before I purchased my Turbo two years ago. Reviews were so good, I took the plunge and have not regretted it one minute. I love my Passat. Handling is awesome, comfort is excellent. I make sure it gets its regular maintenance. It has 40,000 miles on it and not had any problems. Hope it stays that way!
This is car should be 45 grand!
Buy this car if you like to drive. I can't understand people who buy Hondas, Toyotas, etc. Boring.
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.
Everyone loves my car
I am very glad I purchased a Volkswagon Passat. It is a fun car to have. I constantly have people get into my car and say "man, I really love your car!" I love the style, the comfort and the little extras my passat has to it.
CUSTOMERS BEWARE!!!
I did all my homework before I bought this car and also read message boards to make sure I did not miss anything, well I did. Everyone who has great reviews has relatively few miles on their car (<10,000). I've had nothing but ignition coil problems with this vehicle. It seems that all 1.8T engines in VW and Audi have this problem and nothing has been done to fix it. They just repair it which typically takes 2-3 weeks and tell you that "there's a 90% chance the others will go." On top of that the computer board malfunctions and causes check engine light to come on. DON'T let the exterior and interior attractive design fool you.
Two years flawless
I convinced my wife we should buy new and I am glad I did. I've been very happy with this car and have had no problems with it. It still drives like the day I drove it off the lot. If you can find a used one for a good price--go ahead and grab it. This car is a nice mix of a lot of things. It's like a small SUV (good space), handles like a fine european sport sedan, and get good (not great) gas milage. Hard to beat it!
Overall a great car
After studying this and other publications, we came to the decision that the Passat was the car for us. We choose the GLS 1.8 for its fuel economy and added the Luxury Package. The side curatin airbags and traction control weighed heavily in the protection of our children. We have had two fit and finish errors. First of all the child lockout for the power windows didn't depress. Secondly, the dashboard had two small indentations where the dash cover wasn't properly adhered to the underlayment. Both were fixed without any trouble. We absolutely love the car and are looking foward to remaining VW customers.
Curly's Review
I owned a Passet back in 1990. I was not happy that purchase then a friend of mine convinced me to test drive one again. After my test drive, I was amazed at how much Volkswagon improved this car. Long story short, after saying I would never buy another Passat, I am a happy owner once again.
Stylish and Practical
Up to 1200 miles and having fun. Minor little transmission problem that fixed itself. This is my first German car so I'm a little worried about reliability, but it sure is more fun than my Toyota. Great safety features for the price.
A true VW Fan
This is my 8th VW and second Passat GLX and they really have gotten everything right. The first time I saw a Passat in a parking lot, I had to go over to check it out. This car really spoke to me and I had to have it. I think it is as comfortable as or maybe more so than my boss's MB SL500. The lines are certainly better.
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.
very good, more stuff than you need!
very competent car. lots of fun! runs great, handles like on rails.
Great, except for seat comfort!
Great car!
Love It!!!
Wasn't sure if I was going to like a 4 Cylinder after having a Loaded GLX VR6 for 7 Years, but I love it. The Tiptronic transmission is smoother and more responsive than the one in my wife's C Class Mercedes. All the extra space is awesome, especially with a new baby. The safety features are very comforting.4 Wheel, ABS, Traction Control,Electronic Stabilization/ Front, side and curtain airbags all for $23,000. The rear seatbelt locks and there are tether hooks on the backs of the seat and anchors underneath them, making car seat installation a breeze.
Great vehicle
I owned different vehicles in the last 32 years, Vega, Mitsubishi, Cadillac Seville, Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Oldsmobile, Conversion Van, Diamante, Honda and BMW. I enjoy more driving my Passat GLX than any other car I ever owned. I recommend it to everyone asks me about it.
Good Stuff
We love our Passat, my wife and I always argue on who gets to drive instead of who gets to ride. My favorite car of all time was the 1984 Audi 4000 Quattro...all of those feelings are rushing back. The Passat has a great look, ride, and feel with the German engineering. This car is an excellent value for the price.
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.
vw passat glx 4MOTION
A DREAM CAR...YOU CAANOT GO WRONG WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE.THE CRAFTSMENSHIP,PERFORMANCE,COMFORT LEVEL,RELIABILITY IS SECOND TO NONE. AS WE HAVE OWNED AMERICAN,JAPANESE ANDOTHER EUROPEAN CARS THIS AUTOMOBILE TAKES TOP HONORS. AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES ARE A JOKE...WE SAY THIS BECAUSE WE ARE AMERICAN AND HOPE SOMEDAY AMERICAN CAR BUILDERS WE AT LEAST EQUAL WHAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS PAINSTAKINLY DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. yOU CAN TAKE THIS TO THE BANK AND WATCH IT GROW.JUST LOOK AT THE RESALE VALUE COMPARED TO OTHERS....GET THE PICTURE!!!!
Awsome...
1.8T engine which provides plenty of power for everyday driving, combines with classy exterior/interior design and quiet, supple ride... 4 months driving this car and still in love with it. The honeymoon ain't over yet.
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 on the road but poor from a start
Great looking, fantastic out on the road, solid as a rock and just purrs at 80mph but the 2 second pause before the turbo kicks in when you step on the gas from a dead stop is one big negative. (you learn quickly not to pull out with oncoming traffic) Oh, a second negative, the engineer who figured that a rotary knob on the side to recline the driver's seat was a good idea needs to go back to design school, i.e. just reach behind you with your non dominant hand and rotate the knob while lifting your body weight from the seat ...yeah.
I love driving this car
I have purchased my Passat a month ago, and I just cannot stop admiring all of its wonderful features. I got leather package, Monsoon surround sound system, EPS extras and, of course, manual transmission. The handling of the car is breath taking. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone who truly enjoys and appreciates driving a high quality vehicle.
NEVER BUY A VW !!!!
I bought vw passat 03 as certified used and had a very bad experience. The only reason I bought the car was because of its sexy interior and exterior(silver). Last 4 yrs, I had nothing but bad experience, done every service regularly, almost every time the vw dealer finds some problem costing anywhere from $300.00 to $1500.00 for that repair or this repair. I was driving probably about 50 miles a month as I had a Honda Civic. After about 3 yrs of use, I was worried and purchased a top vw platinum warranty, but the problems didn't stop nor was any part/problem covered by this worthless warranty - i paid about $2000 for this warranty. NEVER BUYING A VW AGAIN.
passat experience
good car so far fun to drive
Such A Shame...
Ride, comfort and interior is exceptional. Over the past year, however, we've had it in the shop several times...engine coils. An engine coil seems to go bad and the "Emissions" light will go on. We also had to have the driver's side seat belt replaced (it wouldn't release after button pressed). Now, there is a burnt rubber smell coming from under the hood and it is very noticeable when the heater is on...it is going back to the shop. We love this car soo much, however, the constant problems have persuaded us to replace it...Such a shame. Oh yeah...the Emissions light came on again today (1/28/03).
VW Passat
A great car.
midsize for $25000
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and performance of this car.
Love it!
Great car! The back seat has plenty of room for adults to sit comfortably. Driving performance is great, Excellent turning radius, car has a secure heavy feel to it. The car has lots of room and a huge trunk. This is my second Passat - can't change - great car for the money.
Low profile, low cost ownership
I've owned this midsized sedan for almost two and half years now. I bought it used with 40K miles on the ODO. At 52 K miles I've replaced a CV joint from an aftermarket parts supplier. The cost was far cheaper than dealership prices. Parts the were replaced under VW warranty were: the VW engine cover emblem, rear trunk struts, side blinker lights & rear ashtray. This car corners well with the right type of tires installed. I replaced the cheap tires that came with this car from the dealership and the difference was noticeable. Parts are best bought from online suppliers to save on cost if you plan to keep this vehicle for at least 10 years.
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.
Best Buy!!!
It's only been a couple of weeks since I passed over the new 2003 Accord in favor of a 2003 1.8T Passat. So far, I have absolutely no regrets. Inital quality and performance are outstanding and it's a joy to look at inside and out. The German look and "feel" are evident throughout this vehicle. The manufacturer recommends premium gas, which does seem to be necessary. Two tank fulls of mid-grade have provided a measureable difference in performance. Oh, well...it's worth the extra few bucks in gas! FYI - My car is Fresco Green, which looks hideous on the VW website, but stellar in person.
unbelievable
This is the best car I have ever owned. Its like driving a cloud. The speed will become legendary. It is a family car and a finely tuned racing machine. It is a pal, a friend and so much fun to drive. It almost knows what you expect of it and it delivers. The v8 engine is unlike any you have seen before. It takes your breath away.
Passat 2003
This car is very easy to handle, rides like a dream. Is very fast and you can pass very easily.
GLS wagon
First off, this is a great car to be in and to drive. Driving longer distances in my old car would exhaust me but the passat invigorates. I am quite happy with the car. It's sporty but sleek, and shows that only fools need to buy a SUV. Only one complaint, on rare occasion my directional indicator will rapidly flash so this is some electircal/mechanical problem.