Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used Passat for sale
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.
Love and Hate Relationship
tmf12192, 04/24/2014
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
34 of 34 people found this review helpful
I loved my Passat, but hated when it went in for service. I work at a VW dealer so I'm thankful for an employee discount otherwise I'd had to get rid of this car long ago. It didn't matter if it came down to something as little as an oil change there was always something wrong. I owned my car 3.5 years and through 4 PA state inspections and it didn't pass any of them on the first try. I bought the car with 70k and trading it in on Tuesday with 115k on the odometer. Currently no check engine light, but to pass emissions it needs an O2 sensor and possible vacuum pump. After 3.5 years and almost 6k spent on service I've had enough. I loved the look and feel of the car just not the upkeep.
Good Solid Car
Hawk, 11/17/2010
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I brought my passat in 2003 new. We are know in 2010 and I have not had any problems that I am surprised about. I drive my car on a daily basis. I currently have 97,500 miles on my car, and plan on changing the timing belt at 105,000 to drive the car another 100,000 miles. I plan on replacing the shocks and springs with Eibach brands and I plan on finding some factory 17 inch vw wheels to place on my car. I don't plan on buying a car anytime soon. This car has treated me very well.
2003 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 19 listings
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $1,999135 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $2,295716 mi away
- GLX WagonMSRP: $3,250766 mi away
See all 19 listings
Wonderful solid agile
Brandon, 05/12/2016
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
I bought mine sight unseen at auction. The battery was 100% dead, tires all 100% flat and radiator bone dry. I charged it up, aired the tires (patched 1 leak) and filled the radiator. This is an amazing car. Rides like a BMW M3 and hugs the road (even loose gravel, or snow covered roads) like an Audi A8. When you think the gas pedal is pushed all the way, push a little harder and the car goes into "shift down" mode and that's when the power kicks in.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best car I've ever owned
eggheader, 03/22/2015
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought new, now have over 230,000 miles. This is a fun car to drive, especially with the manual. Have not had any major mechanical issues. The paint and interior have held up very well. Only annoyance is that the headlights burn out more often than most, but are easy to replace. Keeping up with preventive maintenance and fixing small problems quickly are essential though! Parts are expensive, and I agree with other reviewers that dealer service departments are terrible- I found a great VW mechanic locally.
Lot of Miles
gary McGinn, 07/07/2006
2003 Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I do a lot of 'trips'.... me and my dog... Never have had any major issues with my Passat. After reading all this stuff I probably would have been paranoid... yah small stuff...lights, door lock, etc. Only Lexus is bullet proof... but the Passat's ride quality, and fuel economy overrides that. I get an honest 30 mpg when I cruise at 65 / 70 mph. And I am in the market now for '07 model. I really looked around, Edmunds.com and all that and considered a BMW, Audi, even a Lexus SUV, but will probably go with the Passat Wagon.