Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Consumer Reviews
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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.
Performance and Utility
I test drove this vehicle and was impressed with the refinement and build quality of both the interior and exterior. Every little thing seems to have been thought of, including a little hidden hand crank to open the sun roof in an emergency. The performance and handling were smooth and nicely tuned, with only minor nudges as the gears shifted under acceleration. It's easy to see why people are willing to pay a premium for this car.
- GLX 4Motion WagonMSRP: $4,695453 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,995696 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $2,499721 mi away
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.
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.
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.
just drive this car!
I love my Passat. It is absolutely luxurious, quiet, and extremely powerful. I find myself speeding sometimes because the ride is as quiet and smooth at 90mph as it is at 45. The base stereo sounds great and the seat comfort is excellent even on long trips. Driving 5 large adults,I didn't notice any loss of power.The black velour interior is really comfortable, but does attract lint that is hard to remove. My only major complaint is the fuel economy. I have yet to exceed 28 mpg on a freeway roadtrip, and only average 19-20mpg in the city/local hwy. This is less than advertised, and doesn't compare to my Corolla. And the Passat only takes Premium gas.
Love It
I've been a Honda man until now, but wanted more features and wanted a wagon. Driving this car is the ultimate for me. I've never experienced such luxury for $25K! It's quick (although I wish I'd gotten the 5- speed manual...the Tiptronic accentuates the turbo lag), sexy looking, incredibly comfortable on long road trips, and it can outhaul my dad's Grand Cherokee in cargo! I haven't had one problem (yet...it looks like others have had lots!), and I have recommended this car to family and friends!
Cool Sport Wagon
My partner and I just got a '99 GLS 1.8T wagon in Feb. of this year. Before then I'd always wanted a Passat but had never driven one. Had owned VWs in the past, however. This is not a car to be overlooked. The overall build quality is that of a car costing thousands more. And that legendary VW handling and performance can't be matched in this price class. This is the "GAP" version to Audi's A4 1.8T Avant "Banana Republic" car!
VW Passat SW
My Passat SW is very fun to drive. I recently drove down to Florida with it and it was very comfortable. I just wish I had more power (but thats why you can buy it in V6 or W8 and if you can afford it I highly recommend it. Overall this is the best station wagon in the market!
9000 KMs and Loving It
With our 2 kids we weren't sure whether we made the right decision about buying a wagon over a mini-van. I am so glad we got this wagon!! It hauls as much as a minivan, gets great mileage (averaging 32mpg), very comfortable both up front and in the back seats and is a blast to drive. We got into an accident early on and the wagon handled it like a tank. This thing is built like a tank. For a family of 4 or less, this is the car to get.
Get it fixed right
First, I can not understand why there are so many parts within the wheel bearing. That aside, my car has been a very reliable car. After 120k miles, I have replaced all of the ignition coils, spark plugs, struts, and a few other items. The importance of a reliable mechanic can not be made enough. The dealership's work - all of it ever made - had to be redone. No kidding. After I started going to an honest mechanic, someone who told me about certain gas stations, rather than replacing something that didn't need fixing, life was better.
Almost 100,000 and feels like new
We purchased this car new in 03 (03 Passat Wagon 5 MT, heated seats, monsoon sound), my wife drove it for 98,000 miles with minimal hassle. She replaced with an 08 Passat Sedan (6 MT not offered in 09). Car has been well maintained by dealer with mainly wear and tear items. Car is a blast to drive. Kind of a sleeper; five year old station wagon that can get up and move. You feel safe and sure footed in all weather and all road conditions. Mileage: I have been getting 26 to 27 in city driving (I do stomp on it a bit but coast steady when I can); I think on highway only trips it gets 32 or 33.
Best vehicle I have owned!
After having a turbo golf for 1.5 years, we needed more room and got the Passat. Wow, night and day difference. I have had this now for about 1.5 years and 32000 miles and all I can say is that I have 0 issues with this car. No rattles, no squeaks, smooth ride, good power, great feel and stability. Having been in countless other cars over the years, I can say this is as good as it gets in this price range. Highly recommended!
Great, except for seat comfort!
Great car!
Excellent car that I have ever own
Its a wonderful car to drive, comfort and own. Never felt more confortable with any car in my life
Nice Job
Replaced a 2000. 20 HP makes a difference, no turbo lag.
2003 Passat Wagon
This car looks good and drives well but it lacks in reliability. It burns oil and is plagued with recalls. This is the second VW I own and again to be disappointed.
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. ;-)
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.
Excellent Wagon
I have owned this car for six weeks and 4000 miles. In one word "excellent". Very stable at highway speeds and you have no fear of rollover like you would with an SUV. It also give great mileage. On the high ways at 75mph, I get about 31-32 mpg. Overall I have had 26mpg in mixed driving.
Loved it for 7 years
I bought the station wagon new. I previously owned an M3 BMW and this car has the road feel and gives me as much pleasure as the BMW. I have an antique shop and can load anything in the car; Hoosier, table and chairs, things that look impossible to fit even into an suv. The biggest problem with all VWs is the dealerships. The car is wonderful but my dealings with the dealership have been awful. The car has had no problems and I only see the dealer for routine maintenance. The men at the counter are friendly and pleasant but the job always takes twice as long as they say and seem pleased that they only charged an arm and a leg.
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.
Great Car!!!!
I have had the car for 3 days now and have loved every minute of it. I have always had a sports car but decided that with expanding a family I needed a sedan. This car has the power and drivability of a sports car with a luxury ride. It is a car that exceeds my expectations.
Good, practical car
Overall Passat is a very good and practical car, did not have any major problems, pleasure to drive, excellent trunk space (as a wagon). Interior is nice, quality of radio sound is good.
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.
You will love the Passat Wagon
We first rented a Passat wagon in Germany eight years ago, and liked it so well that we bought one. It gave us seven good years of reliable service, but the 2003 is worlds better than the old ones. It truly has the power and handling of a sports car. It would be a serious mistake to buy a mid-size wagon without test driving the Passat.
Great Wagon can compete with the best
Was looking for a wagon and found it in the Passat. The interest rate and the fact it was a CPO was another great decision. Despite some different opinions on the 2002 models, I believe this is a solid car. I could not get the diesel wagon may be next time premium model will do :).
Here I Come!
I love this car. Handles smooth. Warm seats for cold winter days. Plenty of cargo space with the wagon. A joy to drive, plus practical.
This is a Bug Mobile
This car replaces the Beetle as the new BUG, as it is so buggy. The electric seats stopped working a week after I bought the damn this. Now the fuel gauge also gave out. What junk.
Alternative to a gas hungry SUV
This es a good looking well built vehicle with a lot more space than a sedan to haul things. It handles road iregularities and conors very well. You really feel like you are driving something that is going to last a long time when you are behind the wheel. The 4 cylinder Turbo engine coupled with the 5 speed automatic does a good job of moving along in any kind of traffic. Turbo lag is not really a problem and you can enter a freeway on ramp with confidence. Styling is very good from any angle, but especially from the rear. The taillights are not only attractive but very visable to drivers approaching from the rear.
Love our family wagon
Purchasing the Volkswagon Passat Wagon was a compromise between me and my husband. We previously owned an SUV which I hated from day one. I wanted a comfortable sedan. He thought we needed more space. We were also in the market for a new car for him. He got the sedan at the same time. We love them both. There are a couple of pet peeves I have about the vehicle - the blinker doesn't shut off until the steering wheel is almost in a straigt position and I find the windshield wiper controls hard to maneuver - but minor details compared to everything else. The back seat is also a bit tight with two car seats back there.
Can't go wrong with this car!!
This car walks talks and acts like one that is much more expensive. From the cool night-time lighting to all the thoughful touches, to the cool trip computer, to the steering wheel controls. Did I mention the leather - not like the cheap hides on a nissan/infiniti. This car is an Audi without the dual zone climate control and four rings. 1.8 w/ five speed is great, still breaking in but it can move the car with some authority, always asked if its a 6 cyl.
Squeaks!!!!
Beware that the brakes will squeak and all you will hear from VW is rinse off the brake dust, to decrease the squeak sound. Right door hand peels but VW will replace. And key will get stuck in the closed position, VW will replace. Gas mileage very poor for running around. I like the way it drives but for the price, STOP the SQUEAK.
Gas Gusler! But Worth It!!
This car is the most eligant and at the same time sexy. It is very nice to drive and is a pain when it comes time to refuel every 225miles.
Who needs a V6?
I have now owned this car for about 2 months and I am thrilled,the 1.8T with a 5 speed is very smooth.Leather interior is top notch as well as overall fit and finish. My wife and I have twin girls so needless to say we gotta lot of stuff and the Passat wagon has tons of storage.I just could not bring myself to driving a Mini- van,with the Passat 1.8T I get the best of both worlds,fun to drive and very practical.
Don't Buy a VW w/ 1.8T engine
The Passat with a 1.8T engine is horrible! it has been in and out of the shop with many problems including the engine had to be replaced at 31,000 miles. VW North America would not stand by the product until a law suit was threatened. Bottom line... avoid the car. There is a reason why VW is rated next to last by JD Powers for customer satisfaction.
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.
Great Car - Poor Gas Mileage
I've been driving my Passat for 6 months now and really enjoy it. The Passat is quiet and has adequate pick up. I have experienced no quality or mechanical problems at all. I test drove the Volvo V70 and Audi A6 & A4 wagon and it was clear to me then, as it is now, that the best value amongst these is the VW. My only complaint is below - Gas Mileage.
Best Looking Wagon on the Road
We love our Wagon. It's a great value with a ton of safety and standard features for less than $25K. The 1.8t has plenty of pull through most the gears-especially while using the tiptronic feature (Then you can add a chip for even more power). There's plenty of room for a couple who are just starting a family. The perfect car for those of us who don't want a minivan nor an SUV.
Good Value, Stylish Ride
Put 1,000 miles on the car in the first 2 months. Ride and style are great, no issues with reliability to date. The car is everything that I expected. I think that a few of the poor reviews out there might be accurate for those few that had real problems with their dealer, but most are from buyers that did zero research and thought that they were buying a Benz in VW skin for 30k. This the car is not, and many reviewers seem to take this mistake out on their review instead of themselves. This is however a great VW. If you know and like VW, and need an AWD wagon, you will be very happy with the Passat.
Disappointed with GLS Wagon
Made a mistake purchasing this vehicle. Build quality and dealer service have been poor. Paint had numerous small blems. Rear hatch trim replaced twice. Roof line trim inserts bow up. Fully loaded highway ride not comfortable. 1.8T slow off the line - OK at speed. Fuel economy not great. Tip: on your test drive set tire pressure to mfg spec - this dealer sets them low to smooth out ride.
very nice
What can I say, this is one wonderful car. The road noise is next to nothing, it goes great in the snow, the ride is ultra smooth. This car has the feel of any top notch luxury car. The only grip is the fuel economy. I get about 22 miles per gallon average, wish it were better.
Fun to drive, when it's not in the shop.
I enjoy driving this car, like the style, but am frustrated with the many repairs needed in the first six months of ownership. Needed to replace an interior door panel (defective), the windshield (distortion), repair a vibration noise in the ceiling, and replace the gas tank (this took 4 attempts to fix!). Very poor quality control, resulting in 7 days in the shop in four months. Dealer has been very helpful, but still not the carefree ownership I had hoped for.
UnGermanlike Engineering
Worst car we have had for frequent & expensive repairs. Now at 73,000 miles. Since 60,000 we have spent a ridiculous $6,000 on repairs. AC compressor and evaporator $3000,timing belt repair $1400. Brakes $800. Our air bag warning light is now on $400 to fix. VW service told us that after warranty "It's your problem." Mercedes repairs are same or less-less labor charges since better design.
VW Passat GLX Wagon
I've had this vehicle for over 8 months now and love it. I don't regret the purchase at all. The rear cargo area is amble and the gas milege is good. The safety ratings by the insurance industry and government are excellent. This wagon has been the perfect alternative to an SUV. I overlooked this car for a long time because of the image of a "wagon" and because of its price. But this vehicle is about as sporty as it gets for a wagon, and it's worth the price because of the quality.
Gentlemen only, please
The wagon is ideal for both city and country. It parks easily, and looks great. With the V6 it has a smooth acceleration, and manouvers quickly in tight situations. It has an understated and unpretensious appeal, with surprising luxery and comfort. I personally like the feeling of superior workmanship, and distinctly german attitude.
Still happy one year later
We picked up our wagon last June and have been very happy with it since then. It is a solid drive and much more fun to piot than a station wagon ought to be. I don't regret replacing my Trailblazer with this car one bit. It has better handling, braking, responsiveness, and gas mileage than the Chevy did, and that was the older model. I found the newer Chevy to be sloppier in these categories. We have had no problems with the vehicle other than a recall for a problem that would probably never happen.
2003 GL Wagon 1.8L Manual
Very happy with my purchase overall. Unfortuately, one wheel was unbalanced by 2.5 oz. when I drove it off the lot, but did not notice until I was on the interstate. Initial gas mileage is not quite as good as expected, perhaps more time will tell. Also was extremely difficult to find as a 5-speed manual, but I eventually got what I wanted after waiting till 2003 models. Excellent and responsive engine and tight suspension, with the cargo room I was looking for without buying an SUV or minivan.
Ignition coil Problems!!!!
Love the looks, love to drive it, but the ignition coils are no good, and my dealership is giving me the runaround. They don't care that my coils are failing, and their only option until March is to bring it in, and replace them with coils they have that will contiue to fail!!! What service!!! Can't even get a straight answer about when the new ignition coils will be available!
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.