Overview & Reviews
For 2003, a base GL sedan and wagon are available. Think of the GL as a GLS 1.8T for buyers who don't require any extras like alloy wheels, leather upholstery, seat heaters or a sunroof. Meanwhile, alloy wheels and sunroof are now standard on GLS models. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system will not be offered on GLS V6 models, forcing interested buyers to cross the 30-grand line; however, VW has made stability control (ESP) optional on all Passats (except the W8, which has this standard). Also this year, you'll be able to get W8 sedans and wagons with a six-speed manual transmission and a sport package that includes a firmer suspension and the requisite 17-inch wheels. Lastly, the standard stereo head unit gets backlighting for the buttons.
- Fun to drive, excellent value in GL or GLS trim, roomy interior with upscale feel, outstanding build and materials quality, available all-wheel drive.
User Reviews:
Showing 61 through 70 of 588.00-
Needs better brakes - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Chicagoguy - September 30 - 5:06 amThe Passat is a good overall car. My only complaint is the cars brake rotors. I bought the car new and at 15K miles I noticed the brakes didnt seem right and brought it to the dealer. They told me the car needed new pads and rotors. This happened again at 30K and yet the dealer said this was normal. Ive owned many new cars over the years and have never had to replace the rotors every 15K miles and have concluded that VWs rotors arent up to standard. Its not right to expect a customer to have to fork over hundreds of dollars for new rotors every 15K. Because of this expense, I wouldnt buy another Passat.
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So far, so good - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By qstone - September 25 - 2:00 amMy wife and I compared Altima, Camry, Accord and Passat. See my posting in the appropriate discussion group for results. We chose Passat because of warranty (hopefully we dont need it), exterior styling, safety features, interior quality. We have 2200 miles on our Passat now, and we still get in and tell each other "I love this car." There was an annoying buzz at around 2800 rpm that was driving us crazy, but it turned out to be the tilt/telescope lever under the steering wheel. I re-locked it and buzz went away and stayed away.
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Passat has been a disappointment - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Mac - September 1 - 5:36 amThe Passat is an okay car, but it is overpriced for what you get. The engine is by far the strength of this car. It effortlessly moves on the highway and its stability at high speed can lull the driver into quickly exceeding the posted speed limits. The transmission is poor. During the three years I have owned the car, I have had many instances in city traffic where the transmission will slip as I am slowing and then need to accelerate, causing the car to lurch. The leather interior is also poor. It is not terribly soft and wears more like vinyl than leather. The rapid depreciation of this car versus others in the so called class is also a big minus.
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First Impressions of New Car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Cal Driver - August 26 - 10:00 amIve owned this car for less than one week, but so far it is a lot of fun and a pleasure to spend time in. Quality and reliability unknown but this site requires an answer to post...
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Good Stuff - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By jnpzwix - August 13 - 2:00 amWe 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.
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Wish this car was worth what I expected - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By roger2texas - August 8 - 4:56 pmI dont understand.. I hear that VWs are supposed to be great cars, but this car is so expensive to repair!! CV joints/axles are unbelievable and 5k miles after being replaced, axle is out again! VW dealerships are very unfriendly, and want over $500 for any little thing. Temp sensor has gone out, alternator out, transmission kicks ugly when downshifting from 2nd to 1st, sharp object about to poke through leather from inside of seat, interior is peeling really bad (doors, trim, console, back ashtray, etc..), car burns excess oil (approx 1 qt. every 1k miles) NOT NORMAL for 2003 with 75k miles and full castrol synthetic 5w-40! Poor gas mileage even though premium fuel is used as REQUIRED!
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M.T. Driver - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By country drivr - July 14 - 8:00 pmThis car is actually my mothers car n we drive n use it everyday. This car has been reliable to us for 4 years n still running strong.we love this car its fast n comfortable especially the W8 engine. I admit getting oil changes are alot but weve learned 2 do our own oil changes. Looked at other reviews n saw many complaints guess were lucky.
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Nice looking however? - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Ed - June 23 - 4:00 pmI bought my 4 cyl automatic GLS for sporty looks and was hoping for sporty performace. However, it generaly feels weak and turbo takes a long time to kick in and slows down acceleration. I have been in my freinds accords and camrys and those engines seem to have better acceleration and also seem much quiter. My turbo engine is very loud but with little to show. When I go park the car and go back to get it in it I smell engine fumes inside the car plus that engine gets very very hot. After 26K miles I know hear pumping when break at low speeds and am really concerned about expensive maintenance bills. As it is I pay for premium gas and synthetic oil!!!
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Annoyed - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By rob - June 21 - 8:03 pmCar rides great, looks cool, but for a 2 year old car it has gone to the dealership too many times... engine light on, and on, and on.... they cant find the problem, glove box compartment handle broke, cost to replace it $500.00, for a simple handle, they have to repalce half of the dashboard. So broke it will stay... xenon lamps failed, very costly, but no choice, drivers seat broke, fortunately the warranty covered it... bottom line, nice looking car, great handling but will never buy a VW again and Ill get rid of ot ASAP, any takers??
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The best unreliable car I have ever ownd - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By djtomek2003 - May 19 - 1:56 pmI loved this car but I could no longer afford the crazy maintenance costs. AT 60.000 miles the water pump failed - Timing Belt needed to be replaced - AC system started leaking and eventually ran out. ( after 3 trips to the dealership they finally found out where the leak was ) 2200 to repair I changed the break lights as often as I changed oil.
