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 211 through 220 of 588.00-
Good car - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By bub - July 26 - 10:00 amIve owned my Passat 3 weeks. Had a much smaller car previously. Im impressed with the gas mileage of my 1.8T and the body integrity. Very solid, good looking ride. A high quality car for the money. If you want a little more style than a Camry or Accord, this seems like a pretty good choice.
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Better then a BMW at much more affordabl - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By TomMalloy - June 24 - 2:00 amAfter owning a BMW the purchase of a VW Passat I thought would be a come down after buying my first one in 1996, but after 100,000 miles with absolutely no problems save for routine maintenance, I was convinced of this vehicles superiority, and I purchased another in 2002, which is better then ever. Again in 2002, I toyed with buying another BMW or the now more affordable Mercedes Benz, but with 6 years of great performance and reliability, I bought another Passat. If you want a car that will perform like any other high-end vehicle, and wish to not injure your pocketbook then the PASSAT is defiantly the car to consider.
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just drive this car! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By vrandal - June 1 - 2:00 amI 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 didnt 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 doesnt compare to my Corolla. And the Passat only takes Premium gas.
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A - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By ttocsffej1 - May 26 - 2:00 amLost my 2003 Passat GL "commuter" in a rear-ender. Bought my 3rd Passat in 5 months! I was hooked from the moment I turned the key. This car is SO MUCH MORE than just an engine upgrade. It drives entirely unlike any other Passat. Tiptronic tranny is annoying in its refusal to upshift at low speeds while crawling in traffic. But the W-8 engine is stunning and has grown stronger in the last 2,000 miles. The price--AMAZING. My dealer was BEYOND anxious to get rid of it. My black/black with sport package was a new "demo" with just 1400 miles on it. I paid just $31,000!! (They even threw in tinted windows to close the deal.)
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loving it so far - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By JGinNC - May 2 - 10:00 amWe have just passed 10,000 miles on our 2003 Passat and could not be happier with it. The interior is gorgeous and classy, the seats are very comfortable, and the Monsoon sound system is very clear. The exterior is quite handsome, and the car makes you feel like you are driving a luxury car in many ways. The car handles well and the V6 is strong and quiet. Our only issue has been 2 damaged tires, which seems odd for such a young car. Also, the service experience has been awful, puncuated by long waits for service, even oil changes. Overall though, we are very happy with our purchase.
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VW Passat GLX Wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Miguel Brown - April 6 - 10:00 amIve had this vehicle for over 8 months now and love it. I dont 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 its worth the price because of the quality.
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Dripping with Features - Very Satisfying - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Mij - March 31 - 3:13 pmI just love this car! It shifts into 5th gear at about 125 MPH and pulls right up until the 130 MPH limit. Corners are confidence inspiring. The engine is much more powerful at road speeds than the small 2.8L implies due to the high revs (3000 RPM @ 80 MPH). Fuel economy is surprisingly decent (23+ overall) during day-to-day driving, and on the road turns in 28-29 MPG without the A/C (drops about 15% with A/C). The low volume wind noise, even with all windows down and the sunroof open, and the lack of internal wind-buffeting allows me to enjoy near-top-down comfort at any moment. The wood trim and leather steering wheel are sensual in softness and caress-worthiness.
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A Wagon for the Banana Republic Crowd - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By ChadPT - March 1 - 2:00 amOur was quite a step up from the college car (Honda Civic) and worht the wait. It has all the necessary bells and whistles, and I would highly recommend the GLX model, because youll want the extra features. The backseat has ample leg room for passengers, and the stereo is very nice! A great entrance to luxury cars that is less than other luxury makers.
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Review of 2003 Passat 4 cyl SW - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Ole - February 10 - 2:00 amGreat car. Only problem: dealer refuses to provide any information on basic maintenance [oil changes, bulb changes, etc.] I guess they want to force customers to take the Passat to overpriced service at the dealership.
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Fun and Safe to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Dan Miranda - February 5 - 10:00 amSafety features are reassuring, the gas milage is great and the 4cyl turbo has all the kick you need.
