2003 Volkswagen Golf Consumer Reviews

2003 Volkswagen Golf

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2003 Volkswagen Golf

Kelley Blue Book Retail $4,925–$8,625  

Average Rating

4.1 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.3 out of 5
Performance:3.4 out of 5
Exterior Styling:3.9 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.3 out of 5
Reliability:4.0 out of 5

6 out of 7 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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best small car

by diesel lover
from Bay City, MI | September 24, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Get 50 MPG, pulls my pop-up trailer, seats 4 comfortably, pushing 120,000 miles, and still runs like the day we bought it. That's reliability."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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VW Golf TDI

by Diesel Mania
from MI, DC, NVA, NC OBX...all over | February 13, 2012

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 3 out of 5

"I've had this car since 2005 and it had 38k on it then so I've put about 220k in 7 years on this little thing. I really have loved it. The timing BELT is the only drawback. I think that is by far one of the most stupid designs especially for a small diesel with an interference head. Should be a chain or gear with or without the extra noise. The problems I did have all stemmed from that belt breaking and not many people (including the dealer) knowing what they are doing when working on it. It's really in a class by itself. I small commuter (over 40 mpg) with lots of hatch space and the ability to tow 1100#s. I've used it with a small trailer to haul engines and other small items that don't require my full size 2500. Saves a lot on fuel. I've also towed my HD with it. It is a little weak but it will get there and eventually it will get up to speed. I'm keeping it despite just buying a 2008 Jeep GC Diesel (CRD) to replace it. That's how much I like it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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Perfect Car for 16 year old's first car

by WillieVR6
from Columbus OH | January 2, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Excellent first car for my 16 year old daughter. It's not to big and not to small in the 4 door model to get her and my son back and forth to school safely. Love the ergonomics of the car for the driver who has a clear view of the roadway ahead, and it stops quickly and safely with 4 wheel disc brakes, and abs too. The front and side curtain air bags provide peace of mind in case anything should happen. I put new snow tires on some old VW Passat Rims, and they fit perfect on the 2003 Golf so it's ready for whatever old man winter has instore for us. The VW Golf is the perfect fit for my Daughter to safely learn how to drive."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Most Reliable Car I've Owned

by awesome
from | July 13, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"best year VW ever made was the 2003. recommend manual over automatic tranny. the GL is very quick and loaded with great power options"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A


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Safest, reliable, solid car for the money!

by Biker
from Southern California | February 18, 2007

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I own a 4 Dr Hatchback and drive it every day. It is very solid, gets good gas mileage (29-31 mpg highway, and safe car (ABS, front and side air bags) No mechanical repairs, only consumables like oil and filters. This is my second Golf, gave my first to my daughter who drives it 20,000 miles a year. The sound system is great, especially with the 6 CD changer which is integrated into the radio. We usually have the rear seats folded down and so we have a lot of room for cargo."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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Worthless

by Disappointed
from Chicago | September 16, 2006

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Handling: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 1 out of 5
Interior Design: 1 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"I bought this car for my wife in 2003, and currently we have 35,000 miles on it. Unfortunately we had to learn the hard way that Volkswagen is not a great "German Engineered" car. In fact my "American" 2000 Chevy Malibu is more reliable. The brake lights are constantly going out on the Golf. The transmission jumps between 20-40 mph (which the mechanic at the dealer says is normal). The Gear shifter malfunctioned leaving us stuck in a mall parking lot, and then reoccured later (the dealer can't "replicate", so they won't fix). Interior is very noisy especially on a rough road. The only good thing that I can say is there are a lot of nice creature comforts such as the heated seats, but overall this car is worthless."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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1 out of 8 found this review helpful

Best equipped small car available

by KiKi
from Santa Monica, CA | August 11, 2006

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"We got this car because it was the only small car adjustable for both of us: I am over 6' and my wife is just over 5'. Driver's and Passenger front seats have easy lever operated height adjustments. Cars twice the price don't always have this! Heated mirrors are standard as is an excellent 8 speaker sound system with radio, cassette and CD (prewired for adding a 6 disc changer). This too is superior to many more expensive vehicles. Standard cruise control, a/c and variable intermittent wipers are worth noting also. Safety too is excellent with side impact airbags standard, front and rear seat belts are height adjustable, as are all five headrests. The steering wheel has height and telescopic adjustments. The four wheel disc brakes have ABS. We have now driven 45,000 miles, including two multi-thousand mile cross country trips. This is no sports car, but it is a great, solid performer. MPG is exactly as stated by the manufacturer and will not be less than 30 highway if you do not exceed 75mph. One last great advantage: 10.000 mile oil change intervals if done by VW (with the correct high performance oil filter) which makes them much cheaper than Jiffy Lube!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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