2003 Passat GLS V6: despite signs of age, a good and reliable daily driver!
I drive a 2003 VW Passat GLS V6 as my 'daily driver'. The manual transmission is enjoyable as long as I'm not stuck in traffic or dealing with a lot of stops like red lights, stop signs ecs. Considering its an older model of car with over 170,000 miles on it I feel it has helped up quite well. The leather seats are starting to show some wear but have not cracked anywhere yet. The door panel on the drivers door is a but loose and the trim (imitation wood and leather) is starting to come loose. I have had some work done to the car but nothing unexpected. I will need to get the exhaust replaced or repaired do to an exhaust leak that began about one month ago. The paint has held up reasonably well, with the exception of the area in front of the sunroof where the clear coat has begun to peel. There is also some rust on the hood from where road debris has chipped the paint. The sound system is still functioning well and the only issue I run into with it is when I use a aux to cassette cable to play music, every once in a while this results in some static sound but I believe this to be the fault of the cable and not the car itself. Overall the car has been reliable and a good investment.
Alicia G
on March 6, 2021
Spacious family vehicle!!
Plenty of room for the kids! Easy to clean with the leather seats! It is really good on gas and saves us a ton of money on longer drives. It has heated seats and a sun roof. Plenty of room for large car seat, either rear or forward facing. This is a great family car if you want something good on gas and spacious.
Norman I
on February 23, 2021
It's smooth like most eight-cylinder cars, but it won't break your budget filling up!
My Passat with the W8 engine really feels very smooth while driving. And being that fuel mileage is between 20-23 mpg, it's quite exceptional for an eight-cylinder car!
Dawana J
on December 22, 2020
Reliable and comfortable Passat
I love the space that the car offers. It's also a good running car as long as you keep up the maintenance on it and it's also good for trips since it's good on gas. Love the wagon feature allows me to load plants, groceries and even my kids toys in the back easily.
Leslie D
on December 11, 2020
Great reliable car. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
Normal issues with age of car. Window off track which is common with VW. Very reliable, comfy and good size. Down side you need special tranny fluid & special oil due to being a European car. Premium gas only. Drives great. Lots of nice extras for basic model.
Joss P
on October 8, 2020
I would not say there is one interesting detail. It is like any other car.
It has lasted a while. Overall I enjoy its amenities like seat warmers and sunroof. I dislike that it is so hard to fix and can only be taken care of by those who specialize in Volkswagen. Although I get why it is annoying. Also, the side covers seem to come off and are not easy to fix, it creates a lot of mess and looks ugly. But still overall, I love the way it look and the way it drives.
Steve a
on October 6, 2020
It's reliable and cheap to run with a manual 2 L engine.
It's a good reliable car . It's been sitting on my drive for over a year without being used and the other day I started it and it started first time. Really good bodywork no rust at all. I would definitely buy a new version of this car
Madison K
on September 19, 2020
My car is the "luxury" version of the Volkswagen line, and this has proven to be true.
My car has been mostly reliable. I have owned it for a little over 2 years, and have only had maintenance issues with it. I am the third owner of the vehicle and it came with no maintenance records so that's to be expected.
Jessica H
on September 9, 2020
I love my VW Passat. I am so happy I am part of the Volkswagen family.
I really love my car. The performance is great especially when driving on the highway. It is very reliable and comfortable. The seats are pretty comfortable and work perfect for my family. The heat is my favorite part! There are many mechanical problems so far, but even if there was, there an easy fix.
betsy b
on August 16, 2020
Its cute, but maintenance and upkeep are expensive.
Oil changes are really expensive. Lots of mechanical problems as well. A sensor just went out and needed to be replaced as well as parts being very expensive.
Jennifer P
on August 5, 2020
Great car to have without a lot of maintenance, low fuel economy.
Great fuel economy and pick up. It is the perfect car for a single person or couple. Lots of trunk space. Durable 1. 8t but should keep up on the timing belt. Handles wear and tear well. Struts will need to be replaced around 60-70k. As well as the thermostat, which always seems to go out before winter.
Harrison R
on July 26, 2020
Proceed with caution. Reliable car that is reliably costly
Although I haven't had any engine problems with this car, I have issues with maintenance and repair costs. Every and any time there is an issue other than routine maintenance it costs a lot more money that it would to fix an American or Japanese car.
Michaela W
on July 15, 2020
Not the best but could be worse.
Sun damage, expensive repairs, outdated. Leather heated seats and sunroof are nice. Big enough for a large dog. Not especially powerful. Just old but gets from point A to B. Sunroof is starting to open and close on its own. Had to give up my heater to fix a coolant leak. Seats are starting to rip so I got seat covers.
Mike K
on July 2, 2020
High mileage but still dependable.
It has a manual transmission. Small engines so it has very good gas mileage. It has been very dependable.
Ashland O
on June 24, 2020
Wonderful gas mileage!!!!
Drives smooth. Gets great gas mileage but I do I to have to use a higher grade. It cost more for repairs
Lucia P
on June 18, 2020
Great performance long-lasting vehicle.
Like the motor runs very good, the AC works perfectly, the color is pretty. Dislike the color inside, does not have glove compartment.
Danielle C
on June 11, 2020
Good speed; seat warmers & heat still work.
Not so good gas mileage; driving for an hour would consume roughly about half a tank a gas. It has heated seats, which still work. Car is still in great condition. Takes premium only though, so that is another negative. No good light in the trunk. Other than that, a good car.
Dakota H
on June 10, 2020
The Volkswagen passat is an all around great car to drive.
I have a 2003 Volkswagen passat, and I think it is an adorable little car. The interior is nice grey cloth, heated seats, nice sound system. Its decent on gas, the handling on the car is great. Very roomy inside. All together I think this is a great car to purchase. My next car will be a Volkswagen of some kind.
Amanda V
on June 2, 2020
It handles amazing in all forms of weather.
This is a smooth riding car that is very spacious and comfortable. You can practically put two bodies in the trunk. It has great turbo power so if you are pulling out in traffic and you need to speed up so you do not get hit then this car has you covered. Plus it is a car to ride in that will turn heads.
Alison Z
on May 25, 2020
Car is spacious for a sedan the trunk space is great.
Really like my car but it is expensive to fix. German cars usually are. Lately I guess because the car is older has been having a lot of problems. We recently had to get a timing belt new thermostat and a couple other things we spent like $800 then a week letter a hose blew. Just seems like when the problems start they do not stop.
Nico L
on May 5, 2020
Fast
I like that it's a volkswagen, and it's well-made — but it's getting old and needs maintenance
Peg N
on April 10, 2020
V-6 is great. Incredible acceleration. Smooth ride.
Great car. Runs well for 15 years old. Problem with getting it into DRIVE.
Gina S
on March 18, 2020
Good, but older car. Great for around town and good gas mileage on the highway.
My car is older and shoes wear quickly. It is a good, strong brand, and has many safety features. However, cars build back then were not made to last so long. This is the second Volkswagen I have owned and I am impressed with the quality. The interior has degraded and I do not want to add money to an older car. This car is easy to drive and comfortable.
Matthew B
on February 9, 2020
V6 turbo AND great fuel economy
The vw passat is a great car. Very fuel efficient for a v6 turbo. Smooth ride and great pickup and stopping speed. Great handling as well. Be careful of issues that may arise because repairs are pricy. It also requires premium gas.
Brendan B
on January 13, 2020
My vehicle is small, fast
Runs good just has trouble with small things like AC or oil, seats and the inside is good the outside is rough but recently it's been running a lot worse, but before that they were not many problems like I said just a lot smaller things. And there aren't many blind spots or blind areas when looking or observing
Margarita G
on January 4, 2020
Do not ever pass on a passat.
I love this car! The leather interior is so comfortable, and looks luxurious. They also have seat warmers that have a heat setting of 1-5. The car is pretty good on gas even though it is a v6. This car is fast, it drives and accelerates so smooth you do not realize how fast you are going sometimes. I guess that could get you into some trouble. This car is well built, I haven't had to worry about cheap parts or repetitive repairs. So happy we bought this car.
Michael R
on December 23, 2019
The Volkswagen Passat is a great car
Great vehicle. Gets great gas mileage and is very trustworthy. I drive home to every day and the turbocharged engine gives it a extra kick if you like a little speed. I have had no problems out of the motor but I did have to replace the tie rod ends. But other than that great car
Kay H
on November 19, 2019
It is reliable and it works.
Heater does not work and always runs out if coolant and the engine messed up a couple of times. We love the heated seats and all of the space. It gets us from point a to point b. Does not use a lot of gas. It is really reliable. It was cheap. Needs better bass.
Avery O
on November 7, 2019
Stick Shift 2003 VW Passat Review
It's been reliable and has problems but due to it's slight wearing down. It has held up well & is very comfortable. It can get very hot with black leather. It's performance is great and never had any problems. I have had problems with tire pressure and have had to have the clutch replaced. Everything has stayed intact very well and has never once broken down.
Samantha C
on November 6, 2019
Used Volkswagen with a new/ replaced engine
When I purchased my car. I bought it used online. The woman who sold me my car, sold it to me knowing that the motor was blown. I had to spend upwards of $3000 replacing the motor. Since replacing the motor, the car has been working really well with no problems. Speeds up fast. Breaks are good. No leaks.
Paul G
on November 5, 2019
Garbage 2003 volkswagen car
It runs reliably well for now, but it also consistently has issues. Some sensors are broken so it's always telling me the engine has problems. But it also has various issues where the car will shake when accelerating or standing still
Brandon R
on September 19, 2019
A fancy car for not the fanciest people.
The car is very classy, comfortable, and stylish. The negatives would be that it is repair heavy, not very good on gas, and seems to need valve cover gaskets repaired pretty often, which causes the engine to smoke.
Callan B
on September 16, 2019
Excellent turning radius!
Expensive oil changes (synthetic only), expensive maintenance, the check engine light tends to turn on a lot. The car is very comfortable to ride in, and very quiet on the road for the most part. Small gas tank. Accelerates quickly and has a great turning radius.
Olivia G
on September 14, 2019
Be prepared to spend more money on upkeep and repairs than you would on a Honda.
Drives wonderfully. Very aesthetically pleasing car with sunroof and leather seats. Very expensive to fix - German. Lots of small electrical issues - German.
Caitlin N
on July 25, 2019
Herald, the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
I like the feel of my car when I drive. The height is nice and comfort wise I have no problems. This is my first car that my parents helped pay for and they picked it out for me. This wouldn't have been my first choice but it's a good starter car. The only problems so far are with the oil. It gets clogged easily.
Beth W
on July 3, 2019
2003 VW Passat, excellent car.
This car has performed very well. The seats are incredibly comfortable, I have no problem driving for up to 8 hours in a day. The ac and heat work very well and quickly which is very important when I cannot park inside. This vehicle handles great in the snow for a smaller car. The only problem that I have is the gas mileage. If this car were more fuel efficient I would definitely give it a 5/5 rating.
Nasir J
on June 21, 2019
Volkswagen 2008 Passat 78201
Not many problems. Bluetooth set up can be added. Much room if needed. Black leather seats very comfortable. Drives very smooth. Can definitely be depended on to last you more than a few years. May need to be raised to avoid small damage on the highway.
Tam L
on June 8, 2019
It's not all wheel drive but still goes pretty well in the snow
I love my car but just wish it was all wheel drive and had 3rd row seating for a larger family and the windows steam up really easy!
Shannon M
on June 2, 2019
Has a high safety rating.
This car is a great drive. Has been very dependable with few issues. I only wish it got better gas mileage.
nanci M
on May 16, 2019
Passat: Love it or Drive it off of a cliff.
I loved it until recently when the check engine light came on with a vacuum leak. A thousand dollars later the light is still on with many codes. Taking it back to the mechanic to see if it can be repaired. Already changed 7 or 8 hoses.
Frank C
on May 2, 2019
It's extremely quick, but it has the appearance of a standard Passat.
My Passat is a very unique one. It is a W-8 4 Motion, meaning it's an 8 cylinder engine with all wheel drive. It's sneaky fast!
Michelle W
on April 15, 2019
It has a 5-speed manual transmission.
I really like my vehicle. It is a standard and easy to control in the winter. It is easy maintainable. It has plenty of room in it for me and my family.
Melissa H
on April 1, 2019
The car has good gas mileage and is easy to drive in the city.
It is a little low to the ground and hesitates when you press the gas pedal. It is also very easy to park.
Marina K
on March 14, 2019
I really enjoy about my car in the winter time are the heated seats and mirrors!
I honestly like my Passat. The only real issue I have had with it so far was a small crack in the coolant tank that had to be replaced. It holds gas well, and runs smoothly. I love the heated seats and moonroof- always makes my commute nicer in the morning. In terms of interior- I like the grey leather in my model and wish it was only a bit darker.
Rosalia G
on March 6, 2019
I like that it is reliable and keeps going steady as long as I take care if it. There haven't been any major fixes I've needed to do on it. I dislike that it is older and the plastic is getting brittle throughout the car.
It keeps going! May not look pretty, but works well.
Jo T
on February 20, 2019
Overall it is a good buy for the price and a good bang for your buck.
I love the commodities my car brings such as a sun roof, seat warmers, and garage door opener. I dislike the expenses it takes to repair the car and how only specific dealers will take it.
Mark M
on February 14, 2019
2003 Volkswagen Passat Review
The Passat has been a reliable vehicle. The turbo will need replaced around 175,000 miles. Oil changes are a pain and the car takes the special Volkswagen oil. The OEM hood piston does not last long. The gas door lock breaks quickly as well. The OEM trunk latch is also problematic. The passenger side leaks water from the AC evaporation causing the floor/carpet to smell
Crystal S
on January 28, 2019
Great car for all types of weather, handles great, and has a ton of trunk space.
This car handles great in all weather, the 4motion all-wheel drive really makes it a dream to drive.
Jon M
on January 22, 2019
Overall a very good car. Good looking wagon and comfortable with lots of power.
This car has a 6 cylinder engine so has plenty of power, very comfortable with leather heated seats. No car problems until 100, 000 miles when water pump went out and it was recommended that timing belt be replaced. The power steering pump needed to be replaced also. Otherwise just oil changes and cooling system flushed once. It has been a very dependable and comfortable to ride in and drive. Very well built and I have no problem with recommending it.
Zach W
on December 25, 2018
The dependability of the Passat.
The Volkswagen Passat is not a glamorous car, but certainly dependable for long-term use. My vehicle is currently at 240, 000 miles and is still operating well. The car tends to emit a good amount of exhaust but still functions well despite the hiccup. Overall, it is extremely trustworthy and has served me well!
Sydney F
on December 9, 2018
It takes premium gas and can be expensive.
I love this car. It drives smooth even after 15 years however it is fairly expensive to maintain and fix. Aside from that, the features it has are basic but nice. Leather seats are comfortable and the air conditioning is cold.
sean h
on December 2, 2018
Grey sedan, some paint damage
Runs well, upholstery on seats a little ripped. Engine and turbo are in good shape for the most part, there is a small coolant leak though
Brooke N
on December 1, 2018
They should know that it had very good gadgets mileage, especially since it's a turbo.
I like that it is a turbo, and I like that it is a manual because purchasing it forced me to learn how to drive one. This was a great first car to learn how to drive a manual on. The dashboard also provides so much useful information at all times, which I love.
Gardenia G
on November 2, 2018
The liking of my VW Passat
My car drive very smooth, the interior is leather. I never have major problems with my car. It very quiet and comfortable seats and headrest. It's very spacious the sound system is very good the trunk is very deep only thing I don't like is it doesn't have an auxiliary connection or Bluetooth