2003 Volkswagen Golf Reviews, Pricing & Specs

This car never missed a beat.

It's been a good little hatch so far. Build quality is easily the best of its class, particularly for the year I looked. Extremely stable on the highway as you'd expect from a German car. Engine is weak about 5000rpm and sounds like a blender but has good midrange torque in any gear. Interior is surprisingly practical given the small size. Manual transmission much better than the automatic but shifter is a bit sloppy. Steering is pretty good, suspension could be firmed up, brakes are good.

I like this car as its a good all rounder and a pleasure to drive

Even though it's a three door compact car, the Golf V amazed me with its superb stability, handling and cornering. Corners I could barely do at 50kph with really good cars (406, Daewoo Leganza, 206 and 306 sedan etc.) I could skim at 120kph easily. At first it's a bit scary seeing how the car gives you no sense at all of what is going on outside, but once you push it you get to see how far the limit is. My Canadian model was moderately equipped (air conditioning, although it never worked, power steering, ABS, ESP, daylight running lights, alloys, but no electric window lifts, no fog lamps and no sunroof. The car's only drawback is its fifth gear (I wonder why they put it in there at all - just so that they don't produce a 4 gear car? Pffft). In fourth, you can play at 180 all you want, and the car won't even go over the red line, ie. you're slightly over 4000rpm when you hit 160 at fourth, and 180 will be slightly around 4600. The Engine has pulled 6500rpm at fourth to reach way over 180.

Overall quality feel impressed, especially interior (imho better than latest golf), felt nimble and secure. Not as sharp as eg. Focus, but very enthusiastic ride

I loved this car, in fact I loved it so much I had hard time letting it go even though I was trading it for a Mercedes. Diesel engines are my weakness. The TDI engines sold in Canada and USA between '99 and '04 were only 90HP, but after installing larger and optimized BOSIO injectors and later an Upsolute performance chip, the car became a little "rocket" at least when we're talking about Diesel vehicles. The power went up to 145HP, my 0-60mph time was around 8.2sec. At the same time this amazing engine maintained 5.5L to 6.5L/100km fuel consumption. Now on the other hand quality and reliability is not VW's strong point, I would love it if Honda brings any of their great diesel models in North America, I'd be first on the line...

My car was the newer model than the one pictured. Was a work car and had to give back.. a very sad day. Loved everything about it... the only thing its didnt do was fly!

well off the line this baby is quite quick, braking is not to bad either. Well being a Golf, the clutch has been replaced only once. the exterior is eqipped with velociti rims, red line through the body and has tinted windows. Ofcourse this cars fun to drive... not only is it quick, it has a good sound system in it as well

Stunning machine looks plain and simple but can be a beast when ever required. excellent handing and performance. Good all round car thats fun to drive. Maintenance costs are not too bad. Although can be quite costly if something was to go wrong.

Well what can i say part from this car is so good nippy economical lush just words can't describe it is expensive with insurance but the fuel economy and cheapish tax makes up 4 it comfy no squeaky noises and unpleasant rattles so woth the £4500 i payed 4 it cos well its a GOLF!!!!!