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2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Overall rating:  Product Rating: 4.0

Reviewed by 72 users

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GLI: Do the revised VR6 and standard sport package make this the best Jetta yet?

by mkaresh mkaresh is a Lead on Epinions in Cars & Motorsports, Epinions Most Popular Authors - Top 10
Oct 12 '02 - Updated Jun 22 '05 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 3.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: German character, refinement, power, ride quality, styling, trunk space
Cons: Chassis lacks composure in aggressive driving, rear seat cramped, pricey, poor reliability
The Bottom Line: Not a perfect sedan--the BMW is worth the extra cash for those enthusiasts that have it--but a fun car with a quality feel and engaging personality.

If you want a six in a small sedan, and don’t want to pay the kind of prices charged by BMW and Audi, then the VW Jetta in your only option. The Jetta costs considerably more than its Japanese and American competitors, but still much less than an ...

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A Car So Nice, We Bought it Twice

by nifer
May 28 '03 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Fine German engineering and attention to detail
Cons: Where in the States can I redline this puppy?
The Bottom Line: Damn the law - I wanna drive FASTER!

This was to be the summer I let my freak flag fly. 30 years old in '03, I've been driving a beat up - but extremely reliable - 1991 VW Cabriolet for six years while I patiently waited for VW to get off its duff and release the convertible version of the...

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Ummm Turbonium!!

by veganweb
Mar 05 '04 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Good pickup, good acceleration many features on the base model. Fantastic gas mileage.
Cons: Seat adjustment, diesel gas isn't always convienent.
The Bottom Line: A very solid car.

Exacly one month ago my wife and I bought our first brand spankin' new car. After comparing the Honda Civiv and the Jetta we went with the Jetta. Let me tell you, I love this car. Now I know that most of my feelings come from driving a brand ...

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Jetta GLS 1.8T - Great Wheels, Great Value

by JohnGalt73
Feb 28 '04 - Updated Mar 01 '04 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Lots of fun to drive, refined and comfortable interior, great engine, sound system
Cons: Very thirsty, somewhat loud engine, reliability is a roll of the dice with VW
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a small sedan that's sporty, refined and fun to drive, the Jetta is a great value, and more spirited than many cars in its class.

Last summer, I was confronted with a dilemma. I was moving from Boston to Durham, and my trusty and well-loved 1996 Honda Civic, Athena, was going to have to stay behind. 120,000 miles wasn't a big ...

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Loaded 2003 GLS Turbo

by Brento73
Oct 13 '02 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Styling, turbo engine is very quick, lots of options available.
Cons: Gets pricey with options, ride is a little rough, small.
The Bottom Line: If you can afford it, it's a well-built car with great looks and fun performance.

A couple of months ago, we got one of the first 2003 GLS Turbos in Houston. There's a new gray color for 2003, which looks phenomenal with the black leather interior.

Checking the options list - Volkswagon is trying to take their cars...

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So this is what it's like to drive a true quality car! (100K UPDATE!)

by razberryswirl
Apr 22 '05 - Updated Sep 12 '06 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: lots of safety features and attention to detail
Cons: brake and gas pedals too close, no change compartment, cupholders block radio!
The Bottom Line: When you've "grown up" from driving the cheaper imports, Jetta is there to show you what it's like to drive a car with true quality, great handling and overall sophistication.

(100,000 mile update at bottom!) Swirl's Automotive History So I've got to give you a little background on my car history: 1997: Bought my first car, a 1985 Toyota Corolla SR5 with cute flip up headlights, for $1250. A great car, ...

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German Heritage, Great Engineering, Whether You Go GL, GLS, or GLX

by brent0226
Dec 29 '02 - Updated Jan 08 '04 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Good looks, Good performance (1.8t, VR6), Comfort good
Cons: Squeaks/rattles, Not Honda reliability, Small sunvisors
The Bottom Line: I really like this sedan. It is nice looking and reliable enough for me. I will always take a look a Volkswagen's products in the future.

~~~Background~~~ The Jetta, called "Bora" in Europe and other parts of the world, is the smallest sedan Volkswagen offers in the US Market. The Jetta has been around for a while. It is built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf/GTI ...

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2003 Jetta Wagon 1.8T: 48-month report

by eager_beaver
Jun 10 '03 - Updated Aug 09 '07 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: BMW performance and style for a VW pricetag.
Cons: driver windblast, transmission lag, small back seat.
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend the Jetta as a successful blend of performance, practicality, and style. An excellent two-person vehicle!

After owning my 2003 Jetta Wagon 1.8T GLX for 14 months, I am pleased to report that, despite some minor flaws, the Jetta has really exceeded my expectations. As a near-luxury compact wagon, the Jetta has delivered almost perfectly on my driving ...

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I finally let go of my Toyota

by sgail457
Oct 15 '02 - Updated Aug 04 '05 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Great fuel economy, cargo capacity, handling, and features
Cons: Hard to find basic model in diesel.
The Bottom Line: A quality, economical, comfortable, compact wagon. Go with the diesel and fuel it with renewable biodiesel.

After driving Toyotas for 20 years and pickups for the past 14, I finally made the jump to VW. My daughter outgrew the jump seats in my Tacoma Extended cab, but I still like to haul stuff. A compact station wagon was the best option to get a back seat ...

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A step down from the Passat? I don't think so...

by tj_of_calgary
Jan 15 '03 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Fuel economy, handling, looks
Cons: back seat, seating controls
The Bottom Line: The ultra fuel efficient, environmentally sound, great fun, performer is highly recommended.

Welcome to the world of a fun filled rocket that's great on gas!!!

Thought I would post my review of the 2003 Jetta TDI Sedan. I have been an owner of a 1999 Passat GLX for the past 4 years. I "downgraded" to the Jetta TDI for several...

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Our 50 mpg do-it-all (98k-mile update #2)

by grassyknoll
Dec 24 '03 - Updated Apr 04 '09 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 4.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: 50+ MPG, Awesome safety features, powerful engine
Cons: Small interior esp. rear seats, cup holder issues, some squeaks here and there.
The Bottom Line: 700 miles on a tank of diesel! When the dashboard gas pump light go on, you can still go for 100 miles! "Part of the solution"-type of car! Biodiesel options.

We needed a new car. We both know that gas prices are only going up. Hybrids are fairly a new thing, and they run in the small size. Hybrids also are only designed for cities, as their efficiency decreases on the highway. Plus, I never seem to hear ...

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Thinking SUV: A Wagon-Alternative!!!! Warning: VW Customer Service THE WORST

by garethusa Epinions Most Popular Authors - Top 1000
Nov 15 '02 - Updated Jun 05 '03 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 1.0 Recommended: No 

Pros: A true German-built luxury SUV (sedan-utility vehicle) with everything!
Cons: Customer service from dealer and VW is so bad you'll regret buying one.
The Bottom Line: My rating changed from Excellent to Avoid It, since dealer, VW of America, and supposedly your advocate VW Customer Care have remained useless and don't help resolve matters.

This section is updated after six months of ownership of a brand new 03 Jetta Wagon.

I still love my Jetta Wagon but I do miss the customer service approach of Honda and the carefree ownership of my CRV.

Yes, with the Jetta Wagon, I...

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Maximum Mileage

by restruct
Jul 06 '03 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Great handling, comfort, affordability, gas mileage
Cons: Cold starts (hardly), cup holder, storage, leg room (back)
The Bottom Line: Score one and smile when a hummer passes you, because you won't be stopping to get fuel for a long time

I came into this car 5,000 miles ago, and have been totally impressed for the most part. However, th ...

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Silver Arrow

by dahu384
Dec 16 '02 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Lots of standard and safety features; really nice engine (1.8T); looks great!
Cons: some initial rattles; not a 4 person sedan
The Bottom Line: German engineering and excellence at its best value; the Jetta is fun to drive and very safe. Turning Japanese? - I don't think so!

After a couple of used domestic cars, I thought it was time to get something new and "nice" that I would want to keep for a long time. The Jetta came to mind right away: I had a Golf in Europe and I knew that a Volkswagen would be reliable and fun to...

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Small Car Comparison- 1st/6 place -updated-

by pmm2422
Jul 22 '03 

Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes 

Pros: Smooth and quiet ride, luxurious feel, comfortable front seats, looks good, handling, brakes, safety.
Cons: Small rear seat, questionable reliability, transmission.
The Bottom Line: The Jetta beat the Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protégé, and Hyundai Elantra as top small sedan. I recommend it to anyone.

DESCRIPTION The small Jetta GL is powered a 2.0-liter 115hp engine and priced around $17,000. It co ...

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