MIGHT buy a 2003 (Mk4) Golf

[Cali_Army_Guy]

Might pick one up as a little commuter car. Is there anything specific I should be looking out for? It's a 2003 with the 2.0 and about 150k, or so, miles. I did test drive it today and everything works fine. It is a 5 speed and it shifts smoothly and all that. Just curious if there are known problems with these.

Thanks
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2015 VW Passat Wolfsburg Edition
1966 VW Beetle - Sold

[TDCTDI]

All the little plastic shit. Vacuum hoses, coolant flange, water pump impeller, thermostat cover, interior pieces, fuse holder on battery, it all breaks & will drive you nuts. Check engine light coming on for stupid shit. While all that sounds like the car constantly needs attention, it's not like a bug that almost needs a preflight walk around before every outing. Especially the 2.0s, they're very dependable, I've got dozens of customers with over 300,000 miles.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Cali_Army_Guy]

Awesome thank you. I'm not worried about stuff that "could" break eventually. Just more serious stuff like you MUST change timing belt at xxx miles or the motor WILL blow up type of stuff. Or "every one I've seen has an issue with such and such".

Thanks for the info. 300k miles out of any modern car is great in my book.
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2015 VW Passat Wolfsburg Edition
1966 VW Beetle - Sold

[TDCTDI]

At 150,000 miles it's well into its second timing belt (usually suggested around 100,000 miles but it's worth checking even as a negotiating point) & depending on who drove it where, towards the end of the clutch life or on a new one. Check for the clutch friction point, the higher the pedal is, the closer to replacement it is, it's a hydraulically actuated system & does not have an adjustment (just in case someone tells you all it needs is an adjustment.).
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Cali_Army_Guy]

[TDCTDI]

Unless the '07 is a 5cylinder, stick to the 2.slow in the '03, it's not sporty but it's a real work horse. The 2.0t in the '07 has lots of issues with cam wear, oiling issues, & timing chain breakage (has both chain & belt).
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[oasis]

[TDCTDI]

[visibleink]

My daily for 2 years was a mk3 Jetta with a 2.0. Fantastic motor. An mk4 would be fun to drive and wrench on. Much preferred to the newer VWs.
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Been on the samba so long I remember petting that dog to see VWs, WYHI, and green bug girl.

<-- Helga, she slammed her dub in '53 and adjusted valves with her teeth

[veedubman72]

I concur. The 2.0's are almost bullet proof. Just a good solid reliable engine.