03 jetta wagon 2.0

[Asleep@thewheel]

looking at an 03 wagon wondering if there a
were any issues with this model year i should be aware of watchout for ie trans suspension electronics etc thanks not familiar with the water cooled side of things thanks

[TDCTDI]

The biggest issue is going to be with the automatic transmission, it's VWs Achilles heel. Past that, it's all the plastic crap that will drive you nuts, coolant flanges & couplers, vacuum lines/connectors, interior parts. All the engine options that year are good for at least 250,000 miles assuming proper oil services were performed (1.8t needed full synthetic to keep from having sludging issues.). Suspension depends on where you're located, in NC it's not unusual to see shocks/struts last 150-200,000 miles, once you cross the Mason-Dixon line, they'll need to be replaced at 50-60,000 miles due to road conditions.
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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.

[Asleep@thewheel]

so if i just take it for a test ride on the interstate and romp on it will i be able to tell if the tranny is going out or do i need to do an around town 25 to 50 up and down for 10 miles or so? thanks

[crsmp5]

no.. your missing what is said.. if auto.. better have a 3k discount for when the junk auto fails for a 5 speed swap... a new tranny from vw costs more and ive never seen a "rebuilt" one last
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[TDCTDI]

If you have to have an automatic, I would suggest searching for a Passat, they were much nicer cars & the transmissions were much better.
_________________
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.

[73sports]

In my experience, by '03, the 4 speed auto fitted to the 2.0 had most of the problems worked out, (they put them in the 5 speed auto the other engines got).
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I will never lie, but sometimes the truth changes.

Central Jersey VW Society

[TDCTDI]