2003 Volkswagen Golf GL review from North America

- Major Issue with this car in my opinion is the decision from Volkswagen to reduce the size of the clutch plates. The high torque engine doesn't like the smaller diameter clutch and I am getting massive amounts of clutch slippage in colder weather. My TDI is not stock, so I expected some difficulties, but I know of a few people that are stock and complaining about the same thing.

- Other minor issues are with the ride handling (sloppy and very loose in corners) and the fact that there is not option for a block heater. I live in Canada; it gets cold here. Although my car has never left me stranded on cold days, plugging it in would make me feel better starting it on days like today (-35 degrees Celcius).

Overall I thoroughly enjoy this car. I have driven many miles on this vehicle in the time I have owned it. I completed about 80,000 kilometers in its first year, and still going strong. I purchased the car because I was doing a lot of long-distance driving. The fuel economy has paid for itself many times over.

I choose to chipped the TDI after 2000kms. The performance gain is amazing. The 1.9L still gets amazing fuel economy (1100 kilotmeters to a 55L tank - approximately works out to be 40-60 mpg), and performance is just as surprising (moves this 2900 pound car from 0 to 100 kms (60 miles) in less than 10 seconds. If the performance doesn't sound right, take into consideration this vehicle is placed in a class of ULEV (Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles) and of them all, it is the only one you can use the words economy and performance positively in the same sentence, and not lie about it.

I love my car, and if you get beside me at the light... I will show you just how much I like it. I will try everything in its power to make you eat my soot.