EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: 2003 Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.9L TDI

2003 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI, Hatchback, Silver, 93325 mi, $12,900 http://ht.ly/5BMBn Compact, 5-spd manual, MPG = 35/44

The trim of this 2003 Volkswagen Golf is the most expensive one available. It is of the GLS TDI trim.

The basic GL trim has a lot of features for its class. It comes standard air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, power heated mirrors, and a premium sound system with CD player. The GLS trim adds a power sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels, and velour upholstery with matching door trim and a center armrest.

A TDI Golf has a turbo diesel engine and runs on diesel fuel. TDI is a type of diesel engine, & stands for ‘turbocharged direct injection’. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbocharged_Direct_Injection

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than engines that use regular fuel. Diesels are excellent choices if you want to save money on gas and/or want to save the environment.

--Isa R. Bufano, social media manager of Earthy Cars

SPECS /FEATURES:
AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Golf-2003-GLS_TDI__4dr_Hatchback/specs/

MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2003&make=Volkswagen&model=Golf&trimid=96562#trimsel

Vehix.com: http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2003/volkswagen/golf/4dr-hb-gls-tdi-manual/standard-equipment VIRTUAL TOUR:
AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Golf-2003-GLS_TDI__4dr_Hatchback/photos/

Vehix.com: http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2003/volkswagen/golf/4dr-hb-gls-tdi-manual/photos

SAFETY:
Excellent safety rating, check it out:

MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/safety.aspx?year=2003&make=Volkswagen&model=Golf&trimid=96562#IIHSPhoto

Vehix.com: http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2003/volkswagen/golf/4dr-hb-gls-tdi-manual/safety-ratings-features

USER REVIEWS:
MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/reviewlist.aspx?modelid=10545

EXPERT REVIEW:
NewCarTestDrive via AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Golf-2003-GLS_TDI__4dr_Hatchback/expert-review/

“Volkswagen Golf offers driving excellence and high levels of refinement. It's agile and responsive, making it fun to drive. Yet it's remarkably practical, and offers admirable gas mileage. Upscale trim and a high level of standard equipment make for a comfortable and sophisticated experience. Two people can sit comfortably in the back seats. The hatchback design means you can fold the seats down and cram in an impressive amount of stuff.”

“Golf comes with an unusually high level of standard equipment, including anti-lock disc brakes and side-impact airbags. It also comes with a high level of refinement. Forget the grained plastic wood found in many cars. This trim is the real thing. Stylish instruments look like aircraft components at night with vibrant red needles over richly backlit indigo gauges. Power windows with auto-up and auto-down are normally not found in this class.

There's plenty of storage space, with a large glove box, deep door pockets and a center tray that's useful for stowing cellular telephones. Golf's cup holders are well placed and adequate for most container sizes. Driver and passenger doors use different inside handles that make them easy to close.”

“[The 1.9-liter TDI is] a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder diesel engine. Diesels have a reputation for being noisy, smelly and slow, but Volkswagen has perfected the design. New emissions systems have cleaned up the exhaust scent, and the TDI is only a shade louder than the 2.0-liter gasoline engine. At highway speeds, you'll barely notice the difference…the improvement in mileage is dramatic: it gets an EPA-estimated [35/44] mpg. That's competitive with hybrid gas-electric cars from Honda and Toyota.

No matter which engine you choose, the Golf offers excellent handling and a comfortable, well-controlled ride quality. With compliant coil springs and gas-filled shocks, the driver feels connected to the road while vibrations and bumps are comfortably muffled.”

“With its precision German engineering, Volkswagen Golf is among the most enjoyable, refined, and sophisticated of compact cars. It has been Europe's best-selling car for more than a decade. One reason why is that it plays many roles and plays them well.

The 2.0 and TDI models deliver comfort, handling, quality, practicality, economy, and value."

VIDEOS:
EARTHY CARS VIDEO: