VW Passat Wagons (GL, GLS, GLX & W8)

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  • garymetgarymet Member Posts: 3
    Hi all. I live in Southern California and for the last month, been searching for a GLX wagon with 4 motion. Where are all the 4motion wagons?
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    There may be some in the Bay Area, but not many. vwguild would know.
  • debteddebted Member Posts: 12
    after many months of research, we'll be picking up our blue-silver 1.8T-tip, grey leather, luxury, monsoon variant early next week! agonized over the turbo vs. GLX decision, but $$ was unfortunately the deciding factor. helps of course that the passat is great car no matter which engine it has.

    thanks to Town Hall, and esp vwguild and this particular board for all the insight and info. we're getting the car for $500 over invoice, so we feel good about the purchase price.

    anything i should be on the lookout for when we pick it up -- what should i expect / inspect? it's being driven about 100 miles from another dealership, but i believe those will be the only miles on it.

    thanks again Town Hall -- knowledge is power!
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    I know, but this is Edmund's so I cannot tell...:)
  • gotnadsgotnads Member Posts: 19
    If it is true that VW is going to do away with the 4motion for the GLS, then I guess I will be getting something like the Pacifica AWD instead of a Passat wagon. I am too tall for the sunroof of the GLX. It never ceases to amaze me that VW doesn't make the sunroof optional on the GLX. Granted, most people can fit in it nicely, but there are a few of us who just can't no matter how we try to manipulate the seat. I have a VW Golf, and it has considerably more headroom than the Passat GLX.
  • gotnadsgotnads Member Posts: 19
    I guess I can't wait for the Pacifica. Maybe the Porsche 911 C4 will have to do.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    GLS 4MO still an option for 2003...
  • georgek44georgek44 Member Posts: 81
    Two items that were not properly done before my 2000 1.8T wagon was delivered were the pre-delivery preparation and final check - the first by the service dept., the latter by the salesperson.

    Apparently there is (or was) aproblem with service techs simply ripping the protective plastic off various parts of the car rather than removing it methodically. In my case this meant that they dislocated the retaining clips on the sliding panel below the sun roof, causing it to jam the second or third time I used it.

    Then, the salesman failed to inspect the car to confirm that all the little bits and pieces were put in place during the prep. I found out the hard way that I was not provided the "key" to remove the locking wheel nut.

    Caveat emptor...
  • debteddebted Member Posts: 12
    i hope in the excitement of picking it up, i remember to be detailed in my own inspection of the car! and not just oohh and aahh over it ;)
  • wcdaawcdaa Member Posts: 21
    My parents are thinking of replacing their Volvo Wagon with a Passat 1.8 GLS. They are over
    80 years old and have several concerns about the VW. First is the dash instruments. At their age, they wonder if it is difficult to read the instruments(day or night). Any comments?
  • frapzoidfrapzoid Member Posts: 127
    I bought a Passat wagon a few months ago and I notice I have to turn on the dash lights earlier in the afternoon than I do for my 91 GTI.
    Once the dash lights are on then no problem. Just one of the minor things that bother me about the car. In general I love the car though.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Funny story about the lights. My father, who is almost 70, was looking at new cars and I suggested he look at the Passat. I said make sure to turn on the lights to take a look. He turned them on, but it was daylight so he did not get the full effect. A few days later he turned them on for the first time at night with his daughter in law in the gar.

    They both gasped at the same time. It was quite a shock to see the color and amount of lights at the same time.

    The colors may be different, but they are certainly easy to see for him, and the fact that they are on just about everything makes it that much easier to control things. He likes them now.
  • bbgruntbbgrunt Member Posts: 3
    What's wrong with VW's cargo liner for the wagon? I believe it's listed at $50.

    Does anyone own it or have experience with it?

    Josh
  • music_wheelsmusic_wheels Member Posts: 4
    How does the 1.8 accelerate with the automatic transmission? I have 2001 A4 1.8T quattro with manual and it does fine. I had heard that the 4-cylinder engine was a bit sluggish with the auto. Is this true? My wife wants a Passat Wagon, but we are trying to determine if we need the V6.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    For 2002, the 1.8T got the 5-speed Tiptronic. You may like it.
  • klaw888klaw888 Member Posts: 3
    Just test drive both the Jetta and Passat wagon with 1.8T engine yesterday. I like both of them and couldn't decide which one is better. I like the roominess of the Passat yet I like the styling of the Jetta. Can anyone give me some suggestions?
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    4MO for GLS is, in fact, gone...and so is Ink Blue...Grey Cloth & Leather are alive & well
    All options...Lux., Monsoon, HomeLink will be
    bundled for 2003 for the GLS.

    There will be a Passat GL...Basic Passat; no Fluff...

    Very real & hopeful possibilty...a 1.8T 4MO...:)
  • kamala95kamala95 Member Posts: 14
    I just saw on the VW site that they are running .9% financing through 3/31. I am in the market for a GLS wagon and wondering what the limitations are for this rate (ie 24/36/48months) I looked on edmunds last night and I guess it is not updated yet.

    Thanks for any assistance!
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    =24Months, and not on Passat
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    0.9% 24 months on all @ *A* Tier...
  • vwdukie1vwdukie1 Member Posts: 1
    Greetings! Just signed up for this board. I would like to know the experiences of others regarding purchase prices of VW's in general. Are dealers willing to make a sale on purchase prices at or below the midpoint of the MSRP and their invoice price? How close to invoice is it realistic to attempt to get. Or the dealers sticking to MSRP. Finally, on lease deals, does anyone have a feel for the "money factor" (MF)VW dealers are using? For reference, the MF x 2400 gives the approximate APR. For example, if the MF is 0.003571 then the APR is about 8.6%.

    Thanks!
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    In addition to the feedback in this discussion, here are a couple other Edmunds.com sources that you may find helpful. With Edmunds' TMV New Vehicle Pricing Calculator you can find out the average cost that others have been paying in your region. Also, please note that the Edmunds.com TMV prices do not take into account Manufacturer-to-consumer incentives or rebates. So be sure to check Edmunds' Incentives and rebates for any necessary adjustments.

    In addition, you may want to check out this FWI board Leasing discussion. Our FWI host (car_man) may be able to help you with VW lease money factor/residual information. Others here may have more to add. Good luck with your purchase, and please return here to keep us posted with your purchase. ;-)

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
  • wcdaawcdaa Member Posts: 21
    Are the prices on carsdirect.com about as good as you can get for Passat Wagons? Curious if any of you owners/buyers checked the price with them before you bought?
  • mauislickmauislick Member Posts: 107
    in hawaii, i paid 500.oo over invoice (that includes add assoc fee, interstest reserve, port prep) on an ordered 2002 passat wagon
    took a long time to get it.......but was worth it..
    ps the supply will begin to dry up as the 2002 model production will be ending in a coople of months so no "order" will be taken for 2002's
    what shows up now will be what's in the pipeline......
  • passatwagpassatwag Member Posts: 1
    After considering many cars, VW Passat wagon turned out as my first choice. I went to a dealer to look for the car. I wanted a reflex silver or grey stone silver GLS, automatic wagon with leather and lux. I agreed on a price 100 above the Edmunds TMV. It is almost a month now and the dealer is not able to locate the car. He has not put a VW order either. His latest update was that there are 3 wagons on the ground and he needs to find the color. He needs a month to get back to me.
    Previously, I had put an offer through price line which didn't materialize.
    I am from Portland, Oregon. What should, I do now to buy my passat wagon? Tips / advise, plz.
    Thanks!
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    What should he do???
  • wildcorgiswildcorgis Member Posts: 84
    I am looking for a new vehicle and have the Highlander at the top of my list. I'm not an SUV person and like wagons so I decided to look into the Passat.

    To make a long story short. They (V6) are very hard to come by. Can't even find one nearby for my wife to drive. I drove a 4cyl and it was extremely nice but I don't want the turbo ( too noisy). Even tried to convice my wife to go to Monterey area to pick one up.(wink, wink)

    So I know this has been said before but if enough people complain maybe VW will do something about it. I really don't want to get a car that is in short supply and desirable. I'm sure the dealers down here wont bargain much. So the Highlander is atop the pedestal waiting for some worthy challenger to knock it off.

    Steve
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    I know of a dealer in the region you mentioned who has a couple of GLXV6 4Motions coming in soon. If you're thinking of a 4WD Highlander the Passat may be a good alternative, espescially when it comes to ride comfort and handling.
  • hvandeinsehvandeinse Member Posts: 3
    I posted earlier this week on the Passat sedan board about my GLS Wagon I factory ordered. I picked it up on Monday and was offered the following financing options by VW: 0.9/2.9/3.9/4.9 for 24/36/48/60. These rates are valid for March and, in my case, were offered for a 2002 Passat Wagon 1.8T, 5ps, lux, leather, and monsoon.

    I know that vwguild is an expert in these matters but I just wanted to share my personal experience.
  • ickes_in_mnickes_in_mn Member Posts: 40
    Does anybody know of a VW webpage similar to the Temple of VTEC for Hondas?

    Also, any speculation on when an updated Passat is due? Based upon the 3.5 year update of the current car, I would guess 2005.I know I read something about it in Automobile long ago. They said that the new Passat was likely to be 1/2 size bigger to account for the next Golf/Jetta due in '04 growing up 1/2 size. I just can't remember when it is to bow.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    www.vwvortex.com
  • spgrspgr Member Posts: 23
    Hi everyone. I have a family of five, so space is an issue for me at this point. Any 1.8 passat wagon owners out there who carry three children in the back seats? How's that working out? I've been debating going for the passat wagon or the mazda MPV --can you guess who likes the minivan and who the Passat. How's the 1.8 engine behaving with five people riding on it?
  • ickes_in_mnickes_in_mn Member Posts: 40
    Thanks.
  • garymetgarymet Member Posts: 3
    I, too, am having major troubles purchasing a Passat wagon. I live in Long Beach, CA. I've been looking for a GLX 4motion but the only ones are in Northern California and they're selling for $5K above MSRP. One dealer in Santa Barbara ``graciously'' offer to try to get me one for 2K above MSRP plus shipping. He couldn't even get one. So I have decided to go without 4motion, but even now, the 2 dealers here in the Long Beach area can't even get me one. It is very frustrating. I work at the LA Times and the editor of our auto weekly, Highway 1, has asked me to write a story about this ridiculous situation and I am definitely going to do that. If you want your story shared in the paper, let me know your email address and I will msg you with mine at work.
  • mauislickmauislick Member Posts: 107
    if your car can't be found just EXACTLY they way you want if configured.....and you can wait.......
    contact VWGUILD......he will order your exact car.....get it delivered to you....and you will be happy, I ve have spoken to many people who have done this and have been very satisfied,
    you may be able to make a fun trip out of it....fly to monterey and drive you car up or down the coast.....Looks like if you want a 2003 They will start showing up in july/august.
    GET YOUR ORDERS IN NOW! these wagons are hot......A guy asked me how much I paid : his guess 40k !!!! I said no man it's a VW it was 25K" he was shocked.....
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    you need to go to www.vw.com and expand your search...just go to the *Dealer Locator* section!
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    You'll also find a Dealer Locator right here at Edmunds.com. Also, you may want to check out our vehicle PowerShopper. Good luck. ;-)

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
  • jonrickjonrick Member Posts: 8
    I own a 2001.5 New Passat GLX V6 4Motion Wagon/Variant.

    One thing I caution any of you about is that VW uses A LOT of plastic in their cars and as I am finding out daily, the car is full of creeks that I just have to live with.

    One thing I found our early on is if you put any amount of pressure on the arm rest (on both the passenger and drivers' sides) the door panels creek. I was told by the dealer that this is a fact of plastic on plastic.

    I have the automatic (tiptronic) and when I slide the center arm rest forward, to use the tiptronic, any pressure by my elbow--on the arm rest--causes the plastic to creek.

    Perhaps my biggest bone of contention is the plastic cowling around the steering wheel. At about 8 months old, the steering wheel starting making a "creeking" in tempo with the car going over expansion joints or other bumps in the road. I have had the car in 4 times for this and they cannot fix it. Again it was explained as plastic on plastic. Interstingly, I had this same problem on a 1998 Jetta.

    I have also had issues with the power drivers seat, it too creeks when the car changes direction--meaning when I speed up or slow down. I've also already had 2 dash vent units replaced because the indicator lights burned out...and I've had two occasions where the AC unit stopped working and then mysteriously started working again when I took the fuse panel off and pushed 'everything' inward.

    BUT!

    The 4 motion has been a life saver as we were caught in several snow storms and the car went through like a trooper. And the stereo system is EXCELLENT! The car does handle well, too--I just wish the plastic didn't creek like it does when your body weight shifts when you accelerate/slow down or go around tight curves.

    If you have the 33K to spend on a station wagon, take this into account. The passat starts in the mid 20K's and at that price I can forgive creeks and rattles and other inconveniences...but at 33K there is no excuse for such poor construction.

    Just beware!

    I have a 2001 Acura that has 2x the mileage and has nearly no creeks.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    But my 02 Golf TDI has more rattles than the 88 Camry it replaced.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    I have probably sold more of these cars than anyone else in the US, and this is the first complaint that I have heard on this subject...
    Stay on top of your Dealer...
  • bswanseabswansea Member Posts: 10
    I own a 1999 Passat Wagon 1.8T with just over 38,000 miles on it and I've never had any problems with the plastic interior panels or pieces creaking excessively. The centre console creaks a little from time to time but not all the time - it depends on the pavement. If you are having on-going issues with poorly assembled materials, you should definitely contact your dealer. This car should not be having those kinds of problems. I have found the fit & finish in my Passat to be exemplory - way above anything else in this class.
  • learn2flylearn2fly Member Posts: 16
    Is this available in San Jose Bayarea? I am considering this vehicle for purchase. From the looks of messages in this board, Passat Wagons are hard to find in general. It also appears that ordering these from manufacturer takes a long time. I want to buy in a couple of weeks.
    Passat 2000 used to have free 2 year service. With the 2002, the warranty is 4 years. So is the service free for any part of this warranty period?

    Is there anyone who purchased Passat wagon recently in the San Jose bayarea? I would like to know what kind of deals did they get? How much more than Invoice did you pay?
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    It is not offered for 2002. Roadside Assistance is bumped up to 4 years from 2 years, and some other changes also.
  • gomergomer Member Posts: 7
    I have seen the financing deals that are in effect through the end of the month. Do those rates only apply to dealer stock, or to units that are ordered also? I'm fine with waiting 6 months and want to lock in on the rate if it applies to ordered models. Thanks.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    2002 Warranty is as follows:
    1. 48/50 Bumper to Bumper
    2. 48/50 Roadside Assistance
    3. 48/50 Trip Inerruption Protection
    4. 12/UnLtd. Outer Body Rust Through
    5. 60/60 PowerTrain

    Wagons are still tough to find, although with a
    little effort can be found...

    We can not *Lock-In* a rate...You will have to
    accept the current rate that is available at the time of delivery...We cannot do a hambuger today
    for a quarter next week...:)
  • allhorizonallhorizon Member Posts: 483
    I have a GLX V6 4Motion wagon and experience no "plastic creaking" at 25,000 miles (although I had other problems fixed under warranty). Also, I paid just over $30K so I suggest you look for another dealer if you have to pay $33K or more.

    4Motion is awesome - although I wished I had a manual transmission. Recently I was going 55 mph when after a rain storm half of the lane had about 3" of standing water (the other half had none). Every one before me and behind me slammed on the brakes, causing a lot of trouble and near misses. I just went straight through without the slightest problem.

    - D.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    I am so glad that you are enjoying your 4MO, but I
    need to point out that, in 2002 the 4MO Variant
    has taken on a life of it's own...We are SOLD OUT
    of 2002s...The price that you paid then; for your
    2000, is not the price that you would pay today...
  • wcdaawcdaa Member Posts: 21
    What changes will the 2003 1.8 Wagon have? Is the price going to be increased or will they
    add more packages, that will force you to pay more for what you could get with a 02? I'm
    trying to figure out if there is any good reason to wait for the O3 if your looking for the base model, with maybe the leather pkg. Anybody in the know, please wade in........
  • allhorizonallhorizon Member Posts: 483
    vwguild,

    Sure if you absolutely need a 2002 and have to get this car now, I understand, but I would not pay that much for a 2003 (i.e., having time to choose - which is always a good thing). As much as I love mine, I'd go and buy a different car. $33K or more is just too much. There are alternatives, one of them the A4 if you can get away with a little less space. Or the Subaru Legacy/Outback.

    - D.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Or save $10,000 and get a 1.8t with a manual tranny (you said you preferred one) that will be faster than the GLX 4mo automatic to boot.
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