By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
We have walked away from Chrysler and GM over shabby treatment. If VW doesn't treat you any better, perhaps you can walk away from them, too. Just make sure that the dealer and VW of America know why.
Anyways, while I was waiting for the shuttle bus, I looked at the window stickers of an '03 Jetta and '03 Passat. Both cars were 1.8T with Tiptronics. This is what I found interesting:
Passat:
Parts Content:
75% Germany
1% US
Engine: Germany
Transmission: Germany
Built: Germany
Jetta:
Parts Content:
35% Germany
30% Mexico
10% US
Engine: Germany
Transmission: Japan
Built: Mexico
The interesting portion is the parts content. Jetta's are almost one third Mexican content. The same Tiptronic 5 speed transmission comes from Japan instead of Germany. And the Jetta contains 9% more US content.
Maybe this is the "hidden" data that makes the current Passat a little more reliable than the current Jetta?
-Craig
When you picked up the car, what did they say? I mean either a chipped windshield is repaired or not. The door is adjusted or not. The shifter button shouldn't be that hard either (are they saying it doesn't do it for them - if so demonstrate it for them).
Maybe you need to consider another service department...your other choices include Billco in the North, Day in the East and West, Three Rivers in the South, and Hillcrest in the Northeast. I guess you can tell I'm in Pittsburgh, too.
On the shifter, are you pushing the shifter firmly into park? It's not stuck slightly between Reverse and Park? A friend had this problem on a Toyota...he really needed to push firmly into Park to get the key to release. I'd try to jiggle the shifter back and forth to see if the key releases.
Thanks
Also, with the rental, I called the dealership's sales manager. I have sent him several customers, so he pretty much will give me whatever I need.
I just wanted to see if anyone had this problem. My breaks started to squeal at 10000 miles on my 2001 Passat. I brought it to the dealer and they said that there was nothing wrong with it. The brake pads and the disc was still in great condition. I've since brought it in 3 times again and they told me it was still in great condition and that the problem may be 1) the type of material that was used for the brake (metallic pads) 2) was your brakes more often (like spraying it down with water twice a month. It doesn't make sense to me at all. I've since put in a complaint with the customer services dept.
I was wondering if anyone had a problem with this? If so, how did you resolve it?
Thanks,
volkster
which means that a car or a few are randomly selected to be tested to see if emissions components are up to speed...No big deal, save the delay in getting you your car...Patience...
The dealership is 330 mi. away and my sales rep said he'd send me updates, but hasn't responded to my inquiries since. I just want my books & car to match!
The 1.8T engine is the same, as is the 2.8 V6. The new A4 doesn't use the 2.8 anymore - it has the new 3.0 V6.
The current Passat also has the basic suspension set up that the previous A4 had (multi-link front suspension).
One advantage of the A4 was that a 1.8T could be mated to Quattro (aka 4Motion). If the A4 wasn't so small in the back seat area, I would have strongly considered one of those.
-Craig
I didn't even consider an A4 due to it's diminutive size, thus never even sat in one. If it was as big as the Passat, I would have considered, and then sat in, and then probably gone back to the Passat if the A4 is that uncomfortable.
Personally, I don't like the seats in the Passat. The dealership I use for service has a TT in the showroom. It's mighty small - I could never buy one because the seat doesn't adjust down or back enough. But the seat itself was much more comfortable (a lot longer, increasing thigh support).
-Craig
I have a bad back, and wouldn't even attempt to get into a TT.
I like the seats in the Jetta better than in the Passat, actually. The seats hurt my back in the Passat, but not the Jetta.
Just curious!
The '02 (and '01.5 and '03) Passat is 10% stiffer than the B5 platformed (previous generation) A4. The new A4 is stiffer than both.
This is the attraction of the Passat to so many people. You get an A4 chassis that's been extended and is stiffer, the same basic suspension (a little softer), same transmission, same engine. Pretty high quality interior bits, and German built. All for a very reasonable price.
Now that the A4 has been redesigned, there's nothing in common except the 1.8T engine.
-Craig
lamp stays on.taking it into the dealer.anyone
experience this problem and what was done to
correct it.thanks
I have 40,000 miles on my 2000 Passat performed the required maintenance this weekend. All except the air filter change. I can't figure out where the air filter is. I am feeling stupid but am attributing it to my Scottish heritage.
Obviously, I do not have a factory manual for the car and I guess I need one. In the meantime, who can enlighten me on where to locate the air filter?
Stumped with skinned knuckles...
R. J.
And just when you think you heard it all, I accidently found a little button on the side of the cruise control that shuts off the illuminated stuff on the steering wheel. I know why???
I can think of two.
1. During the day, if you want to drive with the driving lights or headlights (if it's cloudy or raining). The lights on the wheel come on. It's actually more difficult to read the button labels with the backlight on during the day. So I turn it off and the lettering becomes white again.
2. At night, some may find the lights distracting. Turning the wheel left and right makes those nifty red lights go round and round. If it's distracting, one can turn it off at night as well.
-Craig
I wish the "seek" button went through the presets on the radio instead of just seeking the stations. That would make alot more sense.
On the cruise control side of the steering wheel buttons, on the side there's a button you depress to shut off the steering wheel lights.
It's also mentioned in the owner's manual
Actually, when I was in my garage a while back, I did notice that there is a very very very slight lighting effect on the steering wheel buttons when the headlights are off (and car is on/started). But button behind the steering wheel didn't have an effect on it. But this isn't even visible during daylight or normal driving situations (I had to bring my eye really, really close to the buttons to see it). I don't remember why my face was so close to the steering wheel, though.
I personally like the lights at night. I feel like Knight Rider.
-Craig
For those too lazy to go to the link below, the top 10 are:
1 Toyota Camry
2 Honda Accord
3 Honda Civic
4 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera
5 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
6 Chevrolet Full Size C/K Pickup
7 Toyota Corolla
8 Ford Taurus
9 Chevrolet Caprice
10 Ford F150 Pickup
http://www.nicb.org/services/top_stolen_100vehicles.html
-Craig
The proof is in the pudding.
-Craig
I know more about most cars over the dealers when I go to look at them. I am a serious car enthusiast, so I attribute it to that.
I also found the button to turn off the steering wheel lights. I am glad someone posted about it, because I might have hit it accidentally and thought the lights went out on me.