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
Dirty diesel fuel.....the solution is Biodiesel, check out the " The Future of Diesel in Sporty Cars -- any chance? " thread in the sports car section. Go info about Biodiesel
CR (before the Civic Hybrid, came out) ranked the TDI as the top fuel miser car, then came the Echo, Prius, and then the Insight.
I've also considered the Insight and Prius....the Golf TDI is way more fun the drive. Heck the 90 bhp TDI took top honors for Production class in the SCCA Pro-Rally, beating out a 180 bhp Celica.
I recently almost bought a new Golf TDI to replace my Passat. Unchipped, the car was quite fun. Anyone who says these are slow is either used to driving sports cars, or else has no idea how to take advantage of the torque (shifting at 3000-3500 RPMs).
Biodiesel is the only way to go. I use b100 (pure bio) 8 months of the year and blend it with regular diesel during winter. There isn't a car on the road that's greener than a diesel running on biodiesel, and it's the only RENEWABLE fuel we can run in unmodified production cars. Learn more at www.biodieselnow.com.
Regarding the wipers on my 02' Passat, post 5188, they are not the typical wipers with the spring mechanisms which are available everywhere. Apparently VW has more than one design available. Mine are a heavy rubber that bends to the shape of the windshield. The dealer service tells me that they cannot be replaced with standard wipers because of the pin diameter on the arm. I looked for a Bosch replacement, and nothing is listed for the 02' Passat. Sounds like VW has locked me into only getting factory replacements, and they are $33 each!!
Has anyone found a good, less expensive replacement for this type of wiper?
Join Clubb5.com, and your eligible for some discounts with some part suppliers. I got my VW monster mats with a 20% discount over local dealers.
Just checked Drewparts.com and see each wiper for $23.55. So you could knock 20% or so off either there or at some of the other sponsors associated with Clubb5.
I just got new wipers with my 20k service on my 02 Passat at an Auto garage that works on German cars. The guy gave me Boschs which work much better than the factory ones ever did, and they were about $14 apiece. Im not sure how to find out what model they are, if you tell me how I will look for you.
Would it be possible to ask the garage what number Bosch they used? They still may not fit the arm on my wipers, the pin is an odd size. I think VW has been supplying 2 different types of wipers. You may have the other type which can be replaced by aftermarket brands.
I haven't chipped my '03 passat yet as I'm waiting for APR or GIAC to come out with an 03 chip, but I hit 130mph on my way home from work last night with NO problem! Very smooth, very controlled. Passats are the best bargain going!
Have fun.
Also, have you noticed that VW is the only manufacturer that has the most silly charges tacked on the end!! Like "VW Floor Plan, VW National Advertising, and car detailing" etc etc Competitors like Honda, Nissan, and Toyota dont!
Thanks
Traction control keeps the drive wheels (in the Passat's case, the front ones) from slipping by using the ABS sensors and a locking differential.
ESP uses sensors to control over- and understeer do it doesn't make the driver lose control of the car. The brakes are then used to slow down the car and get it back under control.
AWD is the most complex, with ESP right behind it. Subarus are very reliable cars though, and have good crash safety and resale value as well. I prefer VW, but that's just me. I have relatives that have a 10 year old Subaru 4WD wagon that is used to go up and down the mountain that they live on (unpaved road in NC) all the time The car has 210K miles on the clock, and it still runs! As a matter of fact, it took my dad and I down the hill, through mud, this past 4th of July when we visited (no way in heck my Jetta would have made it up there, we barely made it walking!).
There may or may not be a REGIONAL Ad Fee...Monterey, Ca.= No Ad fee/ Sacramento, Ca. =$200.00.
These Ad Fees pale by comparison to Daimler/Chrylers...I am not familiar with the details of the American/Japanese Mfgs.that you mention.
I would suggest that you also research Crash Tests results...probably more important for your family...
Regards
Hood
http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1040466832234772.xml
I think the Passat is the Linux of cars. Efficient, well put together, and a bargain for what you get.
Mac's are over priced and the OS is bloated.
-Craig
Does anyone get more than 13 gallons into their Passat gas tank??
Just kidding, PK. Happy Holidays and drive safely!
Any ideas?
Max77...on line, drewparts.com, $23+ change per side, plus handling. Join Clubb5 and get a 20% discount. See note #5208.
I was quite impressed with the compromise that VW has achieved here. The damping is clearly improved, but neither the increased damping nor the lower profile 17” tires impart any perceptible increase in ride harshness compared with my non-Sport. Interesting – and impressive.
Cheers,
- Ray
Who was annoyed with the prices for W8 ‘Sport’ shock absorbers quoted by the parts department . . .
version of the GLX. I did not do well with the
manual trans car, it seemed the rev's did not
drop during fast shifting.
Is this normal with fly by wire throttle cars?
I must say, I was VERY impressed with the passat,
it seemed much better than any other car I have looked at, and I looked at a lot.
The passat is quieter and smoother on the hiway
than the 2003 Jaguar S type.
The passat will replace the jaguar I have now,
and is the only thing I found that is close to the quality feel and nice ride.
VERY smooth V6 and auto trans!
Looking to get one in Feb.
White with grey leather.
None of the test cars i drove had any problems,
and I had them out for a while, even on the hiway
at over 80 mph.
Any common problems to watch out for when getting
one?
Thanks,
Brett
If you're getting a GL/GLS, look out for 1.8T to blow coil packs.
Other than that, great car.
-Craig
I talked with the mechanic working on a V6 passat while at one of the dealers, a nice guy who clued
me in on some stuff...he told me the auto box is made by ZF...a good company if that is true.
He said the engines never burn oil but leak at the
front of the engine, and most are fixed perminently under warentee.
I suppose its something you just need to watch for and have fixed under warentee...no problem as I always stay on top of the condition of my cars.
I looked into a passat in a parking lot the other
day, a newer one, and it was a pig sty, and
i cant understand why people buy such a nice car,
with wood and leather, then use it for a trash can.?.. $30,000.00 and lets never clean it....
I figure looking at old ones tells you how well they hold up, and maybe how your new car will look in a few years, but this car looked 10 years
old inside from neglect.
I am ready to kill for a nice new blue silver one
with grey leather, and the person who owned that car obviously does not like it...
Brett
(1990 Jaguar, looks like new)
Is there any way to have the steering wheel tuner controls flip through the presets? This is how my SAAB 9-3 worked, and it is very convenient.
How much does it cost to add a 6 disk changer via VW? Is an aftermarket changer made that works through the existing head unit, not via FM modulator (No CD changer is one of the few omissions I regret in the car)
Will the excessive brake dust on the wheels damage the finish if not cleaned off quickly (i.e. within a week or two)?
Thanks in advance. After leasing a SAAB 9-3 which was sporty, good for hauling, but unrefined and tight inside, I appreciate the Passat. Roomy, smooth, good value for the money, just needs a few more HP and a CD changer. Lease deal is great, got mine for 36 months/12k per year for $999 down and $355/mo taxes included on a MSRP of $26,600 and an invoice of $24,650 (deal got about $600 over invoice on the deal). Cannot beat the price for the equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The V6 turns exactly 3000 rpm at 85 mph.
By the way, I had my 35,000 mile service just before we left. I also replaced the Michelins that came on the car with the same tire a couple of weeks ago.
Did I mention I love this car?
The problem with the GLX and the new 8 cylinder, especially, is all the added complexity and, ugh, weight. I want a sport sedan that's light, quick and agile and an extra 500 to 1000 pounds of luxury items takes away from that. Better to buy an A6 or Lexus instead. But for about 25k, the GLS can't be beat.
I would appreciate comments on the relative performance, reliability, and fuel economy of the 1.8T and the 2.8 V-6 engines. I will use the car for both town and highway driving.
That being said, not all car seats are for everybody, so ph3iron's concerns may be justified. I'd say that if you're worried about how any seat will affect you personally, rent the car and take it on a long trip.
Cannot say whether would buy another, but looking back at other options available in '99, this seems like a better & better purchase as time goes on. Not perfect, of course, but an outstanding combination of size, price, performance & creature comforts - with excellent reliability Thus Far (knock on wood!).
Good luck with your decision.
Reid / SE MI
I suggest you drive both and see which one fits your personality. Some people prefer "smooth" over the rush of power from the turbo.
And if you're into upgrades, adding a chip (~$500) to the 1.8T will bring it up to ~205hp and ~245 ft/lb torque. The cost saving from not getting the V6 will more than pay for this upgrade. You'll have a faster car with better fuel economy.
-Craig
noise and smoothness.
The turbo 4 is a sporty motor, and the V6 is very smooth and quiet.
I had a turbo car before, and they can be rough on head gaskets, they can run hot, and tend to cook the turbo bearings up if you dont let things
cool down at idle after using the turbo.
Seems VW got it right though, with the turbo in the lower end cars for sports people, and the
smooth quiet V6 in the GLX with wood and leather.
The GLX actualy is nicer than the new 2003 Jaguar
S type, and close to the XJ8, while the turbo
passat is likely a bit like a BMW 3 or 5 series
in the sporty rush of power type thing.
I dont know what the W8 is like (monster),
but it seems there is something for everyone.
Last friday, I stopped by another dealer, and the sales guy rolled down the window, than sat on the opening!...200 pounds at least, but he did no damage to the door, solid steel door hinges.
What is with VW dealers, all the ones around here
seem to be working out of sheds and wrecked buildings, real dump sites. The cars cost good money but the buildings are very downscale!
So I have the car picked out (GLX), the colors
(white or blue silver with grey leather) and the
dealership (cherry hill VW), but dont know if
it makes sense to spend $30,000.00 for a VW.
Brett