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Separate question... I am also considering doing the chip upgrade to increase the HP from 150 to 170(to 200, to 240). Have done a little searching on the internet and found at least 3 aftermarket alternatives. There's almost too much to choose from, and I am concerned about tweaking it incorrectly or too much.
Any suggestions or experience sharing would be greatly appreciated.
I purchased my Passat and warranty at Quirk VW in Quincy, MA.
In case you're interested, I wanted a VW warrantee just b/c I feel they are more accountable, in general, and are more closely associated with VW than a third party. While this may not necessarily be true (I'm sure there are great 3rd party warrantees out there) I am of the opinion that I bought the whole package under one roof (VW), therefore, whether any future problem is with the car or with the warrantee, in either case it is VW's problem, so they're going to have to find a solution.
However, before I stepped into the dealership I researched ahead of time what a 3rd party wty. would cost and what it would cover and simply ensured that the VW wty. was reasonable relative to the 3rd party.
Financing:
I financed the car through a credit union for 7.5%, but I know VW had fairly competitive rates b/c they tried to get me to finance through them for 7.8% with Sovereign Bank. (BTW, I have pretty good credit, but nothing stellar).
One note regarding carbuyingtips.com: It has a lot of good info and is worth checking out. However, I would suggest passing on one piece of advice offered by them if you plan to buy a VW. They suggest that, if the dealer lies and says that you must buy their warrantee or you won't qualify that you should "pull out your car loan check from E-Loan or Lending Tree, and tell them to shove their warranty and their car loan." While I'm not sure about Lending Tree, VW will not accept a draft check from E-loan. This was true of both an east coast and a west coast dealer. So, while I agree that you shouldn't allow yourself to be pressured by dealer B.S., if you whip out your E-loan paperwork at VW and say, "A-ha! Kiss my a**!", you're going to look rather foolish.
good luck.
All VW are created equal, only the dealer makes the difference, trouble is, there isn't an honest one in this part of the state.
6 times and they only got paid for three visits...
No tickieee, no laundry...You know, of course, that they did not get paid for the Warranty work
that they did, such as it was, without an RO...I
would want that checked out...
You really know what ironic about this whole thing. I have a road job where I drive 35 - 50,000 miles per year. I have a 96 Passat TDI, which averages 49mpg overall and 56 on trips. It's the best da-- car I've ever owned. Sure I've done maintenance and only had 2 big repair bills. Front exhaust pipe (connected to converter) broke at 152,000 miles and $4500 repair bill in Nov 00. (Hit a deer). Don't think can fault VW on that one.
Enough about beating volkswagen. I'll keep the 96 tdi and spoke to the wife on the phone last night (she's out of town for the week) and told her the cars supposedly fixed. Her response," that's nice. I'll be home Friday night and we'll trade it away Saturday. Maybe it'll be better for the next owner. I just don't trust the car or dealer anymore". Her car, her decision, and a sad day for volkswagen.
Thanks,
My 911SC back in the 80's had the same problem. When I was installing an aftermarket unit I found the factory had not connected the antenna to the head unit. I would check your antenna cable first.
Does this sound right? I've seen what is reported by Edmunds, but given the fact that the dealers invoice can include "other things", I just wanted to get a sense for what other dealers are actually stating as their invoice for Passats.
Maybe others out there would like to know as well.
thanks.
GLS 1.8T Sedan with Auto invoice = 20863.00
Destination charge = 550.00
Total = 21,413.00
I have seen copies of invoices that include the following two charges.
Floor Plan Interest reserve = 92.00
Port Prep Fee = 25.00
Whether these last two charges are considered "invoice" pricing can be debated but if you include these the total is then $21,530.00
I find the best way to avoid confusion when asking for a dealers best price is to ask that it be inclusive of all charges except T&L.
Thanks
I believe the GTI (and possibly the Jetta) VR6 will be available next year with 204hp.
The 4.0l W8 is sais to have around 275hp. This Passat will include everything from bi-xenon headlights to 17" wheels & all wheel drive!
No pricing has been set but I heard it might be around $37k.
Not everything was roses. Reliability for the Europeans fall between the US and Japanese with the US closing the gap.
If only someone would steal my Blazer and I could collect the insurance I could swing to purchase a Passat.
or Service...probably because they are closer to the Receiving Dept., and never get to the Showroom, but I must say that, not only do they not print it anymore; I don't know that VW ever did.
Between here & Vortex I find that most folks would prefer to ask questions of strangers than
refer to their Owner's Manuals...this is where you
will find the answer to your question and probably
some other valuable information...check it out...
"For reasons that I will never figure out..."some people prefer to send you on a wild goose-chase through a a poorly written and inconsistant manual then just answer your simple question.
Break-in... Vary the revs for the first 500-1000 miles. That's about it, revs are more important then MPH. Just take it easy for a bit and your fine.
----------------------------
That said... reading the manual is a great idea, I read mine when I got my car. Of course my thorough reading mearly pointed out how terribly inconsitant is was and created as many question as it answered.. target=_blank
As a side question, they suggested to replace the factory rotors with the sport types (the ones with holes). Any comment about that?
period crap...Do not abuse anything that is lubricated and made of metal or metal derivitaves
and it will treat you well.
As to the *Owners Manuals* David...Remember all of
this stuff is translated and some things get lost...but, by and large...it is not a bad idea for new owners to read through them...Unless you are driving a Passat GLX and trying to figure out how to set the "Memory Seating*...by the way I have cribs on that which REALLY explains how to do it all, which I am happy to FAX to any one who needs it, the books are pretty good...To me.
And BTW, I really miss New England...NH & VT...spent lots of time there, during the school
years, on Lake Winnpesaukee ...
" Potential Passat buyers should be aware that VW will update the car further in the middle of 2001. The exterior styling will become sharper and more Audi-like, with a chrome-trimmed grille, new headlight and taillight clusters and integrated fog lights. Inside, drivers will find chrome-trimmed gauges, an updated center console, a wider front armrest, two integrated cupholders and a "jumble box." The backseat also receives an integrated armrest. Additionally, we expect VW to increase the four-cylinder's horsepower to 170. "
I'm no expert, and by no means is this answer comprehensive, but to put in simplest terms-
Driver's Option and leasing are essentially the same thing, with a few differences. Driver's Option is a type of lease that establishes a final payment at the end of the lease term (typically 36 mo.) that you will owe if you want to keep the vehicle. If you don't want to keep it, turn in the car and walk away. The main benefit is lower monthly payments than financing outright, down side is if you want to keep the car, you need to come up with a big chunk of change in three years (sometimes more than what the car's actually worth), or finance the remaining balance.
I'm sure someone else will have better explanation, but I didn't want to go on too long. There was some discussion about this very thing earlier on in this forum (can't remember exactly where, though- sorry).
Find out how to calculate the results of at least two different scenarios (Lease vs. Buy, etc.) before you make your decision. I was dead set on leasing, but then after crunching some numbers, I found that, for me, financing was a better way to go (plus, once I saw the new Passats I realized that I would want to keep it for a while).
At this altitude (6000 ft.), it blows away the naturally aspirated VR6.
I loved my test ride on this little rocket so much, I ordered one as soon as I got back. Should be here next week.
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
I am thinking about purchasing a 2001.5 VW Passat and I would like to hear from other owners what they think. I like the way the car looks and drives. One thing that bothers me is why does VW only offer a 2 year warranty when every other car manufacturer offeres 3/36,000. Whould I be better off purchasing an Audi A4 that comes with 4/40,000 warranty?
Thanks,
Is AWD new to Passat? How long has VW been making 4motion cars? What about their reliability? Thanks for your help.
Yeah, I'm sticking it out for another year here in the Hotel Kalifornicated, aka the Front Range.
I'm buying through Gephardt in Boulder. A nice family op. Ask for Gale or Alisa, tell 'em the big spoon sent 'ya.
matt00: Hey, check the 100k mile drive train warranty. BTW: EVERYTHING is included for the first 24k including oil changes.
I'm bringing my '99 GLS in on the 14th. I doubt the work would actually require all day. It's probably more for the convenience of the dealer.
In any case, VW does provide $25 toward a rental for the day. (Lord knows how much of a car that gets you, but at least it's something.) They also compensate the dealer for washing and vacuuming your car. The other little side benefit is that you get a free front-end alignment out of the deal.
I did ask for a car to use. I am calling Monday to confirm. My dealer has never washed the car or cleaned the interior.