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Comments
--Lee
--Lee
The W8 would be a nice upgrade for another $2K then...
I've only had the chance to drive the 1.8T with the manual and I thought it was fine. The salesman was saying that the V6 would be too much for a manual. That sounded fishy to me. I'm considering the upgrade to GLX but want to stay with the manual. There wasn't a V6 5sp to test so I'm looking for input.
Thanks.
Gary
And is the cargo room in the 4motion wagon similarly affected?
Does anyone find the road clearance for the 4motion too low? I think it's listed at a touch under 5". Can you get through when the white stuff gets deep and heavy?
How would you rate the V6/tiptronic combo? Is the 190hp enough given the weight of the car. Also, recently Car & Driver really criticized the slow-shifting tip in a W8. Does that also hold true for a V6 Passat?
Does the Passat come with auto on/off headlights? I couldn't find the info in the downloaded brochure.
Thanks in advance.
I have driven the V6/Tiptronic combo, and I thought it felt a little lazy actually. Acceleration times are adequate, from what I have seen, but nothing special.
I don't believe the wagon's cargo capacity is affected by 4Motion, at least I never saw it listed in the specifications if it was.
It offers better fuel mileage and can easily (~$500) be transformed into a monster that the V6 can't touch.
If you want smooth and linear, get the V6. If you want a rush of power with easy tune-ability (chipping), better gas mileage, and slightly better handling (due to less weight over the front end), get the 1.8T.
Drive both. Buy what you like better.
-Craig
It's interesting, although not surprising, that manuals are so hard to come by. vwguild commented earlier that only 10% were stick and I thought this low, perhaps due to all the auto SUVs out there. However, it sure seems to be true on the VW lots as well. In the EU manuals are much more common, but then petrol is far more expensive.
Looks like I'm destined to order either way (1.8T or V6).
News?
Also, news on the Toureg. Although I just picked up my 03 allroad in November, I saw the review of the Toureg on Car and Driver Television -- it sounds fantastic. And, my allroad with every possible option plus full paint treatment was NORTH of $50K.
Will the Toureg have sat nav, On*star, ESP+ABS+Brake assist integrated phone and all the goodies I have on my allroad (except the V8?) or what? I understand the Toureg will have an auto, and I have a stick, but the Toureg auto is supposed to be a 6spd auto which is reported to be fantastic.
Thanks for the information!
* Does it matter if I get an automatic or manual as far as chipping goes? I've driven manuals all my life but it's getting a little too much with stop-and-go traffic.
* I think the new 2003 Passats all come with a single CD-player system. If I get the Monsoon sound system, does it have a CD player as well or do I have to get a separate CD-changer unit?
* I'd rather have a CD player that plays MP3s. Does anyone know if the one that comes with the Passat plays MP3s? If I have to get an aftermarket MP3 deck, should I just skip on the Monsoon system?
One of the guys I work with and I went test driving cars -- the Passat with the 1.8T seemed fine with a stick shift and totally uninspiring with the Tip.
The 1.8T version with stick was "more fun" than the V6 with tip, in fact.
To each his own.
I have a 00 Passat GLS, and I do experience rough running at times with slight hesitation at takeoff.
It probably happens more than I realize, but I really notice it, (occasionally) when I'm trying to beat traffic on a right on red.
I've had some close ones where my timing is good, but the car wasn't ready to go. Has anyone else experience this?
Otherwise the Passat rocks.
thebug...
Q: Does it matter if I get an automatic or manual as far as chipping goes? I've driven manuals all my life but it's getting a little too much with stop-and-go traffic.
A: NO. Chips work just as well for both manual and auto trannies. The 5-sp boys and gals will tell you that the manuals are more fun. I have a '03 1.8T Tip (auto) and just had it chipped. Go to the ClubB5 board (www.clubb5.com) for the scoop.
Q:I think the new 2003 Passats all come with a single CD-player system. If I get the Monsoon sound system, does it have a CD player as well or do I have to get a separate CD-changer unit?
A: I have the Monsoon and it comes with a single CD player. CD-changer has to be external/separate.
Q: I'd rather have a CD player that plays MP3s. Does anyone know if the one that comes with the Passat plays MP3s? If I have to get an aftermarket MP3 deck, should I just skip on the Monsoon system?
A: Pass.
Hope this helps.
Gator
So there ya go. The monsoon plays mp3.
Gator
Big difference, and I've be very very very surprised if the Monsoon played actual MP3 files and they didn't advertise that very issue.
Honda is offering a separate MP3 player (above and beyond the in-dash 6 cd player) in the new Accord for something like $500.
-Craig
I would also be very(!) surprised if the monsoon HU played mp3s, I'd have to guess your burning software automatically converted the mp3 into the audio cd format. Most programs now will do this if you tell them you want a music cd.
If you want a mp3 HU (especially one that reads the id3 tags), you will need to go aftermarket.
I wish the Monsoon had an input jack (2.5mm) that would allow external devices (such as an MP3 player) to hook into. I think the new Accord has that.
-Craig
I have to apologize - it was the first time I'd had an inclination to use it,(the burner), and I was up late and kinda burnt out.
I plan on doing some more homework on this.
I thought I had read somewhere that MP3 file format could be burned onto a disc, but other.
things make it sound like it can only be computer hard drive or flash memory. The cassette adapter sounds like a good temporary solution if it sounds O.K..
By the way my wife has a new LX Accord - no hint of a MP3 jack anywhere - it must be on the EX. Since she bought that car, I like my Passat even more. Maybe it's not comparing apples to apples (Honda 4-banger to 2.8 V6), but the ride seems harder, and the car has alot more road / engine noise, and I can't get comfortable in the seats.
Still, the kids like it because it's a little bigger. Can't complain about the mileage though. The 5 speed auto works O.K.. It's still in break-in so I'll tell ya how it is at 3-digit speeds in about 6 months.
Gator
I think you're right about the jack being on the EX, as it gets a different audio system.
I'm surprised you feel the 2.4 4 cyl Honda engine is loud. I've heard nothing but praises of it's smoothness, quietness, and broader torque curve compared to previous Honda 4 cyl engines.
I'm also surprised you feel the seats in the Honda are uncomfortable, especially compared to the Passat. I find the seats in my Passat ('02, leather) terrible for comfort. My thighs are aching after 30 minutes (lower seat is too short).
Maybe just the Honda leather seats are more comfortable.
I guess that's why both cars sell - different people like different things.
-Craig
"I have to go through the whole process again after my wife drives the car"
Me too. I have the manual adjuster (barber chair lever). When I (6'2) drive after the wife (5'3), the sweet spot's at twelve pumps down and one click forward from farthest back. It's now a matter of habit--I don't even have to think about it!
-Craig
Likes:
- Smooth engine
- Comfortable ride
- Quiet
- Great stereo
- Rain sensitive wipers
- Power fold-in side mirrors, great for my tight garage.
Improvement Needed:
- No place for a cell phone, poor storage options
- No convenient power outlet in front seating area
- Giant ashtray, which is useless for me
- No cargo netting in trunk
- No automatic headlights
- No power run-down protection
- Steering wheel radio seek function not well designed. Should have had one switch to go through presets and the other to seek stations instead of two direction seek
- Gas gauge should indicate what side the gas cap is on. In fact the gas symbol is on the wrong side of the gauge.
Of course overall the car is great! Perhaps this makes the minor oversights that much more obvious to me.
I don't think the dealer has a cargo net as an accessory, but you might try an auto parts store. They might be able to help you. I wish I had one too...
As far as the rest of our 'wants', maybe in the next generation Passat...
Thanks for your consideration and participation.
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I just got off the phone with the dealer who told me that I won't be able to get a service manual for my car because VW is not releasing the technical information to the companies that acutally put the manuals out. I'm the type of person that likes to change my own oil, and do some other minor maintenance to the car myself rather than pay tons of money at the dealer to have those things done. Does anyone know where I can pick up a repiar/maintenance/service manual for this car? I would imangine that there's got to be something out that people are using who don't want to bring their cars back to the dealer. Thanks.
This is really a discussion for the sedans comparison forum, not this one.
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We actually sell this vehicle for $28,750 plus inland destination of $411 which means total delivered price of $29.161 delivered to ******.
Now if we take the invoice pricing that is advertised at $26,114 there is an additional destination on all invoice (small print on net if you go thru a thorough price quote) prices of $525 which is delivery from the factory to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany. Then add to this $100 a stock charge from the German port and agency fee plus a $100 prep charge from VW dealership in Bremerhaven. The price you are now looking at is $26,839 and the inland delivery which we are charged from Transcar is $411 down to ****** leaving as total delivered price of $27,250. As you can see these prices are not even incurred from our company but from other companies.
This is taking into account no profit on the car and as you’ve been doing your research you can see that Edmunds allow for a 3% above invoice pricing for a fair price on a car purchase both for the dealer and the customer. This figure is about $750. So really we are looking at a total delivered price of $28,000, This 3% is really what the company covers their overheads with, rental on property, wages for our warranty staff, wages for managers and agents etc. So $750 is not a huge pricing here to cover costs.
Head office realize you are trying to get a “deal” and have explained where the costs are incurred by the Auto Exchange just so you and ***** will understand this breakdown and overall costs a little more clearly. They of course would like to earn your business and what they have offered after looking thru their books is a total delivered price of $27,589 including delivery to ******.
PLEASE HELP! Is $250 off the best they can do??