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Comments
I traded in a 5-speed 1999 Maxima for a Passat (1.8 GLS with tiptronic). While my Maxima was a little faster (reportedly 6.8 secs 0-60 vs 7.8 for the Passat), I like the Passat much better since I have yet to notice any torque steer issues. When I really want to accelerate I use the tiptronic, which helps me activate the turbo quicker. (While not as fun as a 5-speed, my left leg pain is almost gone.) It is hard for me to tell in city driving that I am driving a four cylinder since I can usually out accelerate most of the cars. And even though you don't have a family yet, getting a safer car will help protect you in case you are unfortunate enough to be in an accident. As far as lint goes, I've only had the car for a few weeks, yet I have not noticed any issues in this area.
I too am picky -- no eating drinking or smoking in my cars. I had always though that the real or fake leather (especially the real since it cost more) was just a yuppie touch (especially in the '80's.) Then, I got my first car with leather -- what a difference. And, then my next car, a quantum (pre-passat) was back to cloth.
Cloth is very hard to keep clean -- even with the no drinking eating and smoking rule. And, of course when you are on a 5 hour drive with your wife and mother or mother in law, somebody HAS to have a coke or coffee or cracker or candy bar or mint. You cannot be THAT draconian. A drop of coke on cloth fugetaboutit -- on leather, or even leatherette, just a wipe with a damp cloth or even a paper napkin will do.
Cleaning anything OTHER THAN lint or hair off of cloth seats is virtually impossible -- if anyone who has any kind of pet that sheds ever ever rides in your car, the amount of time you will spend to rid the car of pet dander will seem like a second career.
Both the leatherette and especially the leather are virtually trouble free, unless you or someone sits down with a screwdriver or box cutter sticking out of their back pocket -- and then any kind of seat will suffer.
One final example, someone sat in one of my cloth seat covered VW's, a Jetta as I recall -- with an upside down Bic pen in his pants pocket with the little blue end cap missing from the pen. His pants and my cloth seat were permanently marked. Similar mishaps have been a wipe or two on leather.
And on the subject of comfort, I had thought that leather would be hot and sticky in summer and bun numbing in winter -- well, the most problem for me was winter, but since the '80's heated (front anyway) seats have been available and I never would have another car without bun warmers -- so that is not an issue. And, in summer while leather does get hot, it also breathes as does the perforated leatherette.
So, while I still believe for comfort that cloth "recaro like" VW or Audi seats can't be beat -- for all around practicallity and "trade in value" too -- it's leather forever, cloth never.
P.S. I went to Cincinnati's version of an autoshow last nite and spent some time talking with a very nice "young man" about the Passat W8 (and he wanted to talk about the Phaeton, too). While waiting for him, I happened to climb into a 2002 Passat 4Motion (in GLX trim) -- the car was something like FrescoGreen Pearl with an Ecru (beige?) leather interior. This is the first time I had seen this color and this combination in person -- the whole thing was under $33,000 and the salesperson enthused that we should be seeing the W8 in April and that he should be able to "let one go" for a little over $35,000 -- who knows if he was just "selling" (marketing BS) or if the reportedly fully loaded W8 with a list of $37,900 will be disounted to a number beginning with a $35! I had just left the Audi area and looked at an A6 3.0 which was "under $45K." Again, I keep asking what the marketing logic is behind this. But, for the money, that Fresco Green Passat, stole the show!
perceptive about the "marketing BS"...
I also don't trust turbo engines. The interesting thing is that of all the mechanics I know, none have a turbo in their own car. Something about having all that pressure being pumped into a little four banger or something like that. The V6 might use oil during it's mid life but that's cheaper than replacing a turbo. If your parents want the auto transmission then they should get the V6. The turbo with the stick is a good combination also. The 1.8 is a peppy little engine just too loud for me. I personally didn't like the auto/turbo combination. I got the stick with V6... it gets up and goes. It's all about personal taste and what floats your boat. Don't let ANYBODY tell you what YOU should like. Your parents will be driving this car for the next X number of years so they should be happy with their decision. The stick/V6 is the best combination for performance in my opinion ...But like I always say "test drive the cars then buy the one you like the best". They will love their Passat regardless of which engine/tranny combination they chose...
Only saw incentive rebates list...Does VW have any hold back on its cars? And how much?
With the turbo, it's good to let it run for like 20-30 seconds if the car is going to be parked for a long time (like overnight or at work), or else when the car is run hard. That's it though. And it's not required either, but a good idea.
Also, you don't NEED to cool down the turbo, but it's a good idea to keep it in "good health" for its life.
1. Use synthetic oil - especially in the Passat turbo because the Passat only has a 4 quart oil capacity which is a about two quarts less than he would like to see in a turbo charged engine. Even the Jetta 1.8t has a 5 quart oil capacity.
2. He also said that letting the turbo cool for at least 30 seconds is a good practice. I asked him if this is just after a long hard run on the highway and his advice was to not think highway vs city or hard vs easy but to cool down the turbo anytime that the car is fully warmed up. Unlike old turbos, the one one the 1.8 runs anytime the engine is under load.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I am now concerned that I have some electronic gremlin that is going to kill my headlights every so often and be a major pain in my wallet. It was the drivers side this time.
Other than this issue, love the car.
Homelink) is $23,200. Dealer has "Red Tag" of
$23,800. Anybody been able to snag one of these
for $200 over invoice? I'm prepared to go
upto $23,550 ($350 over invoice). Any recent
experiences would be much appreciated.
Thanks
btw, what do people think of dirt resistance
of beige velour vs. gray velour?
Remeember to figure in the extra fees, port prep, advertising and finance reserve, just to be fair.
I had my headlight go out at about 20,000 miles and they replaced it under warranty. I think that your dealer is full of it.
Colors for W8: Black, Fresco Green, Mojave Beige, Silvertone Grey, Indigo Blue, Reflex Silver, Pacific Blue and Blue Spirit
Homelink navigation in luxury package
Standard cold-weather package for all Passats
Standard side-curtain airbag protection for GLX
V6 4MOTION for GLX only, no longer for GLS
No more Monsoon stereo upgrade as stand-alone option
No more grey interiors (includes cloth, leather)
Let me start by saying that I used to drive a 99 1.8T 5spd. I liked it...sporty and had character. Now I am considering going back to VW and getting (leasing) a 02 GLX tip. I really like the interiors and space of these cars but I am concerned about the "underpowered" and old V6 compared to its competitors. Then again, I could probably get a good deal on one now. What is this thing about excessive oil consumption I have heard?
My other dilema is that I saw the W8 when I was in Italy last week and it was absolutely beautiful. The quad-exhaust makes it look like a hulk of a car. I am very interested to see what options we get here on this vehicle. Also...I don't think I will spend an extra $8K - $10K for a vehicle that is only .5-.8 sec. faster than th V6 (both tip). Then again the W8 is heavier with the bigger engine and 4MO.
Well, thanks for letting me getting that off of my chest...I don't know if I just wasted space or not.
Is Homelink navagation, then, possibly all of the above.
Again, is there a URL where one might find this info out?
I highly recommend Gene Langan VW, which is in Meriden and Glastonbury. Talk to Jeff Cocco, tell him I sent you (Tim Michaels).
Thanks Again!
Rich
I have a 2000 GLS V6/5sp and want to know what to look for, and if there are any maintenance steps I should take now to avoid problems. My wife and I both love the car, and we have had 26k trouble free miles so far. We intend to keep the car for 5-8 years.
I have never driven the 1.8t, but would like to soon (sounds like a great engine). For what its worth, I think the V6 excels in a couple of areas. The first is in high speed cruising. Our car has the ability to cruise at 80+ mph effortlessly and quietly, with plenty of reserve power to get well into the triple digits without downshifting. This may sound like overkill, but with speed limits in some states at 70mph on interstates, 85mph cruising is not uncommon anymore. It should also be noted that the engine gets excellent highway fuel mileage, even when driven at these high speeds for long periods (28-30mpg). The V6 also has great torque, and is particularly satisfying in slow speed urban driving situations. I can crawl along in 2nd and still have plenty of power to shoot into holes in traffic etc. Hope this is useful in helping some people choose how to spend their extra 2 grand.
THE HEAD LITES ARE VERY EASY TO CHANGE OUT...DO NOT BUY THE BULBS FROM VW....THEY CHARGE ABOUT $18.00. LOCAL NAPA AUTO PARTS $12.00. IT TAKES LESS THAN 20MINS TO CHANGE AND THE ONLY TOOL YOU NEED IS A SCREWDRIVER. WHEN CHANGING THE BULB BE SURE NOT TO TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE NEW BULB. NOT SURE WHY, BUT BOTH VW SERVICE AND NAPA TOLD ME THE SAME THING "DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS PART OF THE BULB". SORRY TO RAMBLE, HOPE THIS INFO HELPS.
invoice price.He cited a $25 Port prep fee and $95
Floor Plan allowance. Sounds bogus. Shouldn't
these types of costs (esp. Floor Plan costs) be
covered by the holdback? What does holdback cover
anyway?
Thanks
Before, I used to drive off even if the temp gauge says it's not warm yet and the engine felt clumsy even after the engine warmed up later down the road.
I'm looking now for an aftermarket remote starter. I gues Clifford is a good brand.
Holdback covers the interest paid by dealers every month to keep a car around (they don't buy them, they get loans). If they sell the car fast, they come out ahead with holdback. If the car sits for 6 months, the holdback doesn't cover the interest. Having said that, I'm still not sure what VW's Floor Plan charge to the dealer is for.
DL