Volkswagen Passat 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • ivan_99ivan_99 Member Posts: 1,681
    Actually you are kind right...

    It could be something coming out of your body :) Passat means wind (I think trade wind or something like that).

    but its not PUS SAT but PASSAT.

    Don't think there is much in a name (unless you name you're daughter Candy or something like that)
    :)
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    Yours...The pronunciation is *PAH* not pus...
    From this and your previous posts, I would suggest
    that you are probably a little out of your league.

    May I suggest that you check out the Daewoo area...
  • pupster1pupster1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 98 passat 1.8t that I have improved significantly with only slight modifications.

    1. Low restriction K&N Air Filter
    2. Performance Chip from Neuspeed. Increased the boost from the turbocharger by a few points and provides greater torque and Horsepower. I run around 195 HP now and love the way it runs. No mor downshifts on steep highway grades and loads of torque and HP for passing.
    3. Bilstiens on all 4 corners
    4. Sport springs on all 4 corners.
    5. Fully synthetic 15w50

    This car is a blast to drive and has more power and torque than the 6 cyl model with the weight of the 1.8 turbo.

    I know of individuals that have been running as much as 240 hp in their passat for several years via turbo and chip modifications and know of no problems with the engines whatsoever.
  • thurlesthurles Member Posts: 1
    i'm finalizing purchase of v6 gls for $200 over invoice; begining to wonder if i would be better off waiting for new model....any comments welcome!
  • slummyjslummyj Member Posts: 57
    vw guild, I wish I could be confident taking my car in for service. It took the dealer 5 times to get the AM reception acceptable. Every time they said it was fixed. Didn't they ever listen to it? The best was when I said the driver's door didn't seem to always close. They readjusted the door-it did not line up anymore with the back door, with any trim, or vertically. When I complained, they said they would need the car for a few days to send to the body shop (no offer of a loaner car). I said-just put it back the way it was, I'd rather slam it then have it totallly out of alignment. They said they couldn't do it. I said if they could misalign it, then realign it to how it was. They told me that if I kept complaining, they would hang up.
    Two days into them having the car to fix the door, they called and told my wife it would be ready that afternoon. She said we couldn't pick it up until the next day. They said they needed the loaner car back that day. My wife told them we did not have a loaner, they would not give us one no charge! The service manager said if she was complaining, they would hang up! Now there is a vibration on the passengers side when the car is cold, and the driver's seat rattles when it is warm. This should be interesting to see how they handle this.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    In your *Warranty* booklet you will find a number
    for Customer Relations...give them a call...I would also strongly recommend taking your car to
    a Dealership that is more consumer friendly.

    I trust, that although you are obviously not being very well taken care of, that you are being
    polite on the phone...Threatening to hang up on
    someone is typically a "last resort" measure.
  • ivan_99ivan_99 Member Posts: 1,681
    I find it odd that there is so much difference between dealerships. One would think that there would be some consistency between dealers/customer service.

    When I take my A6 in to my Audi/WV dealer, they are great. Always willing to look at ANY problem I can think of... and they do it with a smile--though they still haven't given me a TT for a loaner...I'll keep asking :)

    Is your dealership an Audi/VW...or something else. Like KIA/VW..Hyundai/WV
  • sail681sail681 Member Posts: 1
    About 2 years ago, someone on this site posted information about a VW Tech Facts site. It is a site to be used by repair shops. VW would put out notices on recalls as well as make note of common problems with a specific vehicle. Does anyone know that site? My V6 is about to go out of warranty and I want to make sure I get all the proper repair done.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    There is a gigantic difference in the level of service between my 2 "nearest" dealers.

    One is VW-Audi, I go there and the service is very good. (Kinney Motors, Rutland, VT)

    The other is VW-Cadillac-Chevy-Oldmobile-Isuzu and the service... well.. stinks.
  • cspirercspirer Member Posts: 7
    I'm considering the Passat, but am concerned about it in snow. We don't get alot where I live, but we many hills, and snow traction is important. Any ideas from those of you in "snow country?"
    Thanks.
  • intrigue2intrigue2 Member Posts: 46
    I'm not a Passat owner,but do drive a @000 Subaru Legacy Gt Sedan with AWD and would recommend you consider the Passat 4-Motion with AWD. it uses an Awd system based upon the Audi quattro system, and I believe also comes with traction control. After driving a car with FWd and traction control and the Subaru with AWD,if snow is a major consern with you, get the Passat 4-motion.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    4Motion is Quattro; not a system based on it. It
    is All Wheel Drive/All The Time. Routinely, VW.COM
    will have a 4MO icon on the opening page, these
    icons rotate so you may have to make a couple of visits to catch it, but if you find it and click on it there is a great animated graphic that tells
    the entire story, and how the driver benefits in
    ALL driving conditions.
  • ajeetajeet Member Posts: 11
    Hi!

    Last weekend, I took a test drive of the Passat GLS 1.8T. OOmmphhh! The car cannot be placed in league of 4 Cyl cars. The highway passing power was awesome, so was the acceleration (city and highway) !! I mean, I had driven the Passat GLS V6 4MOTION on the same road and I must say that I did not find any MAJOR differences. One thing I noticed was the quieter ride in the V6 model. When I took my foot off the accelerator after reaching around 75 mph on highway, the 1.8T model had a more "hum" to it. A look at the dash said that the revs were around 2.5 to 2.7 (more near to the 3 mark). It is my belief the usually the RPM needle stays close to the 2 mark (except when accelerating). I mentioned this fact to the salesperson but he was unaware of it. Could this be a problem with the individual car ? Does this happen with all the 1.8T models ? Is this some "Turbo" feature ? Any 1.8T owners, please let me know if you have noticed this happening around 75 mph speed.

    But otherwise, this is the car for me !! Passat GLS 1.8T with Tiptronic tranny. I am not a racecar driver nor a speed fanatic, so, I do not need the V6. I can do with a little more fuel economy and some extra cash leftover :-) I can do without the 4MOTION and rely on the ASR/EDL to get me thru' driving in rainy/snowy days on the flat terrain of Milwaukee, WI. And with the MSRP around $21K, the car is worth the price (Not that I am gonna pay MSRP :-)

    Thanks again for all the input from everyone !!
    Ajeet.
  • jholc21jholc21 Member Posts: 3
    After 2 years of drooling over the Passat we finally bought a 2000 GLS V6 in Sept. Amazing car that does excellent in the snow. We live in Colorado but haven't felt we needed the 4-motion. The traction control has worked very well.

    James
  • daiquiridaiquiri Member Posts: 1
    i have test driven both passat and jetta. not decided yet on which is preferred. Any thoughts on which is really the better deal?? both were v6 jetta was glx passat without too many options, basically sunroof and probably monsoon sound system
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    My Passat 1.8T has been excellent in our harsh, Vermont winters.

    Dedicated snow tires will do more for you in most cases then AWD. AWD is great for getting moving in the snow, or if you have a lot of steep hills, but it doesn't help you turn or brake. Snow tires DO, and will only cost you $250-$400 depending on brand and will last you 4 winters or so.

    My 2¢
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    Thx Sporin/ Im in NH, with the shared harsh winters. I have a '99 saab 9'3 which will be off lease next year. It is seriously a small rocket w/ 5spd, I even have the smallest turbo model. When I turn it in, I want to get into a passat, I think. Im narrowing down my choices. This seems to be the one, but im not sure if i want 4 banger or 6. We'll see. Im also in agreement about the AWD 4motion deal. Snow tires really help. I had areally heavy Volvo Cross Country, and the AWD train was lethargic at times. BUt it kicked in the snow.
  • melechmelech Member Posts: 27
    '99 has been terrific. It has very low mileage and is in perfect condition. I may decide to buy it at the residual price. However, I would consider buying a new Passat, but price will be the determining factor. Could I use the turn-in as a bargaining point? It's re-sale by the dealer would presumably be greater than the residual. Can I assume that the difference between the residual (which the dealer would pay to VWCredit) and the dealer's re-sale price is a "trade in" value to me?
    BMW, I've been lurking here for a long time, and really respect the knowledge and fairness you (and some of the other dealers)have shown in your replies, in spite of rather provocative posting.

    Melech
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    Thx Sporin/ Im in NH, with the shared harsh winters. I have a '99 saab 9'3 which will be off lease next year. It is seriously a small rocket w/ 5spd, I even have the smallest turbo model. When I turn it in, I want to get into a passat, I think. Im narrowing down my choices. This seems to be the one, but im not sure if i want 4 banger or 6. We'll see. Im also in agreement about the AWD 4motion deal. Snow tires really help. I had areally heavy Volvo Cross Country, and the AWD train was lethargic at times. BUt it kicked in the snow.
  • melechmelech Member Posts: 27
    By the way, "BMW" at the start of the 2nd paragraph should really read: BTW. That's what happens at my age when you move up from using a quill pen to a message board.

    Melech
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    Thx Sporin/ Im in NH, with the shared harsh winters. I have a '99 saab 9'3 which will be off lease next year. It is seriously a small rocket w/ 5spd, I even have the smallest turbo model. When I turn it in, I want to get into a passat, I think. Im narrowing down my choices. This seems to be the one, but im not sure if i want 4 banger or 6. We'll see. Im also in agreement about the AWD 4motion deal. Snow tires really help. I had areally heavy Volvo Cross Country, and the AWD train was lethargic at times. BUt it kicked in the snow.
  • thornthorn Member Posts: 91
    The Passat 4Motion Wagon outclasses anything Ford/Volvo has to offer. I even read that the Passat earned higher safety scores.
  • irontraderirontrader Member Posts: 1
    I'm very interested in purchasing a Passat, but see that it suggests using premium fuel. Going from a vehicle that is happy with 87 octane to something requiring 91 octane at 20 cents more a gallon isn't appealing.

    Is the 91 octane really needed, or only needed for those that want the maximum possible performance? If economy is more important to you than performance, is 89 or 87 octane usable?
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    cross country is in a different league/ only a few car companies match their over all safety.. my problem is the upfront purch price, and the ongoing maintenance that is a real rip off, even when things arent wrong or broken. You can go totally broke just trying to maintain any year of volvo, old or new
  • jamesd44jamesd44 Member Posts: 10
    Melech- melech Jan 11, 2001 7:15am

    One thing about leases, is that the dealers can play some tricky numbers games and charge you more. Without knowing the exact arrangement of your lease, I'll throw in my thoughts based on a typical leasing situation.

    Most dealer financing offices will inflate the residual value a bit to make your monthly payments smaller (smaller because you're paying on less depreciation). That means the total that they would sell the car to you upon the end of your lease term will be higher than what the car's actually worth; and, unless you're the best negotiator ever, that number isn't coming down because it was established in the contract when you first signed.

    As far as getting a break on a new purchase/lease for turning in the car to them, I wouldn't get your hopes up, and don't let the dealer convince you that you have equity in the old car. It's their car you're turning in anyway, you just borrowed it for a few years.

    If you're weighing the options of purchasing the car you're driving now, or purchasing/leasing a new car, take the latter option. You get a brand new model, you're not paying more for less car, and you'll have a new warranty to cover any repairs instead of taking them on yourself.

    Sorry for the length, just wanted to give a thorough answer. Also, you may have a different situation than what I described, and purchasing your '99 may be a great deal for you. Just be sure to run your OWN numbers and don't rely simply on what the dealer tells you...jd
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    cross country is in a different league/ only a few car companies match their over all safety.. my problem is the upfront purch price, and the ongoing maintenance that is a real rip off, even when things arent wrong or broken. You can go totally broke just trying to maintain any year of volvo, old or new
  • carguy5000carguy5000 Member Posts: 146
    Most dealers do not inflate the residual values...that is completely determined by the bank. The bank owns the car..not the dealer. Once you leave the dealer with your new lease car..the dealer has NO ties to it.
    The vehicle can be turned in at any authorized dealer. A few leasing compaines will even pick up the vehicle in your driveway. Don't think that you must return the vehicle to the dealer that you got it from.
    Your best bet is to contact the finance company that you make your payments to and discuss your disposal options directly with them.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    Even if 91 octane is 20¢ more per gallon, you are only talking about $3.00 per tankful for the good stuff. In my area (VT) 91 is hard to find, so the 93 is only about 10¢ more expensive then 89.

    Tuners have dynoed the Passat with and without 91 octane fuel and found as much as a 15 hp defecit, as well as fewer MPG, from using a lower octane.

    My advise is... if you can afford a $22k+ car, you should give it the gas that is recommended by the manufacturer, nothing more, nothing less. Both the 1.8T and the V6 are high compression engines and require a higher grade fuel.
  • jamesd44jamesd44 Member Posts: 10
    I understand that. When I stated "dealers" in my post, I was also including the financing company that dealers are associated with (i.e.- the financiers across the hall from the salesman, even though they're separate entities). I wasn't talking about independent banks or leasing agents, like AutoFlex. I was assuming that was the type of arrangement Melech had.

    Good point of clarification though, my fault for not making the distinction. Thanks.
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    cross country is in a different league/ only a few car companies match their over all safety.. my problem is the upfront purch price, and the ongoing maintenance that is a real rip off, even when things arent wrong or broken. You can go totally broke just trying to maintain any year of volvo, old or new
  • r34r34 Member Posts: 178
    Someone told me he saw a 2001.5 Passat in CA. I assume 2001.5 and 2002 Passat are the same thing. Some told me 2001.5 1.8t already has 170hp. Is it true ? I like the current look tough...
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    The 2002 Passat be available at dealerships?

    Price increases?

    Thanks!
  • carguy5000carguy5000 Member Posts: 146
    The "finance people" at the dealership ARE dealership employees! They sell the intangible products such as extended warranties, finance products etc. They do not control residuals. The lease contract that you sign at the dealership is with the bank, not the person sitting across the desk from you.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    The redesign is technically a 2001.5 model. VW has a habit of switching on half-years, not sure why.

    I have seen no confirmation of the 170hp 1.8T in the Passat, Jetta or Golf yet.

    vwguild?
  • snurplesnurple Member Posts: 130
    Given the above posts on leasing, I think it is pretty clear that the leasing dealer ceases to be a part of the lease once it has passed to VW Credit. This means that when you wheel your vehicle into the dealership you have no leverage with them. The dealer is basically looking at your car as a used car purchase, they are looking at you as a new car buyer--and they are eyeing your wallet hungrily ;)

    In this scenario, their business practices dictate paying as little as possible for your used car and selling you a new one for as much as possible. Since your used car is a lease-return, they take it, pay VW Credit for it, and resell it. (I'd be curious to know more about how this transaction works--i.e. does the dealer really pay the full residual to VW Credit? Are there incentives involved?) Your chances of getting any money out of this side of the transaction are, how shall I put this, quite slim indeed. (On the other hand, they might say something like, "boy this car is in bad shape, but we'll only assess you a 'wear-and-tear' fee of $1500, instead of the $3500 that we should charge you, all because you are leasing a brand new car from us...we'll just roll that extra amount into the new lease, along with our $1000 rust and fabric protection package--but for you it's only $700...")

    If your car is worth substantially more than the residual, the only way you will get at this money is to sell the car to a private party--and pay off your lease. Then, with the extra money in your pocket, you can go into a dealer and negotiate a less complicated transaction (with less opportunity for the dealer to cheat you out of your kid's college fund).

    But, if your happy with your car and it is worth more than the residual, then it is certainly a financially sound move to buy it from VW Credit. I would even try to negotiate the residual price down with them. This does happen, and it never hurts to try...
  • ehanna1ehanna1 Member Posts: 1
    I bought a 2001 Passat GLX with 4-motion in Nov. 2000. It has been leaking oil since the day I got it, although I did not realize it right away. I've taken it to the dealer who said I have a distorted oil pan. They order the parts and I leave it with them for what they tell me is a 4 hour job, which has turned into a minimum 3 day job. They said they found another leak too - a seal is leaking. To change the oil pan(s) they have to either remove or drop the transmission, which they said they haven't done before. Good - learn on my new car. I wonder if I made a mistake. I have a 13 year old Honda with 232K miles that just keeps going.
  • snurplesnurple Member Posts: 130
    Check out vwvortex.com but...

    2001.5 Passat 1.8T is 170hp. Jetta, Golf, Beetle will get the 1.8T w/150hp.

    Pricing is GLS +$300, GLX +$540 (check this to be sure)
  • ajeetajeet Member Posts: 11
    Check out http://www.vw.com

    Select "Passat" from the dropdown list. There are brief specs and few snaps of the NEW Passat. I also read that is will be in dealerships by Feb 15 and of course, you know that the new Passat will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show on Jan 15. Their website is : http://www.naias.com

    BTW, There is an additional 20 hp added to 1.8T making it a total of 170HP. Dunno if the V6 model stays at 190 hp ?
  • bthomassenbthomassen Member Posts: 19
    cross country is in a different league/ only a few car companies match their over all safety.. my problem is the upfront purch price, and the ongoing maintenance that is a real rip off, even when things arent wrong or broken. You can go totally broke just trying to maintain any year of volvo, old or new
  • junior75junior75 Member Posts: 22
    The H.P. on the V6 will remain the same @190. (The pictures from the Detroit show are impressive). Dealers should be able to order the new ones from the pool starting on the last couple days of the month. The cars will probably reach us by the 15th of Feb. I have only seen the GLS's w/ 1.8t and V6 at the port, no GLX's or 4motions so far.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    Sir...I have *senior moments* myself...As to the
    questions regarding end of lease. A lease customer
    has three options at the end of any VCI(Closed End)Lease. First of all your residual or payoff
    amount is printed on your lease contract...it is not an amount a dealer *makes-up*.

    If you elect to purchase the car; that is the amount that you owe + Tax, Title, & Lic. This can
    be paid in the form of a check to Volkswagen Credit or you can finance this balance thru VCI or
    any lender of your choice, and keep and drive the
    car forever.

    The best way to capture the equity you have in your VW is to make the purchase above in cash and then sell the car privately. With VW/Audi, BMW, &
    MBZ the residual is always less than Actual Cash
    Value on the Retail side. Example: Residual of
    $13,000/Retail Value $17,000. You keep the $4000 difference. These are just numbers for illustration, but you should get the idea. Take your Residual amount and check KBB.COM for their
    suggested Retail Value of your car. No offense to
    our sponser here, but the Auomobile Industry generally works the Kelley Blue Book numbers, and
    the general public is more familiar with that name.

    If an owner cannot afford to pay off the Residual;
    in turn they cannot trade it in...they can only return it and get a new car. You can only trade
    in and get value if you are the legal owner.

    The Dealer is now in a position to keep the car,
    pay off the residual and then sell the car, or in
    some very particular instances return the car to
    VCI.

    And by the way Dealers do not appraise Lease Returns...If a car is being returned to the *lessor* the driver of the rig that picks up the car to take to the auction does this... noting,
    dings, holes in seats, broken or cracked windshields, etc.
  • melechmelech Member Posts: 27
    Thanks all for your replies. However, I'm not sure I was making my point clear.
    I would be perfectly willing to buy my car at the end of lease; it's a low mileage cream puff. If I do that, I don't even have to go to the dealer; I buy at the residual (or negotiate a lower price)directly from VWCredit. Therefore, my dealer is loosing out on 2 potential sales- - a new car to me, and the resale of my turn in.
    Since the residual on my car (which is the most the dealer would have to pay VWCredit)is significantly below KBB retail, the dealer can make a good profit even after any detailing, etc. Now to my question; sorry to be so long winded. I do realize that I have no true equity in the turn in, and that the negotiations are a bit more complicated, BUT, can't I use that spread between his cost and the retail value of my turn in as if it were a "trade in", in addition to the normal discount on a new Passat?
    Hope I was able to clarify my approach a bit more.

    (Snurple, I think you did focus on the issue I'm raising, but were being a bit too cynical about the likely outcome, that I would be "had" because of juggling two car prices at once.)

    Melech
  • melechmelech Member Posts: 27
    My post crossed yours in the mail (in cyberspace?).
    I guess the point your making-- and you should know-- is that I can't negotiate on that basis. Too bad. It seemed like a good idea to me.

    Melech
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    You, unfortunately, cannot leverage what you don't
    own...These are not options. In order to capture
    the greatest return, sell the car yourself at the
    Same RETAIL PRICE the Dealer would. Otherwise, your car becomes a Trade In, and you will leave
    money on the table...

    Your Residual is NOT a negotiable amount...It is a
    contract.
  • snurplesnurple Member Posts: 130
    Of course it's a good idea. It makes sense to me. Unfortunately, more likely than not, the dealer will refuse to see the logic in your idea. That's not being cynical, that's being realistic.

    If you have any kind of relationship with a dealer (not just some [non-permissible content removed] salesman--but a GSM or internet salesman, etc) than I do think you should try this argument. And, most important of all, shop it around. If one dealer will not see the logic in your proposal then then tell him you will take your business to another dealer who may be more willing...

    And, as for vwguild's insistance that your residual value is set is some kind of "sacred contract" concrete--not true at all. People re-negotiate contracts all the time; people have paid less than their contractual residual when buying their leased vehicles. Granted, this is more likely when the vehicle isn't worth the residual, and you can offer something more in line with it's street value. But, I still think this is worth a try as well. It costs the leasing company money to dispose of a vehicle--they may want to streamline their process. (For the amount of money lessors charge in document fees, disposal fees, bank fees, self-actualization fees, etc. you'd think that your actually buying the car would save them thousands! :) Any fees are fair game for negotiation as well.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    We are speaking here of this gentleman's Passat...When the car goes to the auction a Dealer will bid on his *cream puff* and pay "wholesale book" or more and turn around and
    retail it. VCI then gets the Residual and more.

    The residual on his car IS NOT NEGOTIABLE...You
    are under the impression that...I have no idea
    what impression you under, except that it is
    always a negative one.

    Try not to waste any more of Mr. Melech's time...
  • snurplesnurple Member Posts: 130
    that we will disagree on this one.

    People do negotiate with their leasing company and arrange to exit their lease by buying the vehicle at a lower price than the residual printed on their contract. It's a fact.

    But, as you imply, if his car is worth more than the residual, VW Credit will probably not entertain any offer lower than the residual price.

    Nonetheless, Mr. Melech can attempt to do whatever seems logical to him, even if it has a lower probability of success.

    I for one, did not expect you to answer a query of this nature with anything more than the VW party line. Even though people do renegotiate their residuals, you are not going to be the one to offer tips and hints on that--it just wouldn't be good business.
  • jamesd44jamesd44 Member Posts: 10
    Okay- not my point. We're straying from the original question. I understand what you're saying. However, when going through a dealership's financing office, you are not dealing with a bank necessarily. You are dealing with a financing company (big difference) that those "finance people" are representing (i.e.- GMAC for GM cars, Honda Lease Trust for Hondas, etc.). It's a big distinction and I don't care who signs their paycheck. Sorry for the oversimplifications.

    My point to Melech was simply that, often times, a residual value is inflated (I don't care by who) and could cause the actual value of the car to be worth less than the purchase price established prior to signing the lease. Plus the fact that you can't negotiate that purchase price after the lease is signed. To avoid beating a dead horse (too late, probably), I'll close with that.
  • vwguildvwguild Member Posts: 1,620
    I do not know who is the Lessor on melech's
    Passat. If it is Volkswagen Credit...and I can
    only speak to that. This is a binding contract signed by both parties. It is no more conceivable
    for him to negotiate this residual down, than it is
    for VCI to negotiate it up. At least that is the
    way it works in California...God knows where you are...maybe they do things differently in your
    neck of the woods, but not VCI.

    And, excuse me...I have indeed explained how to
    maximize this deal for Mr. Melech...END
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