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Remember the most important thing a car can do to save you life is stop. AWD does nothing to help you stop. Every car has AW Braking.
Tires are much more important than many people think. How fast do you think Carl lewis would be in snow shoes? How would an arctic explorer do in track spikes?
Obviously AWD with snows is the best. If you live in the snow belt you should have snows regardless of your number of drive wheels.
BTW you will be helpless with bald tires and AWD in the snow/ice - try it some time. I had a coworker with an Explorer that had 4 nearly bald tires. That vehicle could barely move if the roads got bad.
Also please don't compare the advantage of AWD in rally events to street driving. Hopefully not too many people go through slippery turns at full throttle in the family sedan. ; ^ )
Thanks,
Bob
I test-drove the GLS and GLX and was concerned about the seats. I am fine with them being a little firm (I like it that way infact) but I do not like to see half my thigh hang outside the seat. (I am even 6 feet and would say well proportioned.. do not have too long a torso or very long legs). This was the case with both the velour seats and the leather seats.
Then, a few days later, I test-drove another GLX at a different dealer and the driver side seat was infact 3 inches or so longer than the passenger side. I felt much more comfortable with these seats. I would say, that roughly, the driver side seat was about 22-23 inches long and the passenger side closer to 20 inches. The rear seats are consistently the same as the passenger side seats i.e. about 20 inches.
The sale person did not know about these size differences in the seats until I pointed it to him. I wanted to know if others have found these small size differences in the driver and passenger seats. Could this be a difference between 2001.5 and 2002 models? Are different (size) seats available as options (I would not think so)? Also, is it possible to have the extra 2-3 inches long seats on the passenger side too? That would be really nice.
Thanks.
/vb
Also another chip question.....to anyone who has chipped the 4 cylinder turbo...is torque steer bad? The standard 4 has none as I've heard, but with 240lbs of torque, it is noticable? Also, when taking it in to service, has anyone's chip been detected/caused a problem?
Thanks!
vbi4 - Facinating observations on seat length. Though I am not as tall as you I must have long thighs because seat length is a descriminator for me as well. It is one thing thta is keeping me in my current A4. The seats in it a very comfortable.
2 AM's for a total of 12 stored stations
Mono reduces some static
Holding on the Dolby button, which then activates the SVC (Speed Vehicle Control for the audio compensation), then using the tuner dial, select 0,1,2, or 3 for compensation amounts; 0 is off, 3 is 5 dB., then press the dolby button again)
I'd quote the instruction manual, but today is my riding day for the carpool.
Noise in the front end, dealer has told me it is "normal differential noise" and common in this vehicle. I think he is full of ...... well whatever.
Mechanics I have spoken with have diagnosed it as the throwout bearing on the clutch. (I hear it at 30-40 mph, when I am on the throttle and it goes away when I depress the clutch). Dealer claims normal wear, goes away when power comes off.
ANyone have this experience with a similar vehicle?
What do you think of the price?
I know 83,000 miles is a lot, so does anybody know how many miles I can expect to run up before the whole car just gives up on me?
How well does the AutoStick thing work?
How fast does this car depreciate?
Thanks to anybody with more information. . .
However, a car with AWD (like a Passat w/4Motion), can in a stopping situation have capabilities that enhance one's abilities with respect to accident avoidance. Moreover, when AWD, ABS w/brake assist and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) work in concert the margin of safety is even further increased.
Moreover, even though several folks have claimed they would take AWD with bald tires yadda yadda yadda -- IMHO they were making that remark for effect, not to be taken literally. I agree that AWD with appropriate tires is the best choice one can make. But, the point that all of us AWD avocates have been making is that FWD is not better than AWD under the circumstances that we all appear to agree upon -- i.e., if we would put summer and winter tires on our FWD cars we will enjoy even better results by doing the same thing on our AWD cars.
And, as VW brings (to the US) the latest generation of Bosch's ESP with brake assist and puts it on Passats (both FWD and AWD), the AWD advantage will be even more pronounced.
More and more car/truck companies are doing exactly what Dr. Piech predicted decades ago -- adding AWD to their vehicles because it actually enhances safety, performance, economy (above certain speeds) and for some of us, "fun."
Those considering these fine cars from VW should not feel that AWD is inferior or a waste of money -- i.e., that its value is dubious. The evidence favors AWD in virtually all circumstances.
burning gas today that were purchased between 2000
and 2001...
This industry will always have a few *bad apples*
even VW...
83K is not too high if the car has been well maintained, and especially if they are mostly highway miles.
My 2000 1.8 wagon, bought in August of 2000, now has more than 56K miles on it and has had no mechanical problems. After two minor things in the first week, I've just had my first out-of-warranty problem - the lights for the AC & ventilation control panel come on only intermittently.
My Tiptronic transmission also has been flawless -and I use the manual setting frequently, not for running through the gears but for engine braking and when caught in creep-and-crawl traffic
The Passat holds its value better than the competition (Camry, Accord etc.)
The fly in VW's ointment is that much of the dealer network is not ready for prime time.
Vocus - You must have read something in the original post that I missed. What leads you to believe that "It sounds like the car was just driven to hell, and may not have been maintained."?
I was wondering if anyone would be able to provide 0-60 MPH acceleration times for:
1.8T manual
1.8T automatic
V6 manual
V6 automatic
I've been having trouble finding these statistics anywhere else, so I thought I'd try here. I'm curious to see the performance difference, after having heard so many people say they'd choose the 1.8T over the V6. (By the way, if the presence of 4Motion would make any difference to these times, then I'd prefer the times on vehicles WITHOUT 4Motion).
Thanks.
People prefer the 5 speed over the automatic because with a lower horsepower engine, automatics are always sluggish b/c you can't control the shift points. If you get the tiptronic shifter with the auto, you can-but it's still not as "sporty" as a 5 speed.
With a manual, you can run it to the redline at every shift (not recommended), but it will give you the best possible performance. The 4Motion system adds about 400lbs to the weight of the car, noticeably slowing it down.
It's all a trade off though, the new Altima does 0-60 in only 6.2(as fast as a GT Mustang), but it has a really cheesy plastic interior and loaded costs more than a Passat 4 cylinder. Another comparison, the 255hp Maxima does it in 7.0 seconds.
A manual Altima might do a 6.2. An auto Maxima will do around 6.8 or so.
My uncle has a chipped 2k Passat and I think it would give the new Altima 3.5SE 5-speed a run for it's money, if not beat it. I've timed the 0-60 on his car at 6.5 seconds(with a gentle start)and we've had it up to 150. The APR chip is great and with its neat features it is undetectable by the dealer.
I agree about the interior of the Altima. I had previously narrowed my choices down to the Passat and the Altima. On paper, they were tied, but for different reasons: I liked the performance of the V6 on the Altima, but I liked the looks of the Passat much more (those tail lights on the Altima are going to look SO dated in a few years... whereas the styling of the Passat will age MUCH more gracefully).
The deciding factor was a visit to a Volkswagen dealer and then a Nissan dealer. I know the Altima has more interior space, but subjectively, the difference was not that noticeable to me. The striking difference was in the quality of materials used inside. Aside from the astoundingly ugly instrument cluster of the Altima, everything looked cheap. I thought I'd somehow ended up in a Chevy. Ultimately, I came to the realization that I'm not looking for a sports car, and that the Altima's engine is less important to me than the pleasantly understated style of the Passat.
Of course, you have to take anything I say with a grain of salt. I generally choose style over substance. I just wish the Passat was offered with HID headlights...
All of my VW's and Audi's that have had ABS brakes do this -- it is the "initialization" of the ABS pumping mechanism/chamber/reservoir -- or whatever it is called. It buzzes and hums which is the same sound you hear when the ABS is activated -- minus the pulsation through the brake pedal.
At least, based on your characterization, that is what it sounds like to me.
Ask others on this board if that tracks with their experience. My current car is an Audi and it does it every time I start up after a prolonged period of time (such as overnight in the garage, or all day in the parking lot).
Hope this helps, hope this is correct!
It just happen occationally but kind of annoying, any thoughts??
I read in other posts and elsewhere on the 'Net that chipping the 4 cylinder increases heat, thus wear and tear on the engine. Several people said that it's not a problem, as long as you get the chip that's not detectable by the dealer (APR?)and you can even replace the stock intercooler to dissipate heat better, but I wanted to see if there was anybody out there who has had the 1.8T (Volkswagen or Audi) chipped for a few years and what their opinion was.
Thanks!
Passat vs. Maxima = Passat all the way, no comparison.
Bernard
the same as the base engine in the A4 2.8 & A6
Am considering a Passat, had wanted a Auto trans, until I drove the 1.8T auto, low end acceleration was sub par, drove a 5 spd and wow!, loved it and thinking I should go for the manual. Have not had a manual trans for quite awhile. Messed up my thought process though, the other cars I am considering are automatic. Have not driven the GLX v6 auto yet, but will. The 1.8T w/lthr pkg MSRP is $25800, the GLX V6 auto is $30,300. (apparently GLS V6 auto are not sensible, and few avail) For the difference the 1.8T 5 spd seems the way to go. Very concerned about build quality & reliability vs the Japanese vehicles. I have been 100% please with Nissan & Honda products of previous vehicles. It seems like the Passat GLX Auto would compare to Acura 3.2TLS, and the Infinity G35, all vehicles in the 30-33K range. Am thinking the Acura resale and quality gives it an edge, but the Passat seems so much more sporty and fun. The Acura TL-S looks a little conservative and few color choices for the S. The G35 looks hot, not sure I like the moveable instrument cluster. Now the for the glaring fact that VW dealers service & VW factory service reps seem very uncustomer oriented from all I have heard. Nissan & Honda have been great.
Also, any feedback (good or bad) on Denver, Colorado area dealers would be appreciated concerning VW dealers in Metro Denver area. Thanks...
If you want a car that is not only satisfying to drive, but performs well, is safe and because of the synergy of these traits is FUN, forget many of the appliances from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda.
As far as fit and finish are concerned -- the Passat always ranks very high in fit and finish. The Passat feels and is solid -- and it is a sporty sedan. If you really like the Japanese cars reputation for reliability (and/or you have been a satisfied owner of such cars as the Camry, Accord, Avalon, etc) I wonder if you will ever be satisfied with a German car (at least psychologically). The Passat will involve you as a driver -- the Passat will reward you. Perhaps the Japanese cars ARE more reliable, of my own personal knowledge I do not know. But I have driven many Japanese cars, notably the ones from Lexus and Acura and Infinity -- and they are very nice cars indeed. And, if some one gave me one I would not feel that I had just been insulted.
But even the very nice and faux sporty Lexus' cars I have driven (which is to say the mid sized and larger sedans) are not very involving. No matter how nice first class may be, it is still not the same as being the pilot. With the Passat you will be in the cockpit, with even the finest cars from (or by) a Japanese car company you will just be moving to a higher grade of first class. Its not a bad place to be, its just not for most of us who own Passats (VW's), BMW's, Audis and some other more engaging European cars.
As far as reliability is concerned, what I have heard and read is that the German cars are more reliable than they once were years ago and they require far less maintenance (10,000 miles between visits to the dealer,e.g.). Conversely, I have heard and read that the Japanese brands are less reliable than they once were and require the same maintence as the German cars.
Balance of "nature." Human nature.
I test drove an '02 Passat GLS 1.8t 5 speed this weekend. I absolutely NEED this car. Much more than I expected (well, coming from a '96 Honda Accord Auto 4 cyl, I may be biased). Very solid, quick, quiet, quality, etc.
Anyways, they agreed to the edmunds price (23,7xx with options), but then mentioned that there was a "port fee" of $267 that edmunds doesn't include.
Is this for real? Any other fees I should be concerned about?
Thanks..
-Craig
Port Prep = $25.00
Floor Plan Interest Reserve = $92.00
Regional Ad Fee = $150.00
Total = $267.00
As I have mentioned here several times before...
Port Prep & FPIR appear on every Invoice, for
every VW, for every Dealer Coast to Coast...
Regional Ad Fees are just that and obviously vary...I pay none, the Store in San Luis Obispo
pays $5.00, SF Bay Area is $150.00...so yours
is right in line...
-Craig