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Volkswagen Passat 2005 and earlier

15253555758162

Comments

  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    I see from your location that you only have 2 VW dealers within 100 miles, and only 1 within 50 miles. That's a hard situation. I'd at least try the next closest dealer to see if they would deal on the car. I've never heard of anyone having to charge MSRP just because it's an ordered car - that just BS. Maybe the guy is under pressure by his sales manager to move their current inventory and was just trying to scare you away from ordering.
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    Zoom-zoom, huh? I thought only Mazdas had that. LOL

    It sounds like you feel that the 4Mo has faster acceleration than the FWD. I was wondering the opposite, if the 4Mo feels slower because of the extra weight. Or did I misunderstand your post?

    I wonder if there are any plans in the future for VW to give the V6 Passats more HP than 190. Not only to distinguish them further from the 1.8t (with 170/180? HP) but also to give them a bit more power for their heavier weight, esp the 4Mo. Or maybe that's not an issue.

    Have I been hanging around here that long? Oh Man!! You guys aren't going to kick me off the board, are you? ;-) I wish I could trade my car now, but I need to wait a little longer to get a good trade. I plan to be ready with a decision by the time that day comes, hence all my research, etc. right now.

    I wish I could just jump right in and when I do, I agree I will deserve the best Passat (or whatever) that my money can buy!
  • wack101859wack101859 Member Posts: 5
    I am in the market for a new vehicle. i currently drive a '92 Maxima which is ok but I don't like the styling of the new ones. I love the styling of the passat 2002 GLX 4 Motion. I also like the Acura 2002 TL and the Audi A4 2002 2.8 Quattro. it is between these 3 cars. Does the new Passat come with 220 HP in the 6 cylinder. I have read conflicting reviews that either stated 190hp or 220hp. I have concerns about the reliability of the passat but i haven't read too many complaints from current 2002 GLX 4-motion owners. I have only test driven the Acura TL 220 HP and not the S type. Which one would you buy. Price is not really a concern. Except for the Audi the price of the Acura TL and The Passat are the same. Any comments would be appreciated. I do know that I have to test drive the Passat. The looks of it are very seductive. Thanks to all who respond
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    I know this has come up before time and time again and perhaps I have alluded to this issue in previous posts. There seems to be a general opinion that Japanese cars are expected to have outstanding overall reliability, more so than European or American makes. Historical data and observations do seem to bear that out. What has always puzzled me is why? How have the Japanese automakers developed more reliable makes and the Europeans and Americans haven't? It can't be such a big secret, can it? Being a native Detroiter, I am always saddened and disappointed by the overall reliability of the Big 3 vehicles. Why can't we do better in this area?

    It is also a mystery of how VW can design and engineer a wonderful car like the Passat, that is top rated in every category except reliability. How can it be rated #1, even compared to Camry and Accord, but only have average reliability? Which is not bad, but not great either. When I looked at a Passat, everything seemed so carefully thought out and assembled with quality in mind. Yet there are so many horror stories about things failing, both big and small. I just don't get it. I guess if the Passat had excellent reliability, it would be a perfect car and there's no such thing. But it seems that it could be better in that area. Or maybe I'm expecting too much in a non-luxury vehicle.

    Anyone out there have any thoughts or theories on this? Please don't misunderstand, I'm not dogging the Passat, I think it's a great car. I just wish the overall reliability was better and I don't see why it couldn't be.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    The V-6 Passat currently has 190 Horsepower. The Audi V-6 is now 3.0 Liters (220 Horsepower), not 2.8 Liters. The Acura is a nice car too. Very well constructed. The Passat will give you more of a feel for the road. If you opt for a 4 Motion Passat, you cannot get split folding rear seats (I don't know if this is important to you). The A4 3.0 loaded is going to run in the upper $30K range.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • trmichaelstrmichaels Member Posts: 18
    re: silvercrown/why can't German/US cars be more reliable?

    I have wondered this, also. But in response to your comment "maybe I'm expecting too much in a non-luxury vehicle," I might point out that even many of the top "luxury" vehicles have less than average reliability, including the Audi A6 and the Mercedes Benz S-Class. I stayed away from a BMW partly for this reason (and also that it is expensive to insure and repair). People often think that luxury cars won't have problems, but they do.

    I do have this thought. Maybe those who have the means to spend more money on a car (i.e. luxury and near-luxury models) are more demanding that everything work perfectly, have more money to effect repairs, and, therefore, tend to visit dealers more often to get every little thing fixed, whereas someone without such means might not. This would make the higher-end cars appear to be less reliable.

    However, my theory is shot to pieces when you look at the Japanese car ratings. Guess who's at the top of the heap? Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, Toyota/Lexus - great reliability in both their luxury and non-luxury models.

    In spite of all this, Consumer Reports ranks the Passat V6's reliability at 5% BETTER than average (not worse), which isn't all that bad. It's better than you'll get from many American-made models! It just looks bad compared to the Japanese. I can live with that when the "consolation" is a great car like the Passat.

    It also seems to me that the more "gadgets" you put in a car (heated seats, rain-sensing wipers, "automanual" transmissions, etc.), the more chance there is that SOMETHING will go wrong at some point. But, again, the Japanese disprove this theory. Their cars have these features, and are very reliable.

    So much for my theories.

    All I know is I got to take my Passat on its first long drive this morning, and it was sheer pleasure. I wasn't the least bit bored like I was in my Japanese-made car. And if something breaks, I am covered for four years. And I'll get to take that nice 40-mile drive to the dealership :-)
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    Or your state's Lemon law office. ;)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    He could always make them give him a new car like they had to do with you, because there were so many problems...
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    VW would do that? Gee, that's the kind of reassurance I need to jump into the VW wagon.

    Didn't know VW was so generous with unhappy customers.
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    I read with interest the postings that somehow feel compelled to defend the German cars reliability vs Japanese cars.

    Perhaps the Japanese cars are more reliable, I have heard horror stories about Hondas and Toyotas and their upmarket cousins -- but I guess just not as many.

    Then the postings end with the comments pertaining to the sheer joy of driving the German cars and contrast them with the (generally) bland driving experiences with the Japanese cars.

    Sure, I want my German car to be more reliable -- and I believe that the Germans (across the board) are building them better all the time. But, I will take what few problems I have had with my VW and Audi products over a 24 year period (and only complain a little bit) in exchange for the sheer joy and performance of these cars -- especially when contrasted with my friends ES300's, Avalons, Accord LX's and Acura's. These "perfect" Japanese cars are nice -- so is my sofa. These perfect Japanese cars main problem, IMO, is that they are perfect -- they do not engage the driver in ways that their German counterparts do.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I don't know what you mean by mentioning VW. It has nothing to do with anything. The thing is, there you go again downing someone else's car because it's not what you drive. It just gets old.

    And I also don't know what is so bad about VW service. I have taken my car to 3 different dealerships (bought from one, 5K maintenance at one, and serviced for a rattle at one) and they have all been great to me (I am in Maryland). So I don't get it.
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    Exactly you are in MD. Come down here to FL to experience VW service..
  • steveiowasteveiowa Member Posts: 51
    A friend, who drives German cars exclusively, said "The Japanese build cars for passengers. The Germans build cars for drivers."

    I think that sums it up.
  • steveiowasteveiowa Member Posts: 51
    No way did I mean to imply the 4Mo had better acceleration than the FWD. It weighs at least 400 pounds more, so that would defy the laws of physics.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I definitely second that emotion. :)
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    ...I wouldn't pay many of carpoint's ratings much attention. For one, the boards seem to be a battleground for people. People who drive the Accord go to the Camry and Altima boards and diss those cars. People who drive the Camry go to the Accord and Altima board and diss those cars, and people who drive the Altima go to the Accord and Camry board to diss those cars. See what I mean? You can tell which reviews are fake, and which reviews are real. The Passat is lucky, must of the reviews are from real owners, but that is not always the case with the reviews of the Camry, Accord, and Altima.

    I am, in no way trying to doubt the Passat's ratings, I am just trying to state why the Camry and Accord and Altima ratings seem to be so low.

    BTW, I think the Passat is the best looking car in it's class. It's styling is still very nice(I love the Altima too.) and the interior uses some of the best materials this side of an Audi A6. Reliability, I hope, will improve. I really really want a 2000 Passat GLX!
  • goolappergoolapper Member Posts: 27
    Have been looking for a new efficient daily driver basic commute vehicle over the last few months...Originally was looking at Passat & A4 but didn't want 2 spend that much money, they
    seemed more than I needed for the purpose + down here where I live everything gets door-dinged 'n don't need the heartbreak of that right now...So thought okay lets look at Honda, Toyota, Jetta & gad-zooks Hyundai (my neighbor got an XG300L recently & its very very nice) Sonata cuz I liked the styling.

    Honda - had several (incl my wifes CR-V), always totally reliable, but the Civic's getting
    pricey...and they're just boring (i kno, i kno, i'm looking for a commute car)

    Toyota - was never interested in the Corolla but was v interested in ECHO (for watever perverse
    reasons!!!) but by the time you add on minimal Middle-Aged-Folks amenities they are not
    cheap....+ every dealer tryed to steer me into Corolla anyway

    Sonata - well, i don't know about where you live but there just aren't ANY down here where
    I live (strike? selling out? combo of both)....besides which I decided it was a little bigger 'n
    pricier than I wanted anyhow..also have some issues with long-term reliability altho that is
    company that "seems" to have improved quality a whole lot.

    Jetta - Love the car (but not as much as the Passat) but my wife doesn't. Also a bit hi-end
    pricewise

    Ford Escort SE - nice little car, nice competitive price but quite frankly the concatenation of the letters F-O-R-D scares the bejabbers outta me; not quite as scary as the letters G-M but close.
    I worked at GM plants when I was a pup 'n witnessed 1st hand the self-inflicted destruction of
    the USA auto industry...it was like a industry wide suicide...eyes wide shut....

    So am surfing boards including Edmunds & notice that there's just an unbelievable amount
    of activity on the Mazda Protege board....a brand I'd never even considered & a car i'd
    never even heard of....U just don't see them on the road. Checked out the board....Maniacal
    Devotion to the Max....Located a nearby dealer & test drove an ES (& a 5)....outstanding
    cars in terms of styling/comfort/price/performance...thousands less than anything in it's class & loaded to the gills....Don't know if will purchase but the previous Zoom-Zoom posts set me off!!!

    Actually you Passat drivers are an enviable lot!!!! Who knows maybe I'll end up w/a Passat
    (wifey likes'em) or a Jetta (despite wifey) ....but could be content with a zoom-zoom Protege...
  • mlayton694mlayton694 Member Posts: 45
    Goolapper,

    I suggest you tell your wife to keep in her opinions in the kitchen where it means something, treat yourself,

    Happy Passat owner
  • goolappergoolapper Member Posts: 27
    it were so!!!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Those kinds of comments are not necessary, so let's just leave them out of our conversations.

    Thanks.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • whichvwwhichvw Member Posts: 4
    I recently got a 2002 Blue Anthracite 1.8T with Tiptronic, Monsoon, and Homelink. Absolutely love the car.

    There is one thing concerns me though:
    After most drives, When i turn off the engine, I hear a little wheezing noise that sounds like it is coming through the air vents.
    Kinda strange.... Then if I need to go back out again soon thereafter, when I crank it, It smells a bit funny.
    Has anybody else experienced this?

    Maybe I'm just paranoid after hearing all of those horror stories.

    916 trouble free miles so far...
    Thanks in advance
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    (pardon the off-topic post) Goolapper: If you like the Protege you should check out the new Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix. I believe these are due to hit showroom floors in a few weeks. Same size as Protege. Fresh looks and a low sticker.
  • wack101859wack101859 Member Posts: 5
    I took my '92 Maxima SE in for service andI spoke with the vice-president of the dealership.He is in charge of Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda and Volkswagen divisions of his car dealerships. I Told him that i really didn't like the New Maxima which he was really pushing. i asked him about the Passat. Since they are comparibly priced I figured he would give is a glowing rating. He said that the car rides very well but that the Germans tend to overengineer their cars. He said that they think that if one relay is good then two would be better. This may be why some Passat owners have some strange problems with their cars. This surprised me very much. It made me say no way I'm going to deal with this but again that look is sooooo seductive. Well I don't know when I'll pull the trigger on the purchase but maybe I've shed some light on the reliability issues.
  • steveiowasteveiowa Member Posts: 51
    Oh MAN! First time I've driven the 4Mo in winter weather...I should have bought a Passat a long time ago. It is WONDERFUL...with the ABS and the suspension of the Passat, it's incredible how well that car handles on slippery roads. I may pay for lower fuel mileage but the handling is INCREDIBLE.
  • samaritanosamaritano Member Posts: 8
    I just wanted to ask if $26K out the door is a good price on a '02 1.8T/tip, leather and luxury package and moonsoon.
    Is there a way to check for car availability (inventory) in any VW dealer? I'm asking because I don't want to wait 3 months for delivery?
  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    Sounds very good if that price includes tax.
  • henerhener Member Posts: 14
    I thought you have a Impala and a Acura, so how do you know so much about VW service dept. in South Fla. We all know that you are on very good terms with the chevy service dept. having spent a great deal of your time there. I have had no problems with the sevice dept. where I bought my Passat, here in North Carolina, of course I haven't had any problems with my car either.
  • grelpegrelpe Member Posts: 6
    I'm getting ready to buy an '02 Passat and have assumed all along that the V6 was the best choice. Then today a mechanic (who doesn't specialize in VWs) warned me NOT to get the V6, because he suspects that in the long run it would have more problems than the 4 cylinder, and he suggested I check this out with a VW mechanic, which I plan to do. But first, can anyone out there comment on this? I have only test driven the V6 so far, but now that the 1.8 turbo has been amped up a little, I'm curious about it, and confused. Any advice from you folks?
  • mbros2kmbros2k Member Posts: 71
    Oh no; not another one of these arguments. But then again, the turbo does get great gas mileage, and is lighter and more nimble, and is about 2 grand cheaper, and is oh so peppy, and.... is way cooler. Oops, maybe I shouldn't have said that.
  • mbnut1mbnut1 Member Posts: 403
    I have an Audi A4 with the 1.8T. I would only get the V-6 if the additional refinement in terms of noise and vibration mattered to you. I like the 1.8T noise in my Audi but don't like it in the Passat, the exhaust / sound proofing must be different. I don't like the engine vibration transmitted to the car with either car. Though having said that my 1.8T idles perfectly smooth and in fact is smoother than the V-6's I have driven. The V-6 has more torque so it is probably better matched with the automatic ( I have a 5 spd) but in my opinion the 1.8T has plenty of power, it just needs to be worked harder. The 1.8T Passat is more fun to drive because of the reduced weight in the front end and it gets excellent fuel mileage. The turbo was replaced in my car under warrenty and I don't fear that it will be a problem in the future. I think that the early ones had a problem with a link to the wastegate which required the whole turbo to be replaced. At 60K miles my 1.8T doesn't use a drop of oil between 5K mile changes which I have heard can be an issue for the V-6's.
    In summary if you don't mind the additional noise or vibration you get with the 1.8T and don't need the extra torque it provides I would go for the 1.8T.
  • adecouxadecoux Member Posts: 1
    I'm actually thinking of purchasing a Saab due to poor quality issues with my 2001.5 New Passat GLS 4Motion. I purchased the car on 9/15/01 and it's been in the shop for more than 3 weeks. VW is still unable to fix the problem. The car makes a "plopping" noise when accelerating which is probably due to slack in the drive-line directly related to poor quality at the factory. After speaking with other mechanics, this problem is not "fixable." The local VW Factory Rep (Harold) was supposed to contact me over a month ago--I have yet to hear from him regarding a possible buy back. I will stay away from VW since they don't appear to stand behind their product--you should do the same. Buy a BMW 325xi, it's pretty much the same price.
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    I have only heard complaints about Saab reliability -- not service, reliability. My Saab owning friends love their cars and visit them often at the Saab dealer.

    This does not forgive your concerns and problems with VW -- but if the Saab stories I have heard are even 50% accurate, the VW's ARE actually more reliable than Saabs. Have not heard much of anything about BMW's -- all my friends and aquaintences think they are overpriced, hence they don't buy them.

    My Volvo owning friend says that his Volvo's have been great, he is on his third. Before that he had a Saab.

    To each his own.
  • jrosasmcjrosasmc Member Posts: 1,711
    How good is the 1.8-liter turbo engine when it comes to overall reliability and durability?
  • jhjordanjhjordan Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 VW Passat GLS. I purchased it on December 1st and I have had no problems until this past week.

    About six times in the past week the sunroof has opened about 3 inches all by itself. It is very disconcerting to be driving along in a snow storm and have the sunroof open. Has anyone else had a problem like this?

    I guess it is time to call the dealer.
  • pkraddpkradd Member Posts: 358
    Sounds like you have a ghost in the car.! Possibly one who died of affixiation in an automobile?
    Most likely an electrical (crossed wires) problem. You do need to go to the dealer. It's under warranty.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    wack101859: You are the second person on Edmunds (that I've seen) to make this comment about Germans "over-engineering" their cars. I was on another board (the Altima, I think) and someone recently said that the Passat was over-engineered. (I think it was "atexeira"?) I didn't know what that expression meant in this context, so I had to ask him. The explanation was slightly different but the overall conclusion was the same. I find it an interesting theory that this may account for some of the "gremlins" and other problems that sometimes occur with the Passat and other German made cars. If this theory is correct, then it seems that sometimes less really is more .....
  • pkraddpkradd Member Posts: 358
    I think this is a myth. Made mostly by people who never owned a German made car. The comment on this forum was from a VP at a car dealeship. It was interesting that the dealer sold other brands besides VW. Could it be that he was pushing the Japanese models because he made more profit on them? NASA over engineered the Apollo spacecraft. That means they had some redundency and backups on the systems in case something went wrong. It adds more to the cost of the car, obviously, but I don't think it makes them less reliable in the scheme of things. To each his own I guess. I love my 2001.5 Passat. It's the best car I've ever owned. Better than my two Camry's ('95 abd '98) or my Buick Riv iera back in 1978.
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    I admit, when I first read the over-engineering comment, I was stumped. I couldn't understand how anything could be "over" engineered. However, the explanation I received on the other board, was that the Passat was engineered to take way more abuse than it would probably ever encounter in normal situations. Which sounds like a good thing to me. The VP at the dealership seemed to take that theory and apply it in a different way. I'm going to look for that post and paste it here, in case I'm misstating what was said.
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    pkradd and all: It was the Nissan Altima board where I first saw the over-engineering comment in regards to the Passat. If interested, see post #2812 (where the comment was first made); #2816 (my question about what it meant); and #2818 (the explanation given for over-engineering in that context). I didn't want to paste all those comments here. But if anyone wants to know what was said, you'll find it there.
  • pkraddpkradd Member Posts: 358
    Thanks for the info. The Altima is a fine-looking automobile. It strikes me as being similar in general shape to the Passat, albeit much larger. It should do very well as it is competitively priced and "sexier" then the new Camry. It should be interesting in late summer to see what the redesigned Honda Accord for 2003 looks like. The Accord beat out Camry for top sales in 2001 ending Toyota's 4 year run. My friend runs an Altima dealership. He says sales have been good. The car is not getting high grade marks for workmanship and interior parts, however.
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    Just curious -- did they have a brochure? What were/are the options you ordered and available?
  • lobecklobeck Member Posts: 11
    I am curious...your friend that owns the Nissan dealership...has he heard complaints about the new Altima's interior? I've seen many, many posts where people said that one of the biggest drawbacks about the new Altima was that its interior materials looked cheap...

    You're right...the new Altima does look "sexier" than the new Camry, but I must have been one of the few people who hasn't been totally bowled over by the new Altima. It's supposed to be much more powerful than its predecessor and all, but its looks haven't really done that much for me...*shrug* No matter, though...nothing gonna change my mind about getting a Passatt! ;-)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The Passat is just more refined looking than the Altima, IMO. The Altima does look cheap (to me, anyway) inside. I own a 2002 Jetta 1.8T with Leather Pkg., and it looks alot better inside than the Altima 3.5SE I test drove. That's just my opinion though.

    I plan to trade up to a Passat within 2 years or so. I like them alot. But I like the pre-2001.5 models' styling better. Guess I will be picking up a used one then... :)
  • pkraddpkradd Member Posts: 358
    Re the Altima. He did not mention anything about consumer complaints about the interior (and I didn't ask - don't want to ruin our friendship!) but I have read reviews about the relative "cheapness" of the interior.
    Indeed the Passat has a more refined look than the Altima in my opinion as well. I think the Passat will grow "old" very well as it has a classic design to it I believe. The pre-2001.5 Passat are the ones that gave the model a bad rep for reliability I'm afraid. The new model has over 2000 changes geared towards getting past that problem. Hopefully it will pan out. I'll be interested in seeing what the reliability results are at the end of the year for the new Passat. So far, I've had no problems after 7600 miles.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I just like the look of the exterior of the old model better. The front end is what I cannot get over, and the wheels. Also, the gauges don't look quite right to me either. I prefer the old design though.
  • natepnatep Member Posts: 3
    I have a 1999 GLS and need new tires. I am interested in all season; tires good in snow would help as I live in Vermont. I currently drive on the original Michelins and am not impressed.

    Thanks

    natep
  • markcincinnatimarkcincinnati Member Posts: 5,343
    Avoid Pirelli P7000's they are noisy and short lived.

    If the size you need or a plus Zero size is in the line, I can highly recommend Yokohama AVSdb's check them out on www.tirerack.com. These tires are Ultrahigh performance all season -- very quiet, and they perform very well and seem to have a long tread life.

    Plus zero if you can -- it will make your car handle better and you can use your stock wheels!
  • iamwhoamiamwhoam Member Posts: 23
    Since the Jetta is going to get the 200hp VR6 sometime this year with a 6sp manual, has anyone heard what they might do for the Passat, which will now have a less horsepower? The Passat got a make over for the 2001.5 models, when can we expect a fresh new car? Anyone heard anything?

    I have heard that the Jetta will get a redesign for 2003 (autonews.com website). Refresh or redesign? I hate it when I get stuck with the last model year of a body type.
  • pkraddpkradd Member Posts: 358
    The car was just updated for the 2002 model year. The 2001.5 were actually the 2002 model. It was not given a year because of some marketing decisions by VW. It was never officially a 2001.5, it was the "New Passat". Don't expect a major design (or minor design)change until the 2004 model. There will be engine changes before that, of course. Buy a car when you need it. Otherwise you'll never get one!
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