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Mid- to large-sized wagons with manual transmission seem to be the most rare type of car species...
I'm now vacillating between used VW Passat and BMW 525 wagon. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.
FWIW, I suspect that you can take your car to a local European car specialist and have them rebuild your existing motor for somewhere between $2,000-$4,000. I just took a look at the individual parts that would be required for a rebuild and they really aren't all that expensive.
Best Regards,
Shipo
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222087787
carfax tells me there is 8 months / 9K miles warranty.. but the ad doesnt list it? why is this the case?
also should i be suspicious of such a low price? what questions should i ask the dealer?
thanks in advance
Good luck - let us know what happens.
I just hope you can help me out as i too am a victim of sludging and want to do battle with VW.
Thanks in advance.
If you do please can you post a copy, i am ready to go into battle with VW, i just need some ammunition.
Thanks in advance.
Send to freespirit1@carspace.com.
Thanks again for your response. I will post again when i have some more news, good or bad.
Any information helps!
Thanks
Thanks!
BTW, the Ate rotors I have rusted on the hat area. A bit unslightly. I think Ate has a new line of rotors out that are supposed to be coated/treated. Might be worth checking out.
Word on the street is that Mintex isn't what they once were. I'd avoid them, just on the gossip factor.
The rotors, btw, are fine at 80K - amazed the service guy.
As for what I got, in the end I took it to a good independent mechanic, Whitedog Auto, and used the Jurids he had on hand. Charged me a total of $130 for parts and labor (compared to $219 asked by the dealer!) and did a great job. I don't think I could have done much better by buying online, right?
I think I spent about $85 in parts & supplies (brake cleaner and brake quiet) when I did a DIY on the rear brakes last time. I got the parts (PBR pads and Ate rotors) at getcoolparts.com - shipping is free over $50. I spent a couple of hours on the job - took my time because it was the first brake job I had done in twenty years and I just spent a while just looking at the design, layout, etc. I kinda like to admire the work of the engineers.
I have a quick question on the rear brake project - I used to do all my own brake work but haven't worked on my '03 Passat which will need rear brakes soon. Are there any special tools required to retract the caliper or is that a pretty standrd process? Thanks for ant tips you may have -
I rented one from Autozone for free (you pay $35, but it's fully refunded upon return within 60 or 90 days).
I've read about others using a c clamp and needle nose pliers to do this, but this tool makes it ssssooooo easy, why go through the hassle? Advance Auto and I think even Pep Boys may do the same kind of tool rental.
This was the first brake job I did in 20 years - it went very smoothly. Buy a small packet of brake grease at the counter of your favorite auto parts store. I'd also suggest coating the rear of the pads with brake quiet (I used the bottle, not the spray). If you google "Passat Information-base rear brakes" you might find some good instructions....
Thanks! Great information that should make the job alot easier - a good argument for the value of these forums
Thanks again -
I'm looking at purchasing a 2001.5 1.8T Passat (manual) with 50K miles for just over $7k. I'll probably drive it today and if it looks good get a thorough inspection. It has a clear carfax report (2 owners).
I intend to use the vehicle as a commuter vehicle and will only put on approx 8k miles a year (suburban & highway miles). I need the vehicle to last at least 3 years.
I've read a few hundred posts (little apprehensive now) and realize the maintenance must be followed. I'll ask if maintenance records are available (I think the sludge extended coverage is transferable) but I doubt they are.
History:
We're a one vehicle family and I need to purchase another because of the school year starting (kids). We've recently moved to a new city so we'll be looking at buying a house within the year. I'll be paying cash for the vehicle because I don't want to adversely affect my debt/income levels when mortgage time comes...and being a one income family these ratios can get easily affected with two car payments
I've been tempted to just lease a new VW Jetta (and even a base 328i...very attractive lease rates) since the lease rates for 3 years come out close to the amount I'm thinking about spending...I've leased before and it's never worked out well for me...it's always a couple grand down...then loose a couple grand when trading in on something else (probably a bad decision to trade in...)
Also...I think the total amount of the vehicle you're leasing counts in your debt/income ratio for your mortgage.
Maybe I should just go get a 2003 corolla (yuk)
Question:
Have most of the early problems (the dark times) associated with the Passat been resolved? I'm assuming that at 50K miles all the recall items and issues have been addressed; obviously I'd confirm this before purchasing.
Does the price and mileage seem reasonable?
I did have a slight reprieve from my purchase anxiety...I talked to a co-work that owns a 2001 1.8T (manual) and they have had absolutely no problems. He didn't even know about the coil issues or sludge. They just take their vehicle in for regular service (he did say synthetic) and had any recall work done then. I supposed ignorance is bliss may come into play here
Suggestions?
One more thing--if there isn't a multifunctional shark fin available that I'm looking for, will the 06 Passat multifunctional antenna fit on mine?
I accelerate as normal but when I get to around 2500 to 3000 rpms, it's like I let my foot off the gas, but I push it down harder and I get no response from the engine. It starts just slowing down to an idle. Then out of nowhere (with my foot still on the gas) it takes off like a jackrabbit. I'm defenitely a DIY guy to a point and like to figure out the problem before I take it in to a shop. But I don't even know where to begin with this one. Anybody with any ideas? :confuse:
Krzys
Well, the 2001 passat 1.8T is absolutely the worst car I have ever owned. Many, many problems w/engine, sensors, electronics, trunk latch, glove box, etc... I bought it new and I still have it... each time I have had a repair (by the dealer), I say, "that must be the last problem." But, it never is. The only good thing about the car is the paint job. When clean it looks as shiny as new. Good luck to you...I would look for a Honda or a Toyota if you have not purchased VW yet. I would look at Hyundai before VW as well.
Krzys
SURE WHERE THE PROB. WAS BUT THE CLUTCH WAS WORN OUT (100K MILES ON IT). FIRST FEW MECHANICS I VISITED COULDN'T EVEN FIND THE MAST. CYL. I'D GUESS THE WAGON ISN'T FAR FROM THE SAME NEEDS. IF YOUR IN A COMMUNITY WITH OUT A RESPONSIBLE
DEALER YOUR IN FOR LOTS OF PROBLEMS.
NOW WHEN I TURN ON THE RADIO THE WORD "SAFE" APPEARS ON THE SMALL SCREEN. NOTHING IN THE MANUAL ABOUT IT. GOD I HATE
GERMAN ENGINEERING. HELP, PLEASE.
That said, your car came with a special insert that deals with resetting the radio (which was probably built in Asia by the way). If you don't have it, call VWoA, I believe they keep them on file.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am selling my 01 Passat Wagon GLS V6. Been a great vehicle for the family, but I just purchased a 07 Odessey for more family room. I will be selling the VW privately and it will be my first private sale. I wanted to inquire about recommended asking price.
01 GLS V6 Wagon 84k - Auto, Cloth
Tape/CD/4 disk changer
non-smoker
I am 2nd owner, bought in 02 with 11k on vehicle
KBB says about $8500. Looking are cars.com for comps, most comparables are $11k-13k.
What does the group recommend an asking price? Any other advice?
Thanks in advance
Would appreciate your thoughts on way to go -- salvage or reupholstery. Is reupholstery a very time consuming job for auto shop? What do I need to request so that cloth doesn't detach again?
Appreciate your help.
Not very much, $4500, is it?
Here is what I experienced in my efforts to sell and here is what I concluded:
1) People in the used car business -- dealers, Carmax, etc -- don't actually use Kelly Blue Book. They use something called the Black Book. Everyone purchaser of used cars uses this Black Book and it is well below any of KBB's numbers, or edmunds, or NADA.
2) To get top dollar your car needs to be utterly clean. Mine was anything but -- Fair condition at best.
3) I decided it was not worth it to spend the time and effort to get top dollar for my Passat. In an hour and a half I had a check from Carmax and I walked out the door.
At the beginning of my efforts to sell this car I was thinking $8000 for sure but I am fairly certain the only way I could swing that would be to invest time and money in body repair, touch ups, etc.
Hope this helps.
When you lock the car's doors with the remote, do all of the doors actually lock? Juwt thinkiing outloud here, but I think you might have a bad microswitch on either a door or the trunk/hatch.
If the engine is 1.8T then it must have used oils meeting VW spec 502.01 or better all its life (very good synthetics - the easiest available are Mobil 1 0W40 and Castrol Syntec 0W30) changed each 5000 miles or sooner.
Krzys