VW Passat Wagons (GL, GLS, GLX & W8)

adavey · September 2001

my wife hate minivans and wants a wagon. we have 3 kids and the requisite dog. is the passat big enough and which engine would be best?

Smiller239 · September 2001

Thanks for the heads up on the Fresco Green V6 wagon in CT. I spoke to them but they weren't especially interested in negotiating and the GLX has a few too many bells and whistles for me.

Smiller239 · September 2001

Congrats on finding your Wagon. I am also in search of a similar configuration in the Northeast. Where did you have luck? Thanks.

acowabunga · September 2001

I am considering buying a 2001 Passat GLX Wagon right now because the market is ripe to purchase one. The thing that bothers me is the 24 month/24,000 mile warranty. Does anyone have any horror stories about the vehicle that would sway me towards the 2002 model with the 48/48 warranty? Any help in this would be appreciated.

Anthony

vwguild · September 2001

With what you save buy a VW Masterguard Warranty
for 48Months/50,000Miles...and den... forget about it...

whidbey · September 2001

I put a deposit down on a 2002 GLS 1.8 4 cyl-Automatic for pickup on Monday and am now thinking I probably did not get such a great price and was wondering to get some second opinions. We are purchasing a vehicle off the lot it has the cold weather package, homelink, monsoon and because it didn't have the CD player yet, the dealer is putting a 6 Cd player in. The price that was agreed upon was $24,000 (this includes the destination charge). I'm starting to think we may have been able to negotiate a better price, but with no TMV from Edmunds and it doesn't seem like there have many people getting the 2002 GLS yet, there isn't much to compare too. I didn't sign a purchase agreement, should I shop around or did I get the best price I can expect at this time? There doesn't seem to be many GLS 1.8 on the lots in the Twin Cities area, everything seems to be a GLX, which is beyond my budget. Appreciate in advance anyone's opinion or own experiences.

vwguild · September 2001

Without the inclusion of the CD Changer you are
doing just fine...Enjoy this purchase...if you
are comfortable with the Store and how you have been treated, then don't step over dollars to
pick up pennies...

whidbey · September 2001

Thanks for responding. I think my biggest concern was that I was unable to determine an exact dollar amount because of the CD player. The dealer told me that when the when the Passat's started coming in with the single CD player the MSRP price would increase, is that true? They originally offered to throw in the CD which they said was a $395 value. We ultimately got them to upgrade it to the 6 CD player which they said costs $495. Not counting the CD player, I feel that I am paying about $1100 over invoice, which seems excessive to what others on this board have negotiated. If what they say is true about the price going up with the addition of the standard CD then, perhaps, I did receive a decent deal.

vwguild · September 2001

It seems have taken on a life of their own!
A Six disc Changer now costs my Sales Dept. in
excess of $400 to have installed and programed
by the Service Dept. This figure includes Labor
and most importantly the beginning of a *paper
trail* that will provide a 48Month/50K Warranty
on this accessory.

As to other posts regarding prices paid...It is
impossible to determine the veracity of the claims or how they are determined...trade in
values come into play as do Interest rates, etc.

To pay $1000 or $1100 over on a very hard to find
Variant to me is acceptable and if you include
the CD, in either configuration, even more
acceptable...

As I said earlier, if you have been treated well
and this is the Passat that you want; kick back
and enjoy the rest of the experience...we buy cars
so seldom that when we do it should be fun...

On the other hand...you have been lied to about
the MSRP...Or at least mis-informed.There is no change in pricing for a
2002 Passat...Make sure that if you are financing this Variant that you take advantage of the Sub-
Vented Interest Rates from Volkswagen Credit...
Rates that start as low as 3.9% for 24 months up
to 5.9% for 60 months...www.vw.com & www.vwvortex.com

mauislick · October 2001

not to step on peter's toes but I got a panasonic cd changer with adapter cable, two extra magazines shipped to me in hawaii via UPS and it was about a hundred less than the vw oem unit (with out magazines, another 50.00 for 2 vw magazines) of the same manufacture. a vw mounting bracket for 24 bucks (inlcuding shipping) the unit works just fine......cd-r's and immdiatetly worked after plug-in. no, no vw warrenty. but the panasonic warrenty. none the less there are other routes to take

www.logjam.com
www.drewparts.com

izabelajohn · October 2001

Sorry if the question is repetitive, but it is still not clear to me. My understanding is that the new in dash CD player is just that - a 1 CD player. Will the Passat still be prewired and will it still have controls for an in-trunk 6 CD changer?
Could someone confirm that?

vwguild · October 2001

compartment is still there and wiring is
in place...The HU is a single disc and works
with the changer...

We have always relied on the customer for CD installations...
If they want a CD; fine, if not, that is OK too. We
have never just installed them and put a price on it.
And the Warranty issue is very subjective, as you say Rick...

brian126 · October 2001

On a 2002 Pissat wagon, there are two features I cannot understand. I would love to re-configure these functions but the dealer is saying that it can't be done. One is that the hatch on the wagon is a "one-time-release" mechanism. If you want to open the hatch a second time after hitting either the release button on the inside drivers door or on the key fob and opening and closing the hatch, you must hit the button again before opening.SO, if you forget to get something from the car and simply want to re-open the hatch, you need to hit the hatch release button again on the drivers door or on the key fob. The other feature is that the garage door opener which is built into the car is not always "hot". When you pull into your garage, turn the car off and attempt to close the garage door behind you need to put the key back in the ignition... Does anyone have any thoughts on this one!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hiwaysanity · October 2001

The owner needs retraining. :-)

Some of the anti-theft features are, well, different from what I was used to too. But you learn to accommodate them. Once you build the habits to shut the door before you pull the key, you will forget those minor annoyances. The overall experience of the car is great.

mauislick · October 2001

I was a bit annoyed by the "always locked" rear hatch feature as I use the car for deliveries at first, but after six weeks it isn't really a bother. Just don't want to wear out the buttons on the remote to fast

sniper5 · October 2001

Try spelling your Variant with an A instead of an I.(PASSAT) It may treat you better. What I have had to get used to is that after securing the car in my garage, I need to pull the keys to kill the radio. This was the hardest thing that I needed to get used to. It however, may save my butt one of these days by teaching me to secure the car. I agree with you on the hatch lock. Old dogs learn a little slower.

hiwaysanity · October 2001

If I disarm the alarm and open the car with 2 clicks of the remote, the hatch stays unlocked. That is, I can unlock the car, open the hatch and reclose it when done, and it will not re-lock.

If I unlock all doors from inside the car, and someone outside opens the hatch (like a guy at the grocery store putting bags inside the back), when he shuts the hatch, it re-locks.

mattrees1 · October 2001

My wife and I have found a Passat Wagon we really like but need some help determining the right price to pay. We are looking to purchase the following car (I have included the MSRP prices):

Passat Wagon GLS 1.8l, 150 hp, 20-valve fuel-injected engine $22550
Destination Charge
$550
5-speed automatic with Tiptronic, adaptive, with automatic shift lock
$1075
Leather Package
$1500
Luxury Package
$1435
Total:
$27110

Thanks,
M

vwguild · October 2001

Availabilty & Demand determine price... No one here is going to write a check for this Variant
for you...The *right price* is what you and your
bride determine to be right for the two of you...

No one here has any idea about where you live or
what the local market is, and in reality, it doesn't matter...If these folks have the Passat
that you two want...work out what works for you...

gtspec · October 2001

I'm in the market for either a 2002 1.8T Passat or a 2002 2.5S Altima. I went to both dealers and test drove the cars, performance wise they are all pretty good (Altima slightly better). However, interior wise Passat is much better! I know Passat is a safer car, and Altima is a more reliable car, but I can't really decide which one should I buy (I MUST make my decision this week for some personal reasons). Can any one offer their opinions on either car? THANKS a lot!

vwguild · October 2001

Compare the Warranties...

hiwaysanity · October 2001

Actually, you don't know that. It's a new platform. Reliability of the previous version, which is essentially dissimilar, was average. Reliability of the Passat has been similar.

tzretusn · October 2001

gtspec,

Are you comparing wagons? Didn't think the Altima was available in a wagon. We have a 00 Passat Wagon and think it is the best on the market for the money (we got the V6 and automatic). We compared to nearly every wagon in and above the price range, and the Passat was the best value. Safe, comfortable, build quality, and "feel," along with value were our criteria. No regrets, we love it.

George

mattrees1 · October 2001

My apologies. I did not know that was no-no type of question in this forum. I only asked the question since their is know TMV from Edmunds for the 2002. I am just looking for a reasonable range.

keninplacitas · October 2001

It's great to have two choices like these where the logic factors balance out. Now you can just let your heart decide whether it's going to be the Passat or the Altima. Which one do you really, really like? Which one are you going to feel best riding around in? This now is where the decision lies.

mattrees1 · October 2001

Thank you. I really appreciate the response. I believe your approach to be very fair. I plan to use it this Saturday. Which day is a better day to buy? I would assume a weekday is better.

mrnimmo · October 2001

dudleyr · October 2001

TDI Passat wagon is my dream car.

zanne2 · October 2001

I'd appreciate any comments on whether $21,550 (includes all fees) + tax and tags is a good price for a 2002 GLS 1.8T wagon with standard trans, mid-eastern PA area. Need to know ASAP. Thanks!

herf · October 2001

Does the Passat Wagon offer an optional third row seat like the A6 wagon does?

revka · October 2001

Hi zanne2- While you're waiting here for feedback, you should check out Edmunds' New Vehicle Pricing Calculator. Good luck.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards

glxwagon4mo · October 2001

herf,

No the Passat does not offer a 3rd row seat similar to its bigger "cousin"

George

marylizus · October 2001

Our 93 Escort wagon has done well for us, but we want something with a little more cargo space. We drove the Passat and it didn't seem any bigger to me although it's described as midsize. Does anyone haul alot of cargo in their Passat? We like to camp and ski and need the backseat for the kids. Also, I can't seem to find crashtest ratings for the Passat. Any idea how the Passat fared in these?

Thank you!

glxwagon4mo · October 2001

Here are the links to the crash test data:

NHTSA
..and do a search under 'cars' for Passat

IIHS

George

allhorizon · October 2001

Marylizus,

It's hard to compare a 2001/2002 Passat with a 1993 Escort wagon. The Passat is about 1000 lbs. (almost 50%!) heavier - mostly because it is a much more substantial, way more rigid, and a much safer car.

The Passat is 13" longer, has a front/rear track 3" wider, has about an inch more headroom and rear leg room, about 3" more shoulder room, and a whole bunch more cargo room. I don't know how you could have missed this. Did you test-drive one?

Admittedly, the old Escort had quite reasonable legroom for its size. However, it is to a large extent the shoulder room that distinguishes midsize cars from smaller cars. It makes you feel much less crowded, and adds safety (not to speak about the side and head curtain air bags).

BTW, there are not many cars that get as good a crash rating as the Passat. Look at the web sites

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/ and

http://www.hwysafety.org/

And keep in mind that the 2002 models are even better.

- D.

mauislick · October 2001

I use my 2002 passat wagon for deliveries for my business..........the other day I delivered 29 cases weighing 26 lbs each for a total of 754lbs including a hand truck, I had room for about 12 to 15 more cases of that size.....wwhich were 12x11x8.5
It's a great car and mine has been flawless for the first 3500mi...... it's a 1.8t with tiptronic gls with leather and monsoon candy white......get a lot of compliments of the beauty and design of the car. it sure does not seem like driving a VW.. perhaps something more expensive

dudleyr · October 2001

Consumer Reports rated the Passat the safest vehicle you can buy (among vehicles that they have recently tested). They combine crash test scores with vehicle handling, braking and a few other things to come up with this ranking.

izabelajohn · October 2001

Does anyone know if VW is offering any special financing rates or other incentives for 2002 Passats (specifically looking at GLX 4motion Variant)? Details?

hiwaysanity · October 2001

Edmunds does not list any, but their lease rates are spectacular, probably because of the economy. CAR_MAN quoted a .00117 money factor on a Passat, and I think .0012something on a Jetta or Golf. That, along with a couple thoudsand dollars cap reduction yields a payment in the low-mid $200's!

vwguild · October 2001

for *A* Tier borrowers is 3.9%-5.7%/24-60 Months

teo · October 2001

I am picking up interest on a new 2002 VW Passat Wagon GLS with the 1.8T engine and the 5-speed automatic.

The only "options" that I am interested in are:

* Moonsoon Stereo with CD or standard issue VW stereo with CD or CD changer

* Cloth Interior

* No luxury package (Don't care for leather or Moonroof)

* No cold weather package (An oxymoron in South Florida)

Basically that's it. I am interested on a "Basic" wagon. Most of what I have seen has leather/moonroof which again I find no use for.

Do you think I can expect to find a Passat GLS 1.8T wagon equipped this way in S.Florida?

Other question:

What are the current VW Credit financing incentives? I prefer to finance for no more than 36 months.

Is there any advantage right now to go with VW Credit's Driver's option plan vs the special short term finacing?

Thanks for your response.

dedi1 · October 2001

After months of searching for new car a deal was struck for a 'Blue Silver 02 GLX 4mo wagon. $476 over Edmunds' quoted invoice. My spouse seems happy! Now to begin:

Query 1. Dealer quoted bottom line for an APCO "Easy Care" extended warranty 6yr/100k for $1095 (he started at 1295). Is this a decent warranty and can this same APCO warranty be purchased for a lower price from another source? Somewhat concerned about possible 4 motion repair costs after years of use.

Query 2. Have dealt with Tirerack for many years and am planning to purchase Blizzak WS-50 package w/steel wheels (15") for winter driving in upstate NY. Is this a good combo or should I opt for 16" and different treads?

Much thanks to Edmunds and especially to all Townhall contributors especially VWGUILD for the information you so willingly share.

vwguild · October 2001

Teo...NO, I would suspect that this Variant would not be found in great numbers anywhere...
Rates good until 11/1 are 4.9%(A tier) for 36MO.
Do not know Nov. rates yet...Driver's Option is
not available in California; so I cannot comment.

dedi1...Thank you for the kind words...I would not recommend anything but a VW MasterGuard Warranty, go with the company brand...GMAC, MBZ,
whatever...If this Dealer is not authorized to sell MasterGuard contact some other Dealers in
your area and find one who is...This is something
that you can get from any authorized VW Masterguard Dealer...

glxwagon4mo · October 2001

Congrats on your new VW!!!

Nothing wrong with the Blizzaks, but since your stock wheels are 16", I would go with the 16" tire and wheel packages. One option that I'm considering right now is whether to put Blizzaks on the stock rims and then "upgrade" to 17" tires for the spring?

George

mauislick · October 2001

I;m curious as to why you would want to get an extended warranty right away since the new VW warranty is 4 yrs b to b. you are really buying a two year 50,000 mile warranty for a grand

hiwaysanity · October 2001

but in Central Mass, my Passat wagon has proven great in snow using stock tires. It will go anywhere in snow up to the depth where it eventually gets high-centered (about a foot!)

Unless you are in the Syracuse area, or are considered "essential personnel," you might not actually need the snow tires.

lfew · October 2001

I recently test drove '02 glx wagon, very nice car but down on power. not really any faster than my '95 camry wagon that was a little bigger. I think it was rated at 183hp. Does anybody have experience with a manual gearbox on the 2.8l. Can this car be chipped to give more power. I have heard that there is a top speed limiter - is this true? Can this feature be chipped. If I'm going to spend this kind of money 6k more than my Toyota that is no longer available, it must go faster than my 133mph camry wagon. I live in the middle of the desert and it is imperative that it go faster than that - 140 would be nice but even that is sleepy. Has anybody dueled out the exhaust or put headers on one? Is there anyway to make this car run better? I think the saturn wagon is faster but it's just cheaply made. Wish they had the v8 model now but can't wait much longer. Has anybody tried bfg's on one of these. I have always found the michelin pilots induce plowing and body roll. (the passat has that feature but its far better than the toyota wagon stock.)They were junk on my twin turbo supra. BFG's brought that car alive and my camry wagon(with a wheel size change 16") after a couple of wheel alignment's to dial it in. (toed in and flat)

john1313 · October 2001

I too am interested to find out more about chipping this car. I'm also in the market for one and is concerned with the hp rating. I would want it be fast enough so that my wife can get out being pinned by two big rigs if need be. I think the V6 is rated at 190hp. Thanks.

hiwaysanity · October 2001

of power on my '00 wagon. Seems downright athletic to me. But then, that's at speeds under 90 or so. Don't know about the speed limiter. Someone said 135 - have no experience at those speeds, and hope to get none.

If you really drive flat-out, pedal down, all the time, you need a Bimmer.

cupholder1 · November 2001

Is there any difference in performance between the Passat wagon and sedan?

Is the only difference between the two is the wagon's extra weight? Is everything else the same, including suspension and such? I know that the WRX sedan and wagon are slightly different aside from just the looks.

Is there any reason why the wagon wouldn't be as fast as the sedan other than its extra 100-200 lbs of pork?

VW Passat Wagons (GL, GLS, GLX & W8)

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