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Comments
Heck, if you looked at the latest CR Auto issue, most of the BMWs and Mercedes Benz cars ranked below average in reliability!
I think I'll stick to the mediocre reliability of the Passat's!
in total;last in 1997. First one was by far the
best. Each new generation since as seemed more
generic/Americanized. Still had more personality
than a Camry. Bought a new Passat in 2002--only
problem has been a burned out headlight. Compared
to all of the Accords I have driven it is fun to
drive. Well-weighted steering, firm european ride
and it has full airbag system including curtain
bags. Even has seat belt pretensioners in the
back seat. I have driven this Passat 18,000 miles
and see no reason to buy Japanese again.
Anyway...I like you like the Passat, profvh. Which I could afford the GLX...but can't.
Anyway, enjoy it!!
I get so sick of people saying stuff like "Tell me how your car is holding up in 60K" or something to that nature...they are JUST CARS...and ANY car can have problems...even the Accord...how do I know...WE'VE OWNED 5...and they have all had minor problems...Hondas are good cars...but they aren't that darn great...tranny problem from the last generation ring a bell?
I am a BIG Honda AND Nissan fan...but I know that other cars in this class are just as good if not better at times...so people just chill....rather you drive Passat, Camry, Accord, Altima, Maxima...or whatever...just be happy with what you have
(I just thought you've been consistently the "friendliest" poster around here.)
I can personally attest that I have learned all that I needed to know about the different cars I had been shopping for in the past from Edmunds.
Many folks buy their cars based on their needs. Reliability need not always be the most important (otherwise, the American Automakers would have gone out of business by now).
Namecalling and personal attacks are a sign of a close-minded and ill-informed personality. Let's stick to the subject at hand, and leave the personal attacks out.
# Accord #
- Above Avg Reliability (C.R.)
* Transmission problems. Very low frequency.
* Road noise is highest of three. Design.
# Camry #
- Above Avg Reliability -> Avg Reliability (C.R.)
* Transmission logic "fishes" between 3rd and 4th gear. Should be fixed with a flash upgrade to the computer's programming - low frequency.
* Squeaks and Rattles - don't know how frequent.
* Supposed "Engine Sludge" problem - Occurs at very high mileage and extremely infrequent.
# Passat #
- Average reliability (C.R.)
* Secondary Pump failure - sometimes happens within the first year up to year three. Low frequency.
* Electrical gremlins - miscellanious bugs like ignition not working for a couple of hours, only to come back to life (extremely low frequency).
* Ignition Coil pack problems - inferior coil packs with relatively high failure rates - high frequency. THIS HAS BEEN FIXED WITH A CONSUMER ACTION NOTICE. Affects 1999-early 2003 models.
If anyone has any corrections, please let me know. Thanks!
Like I said...a car is a car, I drive Hondas, but I am aware that they have problems, and I don't try to throw off on people just because they don't drive what I drive...The Accord is in some ways better than the Passat, sure, but the Passat is better in ways than the Accord as well...and what gets me is that some people here want to talk about reliablity and so forth, when Honda has problems themselves...no car is perfect and the Accord is not the exception.
Sure coils were a problem for the Passat, as well as electrical problems, but the tranny problem was there in Honda's way, as well as the sludge problems for certain Toyotas.
Anyway...like I said, the Accord is not that perfect, it's close, but not quite there, and I think people take things here to darn personal...you act like the cars are people...
Thanks
Something from here, something from there. No unifying theme! Disappointing, won't set a new standard is what I think! But it looks like excellent detailing and build quality, as current Passat has.
The script is in GERMAN not ENGLISH. Why would
American Honda do this? Just interested in some
theories or reasons by this has happened.
Comments?
Handles like a German Car.
Has the refinements of a German Car.
Peformance of a German Car.
In short, they are targetting people who like the characteristics of the German and European cars.
It's kinda like that Lexus RX330 commercial which has the European car engineers fawning over the characteristics of the SUV.
as far as the extended warranty, i could be wrong, but isn't a 7 year 100K warranty basically a 4 year, 64K warranty, since the car comes with a 3 year 36K warranty?
anyway, just my opinion. am i nuts?
That said, if your Accord is very heavily loaded with features that might break - then you might want to purchase a deluxe extended warranty that covers power windows, NAV, etc. etc. - and you should be able to get one for about $1K if you shop around, I think.
Do take note, that the warranty will NOT cover wear and tear items, like brakes, or even belts - so you will still be stuck with this costs over time.
Ral has a good point, it is a four year warranty extension, and MikeK also has an excellent point - get it AFTER your manufacturer's warranty runs out - as it will cost the same - and you get to keep the money in the meantime - rather than pay finance charges on it.
Always check to see what it does and doesn't cover (like power window, pumps, etc.), and it is cheaper to go out and buy it from the company itself, vs the dealership.
Hope this helps.
And yes, it does remind one of a large American car inside.
A Passat wagon may be the next household choice for the second car.
I guess it depends on what the meaning of awesome is...
And yes, it does remind one of a large American car inside.
A Passat wagon may be the next household choice for the second car.
I guess it depends on what the meaning of awesome is...
Thanks for clarifying... I misunderstood your meaning as well. Thought you had been kidnapped and replaced by a pod person.
Now that my wife and I have had our first child I am looking for a car with
1) the most safety features (goal is to have the best chance of both surviving an accident and not suffering any major injuries) and
2) the highest reliability (for the first 5-7 years i'd like to go to the dealer to change oil and do scheduled maint. only)
Yes, I know i want the sun and the moon, but this is what my research has guided me to:
I am looking at two options of almost identical price ($20,000 invoice plus tax, license and fees). this is within my budget.
1-Passat GL 5 manual with all front and side airbags for driver and passenger, curtain airbags, ABS, traction control and Electronic stability and 4-year warranty
2-Camry SE 5 manual with all airbags, ABS (NO antiskid or Electronic stability available) premium package with leather, and fog lights and 3-year warranty.
crash tests from NHTSA are similar for both vehicles:
Passat: 5 stars frontal crash driver, 5 stars frontal crash passenger, 4 stars side crash front, 4 stars side crash rear
Camry: 5 stars frontal driver, 4 stars frontal passenger, 3 stars side crash front, 5 stars side crash rear
From Highway safety institute
Passat: GOOD (highest rating) in all except average in restraint/dummy movement
Camry: GOOD (highest rating) in all except average in foot/leg injury right front seat.
I love the passat but i really do not want to deal with maint. problems (I have only owned japanese cars: a Subaru GL10 '85, a mazda protege '98 and a rav4 '99-all extremely reliable). On the other hand, I wonder if it's not worth dealing with some limited (apparently) maint. hassles to get the most safety features. Do antiskid and electr. stability really add significant value to the safety package?
I know i cannot go wrong with either choice but I would still value your opinions so as not to leave it to the flip of a coin.
thank you
optimist2
When comparing the autos the Passat was our favorite. The Camry was actually last on my list but it turns out I did not compare the SE when I probably should have. We chose the Accord (2nd on our list) because they give the most for our trade in.
I did not have any apprehensions with the VW reliability; I've previously owned 2 Audis and they faired pretty well. Our 03 Accord has actually been the worst reliable NEW car we've purchased. We've had the car about 10 months and have approx. 16K miles on it. I've come to the realization that my 1 year old car will only have half it's warranty left. The VW warranty is 48 months 50K miles.
Looking back I probably should have gone with the VW, if only for the 50K mile warranty. The Passat is nearing the end of it's life cycle; I think the next one is coming out as an 05 so it may be dated...if that's important to you.
All being said, we're still very happy with our 03 Accord it's never left us stranded, on moderately annoyed.
Safety goes to the Passat by a slight margin I believe...and they are about equal on reliablity according to Consumer Reports. I like the Passat slightly better myself, but the Camry just offers more for a lower or equal price.
My vote goes to the Camry SE
I have read about problems with both on this board. I drove them both and found the Passat to be more fun, but the Honda faster and a fun and efficient Navigation system. I plan on driving the car for 3 years and then it will pass on to my daughter for college. I asked her and she is happy to have either.
Everyone here seems to know a lot about both cars so I would like more input other than from the salesmen. We live in Southern California so severe weather is not a factor.
Thank you.
re:gaic
Flip a coin, and you have your car. Just purchase an extended warranty for the Passat. Then again the VW is gettin redesigned quite soon so that may play a role.
It will be difficult for you to find a car( Not an SUV) that will be able to fit your need ( The driver seat all the way back and still comfortable for the back seat passenger) The only cars I can tink of is maybe the Lincoln Town car, the Cadillac, the Buick, maybe the 300M, but then again these may be out of your budget.
My suggestion, cut your legs off.. make things much easier for ya..
Domestics give you the most front and rear legroom, Caddy, Buick, Town Car (especially the "L" with a whopping 47" max rear legroom). Chrysler Concorde might also be worth considering (its probably a bit roomier than the 300m). Their obvious trade off is their high cost, lower reliability and mpg. Although you could save a few $ by buying used with an extended warranty.
Imports tend to be cheaper to buy and operate, but generally don't compete well with the domestics when you want maximum passenger and cargo room. This is partly because most imports are based on (sub)compact designs that have evolved into mostly midsized models.
It looks like you may be forced to choose between an import branded midsized car (practical, but cramped for your needs) and a full (super) size domestic, roomy but more expensive to operate.
Good luck on your choice.
I hope you realize that Mike's final suggestion was tongue in cheek.