Anyone have or have driven a VW Passat?

momzsvx · #1 09-21-2007, 05:33 AM

I need a four door vehicle as three kids in and out for school in an svx is not working out smoothly along with back packs. I must get rid of one of my svx’s and I am looking forward to trading one of mine along with a miniscule cash amount for a 99 or 2001 car. I had went to look at a 99 yesterday and the transmission needed replaced. I have no knowledge about these cars. I do like the looks of them for my price range. If anyone can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

Speedklix · #2 09-21-2007, 05:49 AM

Having driven every trim level of every model VW made up to about 2005, i can claim the passat to be a decent car. avoid the ones with swing out cupholders if you plan to use them... what a mess! The base model is a turbo 4 which is awesome on gas compared to the rest of them.. until you load it with people anyway. the W8 is tons of fun, but would not recommend buying one to family peeps. The V6 models are really the best of all worlds. You can't beat on them, drive it like a benz (gentle). You'll be pleased with the power in the v6, nothing impressive but gets the job done. and if you get a 4motion, they are great in the snow but not much else (rain is ok, dirt meh, ice NO WAY). The stock breaks on all of them wear quick and leave the wheels a mess. I don't know what else to say really... don't even look at jettas, your kids will hate you when they get bigger. NO leg room, passats are much better in the back.

Landshark · #3 09-21-2007, 06:43 AM

if you like electrical problems, then its a fine choice.

Manarius · #4 09-21-2007, 06:47 AM

If you like driving around junk - that's okay too

RSVX · #5 09-21-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

if you like electrical problems, then its a fine choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manarius

If you like driving around junk - that's okay too

Speedklix · #6 09-21-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

if you like electrical problems, then its a fine choice.

easy solution --> don't buy one owned by an idiot

avoid cars with aftermarket alarms/starter stereo lamp etc..

...legacies are nice too

Landshark · #7 09-21-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedklix

easy solution --> don't buy one owned by an idiot

avoid cars with aftermarket alarms/starter stereo lamp etc..

...legacies are nice too

let's see .... friends wife's brand NEW Beetle had power window problems and the gas tank lid got stuck after a few months of ownership before it was traded.

guy at work has a Golf/Rabbit (?) he bought NEW and can never keep the right taillights working, as well as the horn that goes off when he's driving.

i read a car mag road test review of the Phaeton (assuming a NEW one), and it was like a comedy bit with all the trouble they had with the Nav and climate controls.

friend was a service manager at a VW/Subaru dealer, and said he loved VW's .... because he always had steady work.

i never liked VW's, but i do like Audi's and Mercedes. i just would never buy any of them because i like cars that work the way they are supposed to.

budbaer · #8 09-21-2007, 09:37 AM

Two of the most dependable cars that I have owned were a 1986 Scirocco 16v and a 1987 Scirocco 16v. Sciroccos were also designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. If I found one in right condition, I would own another.

GreenMarine · #9 09-21-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

if you like electrical problems, then its a fine choice.

I second that.... My only question is this: "What's wrong with a 2001 Subaru Outback?" They are great cars and will probably outlast the VW

wawazat?? · #10 09-21-2007, 04:19 PM

I owned a 2001 Passat 1.8t, 5 speed wagon. Great car. No problems over 80k miles of ownership. They are susceptible to oil sludge issues if the oil is not changed regularly.

My father-in-law had a '99 Passat V-6 automatic sedan that he bought new. Terrible car with many problems.

Speedklix · #11 09-21-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wawazat??

My father-in-law had a '99 Passat V-6 automatic sedan that he bought new. Terrible car with many problems.

ohh yeah, thats right.

took VW a little bit to sort out some issues too
ignition systems, headlights hazed up like the svx only worse, interior was not put together as well as later on.

and on the nav comment, that is true the navigation is a little stupid

Tim · #12 09-21-2007, 10:38 PM

My beetle has about 64K on the clock. The interior is falling apart, the gas gauge is off by a lot, and the transmission sometimes slams into 2nd gear.

Other than that the car runs great mechanically. Fit and finish is pretty impressive. The door feels solid when it slams shut and the handling is pretty impressive, although not as good as the svx in cornering (obviously). The 4 speed auto is geared so low that I'm turning 3000rpm at 60 mph and about 3800 at 70. Acceleration is decent but my gas mileage suffers. I get roughly 24 mpg in mixed driving, which isn't terrible, but for such a small car I thought it would get more.

Would I own it if i had to pay for it? probably not. Pretty much everything in the owner's maintenance manual recommends taking it into "an authorized vw repair center" from changing lightbulbs to oil and doesn't really give to good of info. So far I haven't had electrical problems though.

crazyhorse · #13 09-21-2007, 10:47 PM

Easy choice, get a 95-98 Legacy GT. Make sure the color matches your SVX, then, tell everyone you bought it because it was the SVX's brother/sister.

The cars share much of the same design/engineering DNA. I LOVE my 97 Legacy LSi. It's smooth, quiet, & actually quite peppy. I was actually able to hang with a well driven 350Z on The Dragon.

Power, speed, luxury, sounds like an SVX with 4 doors huh?

OH & lest we forget, They can be had for fairly cheap.

SVXyGirl · #14 09-21-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momzsvx

I need a four door vehicle as three kids in and out for school in an svx is not working out smoothly along with back packs. I must get rid of one of my svx’s and I am looking forward to trading one of mine along with a miniscule cash amount for a 99 or 2001 car.

Keep the SVXs...trade the kids.

Or make them walk..

It's Just Eric · #15 09-21-2007, 10:30 AM

...Tell them to pack lightly?
Meh, they only gotta deal with it till they are what? 16? 17? and Im sure the last few years worth they wont mind being carted around in a super retro-futuristic car

As for the vee dub,. My neibor has one. She seems to like it. I helped detail it once, and I can say the interior was nice...Fit and finish was great...Seems to be built pretty well. Then again, I know absolutely nothing about the mechnical bits