Are VW Passats any good?
 

An aquaintance is considering the purchase of a 1999-2001 Passat. I'm a mercedes man and know absolutely nothing about VWs. I'd appreciate input on reliability, design problems, model preferences, best model years, good or bad design changes in model years. I'm interested in these types of responses to help her make an informed decision. Please don't post that you love or hate your Passat unless you post reasons.

Thank you,
Peter

Janko,

Thanks. I'll pass the website on, but do they make a gas version?

Peter

Passat TDIs were available in 96 and 97 with MT and again in 04 with AT. From what I understand, Diesel cars won't be sold in California from 04 - ? 99-01 Passats didn't have a Diesel option.

FWIW, the 99-01 Passat unseated the Accord and Camry as the Consumer Reports best all around sedan.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum

According to the 2004 Consumer Reports Buying Guide, the VW Passat reliability rates only average for most years, with only the 2002 V6 version rated above average. Consumer Reports lists the '98-'01 4 cylinder and AWD-V6 Passat on their 'Used Cars to Avoid' list.

Happy Motoring, Mark

So much for JD Power type ratings. The Passat was the best thing since sliced bread when tested new. No wonder I don't read Consumer Reports anymore :)

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum

The Audi A4 is probably better, not by much, but more common in all wheel drive, and i dont think they cost much if any more than the VWs.

just so you know....
 

The Passat and A4 shared the same platform.

I think these Passats were included in some of the VW's and Audi's that had the sudden ignition coil failure while running potentially causing the car to stall in all traffic conditions.

ahemmm....
 

Suddenly dies with no warning. Just like so many cars with the silver star.

We own a '99 Passat Wagon, actually we are selling it to help buy a house, but I will not make this a sales pitch for my particular car. These are great cars and the doors shut as solid as Mercedes cars used to shut. There were 2 engines available for the years you are taling about. There was the 1.8L 20valve Turbo 4 cyl (Audi TT engine) and a 30 valve V-6(Audi). The quality of the interior materials is again where MB used to be. There was a problem for model year 2000 with the coils. On the 4 cylinder engines, there is 1 coil for each sparkplug and there was a rash off failures with these. Those have since been replaced with new ones under a recall campaign. The cars come with full size spares, Bosch ABS brakes, cruise control, pwr windows, A/C, pwr locks, tilt and telescopic steering columns etc. The bodies of these cars are made from fully galvanized steel and the under side is heavily undercoated and painted. The only problem we had was a waterpump failure (leakage from weep hole) at 7,430 miles. The cars were available with either a 5 speed manual gearboxes or a "Tiptronic" automatic. VW was able to secure the rights to use the term Tiptronic from Porsche. The 1.8L engine is a great engine. I once, ok more than once, took 3rd gear to 80 mph and still had 1K left before redline. These are well made cars.

At this point, thanks everyone and particularly Rick for his in deapth report. I'm fully receptive of other experiences.

Thanks again,
Peter

I consider the VW Passat to be a completely average car, not shinning in any department, but not insulting either.

In most Latin American markets, where M.B.s and BMWs are considered hiperluxury cars due to their out-of-this-world prices (tax penalties) the Passat is considered an "upscale-luxury car".

Most markets, like Europe, consider the Passat for what really is: an slightly larger and roomier Jetta with less sex appeal.

The real BIG problem for me with the Passat in the U.S.A would NOT be the car itself but the dealership network. I like to visit new car dealerships when I visit the States to check out their inventories.

The WORST showrooms, salespeople, and in general everything else are to be found at U.S: VW dealers. Horrible! A friend of mine who lives in Washington, D.C. also bought a Passat and after a year he sold it becacuse of the terrible service he got from the dealer.

Many people wonder why VWs sell so well around the world and they do not in the U.S.A. (being such well made-reliable cars)... Well, its simple, the WV dealership network sucks...

my previous car was a '99 V6 Passat. i passed on the buy option at end of lease and bought my '93 w124 instead. nuff said...