Any VW Passat owners here?

Ignatius · January 4th, 2007, 11:15 AM

If you have one, just wondering what your long-term experience has been with it. We have a 2003 1.8t that we bought new and it still has low miles (38k). Wanting this car to last for the long haul, or at least another 3-4 years at least. The miles will stay low but I'm curious about any particular maintenance quirks and/or suggestions to avoid any known issues with these cars.

furrfurrfurr · January 4th, 2007, 11:17 AM

i have a 2001 GLS. Love it. Only 36k miles, but so far only very minor electric issues. Nothing serious.

jlrich · January 4th, 2007, 11:54 AM

My girlfriend has a 2003 that she bought new, not sure of the series. She likes it but she has had some issues and unfortunately, like most cars these days, they are very expensive. She has about 60k on it and the cv joints are shot, the transmission slips sometimes (although these mountians have alot to do with that), and she's had the stereo replaced...among other things. The interior cosmetics seem to have some problems too.

jimd · January 4th, 2007, 11:56 AM

I have a 2001 1.8T with about 120,000 miles on it. I have had no major issues with it and I really like driving it. Just a few annoying things like the driver's power window switch not working properly and a broken latch on the armrest. My only real problem with the car is it is a major ordeal just to change the oil yourself and having a dealer do it is outrageously expensive.

Tool user · January 4th, 2007, 12:24 PM

My wife has a 2000. There haven't been any serious issues with it so far (65K miles). I've heard that the CV joints on 2000 & later models do need a swap at about 60K, and that the cost is dear. The car's lock/alarm system has also been a bit quirky lately, but otherwise not much to report. Fun car to drive.

agraebner · January 4th, 2007, 01:12 PM

Im a full time mechanic for over 10 yrs. For the most part they are reliable cars. Have the timing belt changed and keep the oil changed you should be good. Neglect either of those and look out though I have seen several broken timing belts that have cost over 2000 to repair due to the high cost of valves. Beware theses also have a low miliagee change interval on these cars. Also it is best t use synthetic oils in these as they can develope sludge problems.

retsacelet · January 4th, 2007, 01:47 PM

My wife had a Passat - don't remember the year maybe 2000? Most unreliable vehicle weve ever owned. It cost us at least $500 every time she cranked it up. Because of this I will never, ever own another Volkswagon.

charlie chitlin · January 4th, 2007, 01:54 PM

I am a professional motorcycle mechanic and do all my own car work.
I was a die-hard VW guy for years.
Well...it died; and it was hard.
They'll have to make some serious changes before I'll buy another.
For what the parts cost, you may as well buy a Porsche.

"S.P.U.N." · January 4th, 2007, 01:59 PM

I had a '99 wagon (with about 85k miles) for a few months last year and had no problems. From what I've heard, and this will repeat what previous posters said, keep up on your oil changes. I understand that these turbo four cylinder engines can develop a sludge problem.

jlrich · January 4th, 2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsacelet

My wife had a Passat - don't remember the year maybe 2000? Most unreliable vehicle weve ever owned. It cost us at least $500 every time she cranked it up. Because of this I will never, ever own another Volkswagon.

My girlfriend has concluded to the same. She likes the car, just wouldn't get another one. Plus, the service departments (tried two different ones) stink. And the warranty stinks too...covered pretty much nothing.

chickenpicker · January 4th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Have a look here - great site:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.ph...ycar/index.htm

bongo · January 4th, 2007, 04:27 PM

My first Passat ('95 GLX) was a great car (still is. I gave it to my Daughter in Arizona @ 95000 miles). It had issues with the locks freezing up and also with the power windows not working well. Yes , they cost $$$ to repair but it needed much less work than the Fords, Mercurys, Dodges that I owned before. That car is a Rocket and a joy to drive (noisy inside, like a sportscar)
My latest is a 2003 I bought @22000 miles and so far it's only needed a water pump (warranty covered). Everyone says use Synthetic Oil and be religious about changing it. I've been happy with VW Quality, but repairs are pricey.

blue metalflake · January 4th, 2007, 04:56 PM

If your 1.8 T is the 20 valve turbo, shared with some Audi & Seat, which is set up for around 150 BHP in a Passat, it usually proves reliable enginewise.

I had the engine in a Seat & put over 120,000 miles on. Only issue with it was HT power packs, which were unique to the 180 BHP version.

Engine wise you should find it A1.

January 4th, 2007, 11:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ignatius Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 788 1 Photos	Any VW Passat owners here? If you have one, just wondering what your long-term experience has been with it. We have a 2003 1.8t that we bought new and it still has low miles (38k). Wanting this car to last for the long haul, or at least another 3-4 years at least. The miles will stay low but I'm curious about any particular maintenance quirks and/or suggestions to avoid any known issues with these cars.

January 4th, 2007, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
jlrich Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Marion, NC Age: 42 Posts: 1,156 6 Photos	My girlfriend has a 2003 that she bought new, not sure of the series. She likes it but she has had some issues and unfortunately, like most cars these days, they are very expensive. She has about 60k on it and the cv joints are shot, the transmission slips sometimes (although these mountians have alot to do with that), and she's had the stereo replaced...among other things. The interior cosmetics seem to have some problems too. __________________ MySpace YouTube

January 4th, 2007, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
retsacelet Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Newnan, GA Age: 41 Posts: 543 2 Photos	My wife had a Passat - don't remember the year maybe 2000? Most unreliable vehicle weve ever owned. It cost us at least $500 every time she cranked it up. Because of this I will never, ever own another Volkswagon. __________________ Randy

January 4th, 2007, 01:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,601	I am a professional motorcycle mechanic and do all my own car work. I was a die-hard VW guy for years. Well...it died; and it was hard. They'll have to make some serious changes before I'll buy another. For what the parts cost, you may as well buy a Porsche. __________________ Dig yo'self http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

January 4th, 2007, 04:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
bongo Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: hamden, ct Posts: 139	My first Passat ('95 GLX) was a great car (still is. I gave it to my Daughter in Arizona @ 95000 miles). It had issues with the locks freezing up and also with the power windows not working well. Yes , they cost $$$ to repair but it needed much less work than the Fords, Mercurys, Dodges that I owned before. That car is a Rocket and a joy to drive (noisy inside, like a sportscar) My latest is a 2003 I bought @22000 miles and so far it's only needed a water pump (warranty covered). Everyone says use Synthetic Oil and be religious about changing it. I've been happy with VW Quality, but repairs are pricey. __________________ all I need is just one more guitar :)

January 4th, 2007, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
furrfurrfurr Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 2,620	i have a 2001 GLS. Love it. Only 36k miles, but so far only very minor electric issues. Nothing serious.

January 4th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
jimd Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 42 Posts: 611	I have a 2001 1.8T with about 120,000 miles on it. I have had no major issues with it and I really like driving it. Just a few annoying things like the driver's power window switch not working properly and a broken latch on the armrest. My only real problem with the car is it is a major ordeal just to change the oil yourself and having a dealer do it is outrageously expensive.

January 4th, 2007, 12:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tool user TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 67 7 Photos	My wife has a 2000. There haven't been any serious issues with it so far (65K miles). I've heard that the CV joints on 2000 & later models do need a swap at about 60K, and that the cost is dear. The car's lock/alarm system has also been a bit quirky lately, but otherwise not much to report. Fun car to drive.

January 4th, 2007, 01:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
agraebner TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 57	Im a full time mechanic for over 10 yrs. For the most part they are reliable cars. Have the timing belt changed and keep the oil changed you should be good. Neglect either of those and look out though I have seen several broken timing belts that have cost over 2000 to repair due to the high cost of valves. Beware theses also have a low miliagee change interval on these cars. Also it is best t use synthetic oils in these as they can develope sludge problems.

January 4th, 2007, 01:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
"S.P.U.N." Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Age: 39 Posts: 208	I had a '99 wagon (with about 85k miles) for a few months last year and had no problems. From what I've heard, and this will repeat what previous posters said, keep up on your oil changes. I understand that these turbo four cylinder engines can develop a sludge problem.

January 4th, 2007, 03:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
chickenpicker Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,060 14 Photos	Have a look here - great site: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.ph...ycar/index.htm

January 4th, 2007, 04:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
blue metalflake Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ireland Age: 55 Posts: 2,364 10 Photos	If your 1.8 T is the 20 valve turbo, shared with some Audi & Seat, which is set up for around 150 BHP in a Passat, it usually proves reliable enginewise. I had the engine in a Seat & put over 120,000 miles on. Only issue with it was HT power packs, which were unique to the 180 BHP version. Engine wise you should find it A1.