Thinking about VW

[Todds69]

I am in the market for purchasing a used car. I have been contemplating getting a VW Passat or Jetta...any opinions? Would love to get the TDI but they are too pricey for me at this time. How good of an engine is the 1.8T?



Thanks Todd

[Madspeed]

Well lemme tell you about my best friends kids VW"'s

daughters a 2002 Bug w 2 codes 1 Secondary Air inj low flow
2 Passenger air bag conn intermitant faul High res No accidents

His a jetta
7 Codes Mass air flow, Signal not plausable
2 Bank 1 fuel trim out of range to lean
3 bank1 Fuel trim out of range to rich
4 heater o2 circut intermittant non op
5 I cant remember but it was another o2 code
6 I cant remember either FFS I cant remember that one I have to diag them all when i get a chance
7 You Guessed it Secondary Air Inj system Low flow

Thats what I know from being a tech. Its your call
Would I buy a VW F NO
if you want to know what cars are good you want to know wich ones we dont see in the shop

#1 Fng car that makes me Money $$$$$$$ F O R D I have 4 here right now w ISSUES
#2 Chevrolet more for maint work,,this onley because there are so many on the road #3 Dodge is a way bigger POS than you could imagine electrical SUX transmissions SUX finding aftermarket Hipo parts Forget it

what ones do I not see a lot of TOYOTAS & Volvos
BTW I was Volvo tech as well a couple issues mostly Eng mounts and susp mounts and dingbat women not putting the gas cap on right and setting off the check eng light

the ones that I think are completly fng reterted overdesigned POS's Merceded and BMW they Cost WAYYYY to much for parts & svc
200 or 300 bucks for an oil change? are they outta thier minds?

[70 Chevelle]

hAVE YOU SEEN THE PRICES ON THOSE VW AIR INJECTION PUMPS? THEY ALL GO BAD , POOR DESIGN.

[Todds69]

Thanks guys, I guess I can cross it off my list. I test drove a V6 Passat last year, it drove beautifully, but I passed on it cause the dealer never prepped it and a real slob must have owned it before it went to auction.
I have been looking at everything give you a small list.

1. Impala LS with the 3.8
2. Honda Accord V6 or 4 bangor
3. Toyota Camry V6 or 4 bangor
4. VW Passat or Jetta V6 or 1.8 T...will pass on it now.

These are in no specific order and looking at 2000-04 model years.

[OHCbird]

The VW's also have a tendency to have this stupid (plastic) dipstick adapter tube break every two years or so. Breaks the crank / PCV pressure, throws a code.

If you can get a deal on an Accord V6, I'd go for it. I have a 99 CRV that is disgustingly reliable. I have to remind myself to crack the hood aside from oil changes. 117K, and it purrs like new. The honda V6 is a bit more to service, but they'll run all day and then some.

[RobM]

i hate to say it but you cant go wrong with a honda or a yota.

[BonzoHansen]

Well lemme tell you about my best friends kids VW"'s

daughters a 2002 Bug w 2 codes 1 Secondary Air inj low flow
2 Passenger air bag conn intermitant faul High res No accidents

His a jetta
7 Codes Mass air flow, Signal not plausable
2 Bank 1 fuel trim out of range to lean
3 bank1 Fuel trim out of range to rich
4 heater o2 circut intermittant non op
5 I cant remember but it was another o2 code
6 I cant remember either FFS I cant remember that one I have to diag them all when i get a chance
7 You Guessed it Secondary Air Inj system Low flow

Thats what I know from being a tech. Its your call
Would I buy a VW F NO
if you want to know what cars are good you want to know wich ones we dont see in the shop

#1 Fng car that makes me Money $$$$$$$ F O R D I have 4 here right now w ISSUES
#2 Chevrolet more for maint work,,this onley because there are so many on the road #3 Dodge is a way bigger POS than you could imagine electrical SUX transmissions SUX finding aftermarket Hipo parts Forget it

what ones do I not see a lot of TOYOTAS & Volvos
BTW I was Volvo tech as well a couple issues mostly Eng mounts and susp mounts and dingbat women not putting the gas cap on right and setting off the check eng light

the ones that I think are completly fng reterted overdesigned POS's Merceded and BMW they Cost WAYYYY to much for parts & svc
200 or 300 bucks for an oil change? are they outta thier minds?

Oh Snap!

[billscamaros]

i've got an '01 VW Passat V6. it's a beautiful car, but has been expensive to maintain. with 100k miles on it, i've had to do the timing belt/water pump replacement, both front tie rods, multiple small door switches and relays, and a few other items. it well built, fit and finish is top quality (mine is anyhow), but it's underpowered and anemic. i probably will not buy another VW, nor an audi.

[go-fish]

Wow, I guess I'll buck the trend by telling you that my '01 Jetta TDI has been excellent and gets 48-9 mpg going 75 mph. It has 120,000+ miles on it and all I have done was replace the timing belt and rear shocks( leaking, dealer ate that one). There was a really annoying problem with the auto door lock everytime you stopped and got back up to 8 mph, dealer ate that one too. I have used Mobil 1 since I got it and change the filter every 3,000 and oil every 6,000. I also had a '91 Jetta diesel when I was stationed in Puerto Rico and it was the main reason I bought the '01. I'll keep it around until it quits. The '91 had 270,000 on it.
BTW- regularly scheduled maintenance on my timing belt was 100,000 mi so I wouldn't hardly consider that an issue, and maybe the tendency of the "stupid (plastic) dipstick adapter tube" breaking "every two years or so" is from taking your car to a lube shop where the oil tech slams your dipstick down because he has to push cars through the shop. I guess I would have been through like three stupid (plastic) dipstick adapters if I didn't change my own oil.

[muthstryker]

what about a 3 series bmw? 328 or 325 95-98 you can get those cars for a pretty decent price.

[Steve68]

FOOL!!!! I have a 95 Passat, bought new by my brother, the reciept file is 3 to 4 INCHES thick of problems and repairs from the dealer!!

been reported to VW of america too many times,

Ex wifes 00/01 Jetta what a piece of Shioottt, been towed more times then I rather say,

I really like tearing up the VW service reps,

I've had 3 BMW's would buy another in a second!

[Zee]

We have a 03 Passat 1.8T and it has been the best car we have ever owned. Black over black leather. No problems, not one, ever in the 70,000 miles my wife has put on it. Looks like new and drives like new. I've put on new rear pads, tires, air filter and plugs. Other than that, absolutely nothing. It gets a steady diet of Mobil 1, STP FI cleaner and an OEM filter every 3-5,000 miles and that is the extent of mantainence. It has been to the dealer once for a recall on the seat heaters but we never had a problem with them anyway.

It's almost too bad the balloon payment is due at the end of December and it will be going back as we now need something with a third row and VW doesn't make a car for us. Someone is going to get a great deal.

[Todds69]

I will probably get an Accord or possibly a Camry. Need to pay of a couple small bills first...aka LOWE's

[Gordz32]

My buddy had a golf gti, with the 1.8t, he just sold it after modding the crap otta it, last dyno made 405hp to the wheels, sick little car and comfy, I enjoyed driving it, but he got tired of dumping more money into it, for mods. He never had problems with it, I like the Jetta GLI's, There pretty sharp little cars but I can't see myself in a small car again, I'll be buying a new diesel truck in the near future! GoodLuck. What about a WRX?

[Blaster11]

Owner of 00 Jetta GLS V6. The car is most fun to drive and the BEST brakes you will ever own, but horrendously expensive to own. The check engine light has been on for seriously half of the car's life. The only car our household will NEVER own again. Original owner. Here's my list of broke crap:

1) Windows fall off mechanism into door. Had both fronts replaced TWICE
2) Replaced both O2 sensors twice
3) Replaced the mass air flow sensor
4) Replaced the air bag sensor in steering wheel
5) Replaced the water pump
6) Replaced the variable intake plenum
7) Manual trannie fixed 4 times and still grinds 1-2 shift if you run it to redline

List of currently broke crap: Sunroof light control button,
cupholder and needs a new cat

And to top it all off, the oil filter is one-off and costs $19 bucks, and requires 5.7 qts of oil. I actaully tried to sell this POS 2 years ago, and the market was flooded with them. Couldn't give it away.

Hey, if you still want one I will make you the deal of a century on mine!

[vintageracer]

My wife has a 2004 Touareg she purchased new in October 2003. She has thoroughly enjoyed the vehicle. Fast, GREAT BRAKES and a superb interior. Only 2 problems in 3+ years and they say the 2007 are much better yet!

[Steve68]

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE the commericals!!!!

[68Formula]

The 3.8L used in the Impala is a great engine. I miss my old Grand Prix (replaced it with an SUV, yeah that was a great idea.)