Nice steering, handling,

Very poor leather interior, shows all marks and impossible to clean. Seems like an unfinished surface. The trunk design allows all water and debris to fall into the trunk when you open it. I have to clean it off each time or I end up having a mess fall on the contents in my trunk and they get wet. The trunk space is large but the opening is so small that I have to use the back passenger door for larger items and manipulate them through to the trunk.
There is more rolling when I am stopped on a slope even though this is an automatic...rolls after I shut the car down as well. More like a standard transmission. Sometimes it does not accelerate but just seems to hesitate. The technical package is a nuisance, hard to use the hands free phone. More distracting than just using a cell phone. We had to oil the back passenger door, it sounded like metal on metal.
Gas mileage is average, my 2003 x-country volvo stationwagon was the same and it was a larger car.
The seats are not as adjustable as my old passat and they do not have an automatic memory for each driver.
VW is now offering 0% finance and we asked them to give us this offer but they said absolutely not.

We ordered this car without seeing the new ones, there was only 1 white passat coming to the area and we would have had to order and wait...I would not have purchased this car, if we had test driven one.

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my 95 passat was superior, good leather seats and no blind spots. I owned it for 6 years and was very happy...will not buy another passat.

Quality parts from trusted Internet sources. High degree of engineering. Easy handling. Stylish and comfy. Economical, reliable, trustworthy.

"Prey-on-them" car, some fixers and mechanics as well dealers could be disappointing. While you service it you do need a back-up car.

In May 2008 I got my first used VW a Passat 1999, V-6, Manual at 69 K miles. Soon realized it had front end problems. Vague estimates from Dealership, and then escalating "staircase-estimates" (i.e. $300, $600, $900) from "trusted" mechanic drove me into fixing it myself. While at it I swore never to get another one like it etc. Eventually I fixed it all right, also changed the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, utility belt, a full tune-up. Ever since I feel and know it is the best car I ever had. Runs flawlessly, not really functional cup-holders - so what? It has great power and comfortable handling. Yes, dealerships could be disappointing, they are NOT German as you know. For instance VW stipulates the use of strech bolts, hardware that's used only once and must be replaced at each and every disassembly. I learned that the local dealership limits this engineering command as they see it fit. They gave me an unsolicited and very high estimate to change my utility belt. So limit your dealership involvment as much as you could. But again this particular VW is like an AUDI for much less, but behaves like it and I like it. Until now I wanted my 1988 Mercedes Benz back, but not anymore. For a car almost ten years old it drives as one brand new.

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M. Benz S300, Altima, Sable,

Turbo engine, handling is great especially when you use the optional tire recommend by the manufacture. For a family car it looks sharp, my wife loves it.

Turbo charge, had to have replaced by Dealer in Calgary (avoid Fifth avenue Autohaus )

Third Volkswagen I have owned. Overall a very solid family car. Hillcrest Volkswagen in Halifax is an excellent dealership to deal with,have cover various parts under warranty that I didn't think were covered. Very satisfied with Hillcrest Halifax

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VW Jettas

everything

This car is the worst car I have ever owned. I bought new off the lot in 2002 and have had problem after problem since purchase. I have had the engine light go on too many times to count. After regular oil changes I still had an oil sludge back up in the engine where it had to be rebuilt at 20k miles - covered under warranty but had to supply VW with all of my paperwork to prove oil changes withing 5k miles or 6 months since purchase. The ignition coils had a recall, I had them all replaced and even still each one of them has blown. Apparently the brake pads go on this car easily (VW is aware of this issue) and I now have 60k miles on this car and have had 4 break jobs done on the car - 2 front, 2 back.
Long story short, don't ever buy VW. It's not worth the money and the engineering is poor and expensive to fix.

Looks
Intertio room

Horrible gas mileage
Ineffective warranty by Volkswagen
Npisy ride

I leased a 2004 Passat when I relicated to Flroida in 2003. The car was beautiful and ran nicely until 2006, when the check OILE PUMP went on. It turns out that at less than 23,000 miles the oil pump went. The dealership would not fix it under warranty, and Volkswagen Of North America sided with the dealership The representative was nasty and I politely told her I would never purchase another Volkswagen , she could have cared less. I asked to speak to a regional manager and she said "We don't have regional managers!" $1,900 later to fix I then had to replace 2 axles (but not at the overpriced dealer). I wouldn't even attempt to see if they were covered under warranty. Gas mileage was lousyon the turbo engine. IF it were under 45 degrees, which sometimes it does in Florida when you started the car in the morning the "brake Failure" light would come on with a loud buzzing and everything would light up and it would say STOP! By mid morning when it was in the 70's the light and noise would not come on.

I was so disgusted with this overpriced pile of junk that I turned it back in October of this year. The day before I was to return it I was driving it (82 degrees out) and the BRAKE FAILURE/STOP came back on. I gladly returned it to the dealer. P.S. The new oil pump was not covered by a warranty except for 3 months, 3,000 miles. Then you are on your own!

I now purchased a Volvo (which I should have done the first time) and absolutely love it.

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2001 Nissan Maxima
1997 Nissan Altima

Handling, safety, RELIABILITY, look, price

Resale value...although a great deal at the price I paid three years ago (24K) KBB value is only 16K now.

Best car I have EVER owned! I've owned quite a few cars, most for about 1-2 years; my Passat, had it three years and not even thinking about letting it go. I've owned a Thunderbid, numerous Grand Prixs, Stratus, Jeeps, F150, Expedition, Mountaineer, Camry, and (unfortunately) have driven Accords/Civics before. NOTHING compares to the performance, handling, and feel of a Passat (the V6 is far superior to the 4-clylinder they offer however, even with the 4's turbo).

Bought it used, lease return, at 32k miles. At 82k now, NEVER had a problem. As far as getting regular maintainance and service, it's all in the individual dealership that makes your experience good or bad.

Reviews tend to be one-sided - people are more inclined to write a review for something they dislike, rather than something they love. Me, I LOVE this car so much I had to write a review to rave about it. There are always cars that have true defects that need to be fixed....those are the people who's negative reviews you see so much.

Here's a happy customer shouting it from the mountain tops!

Side note, I am an Accident Reconstructionist by profession...there's a reason I bought this car...it's safe and great!

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See above

1) Smooth and confortable ride
2) Obscenely great handling
3) Standard features normally available on the full-option versions of other cars
4) Ample trunk space relative to the size of the car
5) Adaptable headlights, wide-angle bumper lights (for better view when turning during night driving)

1) Suspension a bit stiff (your spine takes a little part of the shock!)
2) Wood-pattern trimmings on the dashboard, steerin wheel and the shift knob does not match very well with the more sporty grey/black/chrom trimming of the rest of the interior.

I know it's too soon to write a review on a 3-week old car, but there are some time-independent matters regarding the car I can discuss.

The 2008 Passat is overall a good vehicle. It's comfortable, stable at high speeds (140 to 200 Km/h). The facelift from older models is significant and the car looks great now. Some argue that is too expensive compared to other good cars in its class, like Camry and Accord. But VW more than compensates you for the price difference of about $3,000. A sunroof is a standard feature (unlike in the Camry and Accord), the Passat is equipped with an MFD (Multi-Function Display) menu, which is operable from the steering wheel and from which you can control the "Convenience Features" of the car (unlike the Camry and the Accord). The headlights of the Passat are adaptable, which means they rotate left and right when you turn and there are also extra fog lights that light up when you turn left and right (unlike the Camry and the Accord). The Passat has a turbo engine (unlike the Camry and the Accord) and an "S" (sport) gear to get more out of your engine. I find the Passat to be a much sweeter ride than the Accord amd the Camry. Besides, don't you get sick of seeing zillions of Toyota's and Honda's everyday? Isn't it good sometimes to get a car just because you want to have something special and not a car that has been turned into taxis?!!

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Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima

fun to drive/handling
great gas mileage for a sedan
dependable

paint peeling
parts are $$$$

I bought this car new after much research so this review is a long time coming. I absolutely love my passat. It's dependable, fun to drive (turbo with a 5 speed), handles like a dream. Great German sports sedan handling. I have had no big problems at all, normal maintenence only (brakes, timing belt etc). It currently has 78,000 miles on it. My kids are getting a little big now, even though it has seatbelts for 5, 4 people are more comfortable. The backseat is better with two adults not three for sure. My husband doesn't like the headrests in the back, says it's hard to see out of the car which I do agree on. Don't lose the key! They are 190.00 to replace. Believe me, I know. Parts are expensive for these cars. The only think I can say is that I am disappointed in is the factory paint. I garage my car and the clearcoat is peeling BADLY on the hood, deck lid, and roof. It is currently in the body shop being redone. Maybe this is normal for an 8 year old car? I just never notice any other VW's it's age doing that so maybe I am the only one? At any rate, that is the only negative comment I have. Great car, 35 mpg, super fun to drive. I am currently driving a rental Ford Taurus while my paint job is being done on the passat and all I can say is it defintely does not handle like my car!

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audi
quantum

Handles well, very comfortable seats and driving position, fairly good gas mileage.

Dependability is horrible. ABS module dead at around 24,000; A/C head dead around 18,000; various clicking noises coming from dash since 12,000; CD changer died at 12,000; 3 out of 4 oxygen sensors dead at 40,000; fuel pump dead at 43,000. We've endured other smaller problems as well, too many to list here.

If you are considering a new VW Passat, DON'T DO IT! Save yourself the grief. It's not like it is an inexpensive car, the 4Motion cost us over 30,000 new,and has been very unreliable. We use it mostly around town so it hasn't been abused.

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Audi Quattro
Mercedes Benz

roominess, real utility vehicle, design,
nice interior and dashboard layout.

road noise, loud engine noise, wind noise, bumpy ride, poor gas mileage average city 18 mpg, small gas tank.

Bought this car as my daily commuter car, i drive 100+ miles a day, at first,i didnt mind the road noise and choppy ride. six months later,I can not handle the road noise, wind noise, and engine noise, so, i undercoated the car with noise eliminator, it helps some,about 15% noise reduction. I added carpeting to further reduce road noise.
can not hear cellphone because of the road and engine noise.!!
when the car was put on the lift, there was no insulation at all underneath this SUV!!!! cheaply made SUV.

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