Volkswagen Passat

Price Paid:  $28000.00 from Dubai, UAE (Al-Naboo

Year / Model Reviewed:
2008 Volkswagen Passat FSI 2.0

Strengths:
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)

Weaknesses:
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.

Summary:
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?!!

Similar Products Used:
Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima

Price Paid:  $20000.00 from power honda

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Honda Element

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

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

Summary:
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.

Similar Products Used:
mercedes c240, toyota sequoia

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $30000.00 from Berge VW

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 passat wagon

Strengths:
It's a nice looking car, VW customer relations is very easy to work with. It's got alot of great features.

Weaknesses:
The more features it has, the more can and will go wrong with it. Parts of the car just seem to break, almost like it's made out of cheap plastic. It's definitely not worth the price.

Summary:
I bought my Passat in May of 2007, it has 5400 miles on it and it's been nothing but problems. I've had to bring it in to the dealership 4 times now to be repaired. I owned a Jetta before that and that vehicle also had issues. Against my better judgement I traded the Jetta in for the Passat and have been so regretful ever since. I would highly suggest to anyone that buys one of these cars, to really research it before you do it. Check out the dealership that you want to buy the car from also, on the BBB. It would probably be in your best interest to purchase the extended warranty on the vehicle also, that way your covered later on, if you purchased a car that ends up having a lot of issues. In the end, I will never buy another VW again, it's not worth all the time and energy I spend in the service department getting it fixed.

Similar Products Used:
2003 VW Jetta

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $24000.00 from Jim Wynn

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 Passat 2.0T

Strengths:
Handling, interior room, body integrity, comfortable seating, body style, conveniences, gas economy, engine has a lot of get-up-and-go, instrument cluster easy to read, trunk space, dealership.

Weaknesses:
Choppy ride over really bumpy roads, only option for satillite radio is Sirius(XM is much better).

Summary:
My Audi was giving me all kinds of trouble so I decided to trade in. I test drove many cars. The worst being the Honda Civic (I was looking for better gas economy). I just couldn't stop yawning. And the saleswoman was about as arrogant as it gets. The last dealer I stopped at was VW. Have to say, I was treated better than I was at the Audi dealership. I drove the Passat and fell in love with it. Solid, powerful engine, comfortable and beautiful. I drove off in mine the next day.
VW hit the mark on this one. The sticker said 30 mpg highway but I'm averaging 34 to 38 mpg! And I can use regular gas. The Turbo engine is remarkably smooth and peppy. I've only had it for a month and a half but it's been an absolute pleasure to this point.

Similar Products Used:
Audi A6
Cadillac SLS
BMW 325

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.83 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $23000.00 from Automaxx Calgary

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 volkswagen passat

Strengths:
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.

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

Summary:
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

Similar Products Used:
VW Jettas