2006+ Passat 2.0T

[Cale]

*not actual car

Sorry about another thread but I figure some of you might know more about the Passat than the Jag. Still looking for a good car for my mom. Any major reliability concerns/ reoccurring problems?

 

[Keef]

If it's anything like the GTIs with the same engine, it is a major reliability concern.

 

[Tornado]

And Passats also have parts that are much more expensive to fix than GTIs do.

 

[Crash]

I have a friend who works at a VW dealership and he tells me to avoid these cars. They are nice and all, but they break down a lot and they are expensive to repair.

 

[Cale]

Well dammit. I was hoping to get her into something more up market than another Legacy.

 

[Tornado]

Why not a Passat VR6 of the same generation? More power, more torque, usually better equipment, but less reliability issues.

 

[Cale]

I'd love that, but I'd be lucky to get my mom to spend over $15K. She can afford it easily but doesn't see the point. There is one around here though.

 

[Pupik]

More maintenance and post-warranty upkeep than your average Camry and Accord, that's for sure. Fussy to work on when they have computer/electrical gremlins. Parts are either cheap or expensive (because they're mostly dealer-only), for some reason (either shared with other VAG products or unique to the model). VWs are meant to be hammered (after all, you'd better get something in return), but most Passats don't give back much in return, especially as they became heavier through they years.

Although, some people get reliable ones that have no issues...Kind of hard to predict which one you'll get. My uncle has an '03 V6 with a 5-speed manual, and he won't rid himself of it after 105K miles, since it's been quite solid in his hands. It seems you really have to baby them and get dealer/specialist attention frequently enough, since service bulletins work wonders on them; the problem is that many service campaigns (not recalls) last for 15-18 months, and that's it...regardless if you're still in warranty, you're out of luck unless you jump up and down enough.

 

[YSSMAN]

As a VW guy, I'd step back into a late B5.5 generation car versus the B6. The B5's on the whole were surprisingly reliable for a Volkswagen of the time, and generally speaking, hold up quite well. I seem to recall that the B5.5's had issues with electric windows, the usual switchgear issues, and the occasional electronic ghost. The '03+ 1.8T models are what I'd go for, having most of the reliability issues knocked out and offering surprisingly good fuel economy. The VR6 tends to be a little more common, and if she's going from a legacy, something like the VR6 4MOTION (probably a GLS or GLX) would be a best-bet.

But if you're really cool... You go for a W8 4MOTION. With a 6-speed manual. In black.

 

[Cale]

As a VW guy, I'd step back into a late B5.5 generation car versus the B6. The B5's on the whole were surprisingly reliable for a Volkswagen of the time, and generally speaking, hold up quite well. I seem to recall that the B5.5's had issues with electric windows, the usual switchgear issues, and the occasional electronic ghost. The '03+ 1.8T models are what I'd go for, having most of the reliability issues knocked out and offering surprisingly good fuel economy. The VR6 tends to be a little more common, and if she's going from a legacy, something like the VR6 4MOTION (probably a GLS or GLX) would be a best-bet.

But if you're really cool... You go for a W8 4MOTION. With a 6-speed manual. In black.

The B6 is so much nicer IMO. The B5 isn't much nicer than my mom's Outback. (2004)

On the topic of the B6 3.6...

A few G's more than my mom wants to spend however.


Without making a new thread what about a last gen TL?

 

[homeforsummer]

The B6 is so much nicer IMO. The B5 isn't much nicer than my mom's Outback. (2004)

Depends which one you get. I personally much prefer the B5/B5.5 to the B6. The design is a lot cleaner and the B6 is one of those cars that seemed to grow massively over its predecessor. Lost a bit of the charm.

The W8 that Brad mentions is rather nice, too. Not a sports car by any means but a gloriously over-the-top bit of kit. Ranks up there with the Lotus Carlton for most OTT sales-rep cars ever...

Even below that, the VR6 ones seem quite popular, as do the V5 versions. All very good engines.

 

[Cale]

The size increase is greatly welcomed. I'm thinking of a 2008+ Malibu LTZ too. Seems like a pretty safe choice.

 

[Tornado]

Without making a new thread what about a last gen TL?

What is generally done is that people make general "Help me find a car" topics when they buy new cars, and then they just keep bringing up new suggestions and editing the topic title until they found one. I don't think doing it the way you have is against any rules or anything like that, but just something to keep in mind.


In regards to the TL, McLaren is generally the expert on them, so shoot him a PM asking him to talk about it in this thread.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

The size increase is greatly welcomed. I'm thinking of a 2008+ Malibu LTZ too. Seems like a pretty safe choice.

NO. I mean, an LTZ would fix the thing that makes those cars entirely unwanted by me (the stupid textured plastic/rubber crap on the steering wheel is replaced by leather on the LTZ), but I can't imagine them actually being better to drive than a 6/Fusion/Accord.

Budget would get you into a very nice 6 or Fusion. I'm assuming you're primarily looking at automatics which means the 6 offering a manual transmission in both 4cyl and V6 models until '07 is a bit of a moot point. '05+ V6 6s have the same auto as the '06+ V6 Fusion, '06+ 4cyls have the same trans as '06+ 4cyl Fusion, difference being the Mazda units have a manual mode which works very well aside from some delay on shifts. ('06+ 4cyls won't upshift in automatic if you've got traction control shut off and wheelspin, dunno about V6s)

Mazda is also tuned for a bit more fun around corners. Fusion is slightly larger.

 

[Cale]

I appreciate the input Rotary but the Mazda 6 is too small, and the Fusion might be as well. Also in regards to them being drivers cars I don't think my 50+ y/o mum would care too much about that.

Do you know how comfortable the Fusions rear seat is for a 6 footer behind another 6 footer 9who is driving)? If they are acceptable I might tell her to check out the Zephyr/MKZ.

 

[Tornado]

Do you know how comfortable the Fusions rear seat is for a 6 footer behind another 6 footer 9who is driving? If they are acceptable I might tell her to check out the Zephyr/MKZ.

I'll do you one better. My Grandfather owns an MKZ, and there is plenty of legroom in the back for my 6-foot frame, and I'm pretty sure grandpa is the same height as me. The seats are pretty nice as well.

 

[Philly]

On the topic of the Passat, I compared the CARFAX for one with that of a similarly used Outback and the 2.0T had racked up five pages to the OB's three. If you can find them, the OBXT and LGTs are pretty sweet cars. Just watch out for the turbos, which are supposed to last only 70k in the older cars.

 

[Cale]

On the topic of the Passat, I compared the CARFAX for one with that of a similarly used Outback and the 2.0T had racked up five pages to the OB's three. If you can find them, the OBXT and LGTs are pretty sweet cars. Just watch out for the turbos, which are supposed to last only 70k in the older cars.

I would not tell my mom to get a turbo. The two main reasons are the poor fuel consumption and my dad has never worked on a modern forced induction car.

 

[Philly]

It depends on what you're looking for. Cars with small displacement engines and turbos are great for getting good fuel mileage as long as you drive them economically. Get the turbo going and your gas mileage will tank however.

 

[YSSMAN]

The size increase is greatly welcomed. I'm thinking of a 2008+ Malibu LTZ too. Seems like a pretty safe choice.

They're okay cars, but not the best that money can buy. A newer LTZ with the six-speed gearbox is really the only way to go, it's pretty much a draw on engine choices though. I'd generally prefer the 3.6L, but that's me.

But, even as a GM guy, I'm happy to admit how much better the Fusion is. Current or previous generation. Ford did their homework with the car, and it shows. A Fusion SEL or SES would be the way to go if you're looking in the mid-size class. The only other car I'd consider right now in that size/price range would be the Nissan Altima 2.5 S, an '07+ model that is.