How do you like your Passat?

[therealvilla]

So, I may get bombarded here but I'm gonna ask anyways. I own an 03 GTI, my dad has 2 old 70's era Bus' and an '87 Jetta. So me and the old man are VW guys(I'm somewhat new). My GF is even a VW nerd somewhat she drives an '05 Jetta. My mom is looking for a new(er) car. She LOVES Erin's '05 Jetta and is looking at a few different cars. One of them being an '04 Passat. I tried to push her towards a 4motion just for the fun aspect. I'm not sure if the one she's looking at is a 4motion or not. It has 89K miles and they're asking $8,900. And that's all I know right now. She's gonna send me a link and maybe some pics. I've done a little internet reading of reviews, the Passat wiki page, etc. But I wanted to get some real life feedback from Passat owners, mechanics, or anyone else who has experience w/ Passat's.

So how do you like your Passat? And what do you think of the price they're asking? It seems a little high to me but I haven't seen it yet, and I dont know sh!t really about Passat's. What do I need to look for in particular when looking? How are they as far as maintenance, etc?

Thanks for reading in advance, and before you say anything about lowering it keep in mind my MOM will be driving it not me.:gt_grinz-browwiggle

[Pete-Diddy]

I like the Passat. Occasionally, I drive a 2000 with the V6 it is very comfortable for long drives and has enough pick-up in 5th gear to move in and out of highway traffic easily. My Uncle has 2007, it's nice as well... again very comfortable during long rides... which is far from the case in my 03 Jetta.

At that mileage just make sure the timing belt has been taken care of. No idea about the price but others will chime in. Best of luck on the possible purchase.

[veedubtek]

Way too much money for that one unless it's a V6/4motion GLX and has had the timing belt done already...and even then it's still kinda high. If it's a W8, RUN. B6's are popping up for close to that money now. B5's are great cars, I love them, but they require LOTS of maintenance/repair. I love driving them though, and have made a pretty nice living working on them.

If she's set on a B5/B5.5, ask about

Timing belt service - $13-$1400 or so
CCT seals/valve cover gasket(s) - $450-$1100
CV boots - $250'ish per side
Control arms - at least $200/each, you have 8 of them.
CEL? Check valves rot off like crazy, all 7? of them...one at a time. Throttle bodies get gunked up. Sludge issues. ECT's. Coils. Vac hoses. The list goes on and on...
Oil change intervals/type of oil? Holy sludge batman. Best case scenario - $1000.
Heater core? Another $1100 or so.

These are dealer prices, but you get my drift. Get a B6 or a mk5, unless you can turn a wrench yourself, or just hate money.

[therealvilla]

Thanks for the replies, I'm trying to help her do some research. She'll be getting an automatic trans not a manual, not sure if that makes a difference. I've read conflicting posts, some saying VW auto trans' are trash, and some say if you keep them maintained they'll run/last just fine. She's not dead set on a B5/B5.5, she just likes My GF's 05 Jetta, and is looking for something similar and is trying to stay around $9K or so. I forgot to mention she's looking at a station wagon Passat, but I don't think she's set on a wagon, she just wants to find a good deal.

Way too much money for that one unless it's a V6/4motion GLX and has had the timing belt done already...and even then it's still kinda high. If it's a W8, RUN. B6's are popping up for close to that money now.

I thought the 4 motions all came with the W8 engines? And I thought the 4 motions were pretty good overall?

I think the one she's looking at is a GLX with the 6 cylinder(VR6?). But I've also read conflicting posts/reviews for the VR6 motors. I read on consumer reports that the VR6 motors were plagued with major engine issues, but alot of people with them swear by them. Like I said I'm somewhat clueless on Passat's. So please EDUCATE ME! Thanks again for your time guys, I really appreciate the real world feedback.

[Gibson19]

I was under the impression that the VR6 didn't come in any B5's or B5.5's. It was just the V6

[therealvilla]

I was under the impression that the VR6 didn't come in any B5's or B5.5's. It was just the V6

That's why I put VR6?, I wasn't sure. Still don't know.

[VDUBNLUVN]

ahhh b5 passats.

i have 5 a the shop presently all with bills over 1k.

[veedubtek]

You can get 4-motion with W8, V6, or even 1.8T in 04/05. V6 is a great engine, but really pricey timing belts and cct seals. Otherwise, they hold up pretty well. They still eat axle boots and control arms though. If it's 4-mo, tack on prop shaft seals and output flange seals too.

[vw2dracer]

I just bought one. It is a 1.8T, and let me tell u. it has its share of problems. But I work on these things everyday. They are good cars, but they have high maintenance. 1.8t are a better motor, not so many problems, timing belts, sludge, ect. It is like any car, u keep it up, and stay on top of it, ur fine. Good luck , wish u the best

[VDUBNLUVN]

drove home a customers 04 4mo tonight. we just replaced the heads after it chewed the belt at 109k.. this car is the prime example of one that you may see on a car lot that looks appealing but has lacked any and all maintenance its life.

its needs everything . do the math on that and you'd have to steal it to make it a deal to buy. maintenance is key , they owe 6k on it still, the repair just cost 2500, and it still needs another 2500+++ to make it right.

[therealvilla]

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/2153994660.html

This is the one she was looking at. The price seems high as sh!t for the mileage especially since they don't mention anything about maintenance, or major repairs like the TB, etc. It is a 1.8T so it's got that going for it. I told her to look at it and ask A LOT of questions. And if EVERYTHING isn't up to date like the TB, seals, no CEL's, maintenance records would be great, I told her she should go in and offer them like $6,500(she's paying cash - fresh $100's in hand, and we all know that cash in hand is the best kind)

So it's not looking too good for the B5 year models, unless you really know who has owned it and how it's been maintained. I know like any car as long as you stay on top of maintenance your golden, but when buying one used you really need to know a lot of it's history. Otherwise you'll be behind the eight ball on repair bills. That's what I'm getting so far. That's too bad, I love VW's and was hoping to steer my mom that way as well. But I don't want to put her into immediate repair bills.

[veedubtek]

Since it's close enough, I'd tell her to take it for a night, throw tom a $50, and have him go over it 100% to know exactly what it's gonna need. $50 to check it over could save thousands later...

[PiSSAT4motion]

I own an 04 passat with 1.8t and 4motion...love the car to death but if I werent able to do the repair maintenance on it myself I wouldn't be able to afford it. I'm. 122xxx miles and have had it since 50xxx miles..in that time I've replaced engine speed sensor, coolant temp sensor, fuel pump, starter, both front cv axles, recalls done on the heated seats, coils, most recently the fuel tank replaced, and one dealing with the fuel line and exhaust. The timing belt was done by me at around 100k.
Ten years ago I'd have traded yhe car in a couple years ago..lol..but my options list is fairly rare and I'm too close to having no car payments. If I found another passat cheap enough I'd get it but I also know what id be getting into and don't mind getting my hands dirty. I wouldn't advice my parents get a b5/5.5 but especially without a hella-warranty.
..check passatworld.com for more info

I love my passat tho..

[87vr6]

Passat's are much like MK4s. They use a lot of common components, or similiar systems. Hence, whatever you have found on your own 03 GTi, could be something on the passat as well. Windows, MAFs, coils, etc... In general, like any other car, PREVENTATIVE maintenance is key. Do what you're supposed to do.

The V6 (not a VR6) isn't a bad motor, but really, have her get a 1.8t or TDI, those two post similiar performance numbers, while getting vastly superior gas mileage to the V6 hog.

[B5kane]

my passat will never die. seriously.

[sciroccodriver]

As dirty as that interior is, I'd have to assume that its not maintained well. First thing I'd do is look for crap in the head by taking the oil cap off. Cars that got synthetic regularly since new won't have a ton of garbage in there. I've almost replaced everything on my B5 and I'm getting ready to do some of it again since I've put 50k on it. With that said, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the car. They just need lots of TLC. For that particular car, I'd be looking to spend $4500. NOT 8900. GL.

[therealvilla]

The one she was looking at's post was deleted so I guess they found a sucker to buy it at that price or something. - EDIT*** they just re-posted it***. IDK. Mom dukes is out of town at the moment so I guess I'll have to wait and see what she's looking at next. Hopefully it'll have a VW logo on the Grille.

I found these on CL today.

(all removed by now) (http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ctd/2165186277.html)

Some are wagons some are Sedans, they all look better than the one she was looking at.

[VDUBNLUVN]

im just sayin:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=1543537264314&set=a.1306719064007.2038054.1111453545&theater
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?fbid=1543537264314&set=at.1306719064007.2038054.1111453545.553031638&theater

2 more inside

never mind fukkin pix no workey?

[djwhiplash2001]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs036.snc6/166622_1543537264314_1111453545_31146334_4164536_n .jpg