VW Passat

The VW fans must be in bed.

Ok, I got into an Audi A4 Quattro v6 lately which is Passat in fancy cloths.m
Thete are excellant dedicated forums for them with lots of knowledge.
My conclusion was that they're damn good if looked after and you have a tame knowledgable workshop close by, which I do here in Nelson.
Too many things on them are not you're usual jap style engineering and it needs someone who knows them.
I feel they don't put up with abuse the way a Japan can, but that's all euros seem to need better servicing.
Cambelts must get changed and it's not a quick job. You can get full kits with water pump and thermostat from overseas at okay prices. The v6 is a sweet motor.
To drive it's great, the v6 is not very punchy but has great noises, mine is the smaller 2.4. Neither is my gearbox the cleverest I've used and this ones had 6000 spent on overhaul.
Parts are no problem.
So depends, if you like euros and it's well looked after its a good wagon.
If you don't care that much about driving a jap is a better bet.
I'm selling the audi because it's too firm on its 18 inch wheels for my broken back, but it corners flat and very quickly. For its age it is very impressive in that regard. It's also a great looking wagon.

My Brother has a V6 Four Motion wagon of that age and really likes it.
His had the suspension bushes replaced (along with cambelt etc.) just before he bought it and it drives really well. He loves the 'planted on the road' feel the AWD system gives it.
He is happy with it, and it was cheap to buy.
Like most Euros, get a good one and you will love it.

The general consensus around here is that the mk5 (2006+) Passat is a superior vehicle with the FSI turbo engines and DSG 6 speed boxes. I bought an 06 wagon last year privately for 8.5K + 150km cambelt service and tyres.

I had previously considered the older version but ended up waiting for the newer version to come down in price.

if you do a search in this forum up to a year ago you will see numerous posts from thejazzpianoman which are stacked full of good info on audis and VW's.

My Passat is awesome to drive, economical, looks smart and gets numerous comments.

agree w daryl14
Go for a 2005 Passat or later.
TDI are incredible machines.

Do a search in the search box above over the past year, you will have more VW information than you will know what to do with. Our resident VW specialist/nut seems to have gone on holiday or maybe back on his meds, but he was a mine of VW information.

For sure, don't buy a Passat until jazz has replied to your thread.