I'm looking to replace my '89 BMW 325i and am considering a Passat wagon. I have hear some bad stories of VW's poor reliability, specifically newer models. Can someone give me some perspective on this? What kind of maintainance should I expect to be needed on a 4-6 yr old Passat? What engine is more reliable the VR6 or 1.8T?

Thanks for the input.

We had two '03s, one sedan one wagon, leased on the same day in late 2002, NEVER had any problems. Turned the wagon in early on a special deal at the dealership to get the last of his 2005 wagons (second to last, actually), and it's been a POS. Check Engine light is on intermittently with no codes. Won't start occasionally until you remove key and try again. Mileage is awful. I'm getting better mileage out of the truck in my sig than the little wagon. It's under warranty, but the dealerships can't find anything wrong. They just keep replacing crap, and the light just comes back on.

My wife really wants a Touareg next year, but I just don't know. We LOVED those '03s, but this new one just sucks.

All the engines were/are 1.8s, BTW.

Thanks for the honest info guumbah. I'm skeptical because I don't want to get stuck with a lemon like your '05. I've heard a few horror stories on www.myvwlemon.com and wanted to confirm them on a less biased forum. My most recent cars have been old BMW's and they have been so reliable. I like VW's but I don't know if I should risk it.

Thanks again.

I don't knwo where all passats are coming from, mine is made in Germany, but I think (like jetta which is made in mexico) if it's made in Europe it might be better. Just an input. Check that...

I don't knwo where all passats are coming from, mine is made in Germany, but I think (like jetta which is made in mexico) if it's made in Europe it might be better. Just an input. Check that...

Whats the reliability of yours been like? Care to share?

I don't knwo where all passats are coming from, mine is made in Germany, but I think (like jetta which is made in mexico) if it's made in Europe it might be better. Just an input. Check that...

That is possible. I know the 03s were German. I think the 05 is too, though. Gotta check the VIN again.

I had a 99. It had the 1.8T and ran great. A once the check engine light came on because of the type of gas the previous owner used. It requires high octane gas. Anything less, over time, will make that light go off like crazy. The remidy was a BG 44k and at least 91 octane. After that we never saw it again.

I liked all it's features and had a lot of fun in it. My only problem with them was how flimsy the interior was. You could easly brake something and it costs a lot of money to replace the parts.

I would be carefull about what you read at that websight. I went to it before I bought mine and realized that people only went there when they have a problem and wanted to complain about it. You find the same thing here on AF for different cars.

I've since sold mine to my brother but there isn't anything like that German enginering. I'd buy another one. I'm considering a 1.8t Golf right now. They only thing holding me back is the flimsy interior. We just had our first kid and I know more are comming. Kids tend to be rough on just about everything. If I can accidently brake it, they will eaisly brake it.

I agree with bezerk2112. The car is a lot of fun--A LOT OF FUN!

In mine I had to change four upper control arms, t-belt with accessories. Chech engine light came on after that though. ABS module was fixed. Also, if you want to buy european cars--buy manual transmission--it's more versatile.

And yes you have to take care of the interior--it's very delicate.

Like with most things, the vocal minority skews what you read and see in media and the web.

I think overall, I am satsified with the Passats. I'm just disappointed in the 05, and after loving the 03s so much, I'm just bitter at the moment. I'll let you know after tomorrow when we take the wagon to another dealer. At least the warranty is good, so even with the issues, it's not actually costing me anything other than time. As the two posters after me said, these are pretty much the most fun cars I've ever driven, from a handling standpoint.

The only problems we've had with the interiors being delicate was the slow-open rear ashtray/cupholder thingy. Damn things pop out pretty easily every time my 3-year-old touches them. I also broke the center armrest, but I leaned on it with it propped open, and I'm a big guy, so I wouldn't count that as 'delicate'. If it hadn't been plastic, I would have just bent it beyond being able to close it anyway.