Why choose a Camry over a Passat?

[Raza]

Have you driven it? It really does feel clumsy compared to the B5, with that high seating position and whatnot.

Nope, but I did spend an hour or so sitting in one.  So I can tell you that the cabin isn't as high quality as the B5's. 

If I were to buy another Volkswagen, it would a GTI, but if I were to make a straight replacement of my Passat, the GLI would be the best fit.  Get inside, and it even feels like my Passat.

[850CSi]

I don't like the GLI. The new Jetta just doesn't do it for me like the old one did -- the design falls apart at the C-Pillar. I'd rather have a GTI.

I personally felt that the interior was HQ but the whole layout made it feel like you were driving a truck. Steering was noticably more numb than the B5. Leatherette is standard, btw - though that might not be such a good thing. But yeah, I'm dissapointed. And I don't feel like the Jetta fills the B5s shoes despite having similar dimensions.



I wish I had pictures of our Passat. I took many, and i think I lost them somewhere between my old laptop and this one. I pushed that thing hard, and on shitty pavement. The lack of law enforcement overseas was wonderful, too. Maybe next summer I'll take it to Lebanon and bolt a turbocharger on, or swap for a 1.8T. Pipe dreams...

[The Pirate]

Raza, how has the 1.8T engine proved as far as reliability and fuel consumption?  There is a local used dealer with an 03  or so Jetta wagon with a 5 speed and that engine.  It's pretty much equipped exactly as I would want too, so I might have to go check it out.

If it can get close to 30 mpg on the highway, I can live with that

Look, I'm quoting myself!


Anyways, I went and test drove it yesterday after work.  It was an 03, and had 86K miles, which is a little on the high side.  It's 3 years newer than my car, but the mileage is too close for me to do the whole debt thing again.  It was a great car though, nice drivetrain and VW switchgear is awesome.  It was silver though, I'd rather have a different color.  If I can find another wagon with power goodies, cruise, a sunroof and preferably cloth seats, and lower mileage, I'll probably go for it.

The only other thing that makes me leery of a VW is lack of a dealership close by.  I'm not expecting perfect reliability from it, and most indie guys around here are hesitant to work on a German car.  We'll see though, I need to do some more research.


I might just keep my car and get a bike or truck as well.