As mentioned in the "What Should Wizard Drive? (http://www.carspin.net/index.php?topic=29499.0)" thread, I was tired of the ES and planning on selling it and getting something a little different. Sold the ES last Wednesday, went down to Dallas on Friday morning, and spent the rest of Friday and Saturday looking at cars. I looked at over a dozen cars and test drove all but two. Drove several 2000-2002 Lexus GSes (300s and one 400), a Mazda 6, and several Passats. Looked at an Acura TL but didn't drive it due to severe hail damage.
Here's what won:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img824/3877/dgmb.jpg)
It's a 2008 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Komfort! It's Graphite Blue on Black, just over 83,000 miles. When I headed down to car shop I was pretty confident I would end up with a GS but at the end of the day, this was the car I liked best. It drives very well, feels solid/well-built, and has pretty much all the toys I wanted as well.
More pictures (apologies, they're cell phone pictures so not the best, and the car hadn't really been cleaned yet):
(http://imageshack.us/a/img837/9918/tjuh.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img153/6609/bs54.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img11/6471/2m0s.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img199/6315/6zjr.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img842/5337/xku7.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img20/1716/wx46.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img825/2467/0prs.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img24/7933/487d.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img706/546/kqwb.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img819/6600/q02v.jpg)
So that's the new (to me) ride. I'm happy with it, and it's definitely a bit of a departure from my previous rides. Thanks to all that provided suggestions and advice leading up to the search.
Congrats. That's cool.
Congrats man. Definitely a good upgrade. I like that gen Passat very much. Thought you'd hold on to the Lexus lomger.
Get a 4-wheel alignment. Looks like the inside of the left rear tire is wearing quickly.
NICE!!
Very nice-looking car and nice rims! Congrats! :mrcool:
And for a bunch of cellphone pictures those are very high quality. :mrcool:
Congratulations.
Did you get a warranty or are you going to roll the dice? :lol:
Great car! My friend has one and he really likes it. Same year, and it's given him no problems.
I wanted one of these so bad for the wife in wagon form, but the carbon buildup problem shied me away. When the budget warrants it definitely spend the thousand or so dollars it costs to get this done... you will get appreciably better gas mileage and performance.
I absolutely love these cars... just sucks about the carbon buildup in the 2.0Ts... I may just be an automotive hypochondriac though. In any case congrats on the purchase, this is one of the last good VWs sold in the US
Very sharp car. Must remain waxed and washed at all times.
Hell yeah. Beautiful car. Congratulations, and welcome to club 2.0T. :ohyeah:
Very nice.
As it is an automatic, the cursed electronic handbrake will not be an issue (it is a confounded nuisance in the manual cars!).
Congrats :clap:
Very sharp! To many miles of happiness and bliss :clap:
Thanks guys!
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on September 02, 2013, 11:32:09 PM
Congrats man. Definitely a good upgrade. I like that gen Passat very much. Thought you'd hold on to the Lexus lomger.
Thanks! Me too, but I already like it more than the Lexus actually. The ES was a very nice car but this car just fits me better.
Quote from: CJ on September 03, 2013, 12:16:01 AM
Get a 4-wheel alignment. Looks like the inside of the left rear tire is wearing quickly.
That's a ridiculously good eye to catch that on a crappy cell phone pic. But yes, dropped it off at the shop tonight to have a general inspection done and told them to look at the alignment/rear right tire and find the source of the bit of uneven wear. Those tires are almost brand new so definitely want to get that taken care of immediately.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on September 03, 2013, 04:01:49 AM
Very nice-looking car and nice rims! Congrats! :mrcool:
And for a bunch of cellphone pictures those are very high quality. :mrcool:
What are you going to do now that you can't harrass me about driving a Camry/ES300? :lol: Wizard's driving a German car... what's this world coming to?
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on September 03, 2013, 07:21:01 AM
Congratulations.
Did you get a warranty or are you going to roll the dice? :lol:
I'm a gambling man. But I'm feeling pretty good about this one, it had full service records (sucker actually took it to the dealership the whole time) and everything looks great.
Quote from: Raza on September 03, 2013, 07:24:39 AM
Great car! My friend has one and he really likes it. Same year, and it's given him no problems.
That's what I want to hear!
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 03, 2013, 08:02:58 AM
I wanted one of these so bad for the wife in wagon form, but the carbon buildup problem shied me away. When the budget warrants it definitely spend the thousand or so dollars it costs to get this done... you will get appreciably better gas mileage and performance.
I absolutely love these cars... just sucks about the carbon buildup in the 2.0Ts... I may just be an automotive hypochondriac though. In any case congrats on the purchase, this is one of the last good VWs sold in the US
I'm hoping I can avoid any serious problems with that. It's getting EPA+ on mileage right now with strong power. A lot of people on PassatWorld were talking about seafoaming on a schedule to reduce the risk of extensive build up, so I may look into that.
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 03, 2013, 10:43:54 AM
That looks sharp! Congrats!
Oh, and
Quote from: hotrodalex on July 24, 2013, 02:51:56 am
Passat?
:dance:
:lol: Yes, thank you for the suggestion, it definitely got me to looking into them a bit more, so you might deserve some credit for influencing my choice... :golfclap:
Quote from: CALL_911 on September 03, 2013, 02:11:17 PM
Hell yeah. Beautiful car. Congratulations, and welcome to club 2.0T. :ohyeah:
:ohyeah:
Wonderful choice!
Great choice, and great color as well! The car looks beautiful inside and out!
I enjoyed driving my 1.8T Passat, but love the feel of the 2.0T in every car I've driven with it even more. Good luck with it!
Quote from: thewizard16 on September 03, 2013, 06:36:07 PM
What are you going to do now that you can't harrass me about driving a Camry/ES300? :lol: Wizard's driving a German car... what's this world coming to?
You're starting to develop an appreciation for styling. That's a start. Your next car (to replace the Passat) should be a 1974 Dodge Monaco! Or at least a '72 Chrysler New Yorker! :praise: :lol:
Looks great!
(for a slushie sedan) :lol:
Seriously though, looks like a comfortable, capable ride. Love the wheels..!
Quote from: TurboDan on September 03, 2013, 11:09:19 PM
Great choice, and great color as well! The car looks beautiful inside and out!
I enjoyed driving my 1.8T Passat, but love the feel of the 2.0T in every car I've driven with it even more. Good luck with it!
The only downside to the B6 is that it's a bit softer than the B5. The B5 was a sport sedan in a family sedan disguise; it didn't have the credentials, but it was fun to drive. The B6 is more of a step to the one we have now. Still competent, but more comfortable, with more power, but less of a tossable feel. Overall a better car for the majority of car buyers.
Very nice, congrats!
Quote from: Raza on September 04, 2013, 07:40:07 AM
The only downside to the B6 is that it's a bit softer than the B5. The B5 was a sport sedan in a family sedan disguise; it didn't have the credentials, but it was fun to drive. The B6 is more of a step to the one we have now. Still competent, but more comfortable, with more power, but less of a tossable feel. Overall a better car for the majority of car buyers.
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/laughter.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/emoticons.html)
Quote from: cawimmer430 on September 04, 2013, 05:58:11 AM
You're starting to develop an appreciation for styling. That's a start. Your next car (to replace the Passat) should be a 1974 Dodge Monaco! Or at least a '72 Chrysler New Yorker! :praise: :lol:
Starting? The ES was quite a handsome car, IMO.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on September 04, 2013, 09:13:14 AM
(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/laughter.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/emoticons.html)
:lol:
Very nice choice :ohyeah:
Congrats! Looks great!
Lol @ the B5 being a sport sedan. The B5 A... never mind, not the place.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 04, 2013, 01:01:50 PM
Lol @ the B5 being a sport sedan. The B5 A... never mind, not the place.
Laugh all you want. But it was a tight handling sedan that was fun to drive.
Quote from: CALL_911 on September 04, 2013, 09:57:45 AM
Starting? The ES was quite a handsome car, IMO.
Yeah, that ES looked ok. It went downhill afterwards IMO.
i agree. that was the best looking ES. all of the future ES models have looked bloated in comparison.
that passat is a sweet color.
Relax, guys. I still have my ES. Platinum, bitches.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 04, 2013, 01:01:50 PM
Lol @ the B5 being a sport sedan. The B5 A... never mind, not the place.
"Sport" is subjective, but the B5 handled very well and was a nimble vehicle for its size and shape. It certainly was on a much different level than the vast majority of mainstream sedans, and very far removed from the feel of a Camcord.
Quote from: Raza on September 04, 2013, 01:11:42 PM
Laugh all you want. But it was a tight handling sedan that was fun to drive.
So were my Accords... they are still mainstreamers
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 05, 2013, 06:31:12 AM
So were my Accords... they are still mainstreamers
Doesn't make it any less a sport sedan, just because it's affordable.
Quote from: thewizard16 on September 02, 2013, 11:24:42 PM
As mentioned in the "What Should Wizard Drive? (http://www.carspin.net/index.php?topic=29499.0)" thread, I was tired of the ES and planning on selling it and getting something a little different. Sold the ES last Wednesday, went down to Dallas on Friday morning, and spent the rest of Friday and Saturday looking at cars. I looked at over a dozen cars and test drove all but two. Drove several 2000-2002 Lexus GSes (300s and one 400), a Mazda 6, and several Passats. Looked at an Acura TL but didn't drive it due to severe hail damage.
It's a 2008 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Komfort! It's Graphite Blue on Black, just over 83,000 miles. When I headed down to car shop I was pretty confident I would end up with a GS but at the end of the day, this was the car I liked best. It drives very well, feels solid/well-built, and has pretty much all the toys I wanted as well.
Nice car. Enjoy it. :ohyeah:
The original Lexus ES250 looked cool. Definitely stood out compared to most of the generic car designs from the early 90s.
The interior on the other hand was just nasty in terms of design IMO.
(http://img.favcars.com/lexus/es/wallpapers_lexus_es_1989_1.jpg)
Quote from: CJ on September 04, 2013, 07:11:58 PM
Relax, guys. I still have my ES. Platinum, bitches.
Your next car better be a 1974 Do...
Quote from: cawimmer430 on September 05, 2013, 08:22:44 AM
The original Lexus ES250 looked cool. Definitely stood out compared to most of the generic car designs from the early 90s.
The interior on the other hand was just nasty in terms of design IMO.
(http://img.favcars.com/lexus/es/wallpapers_lexus_es_1989_1.jpg)
It looked a lot like many other Japanese sedans of the late 80s.
You must like my old Camry then, it's basically the same car.
Welcome to the Passat club! :ohyeah:
Quote from: TurboDan on September 04, 2013, 10:22:25 PM
"Sport" is subjective, but the B5 handled very well and was a nimble vehicle for its size and shape. It certainly was on a much different level than the vast majority of mainstream sedans, and very far removed from the feel of a Camcord.
Very true. I'm quite enjoying my B5.5 Passat. It is very much the working man's Audi A4!
Quote from: Madman on September 05, 2013, 08:52:13 PM
Welcome to the Passat club! :ohyeah:
Very true. I'm quite enjoying my B5.5 Passat. It is very much the working man's Audi A4!
When did you get the Passat? Is there a thread?
Quote from: Raza on September 05, 2013, 08:56:51 PM
When did you get the Passat? Is there a thread?
Its in the SOTW thread. Since anything I buy is automatically considered a shed, I saw no need to create a new thread. :lol:
Thanks guys! Had the Passat in at my mechanic this week and turns out the tires were actually the incorrect width, which was causing the ridiculous wear on the inner part of the tire. I'd never heard of that happening before and the shop said they hadn't ever seen it on tires installed by a shop, just with individuals that tried to match up tires and wheels that didn't quite belong together. At any rate, there was also a screw in the sidewall of one and a big bolt stuck in another, so I got 4 new tires... Wasn't expecting that expense up front, but these things happen. The good news is everything else got a clean bill of health!
I have also been ordering a few little things for the Passat, the first of which came today. I put clear turn signals on the front of the car to match the lenses used on the mirrors. It's a subtle change but I like it.
Before:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img33/4076/ezi6.jpg)
After:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img405/3982/a2lo.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img856/8986/xfhg.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img801/5038/zmae.jpg)
More little things here and there to come, but that's probably it for the exterior, I want to keep it looking as stock as possible, (or a slightly nicer version of stock). I also need to figure out how to get that damn front license plate bracket off and either replace the whole chrome piece or find a way to hide the holes.
Quote from: MX793 on September 05, 2013, 07:41:49 PM
It looked a lot like many other Japanese sedans of the late 80s.
True, but these were pretty much only sold in Japan making this one a sort of "exotic".
Quote from: Laconian on September 05, 2013, 07:58:00 PM
You must like my old Camry then, it's basically the same car.
Older Camry's have STYLE. I know how weird that sounds, but they do. :ohyeah:
Did you get it aligned too? Do that, if you haven't already. Also, bear in mind that aggressive driving tends to wear the inner shoulders more rapidly. Not that aggressive driving is bad, just costly. :lol:
Quote from: S204STi on September 07, 2013, 08:43:29 AM
Did you get it aligned too? Do that, if you haven't already. Also, bear in mind that aggressive driving tends to wear the inner shoulders more rapidly. Not that aggressive driving is bad, just costly. :lol:
Oh, absolutely. New tires/balance/etc., alignment, general inspection, traced down a couple things they initially found suspicious that fortunately turned out to be something that had either been splashed up or spilled, and that was all it needed right now.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on September 07, 2013, 05:55:26 AM
Older Camry's have STYLE. I know how weird that sounds, but they do. :ohyeah:
It could be argued that the peak of the japanese styling was in the mid 80's to mid/late 90's. Almost everything was "cleaner" back then and more cohesive. I think hyundai(granted not japanese, but asian) is one of the few that is currently experiencing their peak in the present.
They just used straight lines. I think people just like the styling they grew up seeing. In 30 years, kids today are going to wax nostalgic about the Scion tC and Nissan Juke, no matter how ugly they actually are.
Quote from: Raza on September 08, 2013, 02:22:18 PM
They just used straight lines. I think people just like the styling they grew up seeing. In 30 years, kids today are going to wax nostalgic about the Scion tC and Nissan Juke, no matter how ugly they actually are.
Even cars without straight lines(rx7,300zx) are in many ways superior to their successors. I think it has more to it than simply being the cars of ones youth.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on September 08, 2013, 02:48:08 PM
Even cars without straight lines(rx7,300zx) are in many ways superior to their successors. I think it has more to it than simply being the cars of ones youth.
Nah, I hate most 2005-2013 cars.
Thread kind of makes me lol.
Lexus has electrical problems. Whaddayadoo? Sell it, buy VOLKSWAGEN :lol:
Seriously though, I'm still jelly. If I have any say wifey's next car will be one of these wagons or a Tiguan
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 09, 2013, 07:47:47 PM
Thread kind of makes me lol.
Lexus has electrical problems. Whaddayadoo? Sell it, buy VOLKSWAGEN :lol:
Seriously though, I'm still jelly. If I have any say wifey's next car will be one of these wagons or a Tiguan
Damn straight. I had bad luck with a car manufactured in a country known for its electrical wizardry/reliability. So I figured what the hell, let's try a car from a country known for quirky/fickle electronics. As long as my pattern of "that shouldn't happen" holds, the Passat will have the most reliable electrical system they've ever made.
In other Passat related news, the head unit I had in the Lexus should be going in tomorrow or Wednesday (I got the incredibly complex looking adapter wired up as to retain steering wheel controls and properly interface with the car to not cause problems) as soon as the antenna adapter arrives, I had a body shop look at it today and they're going to try to take the couple dings out of it, try buffing the hood to fix a hazy area in the clear coat, and replace a piece of bottom door molding on the passenger door that is broken later this week or early next week, and I decided the easiest way to get rid of that front license plate bracket without it looking crappy was to replace the whole grille assembly, so that is also ordered. Should have it totally cleaned up within a week or so and looking good as new.
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on September 08, 2013, 02:03:57 PM
It could be argued that the peak of the japanese styling was in the mid 80's to mid/late 90's. Almost everything was "cleaner" back then and more cohesive. I think hyundai(granted not japanese, but asian) is one of the few that is currently experiencing their peak in the present.
Those are my thoughts as well. The mid-1980s to the early/mid 1990s was my favorite era of Japanese car design (although many of their JDM cars from the '60s and '70s also looked good).
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on September 08, 2013, 02:03:57 PM
It could be argued that the peak of the japanese styling was in the mid 80's to mid/late 90's. Almost everything was "cleaner" back then and more cohesive. I think hyundai(granted not japanese, but asian) is one of the few that is currently experiencing their peak in the present.
Agreed!
Noticed that the car was hard to start after fueling up, and only after fueling up. Looked this up and discovered it was a pretty common problem in the 2.0T caused by the EVAP valve wearing out. Also decided that it was probably idling a little rougher than it was supposed to and had read that when the PCV valves on this engine wear out/get stuck they can cause pressure to build up a bit in the vacuum pump and cause an oil leak there. So, replaced both valves and the post-fueling problem is gone and the idle is lower and smoother. I like problems that I can actually fix!
Got the Kenwood screen installed in the dash, installed a new/nicer back-up camera than I had on the ES, and stainless exhaust tips put on. New grille should go on this week and after some work on the wheels where the finish is wearing in spots and it'll be looking better than new. (Pictures to follow grille + wheels.)
Quote from: Raza on September 08, 2013, 02:22:18 PM
They just used straight lines. I think people just like the styling they grew up seeing. In 30 years, kids today are going to wax nostalgic about the Scion tC and Nissan Juke, no matter how ugly they actually are.
There's still something to be said for '80s-to-early-'90s design. E.g.
(http://img.favcars.com/honda/accord/honda_accord_1990_photos_1.jpg)
I see a car that is 'lean'; low, sleek. It's not festooned with headlights that stretch to the A-pillar or any of the other styling cues used to make otherwise boring appliances look 'stylish' today. There aren't any pointless curves in the sheetmetal. And look at the amount of sheetmetal between the tops of the tires and tops of the fenders. Not a lot there, nowhere near as much as there is now.
Can you honestly say this looks 'better':
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TOFfSUhHbuI/AAAAAAADk8c/CHWe-Z-3FxE/s1600/2011-Hyundai-Elantra-7.JPG)
?
I think they both look good.
Quote from: 93JC on September 16, 2013, 09:08:35 PM
There's still something to be said for '80s-to-early-'90s design. E.g.
(http://img.favcars.com/honda/accord/honda_accord_1990_photos_1.jpg)
I see a car that is 'lean'; low, sleek. It's not festooned with headlights that stretch to the A-pillar or any of the other styling cues used to make otherwise boring appliances look 'stylish' today. There aren't any pointless curves in the sheetmetal. And look at the amount of sheetmetal between the tops of the tires and tops of the fenders. Not a lot there, nowhere near as much as there is now.
Can you honestly say this looks 'better':
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TOFfSUhHbuI/AAAAAAADk8c/CHWe-Z-3FxE/s1600/2011-Hyundai-Elantra-7.JPG)
?
Better looking than a Hyundai does not mean it's good looking. Hyundais are pretty fucking ugly right now.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 05, 2013, 06:31:12 AM
So were my Accords... they are still mainstreamers
I dunno WTF your standards are. My 97 was a comparative snooze.
Washed the Passat today and decided to share a few updated pictures. Apologies for the sunset lighting, by the time I got done it was relatively late.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img690/392/5hmz.jpg)
The replacement grille I ordered (without the damn license plate bracket) was damaged in shipping and they still haven't been able to get another one shipped to me. For the time being I'll represent the Razorbacks, but I'll get a new grille assembly in and installed soon (I hope).
(http://imageshack.us/a/img21/6776/x8y5.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img545/5846/tk53.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img708/1340/adx9.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img27/7023/aemz.jpg)
Got the receiver from the Lexus moved over. I bought the module that keeps steering wheel control functions but have been unable to find the right antenna adapter to use the factory sharkfin antenna for my XM, so right now the magnetic antenna is hiding behind the sharkfin. That's a problem for another day though, taking apart that section of the interior is no fun.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img716/9281/v9ll.jpg)
I installed some stainless steel door sills and I'm pretty happy with them. The "Passat" and those bars are laser etched and all four door sills now look a little classier. I think having the black interior sets them off nicely.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img841/8473/e9aw.jpg)
I also ordered some stainless exhaust tips from VW and got those put on a couple weeks ago. The rest of the car has chrome trim so it seemed like a reasonable upgrade. They're pretty subtle but I like them.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img834/8562/ylj1.jpg)
As I previously complained, the factory wheels have issues with the finish peeling that makes them look splotchy. So, I plasti-dipped all four wheels with one of the aluminium/metallic dips, then softly glossed them, and they turned out acceptable. I don't love it, but for a temporary solution it will do. I'll probably replace the wheels eventually, it would cost almost as much to have them properly refinished as it would to buy new wheels.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img11/1462/fe7v.jpg)
Looks great. Once again, I'm impressed by your radio install.
You're still on temporary tags?
Quote from: Raza on October 09, 2013, 09:17:55 PM
Looks great. Once again, I'm impressed by your radio install.
You're still on temporary tags?
Thanks!
Yeah, titles between states take a bit longer. Although this one is dragging on longer than the last Texas purchase did. I'm planning on checking with them on Friday where things stand if I haven't received the new title yet.
Wow, that Kenwood head unit install is seamless! And with SXM capability (even through the magnetic antenna) to boot. Looks awesome, man.
Finally got an undamaged grille (despite UPS's best efforts, judging by the condition the box was in) in and installed:
(http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1711/fxd4.jpg)
I had grown to where I liked the front Razorback plate pretty well, but I like this better. It looks cleaner without that front bracket. It does annoy me a little now though that there isn't the same chrome on the lower grille bars, but I haven't found a replacement lower grille with those bars so maybe that wasn't an option. Now just have to keep it registered in a state like Arkansas that doesn't require the front plate...
FWIW, I haven't had a front plate on my car since I got it and I live in a front-plate state. Haven't had a single problem.
Quote from: CALL_911 on October 20, 2013, 02:20:02 AM
FWIW, I haven't had a front plate on my car since I got it and I live in a front-plate state. Haven't had a single problem.
College towns it's easy to get away with. I could remove mine too if I wanted.
Quote from: 68_427 on October 20, 2013, 12:01:18 PM
College towns it's easy to get away with. I could remove mine too if I wanted.
Same deal in LI
I'm not even a fan of rear plates.
They like to set up road blocks around here to check and make sure people have up-to-date registrations and inspections and such. I roll through at least one every summer. There's always at least one person parked on the shoulder with an officer writing them a citation for something. I don't chance it with the front plate.
Quote from: MX793 on October 21, 2013, 03:09:12 PM
They like to set up road blocks around here to check and make sure people have up-to-date registrations and inspections and such. I roll through at least one every summer. There's always at least one person parked on the shoulder with an officer writing them a citation for something. I don't chance it with the front plate.
What the fuck?!
That doesn't sound remotely legal.
Some of them are part of "click it or ticket" seatbelt enforcement initiatives, but even with those they'll ticket you for out of date inspections if they see it. Others they appeared to be specifically looking at inspection and registration stickers. I seem to mostly hit these when I'm on my bike and sometimes, if it's a seatbelt check, they just wave me through but others I've had to stop while the officer walked around to check my registration sticker.
Sport Sedan...that comment made me lol the most.
Hmmm, a thread about the B6 Passat, and I have yet to comment .....
5 year update:
The Passat is dead. RIP.
I had a love-hate relationship with this car after the first year or so but it will be somewhat missed.
Things I won't miss:
-Unpredictable (yet predictably expensive) maintenance issues/sensor failures/turbo problems that they since re-designed but did not issue recalls for
-Electronic gremlins that liked to randomly open the sunroof, turn off lights for being "burnt out" (despite being stock LED), etc.
-Piss poor long term quality control (both side mirrors literally fell off due to a "known issue" with poor adhesive, the chrome around the shift boot bubbled and wanted to peel off, etc.)
-Mediocre air conditioning (do Germans not get hot?)
Things I will miss:
-Turbo pep. It was a fun engine even if it was too complicated and perhaps over-engineered
-Aggressive heated seats. On level 5 I'm pretty sure you could cook a thanksgiving turkey on those.
What happened:
Chicago had a record breaking cold snap last week. Temps into the -20s and such, and unfortunately I still had to work/commute in that mess. At some point the first cold day the car started idling rough. It has done this in the past when it gets below 20 degrees so I thought nothing of it but was very cautious to give it ample time to warm up before going anywhere. The second day it started idling rougher and sounding like a 4 wheeler at low RPMs no matter the speed. The third day the sound progressed to what I have termed "diesel tractor that smoked 4 packs a day for 40 years". It finally started throwing codes that day and indicated the camshaft position sensor was responding slowly. Okay, sure, it's basically Siberia here at that point, can't be too surprised if a 10 year old sensor fails. Had the sensor replaced... Then things really went to shit. The sound stayed horrible but the throttle response became very unpredictable and it started stalling randomly in stop and go conditions and additionally sometimes when the RPMs dipped below 2000. This was irritating and obviously needed to be addressed but when it started happening while at speed (engine cut off and I was coasting doing about 40 on Lake Shore Drive), it went straight to the dealership. After a few hours of "diagnosis" they revealed that at some point the timing chain had slipped a couple teeth which threw something off with the camshaft synchronization which then put strain on the timing belt and had thrown it off too (as well as damaged the actual belt). The engine was not totally nuked, but to fix the timing issues alone their quote was ~$3800. There were also some other issues they labeled "serious" that had developed, some in conjunction with that issue and others related to the suspension, that pushed the total recommended repair bill to $7200. :mask:
...No. Nope. No thank you. The car was worth maybe $3k at this point so it's time to cut the losses and move on. We'll see if CarMax or an auto salvage place wants to buy the remains, but as of today I bid farewell to the German.
Welcome back.
Sorry about the car.
Any idea what you may replace it with?
Quote from: Submariner on February 04, 2019, 08:24:40 AM
Welcome back.
Sorry about the car.
Thanks! I think this was my longest absence to date. :mask:
And thank you. I wanted to give it a Viking funeral but apparently there are laws against driving your car into Lake Michigan on a pontoon and lighting it on fire.
Quote from: Submariner on February 04, 2019, 08:27:29 AM
Any idea what you may replace it with?
Replacement already acquired... Thread coming shortly.
Dayum. :confused:
The car lasted 10 years and exploded :mask: Wow.
Welcome back.
You prob could have got the engine replaced for cheaper
But fuck it, when it's time it's time. Looking forward to seeing the replacement and welcome back
Can confirm, Chicago was cccccccccold as fuck on Wednesday and Thursday. I worked from home and hibernated both days thankfully. The brave souls that left the house were the MVPs that week.
How much money where you able to get for the car? The fact that it still kinda ran should have been somewhat helpful.
Quote from: Rockraven on February 04, 2019, 08:28:39 AM
Dayum. :confused:
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. :cry:
Quote from: MrH on February 04, 2019, 08:41:16 AM
The car lasted 10 years and exploded :mask: Wow.
Welcome back.
Yep. As frustrating as the car was at times I can't complain. I got a good amount of time and miles out of it. And thanks!
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on February 04, 2019, 08:46:17 AM
You prob could have got the engine replaced for cheaper
But fuck it, when it's time it's time. Looking forward to seeing the replacement and welcome back
Exactly. But this was a definite "time to cut the losses" kind of situation. And thanks!
Quote from: Xer0 on February 04, 2019, 08:48:02 AM
Can confirm, Chicago was cccccccccold as fuck on Wednesday and Thursday. I worked from home and hibernated both days thankfully. The brave souls that left the house were the MVPs that week.
How much money where you able to get for the car? The fact that it still kinda ran should have been somewhat helpful.
I didn't realize you were in Chicago too! I moved here back in June so this has been my first winter up here... It was great until last week. Haven't actually sold the Passat yet, hoping to do that this afternoon after work.
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 04, 2019, 08:21:00 AM
-Mediocre air conditioning (do Germans not get hot?)
If things are going the way they are Europe, or specifically Germany, will become a Third World agrarian society thanks to idiotic Leftist-Green assholes who want to ban the internal combustion engine and anything that produces CO2.
Future German cars, a horse with a fine quality leather saddle, will definitely lack an A/C.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 04, 2019, 09:26:15 AM
If things are going the way they are Europe, or specifically Germany, will become a Third World agrarian society thanks to idiotic Leftist-Green assholes who want to ban the internal combustion engine and anything that produces CO2.
Future German cars, a horse with a fine quality leather saddle, will definitely lack an A/C.
:hmm: Is there perhaps a way to attach a fan to the horse?
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 04, 2019, 09:29:06 AM
:hmm: Is there perhaps a way to attach a fan to the horse?
Just ride it fast. The wind will do the rest - hopefully!
Quote from: cawimmer430 on February 04, 2019, 09:26:15 AM
If things are going the way they are Europe, or specifically Germany, will become a Third World agrarian society thanks to idiotic Leftist-Green assholes who want to ban the internal combustion engine and anything that produces CO2.
Future German cars, a horse with a fine quality leather saddle, will definitely lack an A/C.
Horse emissions are horrible; and do you have any idea the nasty chemicals used to tan leather?
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2019, 09:36:49 AM
Horse emissions are horrible; and do you have any idea the nasty chemicals used to tan leather?
The German Green Party is mostly populated by a bunch of total morons who have never worked in the free market and who have never finished their studies. It's amazing that these total freaks are allowed to tell us how to live based on their ideology and stupidity.
I've begun distancing myself from some of my friends who vote for this piece of crap party because I can't understand how anyone can be so STUPID and give this party their vote. The Green Party has nothing to do with saving the environment. They are literally an extreme leftist ideological group that wants to reshape our advanced and relatively wealthy society into a stone age / agrarian culture -literally.
They hate cars, well they hate super clean gasoline and diesel cars. They love ultra dirty, environmentally-damaging electric cars. If they come to power they want to ban sports cars, ban SUVs and trucks, reduce speed limits in the city, highways and on roads and enact a general driving ban on the weekend. This was featured on their website for some time. Radical piece of shit eco-terrorists is what these idiots are. I despise them with all my heart and soul, and this is why I am beginning to hate my acquaintances who mindlessly vote for these morons. :lockedup:
Wait, does it have a timing chain or belt? You mentioned both.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 04, 2019, 10:17:11 AM
Wait, does it have a timing chain or belt? You mentioned both.
I was wondering.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 04, 2019, 10:17:11 AM
Wait, does it have a timing chain or belt? You mentioned both.
It has a chain for timing on the camshaft on one side of the engine (with a cam chain tensioner, which was also failing) and a timing belt on the other side. They showed it to me and I had no idea there was a chain in there as well. :huh:
I know very little about modern engines to be honest but it sounded like some VW witchcraft to me.
Fucking Germans!!!!!
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 04, 2019, 10:17:11 AM
Wait, does it have a timing chain or belt? You mentioned both.
I believe it has a belt from the crank to a pulley between the cams, and then runs the cams with a chain.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on February 04, 2019, 10:38:44 AM
Fucking Germans!!!!!
When I would work on (minor) things on that engine it really seemed like someone looked at it and said "Can we make this any more complex and still have it work?".
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2019, 10:46:06 AM
I believe it has a belt from the crank to a pulley between the cams, and then runs the cams with a chain.
That sounds science-y and I think is how it was explained when I read about how this chain reaction (pun intended) happened.
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 04, 2019, 10:46:29 AM
When I would work on (minor) things on that engine it really seemed like someone looked at it and said "Can we make this any more complex and still have it work?".
Was that the engine that had some clever VVT/VTEC type of cam system? I remember reading about it once.
Quote from: FoMoJo on February 04, 2019, 10:49:36 AM
Was that the engine that had some clever VVT/VTEC type of cam system? I remember reading about it once.
I honestly have no idea. It was fun but it was not efficient so who knows what all they did designing that thing. VW/Audi gets a ton of use out of those 2.0T engines though, they're in everything.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2019, 10:46:06 AM
I believe it has a belt from the crank to a pulley between the cams, and then runs the cams with a chain.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on February 04, 2019, 10:38:44 AM
Fucking Germans!!!!!
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 04, 2019, 11:08:26 AM
Not uncommon for multi-cam engines to do that, though. You'll frequently see a belt or chain from the crank to one cam, then a second chain jumping from cam to cam.
Quote from: MX793 on February 04, 2019, 11:12:25 AM
Not uncommon for multi-cam engines to do that, though. You'll frequently see a belt or chain from the crank to one cam, then a second chain jumping from cam to cam.
Looking it up, its almost all belt. The chain goes from the crank to the variable timing actuator on the side of the engine.
VVT is garbage. Give me the big cam all the time. Simplify your life!
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 04, 2019, 01:33:39 PM
VVT is garbage. Give me the big cam all the time. Simplify your life!
VVT is just cam timing, not VTAK.
Crazy. Sorry man!
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2019, 09:36:49 AM
Horse emissions are horrible; and do you have any idea the nasty chemicals used to tan leather?
Only if it's chemical tanned leather. You can get vegetable tanned leather, which is natural and eco friendly. It's just a lot more expensive.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2019, 09:36:49 AM
Horse emissions are horrible; and do you have any idea the nasty chemicals used to tan leather?
Still, horse emissions/extrusions can be useful in many ways. Obviously as part of nature's balance to provide food for our plant life as well as provide unlimited amusement as ammunition for children's play fights. The little round balls are the perfect size for small hands to seize and hurl at 'the enemy'. No doubt it's still practiced in many rural areas.
Quote from: FoMoJo on February 06, 2019, 07:31:04 AM
Still, horse emissions/extrusions can be useful in many ways. Obviously as part of nature's balance to provide food for our plant life as well as provide unlimited amusement as ammunition for children's play fights. The little round balls are the perfect size for small hands to seize and hurl at 'the enemy'. No doubt it's still practiced in many rural areas.
Well, that's true. Road apples are usually dry enough to throw without getting the evidence all over yourself.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 06, 2019, 07:44:20 AM
Well, that's true. Road apples are usually dry enough to throw without getting the evidence all over yourself.
We called them horse buns. Horse buns and cow pies. Horse buns, even when they're fairly fresh are good ammunition. The advantage of that is they shatter when striking often stick to the enemy. Dry ones just bounce off. Cow pies, on the other hand, need to be dry otherwise it's just a mess in your hand. When dry though, they serve as nature's frisbee. With enough practice, you can curve them in flight in case the enemy is hiding behind a tree.
Quote from: FoMoJo on February 06, 2019, 08:05:19 AM
We called them horse buns. Horse buns and cow pies. Horse buns, even when they're fairly fresh are good ammunition. The advantage of that is they shatter when striking often stick to the enemy. Dry ones just bounce off. Cow pies, on the other hand, need to be dry otherwise it's just a mess in your hand. When dry though, they serve as nature's frisbee. With enough practice, you can curve them in flight in case the enemy is hiding behind a tree.
Had a friend who spent a summer shoveling horse shit at Mackinac (tourist trappy island in northern Michigan). His cart was proudly emblazoned with the moniker "Road Apple Express."
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 06, 2019, 08:07:31 AM
Had a friend who spent a summer shoveling horse shit at Mackinac (tourist trappy island in northern Michigan). His cart was proudly emblazoned with the moniker "Road Apple Express."
He likely could've sold them to the local kids for horse bun fights.
Always heard them called road apples around here as well. But we did not partake in any poop flinging shenanigans when I was a kid.
Sherpas use yak pattys to as fuel for their cast iron stoves.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on February 06, 2019, 08:32:21 AM
Sherpas use yak pattys to as fuel for their cast iron stoves.
That was common practice for settler on the plains. Well, buffalo patties rather than yak, but same idea.
Quote from: FoMoJo on February 06, 2019, 08:19:24 AM
He likely could've sold them to the local kids for horse bun fights.
Selling horse shit on an island with more horses than people? Interesting concept.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 06, 2019, 08:49:16 AM
Selling horse shit on an island with more horses than people? Interesting concept.
I suppose. But I expect it's really not such a popular pastime for kids anymore; with smart phones, computer games, cheap crap toys from China. Back then, we didn't have any of those so we just made do with what nature provided. We used actual apples at times as well, but they really hurt if you got hit hard.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 06, 2019, 08:07:31 AM
Had a friend who spent a summer shoveling horse shit at Mackinac (tourist trappy island in northern Michigan). His cart was proudly emblazoned with the moniker "Road Apple Express."
I hear about that place (and Bridge) all the time. Never been further north than Traverse City myself......
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-C6 on February 06, 2019, 10:28:37 AM
I hear about that place (and Bridge) all the time. Never been further north than Traverse City myself......
Superior is worth seeing.
Quote from: MX793 on February 06, 2019, 08:27:20 AM
Always heard them called road apples around here as well. But we did not partake in any poop flinging shenanigans when I was a kid.
Poop flinging is now reserved for that class of adults referred to as politicians.
...Watching how our threads evolve is like having a conversation with an elderly dementia patient. Start out by asking Ms. Jenkins if her foot hurts and by the end of her answer she's telling you that the Pope doesn't allow her to bake pies like she used to.
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 09, 2019, 10:47:54 AM
...Watching how our threads evolve is like having a conversation with an elderly dementia patient. Start out by asking Ms. Jenkins if her foot hurts and by the end of her answer she's telling you that the Pope doesn't allow her to bake pies like she used to.
:cheers:
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 09, 2019, 10:47:54 AM
...Watching how our threads evolve is like having a conversation with an elderly dementia patient. Start out by asking Ms. Jenkins if her foot hurts and by the end of her answer she's telling you that the Pope doesn't allow her to bake pies like she used to.
It's good to see you back here, man. I hope everything is going well for you.
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 09, 2019, 10:47:54 AM
...Watching how our threads evolve is like having a conversation with an elderly dementia patient. Start out by asking Ms. Jenkins if her foot hurts and by the end of her answer she's telling you that the Pope doesn't allow her to bake pies like she used to.
:lol:
Quote from: dazzleman on February 09, 2019, 10:52:30 AM
It's good to see you back here, man. I hope everything is going well for you.
Thanks! Things are pretty good!
Quote from: thewizard16 on February 04, 2019, 08:21:00 AM
5 year update:
The Passat is dead. RIP.
I had a love-hate relationship with this car after the first year or so but it will be somewhat missed.
Things I won't miss:
-Unpredictable (yet predictably expensive) maintenance issues/sensor failures/turbo problems that they since re-designed but did not issue recalls for
-Electronic gremlins that liked to randomly open the sunroof, turn off lights for being "burnt out" (despite being stock LED), etc.
-Piss poor long term quality control (both side mirrors literally fell off due to a "known issue" with poor adhesive, the chrome around the shift boot bubbled and wanted to peel off, etc.)
-Mediocre air conditioning (do Germans not get hot?)
Things I will miss:
-Turbo pep. It was a fun engine even if it was too complicated and perhaps over-engineered
-Aggressive heated seats. On level 5 I'm pretty sure you could cook a thanksgiving turkey on those.
What happened:
Chicago had a record breaking cold snap last week. Temps into the -20s and such, and unfortunately I still had to work/commute in that mess. At some point the first cold day the car started idling rough. It has done this in the past when it gets below 20 degrees so I thought nothing of it but was very cautious to give it ample time to warm up before going anywhere. The second day it started idling rougher and sounding like a 4 wheeler at low RPMs no matter the speed. The third day the sound progressed to what I have termed "diesel tractor that smoked 4 packs a day for 40 years". It finally started throwing codes that day and indicated the camshaft position sensor was responding slowly. Okay, sure, it's basically Siberia here at that point, can't be too surprised if a 10 year old sensor fails. Had the sensor replaced... Then things really went to shit. The sound stayed horrible but the throttle response became very unpredictable and it started stalling randomly in stop and go conditions and additionally sometimes when the RPMs dipped below 2000. This was irritating and obviously needed to be addressed but when it started happening while at speed (engine cut off and I was coasting doing about 40 on Lake Shore Drive), it went straight to the dealership. After a few hours of "diagnosis" they revealed that at some point the timing chain had slipped a couple teeth which threw something off with the camshaft synchronization which then put strain on the timing belt and had thrown it off too (as well as damaged the actual belt). The engine was not totally nuked, but to fix the timing issues alone their quote was ~$3800. There were also some other issues they labeled "serious" that had developed, some in conjunction with that issue and others related to the suspension, that pushed the total recommended repair bill to $7200. :mask:
...No. Nope. No thank you. The car was worth maybe $3k at this point so it's time to cut the losses and move on. We'll see if CarMax or an auto salvage place wants to buy the remains, but as of today I bid farewell to the German.
VW gonna VW.
Quote from: Char on March 02, 2019, 06:04:29 PM
VW gonna VW.
:lol: As soon as I went to make that post I thought of you and the crow I would have to eat about this.
Quote from: thewizard16 on March 04, 2019, 08:21:10 AM
:lol: As soon as I went to make that post I thought of you and the crow I would have to eat about this.
I almost feel bad for saying 'I told you so' but you live and learn
Quote from: Char on April 08, 2019, 06:00:04 PM
I almost feel bad for saying 'I told you so' but you live and learn
:lol:..."Almost" being the key word.
I'm 2ish months or so in with the Lexus and it hasn't done anything bizarre yet which is almost unsettling compared to what I had become accustomed to. It's ridiculous but I had to adjust to being able to leave my left turn signal on at a long light/intersection without worrying about having to restart the car (to clear the code that kept turning off my taillights if they had been signaling too long).
Quote from: thewizard16 on April 10, 2019, 03:12:05 PM
I had to adjust to being able to leave my left turn signal on at a long light/intersection without worrying about having to restart the car (to clear the code that kept turning off my taillights if they had been signaling too long).
:wtf:
Sorry for laughing at your vehicular misfortunes, but that's quite the bizarre problem. :lol:
:wtf:
Quote from: thewizard16 on April 10, 2019, 03:12:05 PM
:lol:..."Almost" being the key word.
I'm 2ish months or so in with the Lexus and it hasn't done anything bizarre yet which is almost unsettling compared to what I had become accustomed to. It's ridiculous but I had to adjust to being able to leave my left turn signal on at a long light/intersection without worrying about having to restart the car (to clear the code that kept turning off my taillights if they had been signaling too long).
Well, the "Almost" means you got a better car out of it. You're in a better place right now, and that's the silver lining.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on April 10, 2019, 03:18:55 PM
:wtf:
Sorry for laughing at your vehicular misfortunes, but that's quite the bizarre problem. :lol:
My Jetta has similar electronic gremlins. A few more days and I should be able to pull the Mustang out of storage. Then I start the search for a "new" winter car to replace the VW that isn't a VWAG product.
Quote from: thewizard16 on April 10, 2019, 03:12:05 PM
:lol:..."Almost" being the key word.
I'm 2ish months or so in with the Lexus and it hasn't done anything bizarre yet which is almost unsettling compared to what I had become accustomed to. It's ridiculous but I had to adjust to being able to leave my left turn signal on at a long light/intersection without worrying about having to restart the car (to clear the code that kept turning off my taillights if they had been signaling too long).
lol, wut?
Quote from: Soup DeVille on April 10, 2019, 05:29:29 PM
lol, wut?
Quote from: BimmerM3 on April 10, 2019, 03:18:55 PM
:wtf:
Sorry for laughing at your vehicular misfortunes, but that's quite the bizarre problem. :lol:
Apparently it wasn't too bizarre for that Passat. Though it was apparently normally the right side that had the problem and mine was on the left. Owners were actually adding in resistors to the factory wiring because they'd tried everything else.
It did many other strange electrical things too but that one was pretty frequent. More frequent if it was hot out, for some reason.
Quote from: thewizard16 on April 10, 2019, 09:12:02 PM
Apparently it wasn't too bizarre for that Passat. Though it was apparently normally the right side that had the problem and mine was on the left. Owners were actually adding in resistors to the factory wiring because they'd tried everything else.
It did many other strange electrical things too but that one was pretty frequent. More frequent if it was hot out, for some reason.
I've never had a good explanation of why they shut off power when detecting an open. Its a complication without purpose, which can be said about a lot of modern VWAG designs.
Its so odd, because I genuinely love the original Beetle and other early VWs because of the sometimes ingenious ways they kept things simple.
Mine has been great, but it did this weird thing with the windows when it was cold out. I would lock the car, and exactly 60 seconds later, the car would spontaneously unlock and lower both the windows. I don't have that feature where I can hold down unlock and the windows will go down. It would only do this (and would reliably do it) below like 10F.
This first happened at a McDonalds where it did the window thing after I had entered the building, so I came out and thought I must have fucked up by opening the windows. Then we got to a hotel and I thankfully forgot something in the car, I went back outside and again, the windows were down. I then stood there staring at the thing like a psychopath in 0F weather, and surely enough, it did it again. I just took valuable shit inside with me- I didn't know what else to do. Didn't do it again after that week of freezing weather.
Aside from that it's been perfect, though the driver's side switch to control the passenger window decided to shit out on me. This car definitely hasn't scared me away from VW, but I do think the MkVI Golfs are known to be quite good.
Lucky it didn't snow and completely trash your interior.
Yeah i don't think I would just live with stuff like that. I have been pretty lucky with all the VW/Audi's I have owned. My current Golf has been perfect so far.
I mean, what do you do if its snowing and you can't park it inside? Do you keep a tarp and bungies in the trunk?
Wow. You guys are way more patient than me.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on April 11, 2019, 07:22:37 AM
I mean, what do you do if its snowing and you can't park it inside? Do you keep a tarp and bungies in the trunk?
I got lucky in that I had access to a parking structure all weekend (and at home) but you're abs right. The car did stay garaged for a large part of that month which was not okay. I did think about how fucked I'd be if it did snow and it were outside
Quote from: MrH on April 11, 2019, 07:28:50 AM
Wow. You guys are way more patient than me.
It bugged the shit out of me, but what could I do? I took it to a VW shop that couldn't figure it out either. Hasn't done it since so I'll ignore it.
Pop the hood, shut off the car, and run around to pull the battery cable before your 60 seconds is up?
I mean, I accepted a while ago that modern VWs have some issues, but never did I expect the sort of bullshit that their owners just accepted.
The windows open themselves when its cold. The turn signals shut themselves off if you use them too much, or if its hot out?
Quote from: CALL_911 on April 11, 2019, 07:34:51 AM
It bugged the shit out of me, but what could I do? I took it to a VW shop that couldn't figure it out either. Hasn't done it since so I'll ignore it.
Not buy a VW :lol:
Quote from: Soup DeVille on April 11, 2019, 07:35:52 AM
Pop the hood, shut off the car, and run around to pull the battery cable before your 60 seconds is up?
I mean, I accepted a while ago that modern VWs have some issues, but never did I expect the sort of bullshit that their owners just accepted.
The windows open themselves when its cold. The turn signals shut themselves off if you use them too much, or if its hot out?
Didn't consider that. I let it be because we got to destination at about midnight and my GF had an interview (where she's going next year!) starting at like 7am. I went into full "fuck this" mode and just ignored it.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on April 10, 2019, 09:19:09 PM
I've never had a good explanation of why they shut off power when detecting an open. Its a complication without purpose, which can be said about a lot of modern VWAG designs.
Its so odd, because I genuinely love the original Beetle and other early VWs because of the sometimes ingenious ways they kept things simple.
Yeah, at some point they completely flip flopped. It's unfortunate
Quote from: thewizard16 on March 04, 2019, 08:21:10 AM
:lol: As soon as I went to make that post I thought of you and the crow I would have to eat about this.
You're dead on about the Passat's AC and heated seats. The GTI also has the shittiest AC ever, but its heated seats could double as my stove
Quote from: MrH on April 11, 2019, 07:36:19 AM
Not buy a VW :lol:
Good deals on Alfas these days....
I have only known two people in my lifetime that didn't have any trouble with their VW's and only one of the two owned their car past 60K miles (that was ironically a 2003 or 2004 Passat 5MT). There seems to be better luck when it is purchased new and owned by one person the entire time so perhaps that is the key. That having been said, other manufacturers now offer many of the virtues that are synonymous with Volkswagen without the inevitable electrical and repair nightmares that seem to be part of the ownership experience. Local VW dealers offered brand new GTI's for 21-22K (and standard Golfs for 16-17K) and I just couldn't pull the trigger knowing that I would likely have a car that will need constant attention after the warranty period expires.
I had a B6 Passat 2008 - 2016. Run it from new till 180k km, and while it did have it share of problems, it had nothing of that .... amd neither the 2002 - 2008 B5.5
Quote from: CALL_911 on April 11, 2019, 08:12:52 AM
You're dead on about the Passat's AC and heated seats. The GTI also has the shittiest AC ever, but its heated seats could double as my stove
I'm surprised; our Rabbit blew ice cold through our southern winters.
I've said it before but after the Civic I will only buy cars in the summer. My FIL (who bought it from me) STILL complains about the weak A/C. On warm days I see a lot of people in them with the windows open.
Quote from: MrH on April 11, 2019, 07:28:50 AM
Wow. You guys are way more patient than me.
Owning one is like an abusive relationship. It starts out great, it's a lot of fun for a while, and the issues start gradually. Before you know it you're getting the shit beat out of you every week and telling your friends that "it's not a big deal, I'm sure it loves me". :huh:
Quote from: CALL_911 on April 11, 2019, 08:12:52 AM
You're dead on about the Passat's AC and heated seats. The GTI also has the shittiest AC ever, but its heated seats could double as my stove
Yep. Replacing the auxiliary fan (ironically the only thing that didn't generate an error code when it died) improved the AC performance up to "acceptable for Canada" standards. Only car I've ever driven where the seats could get so hot you were concerned for your safety though.
Quote from: AltinD on April 15, 2019, 02:28:12 PM
I had a B6 Passat 2008 - 2016. Run it from new till 180k km, and while it did have it share of problems, it had nothing of that .... amd neither the 2002 - 2008 B5.5
I mean, statistically speaking they can't have all been as buggy as mine. I assume.