1998 Volkswagen Passat GLS review from North America
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Two weeks after I purchased the Passat (late March, 1998) I smelled a foul odor in the trunk. When I lifted up the trunk liner, I saw about an inch of standing water in the spare tire well. Mold was on the tire and on the trunk liner and the wheel was rusting. The dealer found a leak underneath the trunk, repaired it, and provided a new tire, wheel, and trunk liner.
General comments?
The Passat is the best buy and best performing mid-sized sedan under $25,000. The amenities that come with the Passat equal a Mercades C class or a BMW 3 series. The suspension is firm and very German. The engine, with the intercooled turbo, is more than adequate with 150 horsepower. In short, a Passat is an Audi A4 internally and a VW asthetically. It is a blast to drive.
Recommended Reviews:
  | What will go wrong today? |
| Great on fuel, but not terribly comfortable with lots of repairs, just like a North American car |
All 1998 Volkswagen Passat reviews
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Turbo |
| Performance marks | 10/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 10/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9/10 |
| Date of Entry | 21st June, 1998 |