Faults:

I have had the following done for:

Regular maintenance - Timing belt, brakes, front struts (rear also need done).

Issues needing repair - IP timing needed reset (did myself), ignition switch replaced, IP gasket leak, coolant line damaged by the leaking diesel fuel.

General Comments:

This car is fun to drive. It is very peppy for a diesel and gets 50MPG highway. I have gone almost 900 miles on a tankful (18 gallon tank). Yes, I have to put some money into it, but then again it has 280K miles and is 13 years old.

Because of the year Passat, it is very roomy for a VW. I use it to commute 60 miles each way to work, and it does that job well. Heck, I only paid $2700 for the car. After I have put 100K miles on it, I will have only depreciated it by maybe $1000. Try that with a new $30K car and see if your depreciation is as little money as mine.

Faults:

Typically poor design quality and reliability, both for the 1997 Passat and my previous 1987 Audi Coupe. Both vehicles had door lock and window regulator problems.

My current Passat is on its 6th window regulator. The problems are not due to abuse, but because of inadequate design for the intended use.

Door locks fail from normal use, and I have modified them to prevent these chronic failures.

General Comments:

The TDI engine is a wonderful engine, and something that VW has done very well. If maintained properly, it just keeps on running. That is why I still have this car, otherwise it would have been scrapped a long time ago.

Faults:

Some of the things that have gone wrong with this car are; Left rear window regulator does not work, Drivers side door does not lock, passenger side door does not open from the outside, and the cruise control does not work all the time.

General Comments:

This car is fast. With an incredible performance and great handling, this car can whip around corners and go from 0-60 in 8.0 seconds. The seats are amazingly comfortable, and the way that they adjust in a great convenience. The spacious layout of the car makes ideal for travel, and a luxurious ride.

Faults:

Rear power window regulators have been replaced twice -first at 75,000 miles, and again at 90,000 miles. The rear passenger side regulator has since gone bad again and I've decided to simply live with the inconvenience.

Antenna gasket rotted away at 90,000 miles.

Replaced clutch at 95,000 miles.

General Comments:

Except for the issue with the rear power window regulators, this car has been a joy to own. It's consistently reliable, provides good gas mileage for a 6 cylinder engine, and looks great.

Faults:

Window Regulators have been replaced seven times.

Tires don't wear well and are expensive to replace.

Check engine light comes on monthly with an average cost of 500 to fix what ever is broken.

CD/Radio shorted out at 75,000.

Burns off a lot of oil.

General Comments:

Lots of trunk space.

Fun to drive when it's not broken.

Faults:

Everything has gone wrong with this vehicle. It is currently at the mechanics as I type this.

At 65,000 miles:

The A/C stopped blowing cold air.

The brake light was on continuously.

The check engine light began going on and off daily.

At 75,000 miles the rear breaks began malfunctioning resulting in almost $1000 in repairs.

There are numerous squeaks and rubbing noises coming from the car that the dealer has not been able to fix.

General Comments:

Between 65,000 and 75,000 miles this car has had approx. $6000 worth of repairs.

Not only is the car expensive to own because of the repairs, but it is also a gas guzzler, and simple maintenance items such as oil changes are a production. I feel that the vehicle is the most unsafe and unreliable sedan on the road. After becoming a Volkswagen owner, I don't recommend that anyone buy one.

Also, before purchasing a VW, I recommend that you contact your insurance agent, your rates for collision and comprehensive coverage will go sky high!