Courtesy door switch.
47 mpg from large heavy family estate, with reasonable performance (similar to 2 litre petrol).
Excellent long distance / motorway cruiser.
Suspension a bit wallowy, not a corners car.
Boot floor a bit high for an estate.
No glovebox because of airbag.
Standard air con, electric windows & mirrors nice.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 8th May, 1999
4 transmissions (automatic) in 3 years! Luckily, the warranty covers it. Volkswagen will soon have more money in this car than I have! Dealers and corporate both deny any inherent problems with this year and model, but a guy I work with had the same car with the same problems.
Buy an Audi instead.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 31st January, 1999
I own a 1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX with a manual transmission. Basic components have worked very well--engine and transmission still are fine and after 80,000+ miles I'm still on the original clutch. Difficulties are more in the nickel and dime department: fuel indicator has failed, odometer had to be replaced, cruise control was fixed three times in the last 8 months before it worked properly. Car is less reliable than my old Toyota but a lot more fun to drive: excellent acceleration, holds the road well, comfortable on long trips, roomy back seats. But I understand that reliability with VW is an on and off thing. Current models are very highly rated by Consumer Reports and salesmen say that reliability has improved but I'll believe it when I see the statistics.
Wait a minute! Buy an Audi instead? Isn't Audi just an up-market VW? If so, Buy a Toyota instead of wasting hard-earned money on an overpriced unreliable VW/Audi.
An economical, spacious, family saloon with very good performance and comfort.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd August, 1997
Intermittent problem with alarm system/central locking.
Very comfortable, well equiped vehicle at a very competitive price. Should have alloy wheels as standard on top spec model. Motorways are a pleasure to drive. Very fast car , vision for parking poor.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th August, 1997
9th May 2001, 14:49
I have encountered the same problems with my 1996 Passat GLX. 4 Transmissions in 6 years... ridiculous. I point blank asked a service rep if this seemed unusual and he agreed. Still, he didn't know what was causing it. The car has been a major pain in my butt from the beginning.