2000 Volkswagen Passat GLS review from North America
"Passat has fine German engineering and luxury feel"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing has gone wrong with the car since I purchased it. At 40K, I replaced the rear brake pads (pricey at the dealer, but cheap if you DIY). And I also put in new Bosch platinum spark plugs. Shortly thereafter, the car misfired and a trouble light came on. I took it into the shop and was told that the OE-style iridium plugs are a necessity. So, I put a set back in the car and haven't had any issues since.
General comments?
This is an outstanding vehicle. Great build quality and features for the price. Very comfortable and reliable. And I average 30+ mpg with the turbo four and manual tranny. It handles well, though it's still a family car. Overall, I'd say this is one of the best options out there for a midsize car. An Accord or Camry will always have the edge when it comes to reliability, but they're so dull. The Passat is a classy, fun to drive alternative to the hordes of generic Asian sedans available.
Recommended reviews
| A performance family sedan that is safe and fun to drive |
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| Sexy, sporty, inevitably unreliable - roll the dice |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2000 |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8T Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 30000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 53000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 900 |
| Date of Entry | 3rd November, 2004 |