1989 Volkswagen Passat G5L review from Spain

When I bought it the rear nearside door window would not open (and never has)

Also when I bought it the heater would not shut off or blow cold.

At 115,000 miles I had to replace distributor cap and rotor arm (slight misfire)

Twice I scraped open the petrol feed tube under the car on rough roads (we have some there in Spain) Only cost to repair - two Jubilee clips and a lot of sweating and swearing!

Rear mounted air pump, for central locking and alarm system has been 'buzzing' since I bought it. According to the 'book' it should not be allowed to buzz for more than 35 seconds. This has been buzzing for five years, with no loss of effectiveness to central locking or to alarm (though alarm is unnecessary where I live)

New battery early 2002.

This car has been a near perfect car. I bought it prior to my move to Spain, intending to load it well and drive over. This job it did, twice, with no problems whatsoever. As my trip was first made in the winter, the fact the heater did not blow cold was not a problem.

In Spain, in summer, it was!

The car has made several trips back to England and to Southern France, each time fully (and I mean FULLY, loaded. It has been comfortable (except for the heat) and has performed without fault on every trip.

It was an old car when I bought it and had cosmetic faults of slight rust at the door bottoms and a little on the wheel arches. The worst 'spot' was along the top of the door, under the window on the rear passenger door. (this is the reason for the inoperation of the electric window on that door.)

It is very quick and loves the motorways.

It handles well, especially when not fully loaded, and is fun to drive, with precise steering, no over or under steer.

Brakes (fully renewed pads and shoes before leaving for Spain) are excellent and always 'bite' well. Have given me no nasty moments.

Economy, not the best, but I have averaged overall 25.2 miles per gallon. On longer trips, when driving was steadier, I could reach almost 29 miles per gallon, which is pretty impressive for a 2L five cylinder car which is not a lightweight. Very satisfied overall.

Streamlined roof rack-very useful and easy to strip, leaving just the side runners. Has carried a lot of stuff, safely and without fuss. I made a fitted box to carry the market tables and boards which earn our living.

Rear seats fold down to give a large flat storage area for goods. Very practical and easy to revert to passenger use, just a couple of pulls on the belts and everything clicks into place.

VW dealerships are pretty rare in our quarter of Spain (but then, dealerships of ANY car are pretty rare) This is the reason I was unable to fix the heater, as the shut-off valve has sheared and wherever the control was-it was blowing hot! I should have moved to Helsinki-then it would have been fine!)

In five years it has started every time and run like a train. Even the slight misfire that made me buy a new distributor cap (total cost 11€) did not prevent us completing our journey over the Sierra de Ronda at a height of more than 1100 metres at the pass.

In short, just about the most reliable car I've ever owned and one of the most cost-effective purchases of my life.

Battery 54.00 €

Exhaust 117.00€

Dist cap 11.00€

filters

(3 sets) 65.85€

Oil 37.48 €

Wipers (lots) 39.00€

Other than fuel, these are the only costs of running this car. The oil used was used only when changing the oil, none was consumed while running. I've checked every week and before long trips, but have never had to top-up.

The only other slight fault, not a problem, was the rear wipers, which, when switched on would not stop until the ignition key was turned off and back on. A slight annoyance, but never a problem.

A medium to large car, with room for five comfortably and room for LOTS of luggage, shopping, etc. Reasonably economical and with ample performance. Going up long hills (as on Sevilla-Malaga Autovia near Antequera had to change down to 4th. gear, but if going at higher speed (around 85-90 MPH) it would pull up in 5th. OK.