1991 Volkswagen Passat GL review from North America
"Poor man's Audi"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Iratic idle, faulty speed sensor, rear brakes won't engage parking brake.
General comments?
Being very leary of Passats, mostly because of their high initial purchase costs, vs the used car market costs today, (amazingly low) I happened to purchase this car from my brother last year. After sifting through a myriad of nuisance problems, I think that the car has finally achieved a baseline of reliability for me.
Performance-wise, the car is adequate. Around town it's quite sluggish, but out on the highway, where the 16V is allowed to breathe, it totes along well. The cabin is spacious, and the car is big by VW standards. (it took a while to adjust from my previous 1990 Jetta size) There is a lot of body roll, that can be quite unnerving to the uninitiated, while whizzing through s-curves.
This car is 15 years old now, and the body is immaculate, with only surface rust present on the trunk lid and fender edges, albeit this car has been regularly oiled. The frame rails and rocker panels are solid and free from rust. With regular maintenance (this is key) this car should serve well past its 20th birthday.
Recommended reviews
| 1991 - Passat GL 2.0 Gas, Inline 4 cylinder A nice looking under performer |
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| 1990 - Passat GL 1.8 Dual Overhead Cam Okay for those with deep pockets and the need to nurture |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1991 |
| Year of manufacture | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 16v DOHC 2.0L Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 300000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 312000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Jetta |
| Date of Entry | 3rd November, 2006 |