The Passat brake system is a fortune to maintain. With "precision" rotors at $110 US each and labor over $90 per hour a two wheel brake job is well over $500. You have no alternative part choices, only VW and they really bend you over for everything.
I tried to have a local mechanic replace the alternator and he couldn't --the front bumper needs to come off--ABSURD! You must go to a dealer and pay about $500 US for the parts, plus they ALWAYS find something else wrong, so the repair bill was incredible.
The radio is great however it went out at about 20,000 and the dealer replaced on warranty.
Light bulbs are difficult to replace.
The in-cabin air filter is about $50 US to replace--that is criminal for paper and cardboard--what a scam.
I am selling the Passat and going elsewhere. The Germans have no hybrid technology and build cars that are impossible to service locally or yourself. It is a dealer gold mine.
The V6 Passat runs well and has excellent acceleration. The fuel mileage has never been as good as advertised.
Why do you think VW's market share in the States has plummeted? The Passat has been uniformly unreliable for quite a few years now... and I don't see anything that would lead me to believe the redesigned 2007 should be any better.
I hate to say this (because I lean towards domestics), but buy an Accord or Camry. They might be appliances, but at least they're reliable and keep their value. Or, if you're feeling adventurous (first model year), buy the redesigned Malibu.
I love all cars and I myself drive a BMW, but I have to agree that you really cannot do better than a Camry or Accord when buying a new car. They are simply the most for the money and even more expensive cars are really no better. I absolutely love my Bimmer and will buy another one, but mine was used as my next one will be. My parents have a new Camry and my grandmother has a new Accord and even after driving my BMW, my other grandparents' Jaguars, my relatives' big SUVs, etc, I have to say that none of them are any more comfortable than the Camry or sportier to drive than the Accord.
A VW wins my heart for having character, but I just cannot justify owning one when there are always five or more at the garage for serious, frighteningly expensive problems when I am simply having oil changed in my BMW.
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