By legionpk on 01/15/13 18:06 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
Review
this car is very reliable. the power of germany engineering. i love my 96 vw passat glx. it takes me any where. proud owner. i will keep it and drive it till it disintergrates or the tires fly off or the doors fly off
Read the full review
By cacree on 09/04/11 20:07 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
Review
I bought my car from my brother in South Dakota for $100. It had been abused, and ran without oil, so my dad and I had to completely rebuild it. After finally finishing this job, I know all about my car, and I love it. Even with it's peely paint. Best first car ever. I plan to keep it, and fix all my own problems for the rest of my life.
:) Thank you Volkswagen! I love you!
Read the full review
By ca_cowgirl on 06/19/11 09:37 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
Review
I purchased my '96 TDI used with 125k miles, and it has turned out to be one of the most dependable cars I've ever owned.
It now has 273k miles on the original engine.
I'm quite impressed for a diesel, it's much quieter than Mercedes, does not smoke, burn oil, and it consistently gets 42-48MPG.
I drove from Sacramento to Kennewick Washington on ONE TANK of diesel.
Over the years, the car has began to "age", and as such, the door handles are faulty and cease up, the cup holders broke off, lid to glove box broke, and AC switch broke one really hot summer day.
Other than that, this is a very comfortable driving, easy handling automobile that I will drive until the doors fall off.
Read the full review
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
By Meghan M. on 10/13/10 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
I am quite familiar with a lot of the issues I have been reading. One thing I have noticed with this car is that proper maintenance and proper fluids such as G12 coolant, premium gasoline, and synthetic oil are necessary for longevity. I have rebuilt the engine and replaced all of the gaskets, timing chain and tensioner, water pump, and cv shaft. I am approaching about 160k miles and I am still in love! Though, my boyfriend and I are VW enthusiasts and do many of the repairs ourselves and it is definitely important to find a VW mechanic and NOT a dealership. I will say, if someone is looking into this car, be prepared for a good amount of maintenance.
Read the full review
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By VW on the BRAIN on 05/31/09 17:40 PM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Wagon
Review
I have been a VW fan since 65". This was my third VW, and my first wagon. I loved it, and still do, its had a few problems, door handles, wheel bearings, gears, speedometer, window motors, rust, spindles, locks, and Volkswagen scalloping back wheel wear. These w's, you either love em or hate them. This vehicle needs better headlamps, the plastic interior was shoddy, half of it busted. The cup holder snapped off, the glove box, broke, little thing like that can piss you off. The seat rails screwed up. The heated seats, were replaced but, the seats were never the same. The odometer went at 181 k, and it was 1200 bucks to fix. This car is fun to drive but you must have patience.
Read the full review
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By tyler on 09/06/08 11:01 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
Review
As almost all reviews have implied this car is too expensive to service and problems are constant. VW should have recalled the entire car. Yes, great V6 engine but definitely a real headache and expensive to repair.
Read the full review
By Germancarfan on 01/29/07 16:46 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
Review
I received this car in my grandmother's will, and as she meticulously maintained it and kept it in excellent shape. I see no major problems in the car. It drives nicely, accelerates quickly, and handles like a car half its size. My only gripe is the door handle, it seems to act up every once and a while, leaving me fiddling with it for a bit to get it to work. As this is my second car, my first car was an Isuzu Rodeo, I am very pleased with it.
Read the full review
By Rupert on 12/22/06 06:14 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
Review
This car has been a complete nightmare to own. It has had issues with the transmission, electrical, interior cosmetics, expensive parts...the list goes on. This car was wonderful when I bought it new in April of 1995. Then at 31,000 miles all hell broke lose. I lost my heated seats, and soon after my entire instrument cluster. Then at 33,000 miles my transmission went out - thank God it was under warranty as it costs nearly $6,500 to repair. The rear O2 sensors require taking off the FUEL TANK to reach them. This car is too much work and is costing me too much money. I am VERY unhappy with this car!
Read the full review
By Mika on 12/22/06 06:03 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
This is my second Volkswagen Passat. My first one was a '91 Passat which I loved. I decided to upgrade for the VR6. With 176 horsepower on tap on a much heavier car it wasn't going to win any races. This car has been a dismal experience, as the O2 sensors (in engine bay and under the fuel tank) have gone out, as well as the thermostat and automatic transmission. After thousands of dollars in repairs and countless man hours of doing the work myself, I have finally gotten rid of the beast.
Read the full review
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By middlemancrisis on 10/23/06 07:07 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
Review
I bought my 1996 Passat with 119,000 miles on it. It now has 161,000 and still pulls strong. I have had to replace belt tensioner, water pump, and other numerous little items that you'd expect to change at 150,000+ miles. Make sure that you have the intake cleaned after 75,000 miles! They tend to smoke more on start up with clogged intakes (typical for TDI's). The best gas mileage that I have gotten is 53 hwy in the summer, The worst was 39 mpg, in combined driving using winter diesel. The car feels solid and well built, except for the door handles. It is not an eye catcher, but it is rare. The stock seats are too stiff. Also, you lose noticeable power with the A/C on. This car has an excellent turning radius. It makes a great daily commuter.
Read the full review
