By Disappointed VW fan on 03/30/07 10:45 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon TDi 4dr Wagon
Review
I bought my VW used and I was okay with having to replace the clutch almost immediately as well as having a rod in the trunk snap which made the trunk impossible to use until I found a mechanic willing to weld the rod back together. But after 9 months of VW ownership, I'm calling it quits. I love VWs and will look for them in the future, but definitely with more skeptical eyes. Besides the normal repairs and somewhat non-normal repairs, I had an air flow sensor malfunction, and needed to replace the throttle valve because my Passat was driving itself. 3 weeks after those repairs, I either get to replace the heater core, fix a radiator problem, and replace the oxygen sensor or call it quits.
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By poskarp on 02/02/07 18:19 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
Although purchased used, this car was great until it reached its fifth birthday. Over the last five years this car has nickeled and dimed (or more accurately $500 and $1,000) us to death, especially with the pesky check engine light that has been diagnosed at least three times. I've put more into this wagon over the last five years than I did for my last two Toyotas which had double the mileage. So much for my European love affair, I'm going back to the orient where my cars have been reliable to over 150,000 miles
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By NA on 12/09/05 13:12 PM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
I bought my 1997 Volkswagen Passat new in 1997 after having good luck with a 1989 Golf. However, the Passat has been of poor quality and I will never purchase another VW. Problems include the door handles, power windows and front end (tie rods, bearings). I get nervous when the "check engine light" is not on (faulty air pump, does not impact drving). It is a great handling car, it is roomy and I like the VR6 engine with the 5-speed manual transmission. I am at 135,000 miles and the next major repair will force me into a Honda or Toyota dealership.
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By Hate my VW on 01/24/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
How can I describe the worst car
experience of my life. We bought this
car used in '99 with 60K miles on it.
Admittedly, we have driven many many
highway miles and the car now has 196K
on it but everything, everything has
broken. We've replaced the brakes four
times, two "super reliable Audi"
transmissions (don't buy that sales
feature), constant problems with door
handles, constant front end problems,
etc etc. We thought the car was cool
and powerful- the best compromise for a
growing family buying a station wagon.
What we ended up with was a huge money
pit that has not had the check engine
light off for more than a week since we
bought it.
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By So Cal Passat Driver on 09/05/02 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
Our Passat is like a race car; great
high-performance fun to drive, but
spends a lot of time in the mechanic's
pit. Since buying ours in 1997
problems weve had include: 7 power
window repairs; 4 oil leak repairs
(still leaks oil); peeling interior
door handles (replaced twice, still
peeling); side-mirror control failure
(twice); heater core failure;
alternator failure; air conditioning
failure (still doesn't workreal fun in
summer!); check engine light regularly
comes on (VW dealer will then charge
you to fix problem, then the light
comes on again as you're driving away--
6 times so far for us, and the light is
on again).
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By DSL on 08/09/02 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
I have been really happy with my 1997
Volkswagon Passat Wagon. The only
feature that I don't like is the
electronic locking system which
freezes every winter. Otherwise, it's
a fun and good handling car.
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By A.W. on 06/29/02 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon
Review
Too many problems to specify. This car
has been in the shop more times than
all the other cars I have owned
combined. The electrical system has
failed numerous times. The sunroof
track has broken four times. The AC and
vent system has malfunctioned since I
bought the vehicle. Luckily I purchased
a used car warranty with the purchase.
I have most definitely gotten my
money's worth. I have heard from others
who have also owned 1997 Passat wagons
who have had as negative experiences as
I. I am very VERY disappointed.
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