Used 1994 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
I would buy again
I have had this vehicle for probably over 10 years, and I just cannot seem to part with it. I love it; it has been one of my favorite cars to drive. It performs great even with the a/c on. It was very impressive driving in the mountains. I sat it up for a few years and I am in the process of getting it back into good driving condition. I had problems with the fuel system, very costly. I also had the timing belt break. I did not repair that motor, I replaced it with another engine from another passat I purchased. I changed over the a/c and it was ice cold until I let the car sit.
German made beauty!
Before 1993, in north america, all VW were made in Germany, that means better assembly process, better quality Components. I've bought it for 3000$ CND and put a 3500$ of reparation: front/rear adjustable suspension coil over kit, all the water cooling system, rebuilt the transmission and a good tune-up. I've put an extra 3000$ for a new paint job and put 17'x9 BBS rims with staggered tire. Now, everybody turns their heads and wonder what is that car. BMW 325 is no match to a passat like that, and i've tried it on a 1/4 mile track. If you plan to put an extra buck, that car is for you!
Fun Car
I bought a 10 year-old Passat and put a lot of work into it. It's been a very enjoyable car. It is a sturdy Teutonic poor-man's Volvo, complete with spoiler and 5-speed manual. It is fun to drive and it has held up well. It has had a few fuel system problems and it needed a new heater core. The ABS system is finally beginning to go at 115,000 miles.
Love hate relationship
I've had this car for 11 years. I have put over $5,500 dollars in to getting it to run right. I had to fix the transmission $2,700 because of the trans cooler broke inside coolant and trans fluid mixed. If you can change your trans cooler every four years you might save your tranny. O2 sensor that was about $260. I fixed the sunroof. For years the car stalled when trying to go from a dead stop. I took it to 3 different dealers and they couldn't fix it. Tried the fuel pressure reg, fuel filter and fuel pump and even change the gas lines up front that attach to the fuel rail and the knock sensor all not the problem. The mass air flow sensor connector pins weren't making contact. Fixed
Trouble Maker
This car has been nothing but trouble. I have put 30,000 miles on it in 3.5 years. It now has 143,000 miles. I have had to replace ignition coil ($500), upper radiator hose ($200), rear shocks ($350), muffler ($100), brake pads and rotors ($400), the tranny is sloppy (flush and fill, $300), cruise control only works half of the time, all door handles are shot, and the ABS-horn-power seat belt-rear defrost all don't work. This car is fun to drive, but absolutely brutal with repairs. Don't buy a Passat from the 90s.