Used 1996 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Reliable Car - yea right.
VR6 Nightmare, 07/10/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My mechanic knows my phone number by heart. It's like the car has a computer virus. Even new parts seem to be consumed by the virus. I changed the transmission twice, the a/c compressor, the starter twice, the doors stick, the check engines light is on more than not, the stereo cuts off, the window motor broke, and the computer was replaced. If I didn't have a warranty I would have paid for the car more than 2 times.
VW Passat TDI
wart, 12/15/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The engine has been a solid performer since I bought it (except when I inadvertently added unleaded one dark night.) It's annoyingly smokey when it's cold, something no one seems to have an answer for. But the engine is surprisingly responsive and, after 140K miles, still acts like new. I live in northern Illinois but I have no rust. It's no luxury mobile, but at 42 mpg 'round town (48-52 hwy) it's a great commuter car. Upholstery has held up well. Electrical has had oddities, but I just received a recall notice on the ignition that might the culprit. All in all, I've been very pleased.
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See all 0 listingsTdi rocks!
C-bass, 01/04/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Well, i just bought this car from its original owner, and it's great, he hasn't had any problems with it, and i don't foresee anything major either.
served me well, but the last VW i buy
whiteoj, 02/16/2003
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought the car with 79,000 in 4/00 and have put 112,000 on in less then 3yrs. Auto trans began to fail at 165,000, but it never stranded me and used it an additional 7,000 miles before it became undrivable. By that time i had prepared myself for the repair (used tranny). My mechanic had told me that the VW's have had a major problem with this and jetta auto trans. Have driven this car at a hard fast pace, but don't attempt that without changing the very poorly performing stock "gators".
Hitler's Revenge
C-Town, 08/19/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is the most unreliable and expensive form of transportation I have ever had. As other writers have noted, I too know my mechanic entirely too well, and almost every 3k miles there is a new problem. Hitler youth must have been the engineers on this thing. Electronically, it is an absolute nightmare. Since 12/00, I have put $7k into the car. It is in the shop now, replacing 02 sensors, air pump and ball joints...another $1k. I can never recommend V-W and their name is forever tarnished in my mind. If you don't believe me...just wait until 60k miles plus.