Used 1996 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Dependable work-horse
ca_cowgirl, 06/19/2011
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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.
Ripper in disguise!
vwlover007, 09/15/2014
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
1996 Passat B4v Wagon with 5 Speed Manual & VR6 6 Cylinder. Don't believe all these cry babies who trash a complete & awesome model car because of door handle/ lock and window regulator issues with this model..... This B4 Passat wagon is perhaps the most under car that VW ever made. This car in VR6 5 Speed form is fast ! and fun! it rips nicely and handles well too.! & The car has lots of cargo room. It looks nice!. Is very comfortable to drive. It has good AC & a nice glass two way sunroof. This car cruises nicely without effort and above 3500 rpm is a ripper! a hammer ready to throw down if need be ;) My car has excellent ABS Brakes and the front calipers and rotors are Beef SWEET!
Love my TDI
Sallert, 06/11/2002
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought the car used for the number one reason to consider a TDI powered VW...fuel economy...and have been totally satisfied. Still average 47mpg HW/36mpg city. Only problems have been a faulty original 109 (EFI)relay (common problem...$12 fix) and the '96 was designed with no glovebox and only one crappy bolt-on cup holder.
airlenny1
airlenny1, 02/19/2020
1996 Volkswagen Passat TDi 4dr Wagon
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my 1996 Passat since 1996. Waited 2 years to get it as the big 3 lobbied to keep it out of the US. Now I see why. It has been the most dependable car I have ever had including my prior 1968 beetle that was really good. It now has 270K miles and runs like new. I have taken very good care of it and worked on it myself when it needed maintenance. I had to replace expected worn out parts. Most mechanics have trouble with this car so a tdi forum is recommended and very helpful. There are common simple problems like the N109 relay, intake manifold getting clogged and the ECU tubing cracking and leaking but all are very low cost to fix. Very expensive to have a mechanic attempt to diagnose these things as they don't know how to approach this car, thus the recommendation for a TDI forum as the combined knowledge there is amazing. Now you can also get the computer based vag-com diagnostic program the dealers have for under 100 dollars. Worth its weight in gold. I just finished a recent repair for low power and went from a 0-60 at 25 seconds back to the original 12 seconds. Still getting 46 mpg and runs very smooth. Will probably get another 150 K before selling it. Engineering on this car was really good for 1996.
Terrible Car!
Mika, 12/22/2006
1996 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Wagon
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
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