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Used 1997 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
26 reviews

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Update to Hope it lasts forever!

VW4Life, 09/22/2010
1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Well, we're headed towards 2011, and my trusty Passat now has 138,000 miles. This car STILL drives like the day I bought it over ten years and 100,000 miles ago. I'm bored and want something newer, as the plastic trim pieces are falling off and the door handles / window regulators continue to be flaky. However, from an economic AND enjoyment standpoint, I simply cannot beat this car.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Hope It Lasts Forever!

VW4Life, 08/26/2006
1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have owned nothing but VW's. They all have been reliable and great to drive. In 2000 we needed a bigger car as we were expecting our first child. We drove the new Jetta, and but it seemed small and sort of cheap. Then we saw the beautiful Indigo Passat GLX. It is a big, roomy sedan which drives and handles like a dream. The VR6 engine is the best thing VW has ever designed. The check engine or ABS lights have NEVER been on in this car. I bought it with 38,000 miles on it, now it has 96,000 miles and drives like the day I took it home. The first owner probably neglected a few things. It needed brakes, rotors, battery, etc. that first year, but the dealer covered everything. Find a good mechanic, do your maintenance, and this car will last!

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3.38 out of 5 stars

German for "Piece of Junk"

theronald, 10/23/2008
1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This car was really nice for about the first 3 years that we owned it. Ever since that point, it has had many nagging, expensive, and repetitive failures. (Among those too numerous to mention - Door Handles, Controller, O2 Sensors, Belt-tensioner) The Yellow light has been on more than it has been "off". Were it not for the fact that I was unemployed on & off for most of the past 4 years, we would have "dumped" it on some other poor sap. Have talked to several other GLX owners - most had same problems. Their highly-touted "German Engineers" should all be fired, and replaced by the guys from GM. (I've never had to replace all 4 door handles on a Buick twice!)

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4 out of 5 stars

First car.

Phill, 03/01/2006
1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I am a new driver and this is the first car that I have bought. I didn't really pick this car, it was more seredipity that i found it. It was everything I was looking for, relativly cheap (under $4,000) spacious, and not an American car. At first it was great, then a couple of problems occured. Nothing too serious, a dead battery because of a broken relay, an alternator that stopped working. These are significant problems yes, but easly fixed and they are not harmful to the car or people inside of the car. Overall the car is very exciting, fast, and handles beautifully. Even with its problems it has been worth it. I couldnt have asked for anything more.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great car

matt, 03/09/2010
1997 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I purchased this car at a auction. I had no idea what it was like. I kno it sounds dumb. But I got it and it ran great! (even though it has almost 200,000 miles on it) but its my first car and I have little problems with it. The main problems consist of the two passenger doors, the back which does not open at all nor does the window work, and the front that only opens from the inside. But im not too worried about those... Seeing how I don't sit there. Overall its a great first car. I even raced a 1999 eclipse and blew it away.

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