Used 2000 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews
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My wonderful Passat wagon!
I bought my 2000 Passat wagon used, in 2008, now in 2015, 166000 miles. I am still loving this car. It is fully loaded, heated seats, automatic mirror adjustments. Climatron system is great, also the monsoon sound system is amazing. Its a great 'soccer mom' car, love the hatchback, which makes it easy to open and throw in backpacks, sporting stuff as well as groceries, and back seats fold down easily, if transporting something long. I am a small woman, and the car is very comforable, back seats are like your living room sofa. I haven't had many problems with it and I drive it all the time.l The one issue is, the car is sort of low and you have to watch going over speed bumps and such. I have had to fix the mufflers a few times but other than that, it been fine, and I love the smooth driving nature of this car. I would get another one, but this one is still going strong, and also, it a great looking car, very classy looking and still looks great even for 15 years old.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good car, reliability not good
My vehicle currently has over 100,000 miles. Initial impressions during the first 25000 miles were very positive. The car handled decently, the ride was firm, the V6 engine had smooth power. Gas mileage has been constant at an OK 22 combined city/highway. Subsequent impressions were not as good due to overall reliability problems. I could cut and paste the problems mentioned in other reviews/forums, such as leaking cylinder head gaskets, leaking cam seals, tie rod replacement, new ABS module, control arm joints, and a host of various other problems. Repair bills over the years were exorbitant, much of which was due to the high cost of replacement parts.
- GLX V6 SedanMSRP: $4,9951,325 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: N/A248 mi away
Poor quality
Car has multiple problems, not simple wear and tear either. Window fell into door (generic problem) Trunk latch broke Side lamps fell off one day Dome light cracked Oil leak (less than 50k miles)
VW falls apart after 50K
After 50,000 iles my car has had the transmition, altenator, two starters, two air conditioning compressors, the catalytic converter, cam seal, two keys and a few other repairs done. Thanksfully all covered by the extended warranty. I am at the end of the warranty and getting rid of this car.
213500 miles and still hauls A**
I baught this car a year ago with 202k i have put a VERY hard 11k on her i mean racing hard i have owend many cars and none of them could handle me till i got this V6 5s manual passat for 1750 the only issue it has is the ABS system but it doesnt effect what im after. this car seriously exceeds 140 with over 213k... on the track of course! And the only mods on it is a comp chip to over ride the govern, and muffler delete so it sounds like a racer! this car is a great comfortable family car on the road and an absolute beast on the track it is without a doubt the best 1750 i ever spent! Update, at 215k miles the ABS fault caused the front driver side wheel to lock up on the freeway when applying the brakes spinning the car into the freeway divider. This issue should have been a recall as comon as it was for these years. I was able to drive the car home but the frame was bent and it was no longer safe for family. I sold it for $500 and it is back on the road still racking up miles for the guy that baught it. I miss it but would not buy another without upgraded ABS system. overall my passat experience was good. Just be aware of ABS
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Sounds Good on Paper
The Volkswagen Passat is really fun to drive, however VW makes sure that to keep any of their cars on the road you have to spend a ton of money. In the last two years I've had four oxygen sensors replaced and had to pay for three of them. VW insists that this is not abnormal and would not pay for the expense (~$450 each time). I've found that VWs are either really good or really bad from car to car, good luck with this one...I miss my '89 Jetta.
One headache after another
Don't get me wrong here... VW's are excellent cars when they are running 100%. The problem is 99% of the time they are not running properly. Case in point here is my 2000 Passat 1.8T. After 5 years of ownership, I drowned thousands of dollars into repairs. Blown turbo, oil cooler cracked, brakes went soft early on too. The list goes on and on. Sludge had built up in the engine and finally, after 83k miles, the heater core broke. I will NEVER buy a VW again. This is the worst car I've ever dealt with and I don't know why I kept it for so long.
EV - Passat Review
I have had this car for about 18 months and I love it.
Worst Car Ever
I've had a lot of used cars and this one tops the replacements I have had to put in it. The sludge build up required motor and everything connected to the motor to be replaced (hoses, belts, etc). I also had cracked pipes. And, to top it off I now have the ABS module gone bad. I have a 99 Taurus that I've only spent 1000 on so far. This car, I've spent over 5000, and , I haven't replaced the module yet!
Loved this VW, repairs expensive though
I loved this car more than any other car I've owned. Performance, great looks and excellent internal design and comfort outstanding! Maintenence however has been rather costly and a two year warrenty didn't cover much. The design and performance did cover the high cost though and I can't wait for the new '06 design. Love VW's
Lemon of a 2000 passat
I forget how many times this lemon of a car has gone into the shop. Bought used from some person who much be must happier now. "Emissions workshop" several times . Water pump dead at 35k. Heater doesn't work. New head gasket required at 70k. Coolant leak. Radio died. Rear seat cupholder broken. Thousands of dollars in repairs that simply should not be required in the first 5 years of a cards life. Great car to drive but wouldn't want to own one.
Passat = Fun
I've had my Passat for 2 months and 2,000 miles. I love the combination of performance, quiet, comfort, distinctive look, gas mileage (26 combined), Monsoon stereo, luxury and great fun factor (5 speed manual). This car is smallish on the outside but roomy inside - a perfect combination of bigness while not being big. This contributes to a true sport sedan look and feel. The 6 year old finish looks like new. The V6 is so quiet I often have to watch the tach to know when to shift. The interior is superb - real wood trim, comfortable seats, plenty of room for four adults plus spacious trunk. It has lots of nice touches, like hold the key in unlock position and the windows open! It's one of a kind.
Don't Buy It!!! VWs Expensive To Fix!!!
This car sucks getting it repaired is expensive too much money!!! get a Toyota or Honda Best Cars Around!!!
Great Car!
The 2000 Volkswagen Passat has been a great car. I drive about 40,000 miles a year and this car has never failed me. I think all the negative reviews are more about the places they take their cars to. These people are getting ripped off for most repairs. I have put less than $200 into repairs in the 60,000 miles since I bought it. I drive this car very hard and it has treated me well. If you take care of your car it will take care of you.
Volkswagen Passat
This car is horrible. Never in my life will I ever purchase a Volkswagen again. It has been nothing but a horrific expereince. I have had to make so many repairs to my Passat that I have almost put in a new engine. Volkswagen was very non-responsive to my needs. I had to replace wires that broke due to corrosion. This car is horrible, horrible, horrible. Anyone thinking of buying a Volkswagen should think long and hard and I promoise you, I am not making this up. Buyers beware. I hope that I am helping someone with this review.
Can't even think of ALL the repairs!
I bought this car over 2 years ago and have found nothing but problems! The heater core valve, the shifter broke, brakes, recalls, and many other problems. The knob for my mirror fell off, the power locks no longer work correctly. Every time I have needed to get something fixed, it has cost me over $1,000. Future VW buyers, BEWARE! Tried to start my car this a.m. and it won't even turn over now! This car (since I have owned it) has been well maintained, all oil changes, tune ups etc, and this car still won't run properly. After reading all of these reviews, I am EXTREMELY worried about what the current problem is. I can't wait to get rid of this money pit!
Where are the cup holders?
I'm 45, I've owned cars, lots of them. This is, by far, my favorite car. It's so much fun to drive, I know I'm going to get in trouble. Haven't yet, but I'm going to. I've found myself racing V8's (I've got the 2.8 liter 6, 5 speed) and hanging with them until the end. This car is A BLAST. Not your first thought for a "mid-life crisis" vehicle, but a very good vehicle for it! Two thumbs, way up!!
Nice Car, but Costly Repairs
I shopped for two years before buying an '00 Passat GLX 5M. I seriously considered the Audi A4, Ford Bronco, Saab 9-3, Olds Alero, and BMW 3-Series among others. This car has some very nice features. I liked the way it drove, I feel safe in it, and I get many nice comments from passengers. However, non-warranty repairs have included MAF (2.5 yrs) for ~$500, control arm (3 yrs) ~$300, 3 rear brakes, rear window motor (5 yrs) ~$250, serpentine belt & powwr steering motor (5 yrs) ~$800, drill out license plate mount from trunk lid (6 yrs) ~$100, rear view mirror (6 yrs) ~$0 (but frustrating get done), belly pan (7 yrs) ~$250, & others that I can't think of right now. If the dealer/repair experience had been better, and if repair costs weren't so high, I'd probably stay with VW/Audi.
Run for the hills
I've only owned the car for a short time and already it has been in the shop twice. My old faithful of 12 years never left me carless and yet I have been without this new car for a total of 6 days. First time, the air injection pump went out. Not cheap! This time the booster and main cylinder in the brakes. Not cheap and a safety factor. Don't buy!
Solid Performer
We purchased new in 2000. Interior quality and excellent handling were the two major selling points. Despite some concerns regarding VW quality, this car has been reliable and virtually problem-free. The one major mechanical issue was an oil seal failure back in 2005, which was covered by VW even though the car was out of warranty; it pays to keep all of your service records! Biggest beef has been the need to use premium fuel, but otherwise this has proven to be a great family car that offers European handling and performance at a reasonable price.
2000 VW "THE PEOPLE'S CAR"
I have had my VW GLX 4-motion for almost two years now. All I can say is this car has been there for me I have owned mostly trucks and SUV's but I'm very impressed with my VW purchase,I bought it with 80,000 miles on it and now has 111,000 miles and no problems. A good tip for those looking at VWs is to stay away from the 1.8 turbo they seem to be nothing but trouble. If you have a check engine light take it to auto zone first and get a free diagnostic test done this can save you a ton of money. You can also save money by buying parts online and taking it to a good independent mechanic they can do most hardware repairs but not so much computer repairs.
Wow
I've driven alot of cars and for the money I would have to say this one of the best. It has plenty of room for the family but the drive is that of a sports car. The design of the interior is sleek and very comfortable and so far I'm very satisfied.
Money Pit
The check engine / emissions light came on within months of the purchase (new) and hasn't been off for more than two weeks since then...and I've owned the car for five years now. I have put about $7,000 into repairs for this car and still it leaks coolant and can't get the emissions light off. The plastic panel parts were cracked and ugly within months for no reason, the adhesive for the fabric around the windows melted in the AZ heat within two summers, and the plastic peels around the handles and looks really bad. This is with EXCELLENT care and maintenance / hand washing. I won't buy a VW again! And, I don't recommend VW to anyone else, either!
A Good Midsize Buy
I bought my Passat as a VW Certified Pre-Owned Car. It's been a good purchase so far. If I had driven 12,000 rather than 15,000 miles each year the car would have held its value better, but I can still sell it for more than I owe. The fuel economy of this car'sV6 engine has been fairly good. I got 29 to 30 mpg on my last road trip from Seattle to Los Angeles. The best part is you can use 87 grade (regular gas) and it won't ping. I don't even notice the performance difference. The CD changer has been replaced once and is going through errors again. I would recommend an aftermarket CD player, except VW does diagnostics through the factory tape player so if you ever need maintance, you'd have to put the stock radio back in.
We love this car!
38 - 40 on a long trip. Stick shift is smooth. Lots of leg and headroom. Best car I've ever owned. Far superior to my '91 Passat.
Passat 4-Motion Sedan is Outstanding!
The best looking, most comfortable, reliable, all-round drivable car I have owned in 35 years of driving. We were shopping for an Audi A4 when my wife spotted the Passat. One test drive sold us both. Our car has every creature comfort I could desire, including a back seat that really will accommodate 3 fully grown adults comfortably. It's an outstanding road car, as well, with plenty of power, precise handling, and solid feel at high speed. Highway gas mileage is good (26-29 mpg), but city is not (12-15 mpg). Aside from that, I would be happy never to own another car than our Passat.
Don't Buy a VW
The 2000 Volkswagen Passat is not a reliable car. I have had problems with it since day one. It has been nothing but a money pit. The car essentially self distructs at 50,000 miles.
DO NOT BUY A USED PASSAT
Do not buy this car. 1998-2002 VW Passats and Audis with the 1.8T engine are doomed for failure. There is a HUGE issue with oil sludging. My engine seized on the highway. They claimed a timing belt, but the cause was oil sludge. They would only replace the engine IF I had all oil change reciepts (I did the oil changes, but I didn't have reciepts.) I had all but 5, they wouldn't do anything. A great car to drive, but that can't compensate for a $4000 rebuild.
Love My Passat Except.....
I love my Volkswagen Passat and it has been very reliable, except for the electrical system. The heated driver's side seat back stopped working just as the warranty expired, and I have had it in the shop at least six times for "engine light" being on. They do something pricy, then it comes back on a week later, without fail. So far, I've spent $1,000 and the light is back on.
Fun to drive, but not a long term keeper
The Reliability and Build Quality is terrible. Handles break, Window regulators break, hoses fail ahead of time, sensors give out ahead of time Not a reliable vehicle at all and expensive to fix and maintain. No more VW for me
Horrible Car - DO NOT BUY ONE!
I have owned my Passat since it was new. It has always had regular service performed by the dealer. I have had a slew of problems since the car was three years old (it's a 2000). First, the driver's seat heater went out. The dealer wanted $1,400 to fix it. I needed an entirely new seat - apparently they can't take element out. At 86,000 miles, the check emissions light came on. I needed two new catalytic converters. What kind of car needs two, pray tell? That set me back close to $5,000 for the way overpriced parts. Then little things happened, the Tiptronic won't upshift, for example. The Tiptronic transmission alone cost $1,400 to fix. Then most recently, the passenger window came off its track - $400. I need a tranny flush - $485. In three years, I spent over $9,000 in repairs.
Watch out !
This vehicle is very problematic. I have spend more in the car than I did in all my old cars put together. The timing belt broke and blew the head, it cost me 2,553.54 dollars. I will never own a volkswagen ever again.
Good Car
I love my Passat. I have a Wolfsburg Edition(built in Germany) with a manual transmission. I don't know what happenned with the other people getting bad gas mileage because I get up to 54mpg on the highway which makes this car good for my long commute. I love my Passat, and I've never had to make any major repairs. This car is very quick and very durable. I pull away from Corvettes and Mustangs all the time. I've driven Volkswagens since 1985, and thanks to this car, I'll continue that trend(unless I buy an Audi, hehe)
Pretty Happy w/ first Vdub
I have had the same experience with the O2 sensors mentioned by others, however I had it replaced once and have just ignored subsequent O2 communication and it goes away. The car is a joy to drive and the AWD was solid in the 2008 snowfall. I also have a private mechanic and have avoided VW dealers due to their nightmarish, weak customer relations I hear about constantly. Overall I have been very happy with my GLX. Excellent power, handling and ride. At the time I bought the VW I had also driven an Audi A6 Quattro and opted for the VW. I will go VW again....
I love my VW Passat!
This was my first VW and will likely not be my last. Since buying my car new in 2000 and putting just about 135,000 miles on it, I have had no major issues with it at all. Yes, repairs are a bit costly, but with regular maintenance, my car has been pretty much problem-free. I intend to hold onto this car for a while simply because it's such a solid, well-built car.
A pleasure to drive if you can handle
Right off the bat I'm going to just say in spite of many of the positives in this car, I would avoid it just because of the ridiculous prices VW charges for parts. Found my passat used with 69k on it, now at 120k. I have honestly spent less money repairing this than the Civics I have owned in the past. It hasn't been as reliable as a honda because I have had issues with power steering lines and electrical problems which made the car undriveable. I also always was someone who worked on my own car and this Passat has been a nightmare in that regard (every bolt on the car is a different type and different size and needs a different tool. its insane how many tools you need just to remove one par
All around great car
I have owned this car for nearly three years and have been very happy with it thus far. I have never had a problem with the car and it drives like the way it did when I drove it off the lot. The interior is really comfortable, the engine is quiet and smooth, yet powerful, and it is a great car for children with car seats. The styling is still attractive and it is fun to drive. This is the only car that I have owned that I would buy again. Kudos to VW on making a great car at a competitive price.
DRIVING IS FUN
FUN TO DRIVE, GREAT VALUE FOR PRICE. CUP HOLDERS ABSOLUTELY POORLY THOUGHT OUT. CAN'T PLUG IN CELL PHONE AND USE CUP HOLDER AT SAME TIME.
Overpriced and Overrated
VW customer service leaves alot to be desired. There is a reason the warrenty is for only 24,000 miles. New radiator at 42,000 miles, $600.00, ouch!! Selling, and buying another Infiniti I35. They wrote the book on qiality and service!! Auf Wiedersehen VW.
Fit & Finish
I purchased based in reseach (Fit & Finish) and our interest for fun w/a stick. Got that and great mileage. Husband loves this car & drives most often. Have had regular servicing and no mechanical problems. Had to have bumper repainted once from bad driving in parking lot. Our 6 year old hates this car. Car seat didn't work well & now he's too short & tends to get car sick. No arm rest this model year (2001-2). I miss being able to rest my arm on window while driving...
30000 mile report card
Just hit 30000 miles. At 24000 miles passenger side power window motor replaced under warranty. Numerous squeeks and rattles. Window washer fluid resevoir leaking now.
Almost perfect
This is the best car I have ever owned. It is an excellente automobile that may be unbeatable for the price.
45000 miles and still turbos like new
At 45,000 miles I have had zero problems with the car. The car came with zero defects. I have the car serviced per VW spec (cost is not unreasonable). The fit and finish is superb (inside and out). Looks great and drives great. The engine is smooth, powerful and economical. The ride is awesome. The five speed transmission is a blast (would be 20% more fun if it had a six speed).
Solid Sedan
Never had a problem with it. The turbo is certainly sufficient (there's no need for the V6). The only bad thing was the short 2 year warranty. Fortunately this has not been an issue.
best sedan for the money
Super quiet and smooth car! Excellent handling. Neat Tiptronic trans.!
Love my 2nd Passat
I love my 2000 Passat GLS. This one has the 5-speed stick, which makes the car much more fun to drive. My 1998 Passat (RIP--smashed up by a drunk driver) was the Tiptronic automatic. Much slower.
passat
love this car, i will buy another one someday
excellent car
Not one problem to date!
No Complaints Here
I've had my Passat for over 8 years, have nearly 100,000 miles on it, and have almost nothing but good things to say about it. No ball joint replacement (apparently a common problem), no clutch problems, no major problems of any kind really. Minor problems have included emissions and radiator leak. Nothing else but standard maintenance (oil, tires, brakes). My only complaint is the difficulty in getting to the oil filter to change the oil. It requires that the front facia be unbolted, and several screws have broken off in doing this. Otherwise, I'm very happy with my car, and will consider VW again in the future.
NEVER AGAIN!!!
I will never again owned a VW car, I had to replace all four tires before 25,000 miles and Breaks when I mostly drive on the car on the highway. Now i need to replace the Secondary air pump and the combi valves. This car is more of a headach than anything else. I am currently looking to get another car.