Used 2004 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Passat Wagon what are you waiting for
We've had our Passat wagon for a year now. We drive about 25,000 miles in a year and we are very pleased with the performance, gas mileage and the fact that my wife feels very safe driving. It's exact tracking even at high speeds and crisp maneveurs and it's solid feel (like driving a vault0 make the Passat an excellent choice for a family wagon. We have the 1.8T turbo 4 cylinder and never want for power to pass or to merge. The faster the engines revs the more power you feel. I am totally and completely satisfied.
VOLKSWAGON LOVER
I received my Passat for my birthday from my husband, i've wanted one for over 10 years. it is one of the best driving autos I have had the experience of driving.
- GLS TDI Diesel SedanMSRP: $4,695160 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $5,000658 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $3,794701 mi away
Best Car I Have Ever Owned
So far this car has been excellent. All I have to do is put gas in it and change the oil every 5,000 miles. It rides well, has good power, and is very comfortable while being sporty enough for spirited driving. I've been very happy with the Passat and plan to have it for years to come. I recommend it to anyone looking for any sedan. It's at about the same price as the Japanese cars but much more fun to drive and it's a low cost substitute for the equally fun to drive as the higher-priced German sedans.
Good, but could be better
With my Passat I feel VW did well in some areas, but lack in others. I like the 5spd man, but a 6th gear would be better. The seats are great, but the dash is boring. The 1.8T is too small for the Passat for any one who is inclined to zippiness. I have not been able to find a balance of power with my Passat. I either give too little gas and the car does not move or I give too much gas and the wheels spin. The V6 add some zip and smooth power band but one sacrifices a lot of mileage and spends several thousands more for the upgrade. Overall I feel the Passat is a good value, but value is not "everything you want."
w8 passat
I considered Audi A6 4.2 (V8) or A6 2.7T-Sport (V6 twin turbo). But, I was having a hard time justifying the price once I'd compared them both with the V.W. Passat W8. They matched up quite nicely: power, performance, interior and looks. GET THE SPORT PKG.!!! You'll get 17" alloy wheels, a stiffer suspension and with the six speed you'll cut the 0-60 time from over 7 seconds with the tiptronic transmission to under 6 seconds with the six speed. 4Motion AWD with ESP traction control IS Audi Quattro. IT SIMPLY DOES NOT SLIP.
Awsome car
This is one nice car with unlimited upgrades,smooth ride great handling,easy on gas and it's a strong vehicle i love it this is the car.
A Commuter's Dream
I fell in love with the car during the test drive. I was very impressed by the quick response of the Turbo compared to the others cars that I had test driven. It has stable solid feeling while drving so I feel safe. But the best thing of all is that my car insurance rate dropped because of the ALL the safety features it has!
Not all its racked up to be.
I love my car, if it would just keep working!! I have owned 3 VW's. But my 3rd is making me look like a fool. I love the way it drives, it corners like it is on rails. Very comfortable interior, awesome sound system. Other people don't understand why I still have it. I have now been stranded 2 times and have only owned it for 15 months, with 76,ooo miles. This car is well cared for. The coils have failed, CV boots replaced, and now oil cooler failed. I hate to get rid of it, but at this point I could owe a Lexus for what it has cost me to fix this one.
Absolutely great car
Easy to drive Economical on gas excellent german craftsmanship many features of mare expensive models
VW PASSAT 04-SSSWEET
CAR IS VERY FUN TO DRIVE,WILL JUST GET UP AND GO, RUNS GREAT FOR A 4 CYL. AUTO. HAD MY SHARE OF SHIFTING GEARS. IF YOU FEEL LIKE SHIFTING YOU CAN WITH THE TIP-TRONIC TRANS. I GOT THE BLUE/SILVER PAINT-BEAUTIFUL, A REAL HEAD TURNER. 1ST GERMAN CAR, BIG DIFFERANCE BETWEEN HONDAS,TOYOTAS. WELL MADE CAR, HAD IT 3-MONTHS LOVE-IT. SO FAR SO GOOD.DRIVE ONE BEFORE YOU BUY.
Keeping this one!
I have had my Passat for almost two years and I have virtually NO complaints. This is my second Passat, I had my first one for about a year and then I realized that I shouldn't have passed up the heated leather seats and 4-Motion. I love both features - my passengers expecially love the heated passenger seat! The car perfoms extremly well in the snow. I feel very safe, comfortable and confident driving it on roads that have 6 - 8 inches of snow and have never been plowed! The car just does not slide! In my opinion there is not another car on the road that looks as sharp as the PASSAT! The car rides beautifully, handles great, and gets good gas millage. The 4-cylinder engine's pick up is impressive.
my 13th VW - the best ever
Comfortable to drive, Turbo gives great kick. Gas mileage 33-34. Since Apr 04 never been back to the dealer for problem. The trunk handles almost everything with back seats down. Fit and finish is superb.
Passat 1.8T gl
I have owned 17 cars since starting to drive and I can honestly say that this is the best car I have owned. I actually look forward to driving it to work each day. I would buy the same car again without hesitating one moment. Considering the available competition, that says alot!
No wonder these are all over the place!
We traded in our 2001 Passat wagon for the 2004 Passat wagon. We shopped around & narrowed the field to this wagon & the Volvo 70 wagon. The Passat won out as it was $5000 less expensive, with all the bells and whistles included, felt roomier in the front driver & passenger area, had a nicer looking rear-end, and saved us money on auto insurance due to the on board On-Star.
No Flash Necessary
The Volkswagen Passat is an understated beauty that drives very smoothly. Strangers stop me on the street to talk about it.
still going strong
It has held up well through the years. It still looks stylish and is more attractive than the new iteration. It is heavy but very solid without rattles. The sport package with a six speed turns it into a sports sedan. No mechanical problems other than normal wear and tear. There are not many of these on the road and I suspect even fewer with a stick shift. The seats have held up well and show very little wear. The radio and cd player are still working well which is something that I couldn't say about my 91 passat. I see no reason why I can't keep this car for 10 more years since I only have 50,000 original miles on it.
A winner!
smooth! everything clearly marked. great design inside and out. car is very responsive and holds the road well.FUN to drive!
Great Car
Overall I am pleased with the car.
WOW
This car is the best in class. I compared everything from Acura to VW and this car for the price has the most bang for your buck. I love it, and I am sure you will to. Everything from the side impact air bags, to the heated mirrors(great for the cold weather places). The air condition is like a snow storm in Buffalo. The heat is like Hades for those cold winter nights. The inside of the car is so quiet with the radio off that you can hear a pin drop, no road or outside noise.
A week old
Have the V6 only a week but I love it Smooth engine, great features, nice styling. can't tell you about reliability yet.
My Passat
I adore my Passat. I had VW's when I was younger. The new Passat is amazing. The old Beetles and Ghia's are fun, but my Passat has so much more power, comfort and ease of shifting the 5 speed manual. The Turbo is extra kicky! The stereo is great but could have had an amplifier. All in all, I love my car and will be a VW lifer. If I could afford the new Pheaton, I would graduate to that. But, at $64,600.00 base, the Phaeton may have to be on my wish list.
The Best Car
I am 16 years old and this is my first car and it is spectacular. Although i do not have much experience with cars i have yet to find a flaw in this beautiful machine. Go ahead and get yourself one of these babies and the chicks (or hunks) will be all over you!!!
Passat GLS 1.8T Manual
the car is very elegantly desinged especially with the leather interior. the interrior is very roomy and comfortable. the car has many good features such as the sunroof and esp, it is a very classy car and for under 24,000 it is a steal
great car
excellent car, seats extremely comfortable, heats quickly, good air conditioner, fun to drive, seats designed by osteopath - good for people with back pain, so much room for midsize car.
Another warning light
I purchased my passat used last fall. I was really excited to get it. I got a lemon this time. It is in shop about once a month with a warning light on. Already had part of the dash replaced and about 3 software upgrades. Both headlight burned out at the same time. Just turned 50K so the warranty is gone. I am just waiting for the next problem. VW has let me down. I am going back to toyota as soon as I can.
Fun to drive, but poor reliability
Positives: Fun to drive, handles rain & snow well, excellent interior design, good brakes, 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy, steering is responsive and right on. Negatives: Unreliable! this car has been in the shop many times! Dead battery, malfunctioning fuel gauge, check engine light too many times to count, broken sunroof cable etc. The gearing of the transmission needs to be adjusted to improve acceleration from a stopped position. Midrange acceleration is excellent, however. Stereo sound is very average, middle armrest is a joke, suspension is too soft for aggressive driving, tires too small.
Few drawbacks, still good purchase
Overall, I have been pleased with this vehicle. You can read the pros and cons under the improvements/features. Considering what I know now, I would still buy this vehicle again but would give consideration to the GLX if you are going to have many drivers using this car needing various seating adjustments.
The Right Choice
My boyfriend talked me into a VW instead of an Audi because of the savings. We saw it in the Consumer Report being the #1 best rated vehicle so I ended up buying it. I'm so happy with the entire package. The triptonic is so fun and the seats lay down where I can load it up with anything I want. The stereo is the best also. Thanks VW.
Passat GLS 1.8 Tip
We love this vehicle. Gets looks! I miss the days when less people drove VW's.
Disappointing
It is a typical VW, it is a wanna-be Audi or Porshe. It has some great features, but is short on design and quality. The metal dents really easily, and the paint is poor. The car has had two recalls already. I love to drive, and this car makes me want to drive less. If you are smaller in stature, it probably will work for you, but forget the tall people.
Slightly Different Than the Rest
Before buying the Passat, I looked at the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. There was just enough about the VW that was different than all the rest. Volkswagen's ad' for "Drivers Wanted" - is appropriate. For me, it's a poor man's BMW:tight handling, German simplicity, comfortable and NOT like all the rest. You owe it to yourself to take a Passat on a test drive - I bet you feel the difference too.
Money Sucking Vehicle
Loved the car when we first got it. About 2 years in the repair bills started to mount. Oil changes are $50. Multiple recalls. An electrical problem that cost me $1500 (VW supposedly covered $800 in parts, I think they jacked up the invoice then discounted to appease me) and the car is on it's way to the dealership now for its 5th ignition coil. The first four went 3-6 months apart, the car was under warranty but VW would not replace them pro-actively so four times I was stranded and had to get towed. I've owned VWs before, we also have a 1999 Jetta that chugs along just fine, but the Passat is not cost efficient or reliable and will not be replaced with another VW.
economy plus zip
We wanted good fuel economy (and get about 36 mpg on open highway @ 65 mph) with enough power to handle acceleration for merging and passing. The 170 hp in the 1.8 turbo met our requirements and we thoroughly enjoy our vehicle.
Still W8ing
Purchased the car as my 7th Passat and 20th VW and was looking forward to a fast and sporty ride. The car is neither. Acceeleration lag from stand still is down right dangerous and then you jump like a frog! Gas mileage is horrendous ( 12 miles in City?). Back brakes warped & replaced at 20K. Tried to sell and realized one dealer offered all remaining 2003 W8's at $8K disocunt! W8ing for a better Audi or Lexus.
Practical Fun
Zippy tight and o' so practical. Everything feels right and in its proper place. Take the step up from the base GL model, it a few grand that makes this car feel and handle like cars priced 10K more. If you have kids, the leather will make you oh so happy... and its mighty comfy too.
GLS TDI
Unfortunately the TDI model has not yet been recognized by Edmunds, so I am using the closest fit. I am comparing to my Audi A6, which is not fair, but considering it cost about $15K less the Passat does quite well. Very pleased with the Turbo, not only the mileage but the performance is great. I drove through a very heavy rain storm a couple of days ago, many cars sitting it out on the side of the road, but the Passat felt secure and handled quite well. Overall I highly recommend the TDI, if you can find one. Color selection has been limited, but I lucked out and got a Blue Silver with Black leather. A real beauty.
Be careful with 4motion GLX
This car is great except for one problem that VW cannot fix - the 4motion clunk. Here's what happens Say I'm driving at a speed over 25 mph, and then slow down to around 10-15mph. If I press the accelerator (no stopping), the car jerks really hard into gear. It feels like I've been hit from behind. VW is aware of the problem and expects a fix within a couple of months. I am not the only person with this issue. http://www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.p hp?t=70416&highlight=4motion http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread? id=1274244
8 cylinders & AWD in a VW!
I bought the W8 Sedan 4Motion w/Sport Pkg. The Sport Package in 2003 was a wise offering after the 2002 intro of the W8, due to the additional weight of the engine. This version of the Passat is not an off-the-line dragster, it's forte is at-speed highway touring. It's autobahn pedigree comes out when accelerating on the hwy. The torque from the W8 is impressive. Still from a standing start, 60mph takes only 6.5 seconds, fast for a family sedan. No other import sedan with 8 cylinders, awd, and the amenities in the Passat can be had for under $40k. Mine is white w/two-toned black & beige interior,...nice!
"My Silver Rocket"
Santa Fe Dealership was wonderful. My Silver Rocket feels like a cross between an Audi and a BMW. Excellent handling, stops on a dime. Turbo lets me pass in the fast lane going uphill like the other car is standing still. I love it!!!
Great Wagon
This is my second Passat Wagonused for business has more room than most Message centermidsize SUV's
A True Q Ship
Tasteful styling coupled, a torquey engine, well-spaced ratios in the 6-spd manual, and AWD makes for a potent combination that slips under the radar (literally). The AWD with ESP ensures that corners are taken with aplomb. Handling in rain and snow is incredible. Some may find the ride stiff. Steering is a bit overboosted, although adjustment takes place quickly. Very comfortable touring for two, and easily hauls 5 without disomcomfort.
Mine is a "98 with 60,000 miles
My wife's car replacing a MB. She would never buy another MB, she loves the Passat. Not one problem in 60,000 miles. I do not get to drive it often since she is so happy with the car that she doesn't share it much. I asked her what she wanted as her next car and she said "the next Passat". Ride, comfort and handling, it can't be beat for the price.
04 Passat GLX 2.8 V6
I initially started with a 2000 VW Passat GLS V6, which had a continual "no start" problem. VWOA bought the car back from me and offered a great incentive to purchasing another VW. I decided on the '04 VW Passat GLX. I only have about 1,000 miles on the car but I love it. Many said I was crazy going for another VW after my experiance, but I think they are great cars. Fun to drive, comfortable, powerful and stylish
vw passat
excellent vehicle handling and ride, comfortable on extended trips as well as around town.best vehicle investment ever made.
too new to review...
So far so good... I have been very impressed with the way the car drives. It is always wanting to go faster! Love the interior and the design.
An OK car, quite good for the money
After having owned the car for a week, my initial excitement is wearing off. The car seems slow to take-off, it seems you really need to mash the accelerator. The car feels large and sluggish, and the Monsoon sound system has far too much low-quality bass. In addition, the exterior mirrors produce an inordinate amount of wind noise at speeds in excess of 55 mph.
Passat Rating
I LOVE this car...I only have one small complaint. The 1.8 Turbo has a slight delay when you step on the gas hard. When the tubo kicks in, it grabs pretty good. Gas milage has been approx 23- 24/gallon...not bad with gas prices at $2.20 a gallon. I highly reccomend this car and the Scottsdale, AZ Camelback Dealership.
VW HAS A DEFINITE COIL PROBLEM
I have been down the coil road with VW. They will not admit that it is a major problem with their car. I have almost been stranded twice with the coil problem. Once I was at the dealer & they told me I would have to wait until the following week to get it fixed. It is a really simple thing to replace . I called a friend (Mechanic) & he knew right away & told me to buy a coil at the dealer & he talked me through changing it. It was a trial & error method because I didn't know which one of the 4 was bad. It turned out to be #1 coil. 2 weeks later # 2 died. I replaced it & the other 2 & have solved my problem. I hope the new ones are more reliable! Also had to replace a front axle
A lot of BANG for the buck!
I am in no way going to tell you this is the best vehicle ever but I will say it is the most bang for the buck. I swore I would A. never buy a VW and B. buy a 4 cylinder. I was proven wrong on both points. Don't forget that the Passat is built in Germany. The Jetta's are too small & built in Mexico (I have heard horror stories about the Jetta's "nickle-diming" people to death). This car is solid, feels solid at speed (80mph), and is comfortable. The 4 cylinder turbo is all that you will need in power. You must drive this vehicle if you are considering a sedan. YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED!
My Ultimate Driving Machine
This is a very exelent vehicle, you get for what you pay and even more, exelent driving, handling and all for a good price.