Used 2004 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Silver Ride
This is just an awesome car to drive. I'm a former Accord owner and I think my Passat is a much better car than the Accord was.
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.
- GLX 4Motion SedanMSRP: $4,995343 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,500914 mi away
- GL 1.8T SedanMSRP: $6,997970 mi away
the best kept secret
Bought a 2003 - with only 10,000kms (not miles for) 35,000 Canadian or 25,000 American (not sure of the excahnge but in comparison the same as a 6cl Camry - no contets - this car is a rocket, its classy and it's rare. there as many BMW out there as anything else, I love this sleeper.
Great but with surprises!
Everything is great for this only-1,300- mile car EXCEPT: 1. Grinding noise when turning the steerling wheel (getting louder and louder everyday) 2. Brake with squeezing noise 3. maybe more noises in the future I am quite disappointed with Passat's initial quality.
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.
No support from VW
Car got great milage, good power and comfort. Regrettebaly, I had to trade it in because VW would not stand behind the product. Shortly before the warranty ran out, the car ran out of gas, although the gauge showed some in it. 6 months later, the gauge went bezerk, and VW would not cover it under warranty, even though it obviously had a problem when it was in warranty. This subsequently cost me $605 for a sending unit and the body control module (which they said must be replaced in conjunction with the sending unit). The gauge in my 40 year old Ford still works for Christ sake. I am very happy with the Mazda 6S. It handles so much better, and the quality is as good.
pretty good car
Fun to drive. Have had several recalls over the year I've owned it. I don't like the turbo "lag" in hard acceleration but gas mileage is good as is performance.
Surprisingly Good Car
I've had the car for less than 2 months and 2100 miles but it is one of the best cars I've ever had. Peppy engine, great handling, lots of room inside, clean outside style, lots of safety features. I've been very surprised about how much I like driving this car...I never expected to. Much more fun than my wife's 2003 Accord EX, although less features for the money. The Accord has more "toys" but the Passat has more "heart"...I'll take heart every time!
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.
Very happy with my Passat
I wrote a review back in 2006 - now I see I was unfair to this vehicle... 3 1/2 years later and 35000 miles later I like it even more... It has been a stellar performer and a fun car to have. I am planning on a major service in about 6 months (timing belt) and expect to drive it another 6-7 years. What a jewel...
noticeable turbo lag
I've had the car for a month now and have to agree with some of the previous comments about the turbo lag. Also the car does not corner as well as my previous vehicles- maybe due to the rear torsion beam suspension setup. VW service is a hit or miss- so search carefully for a good VW service dept. My selling dealer could not align my car and after 2 tries, went to another VW dealer to have it corrected. Otherwise, interior and exterior is beautiful to look at.
Excellent Car
This is the first car we got that wasn't a 6-cylinder (previous Accura, Mazda, Saturn were all 6 cylinder). We were plesantly surprised to see how smooth and powerful 4 cylinder Turbo can be. Decide not to pay extra $3000 for V6 and don't regret it. Excellent leather interior and thoughtul layout. AC even circulates through the globe compartment to keep things cool inside. Automatic transmission with Tiptronics offer the best of both worlds. Excellent safety and with ESP, the car felt solid in the snow storm we recently had here. It's fun driving the car again.
passat a poor performer
Frustrating car to use. not logical controls. Seat belt reminder beeps even when in park. Doesn't shut off very annoying. Trunk locks automatically and you need the remote to unlock. just a pain. 4motion hesitates before accelerating. downshifts poorly.
Great Buy
I have only owned my Passat for a couple weeks but I love it. It is such a smooth ride it is amazing. Also the exterior of the car is great, one of the best looking on the road. I love the interior, leather etc. I made a great choice and will probably be looking at buying another after this one!
2004 GLX Passat
Great car to drive. No problems just general maintenence. Nice pickup and better than listed fuel economy. LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Fun car
Excellent vehicle. Best I've ever driven.
love it
I've had the Passat about nine months now and still love it. Very peppy engine with great acceleration (and I should know..everyone claims I'm a speed demon).Very smooth gear shift. Have not had any problems at all with the car.
Excellent Internet Buy!
Upgraded from my 2000 Jetta, and paid less in 12/03 than I did for the Jetta in 06/00, and the Pasat has more expensive features (leather interior, 6 air bags, for example)! I found that Internet salespeople work on a salary, not commission: one saves a bunch! The 2004 Passat has a wealth of creature comforts & great engineering.
I love the passat
I just got at passat and i absolutley love it. I researched a wide array of vehicles for aobout a year and looked at and drove several different makes and models. From the beginning I loved the passat, and after looking at and evaluating other cars in its class, it totally blew them away. The more I drive it, the more I love it.
Volkswagen Passat
I recently purchased my Volkswagen Passat from my mother prior to leaving for college. I had wanted something a little sportier and suited to customization, such as a GTI, or other sport coupe. Given a deal I could not pass up, I decided on the Passat (reluctantly at first.) I found, however, after looking the automobile over, that it had sufficient power (until I decided to upgrade that is) a luxury interior (in leather trim), and enough rooms for my friends and myself. After installing my custom sound system, this car is a definite keeper and crowd pleaser.
Good buy for the price
Very well priced German car when compared against other like models. I have had both an auto and manual, highly recommend the manual for more pick up. Considered buying a 3-series BMW though I did not see the added value in the lower end 3-series for the extra money. The Passat has lighter handling than the BMW, due to not having sports suspension, and you pay for this with slight roll in the coners. For a 100% german car it is great value, especially now Ford have their hands on BMW.
volks review
nice car, good handling, decent acceleration while maintaining fuel economy, lots of good options. Apleasure to drive
I love this car
I test drove this car and many others before finally making a decision. I loved the way it handles, all of the security and safety options. I would recommend this car to ANYONE. and I actually have a few friends who have since purchased the same car.
Zoom Zoom
Excellent, smooth and fund to Drive. Intelligent panel display. Excellent safety freatures. Lot of power for 1.8, 190hp engine.
LEMON, LEMON, LEMON
Have had the 4Motion clunk since almost the beginning. The dealership purchased from would not even acknowledge there was a problem. Volkswagen of America's customer care is useless and downright rude to its customers. Finally able to get software update installed after 4 trips to another dealership. Now when at low speeds, barely tap gas and it hesitates and then takes off like a rocket. Not good if idling in traffic, could be a safety concern and cause an accident. Also has extreme wind noise on interstate. VW mgr admitted is prblm with all 2004 passat
2004 Passatt
Fun to drive, the cold weather package is great in these really cold days. Good performance and movement. Like the feel of the wheel and how it sticks to the road
First and last Passat
I like my Passat, but I doubt I'll buy another one. The six cylinder has nice pickup around town, and is fun to drive, but it dies on the highway, especially if you are carrying people. Also, the gas mileage is ridiculous - I get 13 to 14 mpg around town. Little things - like not being able to read the dashboard meters - make me question the engineering. Also, this car - even with front wheel drive - is terrible in snow. And the Passat is expensive for what you get .. my next car is probably the Infiniti G35. I regret buying the Passat instead of the G35 ... both in the same price range.
I love my Passat!
My Passat has been a pleasure to drive from day one, and now at 10,000 miles it remains so. I drive a lot for my job, and I look forward to getting in my car and taking off on a cruise. It's attractive, classy and responsive. It also handles amazingly in tough situations. Nice audio system, too. Need I say more?
Great Car needs a few improvements
Owned my Passat for a year and a half. I'd wait for the style change coming in 2005. Need to have a the immobilizer chip in the door. My car was broken into and the alarm didn't go off. Only goes off if the window is broken. A professional can break ineasily. Parts are expensive and you must wait to get them from Germany. Broken lock costs more to fix than what was stolen out of the vehicle. Drive by wire causes a slight hesitation when you step on the pedal while computer is thinking. Brake dust makes the brakes prone to squeaking requiring freqent cleaning.
Not worth it
I had this car for 4 months and every month something breaks. Door wont open, window wont go down. AC fails intermittently. Lastly, oil was leaking from unknown location. But dealer said it was my mechanic. When my mechanic removed bottom cover, it was already full of oil marks. Dealer will sell you lemon vehicles without notifying you. Over-all experience BAD.
question of reality
Where do your get your "True Market Value" prices from?. As you know, dealers have additional fees (not included in t he published "invoice prices" because they vary from region to region) These include port fees and advertising. What Dealer is going to sell the 2004 Passat at Invoice? Are you just trying to stir up discontent between the buying public and the dealers. There's enough of that already. If you really want to do your readers a "favor," get real. Tell them what they REALLY should expect to pay.
stay away very bad CAR and SERVICE also
very unreliable car , faulty engine and very bad service from dealer. had to take it in too many times , once 6 times in a row for bad falty engine already shortly buying VW passat. stay away , also very bad service people, unfriedly and they dont keep appoitements . filing complaint with better buisness bureu. will never buy vw again. Buy VW if you want a car that breaks down all the time.
Solid performer
Getting behild the wheel of the dealer's Passat was a revelation. Precise handling, surging acceleration, responsive controls, firm yet comfortable seating, good visibility. A sensational car for the price.
Really fine car
I love the drive and feel of the car. Like the looks, and its a good value for your money.
Great car for my money! Feature loaded.
Definately a poor mans BMW due to similar handling characteristics, features, and styling. The 1.8T GLS- auto is more powerful than one would expect from a 4-cyl engine. Although a 4-cyl, it drives and feels as smooth and potent as any V6 I've ever driven, especially in Tiptronic mode. The car is downshift-happy in auto mode, which is why Tiptronic is the only way to go for gas-mileage savings and smoothness. Gas-mileage is good, but could be better for a 4-banger. I've had the car for almost 2-years now...been in for unscheduled service 3 times (blown speaker, air- conditioning odor, trunk not staying up). Build quality is OK, but what do you expect for an almost fully-loaded $24k car?!?
GREAT for tall folks
I'm don't agree with what some others have said. I am 6'8" and 260 lbs. and I fit in the passat with ease. i actually could move the seat up and still be comfortable. The head room (without the sun roof) is amazing. incredibly fun to drive, and the 4 cylinder turbo is great. no need for the V-6. This engine has plenty of power and better gas mileage. and I love driving the manual. However, I did have to take the car into the shop with a small computer problem, but I was in and out in a very short time.
Passat W8 sedan is great !
Americans don't understand how really great this car is. Audi Quattro performance and comfort for a fraction of the price (They are both made by the same company.) Larger than an A4 and smaller than an A6, the Passat is a perfect size to deliver both tremendous agility and interior roominess. The W8 option delivers 270 hp of 8 cylinder performance, with upgrades to the suspension and wheels (but you must order the sports suspension). I've had more than one BMW and Mercedes. They deliver snob appeal and prestige. But VW/Audi cars deliver performace whether the road is dry, wet or icey. That's something the first two can't begin to match.
Silverstone Gray
Ours is one of the first GLS 4Motion Passats in the area. This car is an Audi for thousands less - Tiptronic transmission, leather interior with wood accents, heated seats, excellent materials. The interior has the spaciousness we were seeking, and the features of this midlevel GLS are many. It has enough power to get out of its own way, nice tossability for a car of its size, and great highway manners. Can't wait to take it to Tahoe.
Great Fun Car
I loved this car from the moment I sat in the seat, turned on the engine and drove off the lot. The way it handled grabbed me from the start. I had not had this much fun driving a car in years. I recommend this car to anyone who loves to drive.
I highly recommend buying a Passatt!
The Passatt is a beautiful car. The ride is powerful and solid (for lack of a better word). The sightlines are great. I was surprised how much leg room there is in both the front and rear. The sunroof is a nice extra (standard on the GLS).
veedub all the way
My entire family owns Volkswagens. I find them to be amazing cars. The only issue i have with VW is the timing belt and water pump. Other than that, these cars are amazing. I have never driven a more reliable car, or a car more fun. They handle like a dream and the stock sound system is ridiculous.
Styled and well built German sedan
Purchased in 2006 from a private party. I have previously owned a Mercedes 230S, Audi 80 and Volvo 240, V70, S80's and a VW Sirocco. I would consider this a well behaved, fairly high quality, fuel efficient mid-sized sedan. I looked at Camry and Accords before I purchased it. I liked the styling and performance on the VW better, plus the Toyotas and Accords looked "blah", and had little driving personality. No problems in three years of ownership, regular maintenance and two VW recalls serviced at the dealer. Gets 31 MPG+ on a 27 mile highway trip to work. VW is the master of small engines: Hits 100 mph+ effortlessly on a 1.8L. Currently costs $35 to fill the tank. Upgraded tires to Yokohama
Love my car
Most enjoyable car I have ever purchased. Previouly owned back to back Accords which were nice but not really fun. I look forward to just going for a drive due largely to performance and luxurious feel. I have the manual transmission and don't really notice the turbo lag. My gas milage is great. Don't understand the people who say fuel economy is poor. I get 22-25 in town and 31-34 freeway. I am and 6 feet tall and wife is 5'5" and both find comfortable driving positions. Had to take car in for ingnition coil recall and power loss to stereo. Both warranty items fixed promtly.
Best Deal Out There
I want to let eveyone know what a fantastic car this is. The quality and performance of this car is unbeatable in this price range. First of all buy this car online. Cars Direct. com was able to negotiate a price 800-900 dollars below invoice price. That of course includes dealer incentives. Paid just over 23,403 for the car. The price is including leather, cold weather package and ESP on the GLS trim. For all of those who are unhappy with the power and performance try getting the manual transmission, which will improve your gas mileage to boot. Highly recommend this car to all who are looking for a luxury car at an affordable price. Just Love It!
Love it!
32mpg @ 75mph. Sluggish off the line until the turbo spools up. Turbo lag is noticeable from a standing start but very short elsewhere. Turbo maintains power at altitude (6,000 ft.). Very smooth for an inline 4. Short throws on manual shifter but long throw on clutch. No asymetrical thrust. Taut, responsive suspension with long travel over bumps. Enormous trunk even with rear seats folded up. Refined interior with high quality materials. Monsoon radio is merely average.
I like it.
I love it. It is better than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.
I enjoy this car
This is the nicest car I've ever owned (or driven, for that matter). It's very secure on the treacherous winter roads here. I've never needed anything but the all-season tiress that came on it. Its handling is great and its controls are right where you need them. The Passat is comfortable on long trips. I bought a phatbox MP3 system with 20 GB of space that integrates right into the existning sound system - fantastic system.
Not cost effective
The running lights have been replaced four times during the first year of ownership. I've been told by the V.W there is nothing that I can do but continue replacing head lights. The breaks squeak since the first month of purchase. I was told by V.W due to the rotor material the vehicle makes squeaking noices when the vehicle stops.
I love it so far!
I have found this car to drive very nicely with excellent external noise reduction and a smooth ride. It accelerates smoothly. The stereo is great. The seat comfort is great. Looks are very appealing. Electronic perks are great. So far I think this car is as good as many cars priced more such as the lexus-330 and bmw 325i. A great buy-near luxury car.
even better than before
My last car was a '99 Passat GLX. The changes in body and interior (not to mention the 4motion) were enough for me to ante up. Just drive one. A close friend owns a bmw 5 series. This competes very well, if not more fun to drive. Just drive one.