Used 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used Passat for sale
Still W8ing
Gille1, 05/18/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
GLS TDI
anchor5072, 05/18/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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.
2004 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 20 listings
- GLX WagonMSRP: $3,50099 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,488129 mi away
- GLS TDI Diesel SedanMSRP: $4,695879 mi away
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Great Wagon
nimra, 05/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my second Passat Wagonused for business has more room than most Message centermidsize SUV's
Nice Start, No Finish
JohnSmith, 06/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
WARNING!!! VW does not like to honor its powertrain warning and will do whatever it can to get out of it. My car has less than 75k (regular servicing), and the oil pump has failed, and the camshaft just went. Each time VW has given me hassle after hassle - not to mention the sheer fact that the engine has failed twice!
Trade your sedan for this wagon!
Gabby, 06/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Passat Wagon and I would buy a 3rd; my 1st one still felt like a new car at 3 years and 80,000 miles. Great fit and finish, very good utility without sacrificing comfort, handling or styling.
great value
DennisJ, 06/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This wagon is fun to drive, looks great is well designed and built. No problems except for an a/c vent that makes a thump sound when it opens. This is to be fixed. This VW is very similar to the Audi A6 and is priced much less. For sure, this is a car that must be evaluated before you buy another if you are in the market for a wagon.
Passat Wagon GLS
Larry Streeter, 06/18/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
All around best new vehicle purchased. Very satisfied. Makes driving in traffic less stressfull. A good solid ride and feel. No question best options for the price.
Rattlebox
Lemonbuyer, 07/24/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased new.. dashboard started rattling 1 week after we took delivery. Has been in shop 11 times for that problem alone. Trim moldings come unstuck, we just stick them back on. VW couldn't care less. Consulted a lemon lawyer - not defined as a lemon 'cause rattle is not considered a 'defect'. What a sad joke. We tried to trade this car in on a Toyota and the best trade price we were offered was $13,500. Pathetic resale and now I know why. Its a heap of junk! I don't know how we are going to sell it privately with a loud rattle in the dashboard! We're going to cut our substantial losses and kiss VW goodbye.
Safety at the right price
fischer, 08/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have 30,000 miles on my 03 and have no major prolems. Handles very well in the snow and the ride is very good on rough roads. Gas milage on the highway is 30 mpg or better. I have a manual and get 20 mpg or better in city driving. If you drive the car hard and fast you will not get good gas mileage something like 18/24. The Passat runs better on premium, enough that I feel it.
problems
FUSTRATED, 08/16/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
this car has had the onstar computer replaced 4 times and still has the same problem VW blames onstar. VW is aware of a hard downshift problem for over 6 months all they tell the owner is they are waiting for the program from Germany. It dos't take that long to build a car.
best of the wagons
ralph turley, 08/31/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
compared with other wagons, passat is the best value. others in the same class were either too expensive or too small
Passat Wagon- fun, functional, awesome
Lise, 09/11/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought the Passat after trying out over 8 different models/makes. We selected it because it offered all the features we had to have in a car; safety, economy, comfort, fun, and looks great. The kids love it and are excited for their friends to see it- no wonder, it's a beautiful car. The Passat is smater than the humans that drive/ride in it- seats molding to your own body, remembering you when you return- even if someone else has taken your place before. Hopefully this car will last as long as the 17 year old Saab we traded in.
Own 2002.5 MY/2003 spec
Love my 3yr old VW!, 09/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
With 50k of miles my VW is holding up well. No problems except the ECU for the dash needed to be replaced. I love the high quality feel of the interior and driving dynamics. The 17" alloys don't detract from the feel of the ride and look great. The beige interior gets dirty very quick tho so its not recommended for families with young children. The 1.8T with the automatic has tons of turbo lag but I can live with it.
Love My Passat Wagon!
mardimike, 10/02/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Everything about it is great, bought it new in January 2004. My husband pulled a u-turn in it two weeks later (didn't see the oncomining car) which required front right body work. Boy, did he feel stupid! It drives just great, love the "bun warmers", blue lights in dashboard, visability, and comfortable seats. I am a realtor so comfort and ease of ingress and egress are important. Highly recommend it. Our other car is a Saab which is expensive for repairs and has had numerous problems.
04 GLX Wagon V6
bonobo, 10/14/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Only had the car for one week now, but WOW! Got it for my wife (30th birthday gift) and we couldn't be more pleased. Great ride, great features, and that famous VW fit & finish. For a "mommamobile" it doesn't get any better than this, and I find myself envious of her ride! It's simply the most classy, well-refined, and user- friendly wagon for under $40k. Looking forward to many years of happiness in owning this vehicle. We hope the reliabilty is better than what we've been reading about, however. On the upside, it can't be any worse than the horrendous car she previously had, a 1999 Pontiac Grand- Am GT. GM should have paid ME to take delivery of THAT car. Go for the VW wagon, y'all.
new owner(4months)
johnwouters, 10/24/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
selected this model for price,style and fuel economy 4cylinder. after 2weeks you get a letter notifying you of the 4cyl engines problems with oil clogging. whats good is you are covered by and 8yr unlimited mileage transferrable warranty for this problem. whats bad is the need to use synthetic oil at scheduled oil changes (double the price) and the need to maintain documentation of all services should this problem arise. this was a disappointment for me becuase i think a 4cylinder engine should provide the lowest maintenance costs. i am averaging 24 mpg over 5000 miles. the car so far has been enjoyable, but i am coming off an acura tl
What's with the side chrome moldings
Go2guy, 11/09/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Looked and drove the Highlander Limited, this Passat, and a Camry XLE. This Passat impressed us the most. I just bought the car and when I went to pick up the new car. It turns out both of the passenger side doors had badly damaged chrome strips. I refused to take the car until they were replaced. The manager said the problem with the chrome strips happens in about one in 20 Passat Wagons...he said the manufacture published a bulletin warning dealers about the problem. I'm worried the car might have structural damage and the dealer is pulling my leg. Does anybody out there know anything about this problem? I pick up the car in two days. Sure would like to hear about the door issue.
Bad News
keng, 12/11/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just brought the new car and I got problems. On the first day, the transmission control module went. As it turns out, the TCM failure was caused by a water leak from the pollen filter, the insulation under the carpet was still wet. My recommendation is to stay far away from this vehicle.
Overall, a Great Pick
cknudsen, 07/19/2006
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car as an economical AWD car with great features. My only disappointment with it has been the gas poor mileage. Over two years the best mileage that I have gotten has been 24.5 mpg and the worst was 20 mpg and I am averaging around 22-23. Since I traded in my previous car in hopes of the 28 mpg on the sticker, this is a disappointment. It has great pickup for a 4-cylinder vehicle. The interior is very nice with comfortable seats. This car has only been in the shop for routine service (24,000 miles and counting). Note: some places (Walmart, etc.) will not do oil changes on this car.
Another VW We Love
Jim, 01/08/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wife retired / traded in a VW Cabrio and GMC Envoy for our Passat. It is fun to drive with surprising acceleration. It has plenty of room to take our doberman (and her crates) to dog shows. Important points in our decision were that this car is a VW Certified used car and our dealer's service dept. is second to none.
A Great Driving Wagon
Dickie, 02/07/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my second VW in forty years of car ownership. The first was a new 1968 Beetle bought from the same dealership. What a difference in 38 years! Despite all the nostalgia about VW Beetles, they were noisy, underpowered and freezing cold in Canadian winters (even with the gas heater). The Passat is the exact opposite, it is quiet, has great handling and feels very luxurious to someone who owned fifteen American, Russian and Japanese cars in the years between 1974 (when the Beetle died) and 2005. We have really enjoyed the Passat on long trips of 800 km. per day, commuting back and forth for two hours per day and just puttering around town. It has lots of space and is very reliable.
Passat W8 Wagon
flyt34planes, 03/14/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall our W8 is awesome. It rides and handles as if it is on rails. The scary part is that the faster you go, the car doesn't get louder. Our family feels very safe and secure in the W8. It is still under warranty - nothing major yet has gone wrong, but a few annoying little things. The worst "feature" is that the hatch requires a separate action to open, even if all of the doors are unlocked.
Beware Oil Pump Problems!
Dissatisfied, 03/31/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Having bought this car second hand we were initially impressed with its solid BMW/Mercedes like interior feel and handling. 5000 miles later on a trip from Oregon to Arizona, the car flashed a red STOP! sign and advised us to stop immediately or the manual stated a new engine may be needed!! There is no oil gauge on the dashboard to warn of impending disaster. Despite having checked the oil prior to the roadtrip the car broke down with absolutely no warning. The VW dealership replaced the oil pump, turbo and cams free of charge as the car was still under warranty. We have lost all confidence in the VW Passat. Buyer beware of the 2004 model.
My wife and I fight over who drives
Craig, 05/15/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had several Acura sedans and a VW GTI but none of them compare to the Passat Wagon. I got it after the GTI was totaled and never expected it to have such spirited performance. I have to admit I've driven it over 125 mph and it felt like a sports car. It was absolutely smooth and solid. I've never been so impressed with a car. My wife loves it. Our other car is a late model Toyota Land Cruiser, which is nice, but for driving, nothing beats the Passat. It's roomy, smooth and fast. It's the only car I've driven where I don't feel exhausted after 400 mile trips. It has had a few problems, thankfully all covered by waranty.
Great Compromise - Performance and Comfort
Bob D, 06/23/2007
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wonderful car (wagon)! Comfortable and fun to drive with real performance when you want it. As a wagon the space is there if you need it and rear passengers have always been comfortable. Why VW stopped making this car is a question I'll never be able to answer.
Falling Apart
Lydia Crane, 08/09/2006
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have enjoyed owning this vehicle yet a local auto repairman told be to beware when I hit 30,000 miles. I am now at 32,000 miles and things are falling apart. The windows won't stay up and rain gets in the car. Also, my horn sounds for no reason, which is embarrassing. The pick up is markedly delayed when the air-conditioning is on. I am looking for a new car.