Talk me Down: Passat W8 content

Sooooo, my car A.D.D. is pretty bad right now, why do I not want a Passat W8, let's go over the highlights.

1. Freaking cool engine.
2. AWD as standard, with a 6 speed.

And the low points.

1. Freaking cool engine, and it's associated maintnance.
2. Freaking cool engine hangs way out front.

So what do you all think?

Edit: why when I type 1. 2. I get 1. 1.

RUN RUN RUN!

freaking cool engine in a ultra tight engine bay

I suggest you run

Now that's a good reason!!! I have big hands.

My mother has one. Lots of power, nice exhaust note. Did I mention lots of power? Heavy car, but still....

Unfortunately they seem to suffer from two significant failures: the torque converter stops locking up (~$4000) and some sort of screens get sucked into the cam adjusters (~$11000). The CEL has tripped a couple times on hers for the former at ~75k miles. Intermittent fault, no driveability issues, but still a major consideration if you're considering buying one. Having driven it a good bit, I have to say that once you get past the power it is sort of underwhelming due to the weight and endless gobs of understeer.

02Pilot wrote: Unfortunately they seem to suffer from two significant failures: the torque converter stops locking up (~$4000) and some sort of screens get sucked into the cam adjusters (~$11000).

Eleven THOUSAND??

Please tell me that's a typo.

for 11K I think I'd just go buy another car.

I remember that one of the magazines had one as a long term test car. They jokingly referred to it as the W8 as the "Wait": push the gas pedal and nothing happens for a while.

bludroptop wrote:

02Pilot wrote: Unfortunately they seem to suffer from two significant failures: the torque converter stops locking up (~$4000) and some sort of screens get sucked into the cam adjusters (~$11000).

Eleven THOUSAND?? Please tell me that's a typo.

Nope. The whole engine/transmission assembly has to be dropped and some extensive disassembly has to take place in order to replace the screens. Many, many hours of labor.

Everything costs a ridiculous amount; when the electronically-controlled thermostat failed a while back it ran something like $1600 because it is buried under the intake manifold.

I think these cars are super cool, but I would stay away from one unless it was under a fairly comprehensive warranty.

I read on this boards couple years ago that timing belts can go without warning and break your very expensive engine.

I still like the idea of a manual Passat W8 wagon, perhaps in a nice green.

Finding someone who knows these cars is going to be time consuming, them you pay enough for a cheap new car on repairs......runaway

How the same company was building a mess like that and Bugs in Mexico at the same time is beyond me.

Those ain't car-guy cars. They are cars that are meant to be owned under warranty.

Did you miss the part where it's a late model VW? Seems like a pretty good deterrent.

2002maniac wrote: RUN RUN RUN!

I can not eleventy billion this enough.

MikeSVO wrote: How the same company was building a mess like that and Bugs in Mexico at the same time is beyond me. Those ain't car-guy cars. They are cars that are meant to be owned under warranty.

I like Beetles, They are MKIV Jettas with headroom.

bludroptop wrote:

02Pilot wrote: Unfortunately they seem to suffer from two significant failures: the torque converter stops locking up (~$4000) and some sort of screens get sucked into the cam adjusters (~$11000).

Eleven THOUSAND?? Please tell me that's a typo.

$14,344.50 with tax for a new engine as of 06.15.09

I researched these cars a while ago and came to the conclusion: not even if someone GAVE it to me would I own one.

This coming from an owner of 2 VWs. The wife's New Beetle goes to the dealership for EVERYTHING (I'm not touching it) and my Passat gets fixed by me when I feel like it. The Passat and I have an "understanding".