Bud,
I wanted to ask a few local mechanics before I
responded..... they all said take the bullet!
No, really, the newer-than-02's FWD 4-cylinder models are
MUCH improved over the earlier ones. You know the problems with the
early ones. They've gotten better. Apparently the ECU is no longer
stored under water. The brakes seem to work now. The spindly dozen or
so control arms though fragile, are inexpensive. The engine
management system involves more coils, but they seem to last more
than 30K this time.
I recommend first that you take the "Passat" emblem from the
dead one, and glue it on a Toyota, but, failing that, get the model
you like. The 1.8T Auto is a good choice.
I also recommend heated seats... works great for bringing
pizza home:-)
Peter
==
At 08:41 AM 1/5/2010, you wrote:
>Peter,
>I'm going to be buying another of your most favorite cars: A VW Passat. I
>know the Passats have had some, ahhh....."issues". Due to my doubts about
>this so-called economic recovery having the legs to sustain itself, I've
>decided not to buy a new one. I'll probably look for an 02 through 06 model
>(or wherever the cut-off from 1.8T to 2.0T lies), non-AWD, 1.8T automatic.
>I'd really rather get a series 4 Jetta w/2.0, non-turbo, gas engine but my
>wife is really upset about the "death" of her beloved '99 Passat, yesterday.
>What can I say? I'm putty in her hands ;)
>If someone were to hold a gun to your head and tell you that you MUST buy a
>Passat or have your brains blown out, which model would you choose (and you're
>not allowed to pick .357 Magnum)?
>Thanks, Peter.
>Bud Osbourne
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