V10s are starting to get cheap... the extended warranties the original owners got have run out and they’re trading them in. That’s how we got our 04 V10... original owner traded it and it ended up on a used car lot. We had to do some repairs right after getting it, but so far it’s been a great truck!

Like 2 ass cheeks slapping each other!

GM didn’t put a “more speed” automatic in their trucks until 2008. The good news is the old 4 speed is mostly reliable, and rebuilds are cheap, sub $1000 for a quality one.

My 91 Mercedes SDL had a box of condoms under the back seat. I suspect that they were from 2 owners prior as I don’t think the pair of ladies I bought it from would have had much use for them.

Rare? no. Less common? Yes.

Except you can’t get a 2009 Passat wagon with a diesel here. And this car rides nicer than a Golf / Jetta Sportwagon. And good luck getting one of those at this price.
The diesel station wagon market in the USA is super limited, and priced accordingly.

Steve: you comment about belt vs. chain says it all... many chain drives are *not* heavy duty anymore (or never were in the first place with VW). The belt drive is cheaper in the long run since it’s so much easier to service.

I have friends who work at VW who tell me the same thing. No support from above, the book times on many of the warranty items are not realistic if you want to do a good job.

The system is made by Panasonic, and tuned by Fender.

It only needs filled ever 1000 miles or so, so it’s not too bad.

My Passat TDI uses DEF. The tank is 5 gallons. I find it uses about 2.5 gallons over 10,000 miles when I refill it while doing the oil change service. Cost of DEF and tank range are a 100% non issue.
If the tank isn’t refilled and you ignore the car dinging and flashing at you for 1,500 miles the engine will not…

When I drove my W126 Mercedes every day I looked forward to speedbumps. I would not slow down... there was no need. The long suspension travel and soft springs mean you simply glide over. Slowing down is for suckers.

I thought you could get the 3 speed, non lockup 010 automatic on the GTI? Perhaps that was only on later cars.
One thing this graphic leaves out is the CIS fuel injection the 85 GTI has. Many cars were still rocking carbs back then.

Yup. They aren’t for clearing water off the lenses, they’re for cleaning off dirt / debris.

As a 91 350SDL owner I know quite a bit about these beasties. The 3.5L motors did have a few head gasket issues early on, but not to the extent of the 3.0l. The big issue is bent connecting rods. From my research ~60% of the 3.5s failed in the manor, mine included at 150,000 miles. I’d want to know if this car has a…

If you have an RF repeater inside the car I’d think it could fool the system, just like it fools the exterior antennas.

Every VW I’ve seen with their keyless system (called KESSY) works this way, our 04 Touareg included.

I had this happen with our 2012 Passat. A driver hit it while it was parked, we came out to find some scratches on the bumper. Foolishly, I called insurance and the next day they sent an adjuster look at it. The carfax now shows it was in a "minor accident" in the city my insurance was headquartered at, not where the…

Disappointed with a belt? It's rated at 150,000 miles. Knowing VW's history with chain drives I'd much rather have a belt!