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VW Passat Wagon vs Subaru Wagons

742 messages,  Last post on Dec 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM

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#1 of 742 Bill by willy Feb 24, 1999 (2:20 am)
OK. I've been very patient with VW. I've wanted to drive the AWD Passat wagon with a 6 cylinder for a long time (seems like they've been dangling it just out of reach foreve)r. I gather we're looking at early-to-mid-summer. That's about the same time as the redesigned Outback. Any thoughts about the relative merits? BTW, I have almost always driven a standard shift, and I hear that the Passat will not have a standard with AWD. That's strike one, but Passat seems to have a lot of good things going for it. - Bill
#2 of 742 Bill by Miro Feb 24, 1999 (3:02 am)
It's hard to say which one I would choose seeing that neither is available, nor reviewed by the mags. I wouldn't hold my breath with VW and since you want a stick Subaru would be your choice by default. I'd look at the GT (if you're looking for fun) or Outback (if you like the SUV concept.) Have some patience, because now we can only speculate. Miro, 97 Legacy GT 5spd.
#3 of 742 Chris by chris44 Feb 25, 1999 (11:45 am)
Bill: I will be considering the merits of these two cars. Where did you hear that the 2000 Passat wagon would not be available with both AWD and 5 speed manual transmission? I read something somewhere in the last couple weeks that might have implied that, but I haven't seen anything specific. I love the looks of the Passat and test driving a manual sedan version last week did nothing to eliminate it from consideration. But if they won't make the AWD in a 5 speed, that would make me the proud owner of a 2000 Subaru!
#4 of 742 Bill by willy Feb 26, 1999 (2:22 pm)
I can't remember offhand where I read or saw that; maybe in the brochure from the dealer. Interestingly, the Audi 2.8 Avant Quattro wagon comes with manual trans standard, so there's nothing about the technology that prevents it. Maybe (I hope) I was just imaging it. I was hoping to see the 2000 Subaru at the Baltimore Auto Show a few weeks ago, but they didn't have it. On the outside (from pictures I've seen on the Web), it looks practically identical... which is ok with me. The updated interior sounds like it's worth waiting for. - Bill
#5 of 742 vwfan2 by vwfan2 Mar 05, 1999 (3:26 am)
I too would like the All Wheel drive Passat to show up sooner rather than later (proud owner of '95 GLX rocket ship). However, I drove the '99 Sedan w/the Tiptronic, which was very good. If the AWD came in the Tiptronic, I say, 'who needs the five speed...'
#6 of 742 Mag Review of AWD Passat by awol Mar 19, 1999 (6:44 am)
Some of you seemed to have missed the review of the AWD Passat V6 Tiptronic in the January 1999 Road & Track "Four-Season SPORTS WAGONS", pgs 76-91. Points of note: Curb weight-3600 lbs; 0-60 -9.0 sec.; EPA mileage 17/26 mpg; lateral acceleration-0.78g. They compared it to a (current) Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT, Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, and Volvo V79 R AWD. The liked the Passat alot, and enjoyed it handling, which is encouraging given the extra 400 lbs of the AWD over the FWD. Also, the October 1998 R&T new car issue stated the "1999" Passat AWD would not be available with the 1.8T. I have heard from Denver dealers and seen in print the the all Passat V6s would only have automatics, then my dealer got in a V6 sedan with a 5-speed manual! They didn't even know it would be available and speculated they might only see one per month. So much for accurary of VW press info (there's a surprise, right?). However, my bet is that there will not be any 1.8T AWD (given the vehicle weight) nor a manuals, just V6 Tiptronics given the EPA certification costs and VW's general character of only offering automatics in more loaded models of the Passat. Why not save yourself a few thousand bucks and a few hundred pounds and get an automatic with the traction control/electronic differential control for full 2-wheel drive, with some really good snow tires?
#7 of 742 searoar by searoar Mar 24, 1999 (3:41 am)
Please read topic 149 for my troubles with a 99 Legacy Outback Al
#8 of 742 jagat1 by jagat1 Apr 15, 1999 (8:44 pm)
'00 VW Passat 4Motion vs.'00 Subaru Outback?...Tough choice.Have same predicament...But I lean more to the VW.   Passat has great V6,Tiptronic 5 sp.(Subaru only has 4 sp.sportshift(?)..), German engineering and great built quality and value,and it feels like a more affordable MBZ.   The Subaru though has extensive AWD technology up their sleeves,better reliability,love the boxer engine,a "Lexus-like" interior and exterior theme and cost less....Hmmmm.
#9 of 742 Response to Bill by jimes Jun 02, 1999 (8:52 pm)
Bill, I'm in the same quandry: '00 outback or '00 passat. I spoke with my local dealer today who asked his VW rep and he said that VW was definately coming out with the Synchro model in August timeframe. I, too want a manual. Have you heard any more about this and VW's intentions. Regarding the '00 Outback's chack out the Australian web site. They've got a bunch of great looking pictures of the new outback suitable for framing. Obviously, the wheel's on the wrong side, but it looks like they've made quite few changes. http://www.subaru.com.au/ Also chack out this site: http://www.outback2000.com/ I still haven't decided. I think I'll wait til they hit the showroom first.
#10 of 742 Miro by Miro Jun 03, 1999 (3:19 am)
Jimes, Motor Trend takes a look at the 2000 Outback Limited: http://www.motortrend.com/may99/subaru/subaru_f.html I'm wondering why you're trying to decide between two vehicles without having driven them. Will you consider other Legacy wagons too; like the GT or lesser trims? I wonder how many people know that Subaru builds sporty models, not just suv look-a-likes. Since you're still looking, is the SAAB 9-5 within your reach?

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