You are here: Forums Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Volkswagen Passat Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Volkswagen Passat Prices Paid and Buying Experience

3257 messages,  Last post on Aug 20, 2008 at 8:59 PM

You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Passat, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 186 of 326 1 ... 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 ... 326 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1847 of 3257 WARNING for potential Volkswagen purchasers! by electra_rising Nov 30, 2002 (2:10 pm)
PLEASE READ THIS before buying any new Volkswagen!   I bought my '00 VW GTI 1.8T brand new a couple of years ago from Flow Motors here in Winston-Salem, NC. Despite meticulous care and conscientious maintenance, the vehicle was nothing but trouble from the start.   Here's a brief rundown:   I had the car in the shop SIX times to have window problems fixed. (The passenger door glass was replaced twice due to deep scratches caused by the power window mechanism, and the easily broken "retainer clip" which connects the window glass to the door motor had to be replaced several times as well). Try driving 40 miles down the interstate back to the dealership with the driver's window stuck in the "down" position, and you you may appreciate my mood at the time. I had to use vacation time to take the car in for service immediately, as any precipitation would have ruined the interior, and my belongings inside the vehicle were unprotected from the elements, not to mention theft.   Virtually every exterior bulb -- headlamps, turn signals, and brake lamps -- burned out on this supposedly well-built "German" vehicle within two years of purchase. One headlamp burned out TWICE, despite having been replaced with a genuine VW bulb from the dealer.   The cheap plastic hinge on the glove compartment door broke twice. The whole door has to be replaced when this happens. (Hey VW, why not use a METAL hinge if you're going to spring-load the glove box for that pleasant "dampened" feel?)   The clutch went out after only 40,000 miles (a very costly repair). Bear in mind that I did not abuse this vehicle -- most of the miles were accumulated in fifth gear on the interstate.   The air conditioner started malfunctioning last summer, leaving me drenched in sweat more than once, but luckily started working again. Don't ask why. I hate to think what a new condenser would have cost.   The turbo blew an intake valve, causing a loud "fluttering" noise during acceleration. The "check engine" light came on as well. The turbo valve cost around $200 to replace, and the part was not covered by VW's touted 100,000 mile powertrain warranty (even though the VW salesman specifically told me that the turbo WAS fully covered by the extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle).   The six-disc, trunk-mounted CD player was problematic, constantly jamming and generating a bogus "disc error" message. (I had the same problem with numerous newly-purchased CDs, so it wasn't the software.) I had to pull over, pop the hatch, remove the cartridge and "spin" all the discs to listen to any of the CDs. A nuisance to say the least, particularly while commuting or driving in bad weather.   Disgusted with the constant breakdowns, I threw up my hands and traded in my GTI on an '03 Subaru WRX after the last repair epdisode, during which I was bluntly advised by VW maintenance personnel that my inoperative driver's side window could not be repaired because no replacement parts were available anywhere in the country. (No replacement parts nationally for a '00 model! GET REAL!) It took calls to the general manager and regional service director to finally get the parts by special order, and I drove a rental for a couple of days while they replaced the assembly.   Now, after absorbing a loss on my trade to avoid more unforseen repairs, I get a letter from VW stating that they're generously extending the manufacturer's warranty to cover certain window problems. (The dealer advised me that VW has known about the problem for years, but refused to issue a timely recall, and will now have to spend a cool $100 million to replace thousands of defective power window assemblies in ALL models.)   Please, learn from my mistake and CONSIDER ALL YOUR OPTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE CHOOSING ANY VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT. There are just too many other choices, folks, to be stuck with a sub-standard product that makes for a great test drive but provides poor reliability and dealer service down the road. If you find yourself sipping cold coffee and sitting for hours in the waiting area of your local VW repair shop while the same old defective part in your "German-engineered" vehicle is replaced yet again, you have only yourself to blame. This is a true story, and I have the service records to prove it. (I'm not alone: a friend of mine had a '00 New Beetle that needed a full brake job after only 15,000 miles and started belching black smoke soon thereafter -- another hurried trade-in.)   Look, I'm not a mechanic or race fanatic who spends a lot of time arguing about which brand is better than another. I'm just an ordinary consumer who expects a $21,000 brand new vehicle to have things like a reliable engine, working windows, a functional CD player and a useable glove box.   Don't let VW do the same thing to you -- do yourself (and your wallet) a favor and stay away from this "German-engineered" (and Argentinian built) brand until they make quality control and customer service a priority.
#1848 of 3257 toneman2 by pksleung Nov 30, 2002 (8:22 pm)
It's about $2950 under MSRP, so it would appear that you got a better deal, unless GLX has a higher mark-up, of course.   As I finalized the deal, I did get the feeling that I could do a little better. However, considering I spent under half an hour to get to that price, I didn't think it's worth the trouble to spend another two hours to try to knock another couple of hundred dollars off.
#1849 of 3257 electra_rising by rickrover Dec 01, 2002 (9:36 am)
Odd your profile indicates you own a 94 Saturn and are shopping for a Maxima - did a turbo GTI blow your Saturn's doors off and now your mad so you post a bunch of lies?   I run into this all the time on these boards - My GTI has been perfect - no regrets whatsoever.
#1850 of 3257 pksleung by toneman2 Dec 01, 2002 (9:55 am)
I am sure that there is more mark up on the GLX. At least our deals are in the same ball park. Unfortunately I had to waste considerably more time to get to my price than you did - 2 trips to each of two different dealers. I would much rather have not had to waste the time and get it on the first try as you were able to do.
#1851 of 3257 toneman2 by pksleung Dec 01, 2002 (6:08 pm)
My total car shopping experience took considerably more time too, for things like online research, multiple test drives, calling brokers and other dealerships. When I said 30 minutes I was referring only to the time I took to negotiate with the dealership that I eventually bought from.   One lesson I learned is that if one dealership is willing to sell the car to you a certain price, other dealers would do too. The important thing is to find a price that you judge is workable, then stick to it as much as possible. Tell them upfront you have talked to other dealerships, and you have no interest in spending more than half an hour haggling.
#1852 of 3257 Passat GLS Pricing by lcflying Dec 02, 2002 (9:16 pm)
I've been quoted $23,836 for a 2003 Blue Anthracite Passat GLS 1.8T, with 5 speed transmission, the leather package (black), moonsoon stereo, and homelink. How does this sound to you guys? It sounded pretty fair to me (about $700 over invoice, and lower than edmunds TMV). What is a good price to shoot for? I've heard 2-3% over invoice is a good deal.   Additionally, this quote was from an internet manager. Can you still negotiage an internet quoted price? I've seen people here who apparently get cars at invoice. Is that common/reasonable?   Alright, I know its alot of questions, but whatever info you can provide would be very helpful!
#1853 of 3257 LL... by vwguild Dec 02, 2002 (10:20 pm)
It sounds to me like you have done what everyone is seeking to do, but maybe you should try dealing with the line salesman on Saturday...Be prepared to spend 3,4,5 hours and then get back to us...
#1854 of 3257 new VW financing today, passats? by weeb35 Dec 03, 2002 (2:29 pm)
Has anyone heard what the new rates are for this month?, old ones ended yesterday? Passat hasn't changed in 2 months but maybe this will be the month it comes down more...
#1855 of 3257 Re: new VW financing today, passats? by Car_man HOST Dec 03, 2002 (5:23 pm)
Good call, weeb35. Volkswagen did indeed reduce their special financing rates on the 2003 Passat for the month of December. According to what I have heard, their new rates are 1.9% for 24 months, 2.9% for 36 months, 3.5% for 48 months, and 3.99% for 60 months. I will do some research to make sure that these preliminary numbers are correct and let you know if I hear otherwise.   Car_man Host Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards
#1856 of 3257 Is ESP actually available by hlaskow Dec 03, 2002 (8:01 pm)
I know it is an option for a 2003 Passat GLS Wagon but some dealer tells me there are none made this way. Is this a story to get me to buy the one he has?

Messages Page 186 of 326 1 ... 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 ... 326 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Volkswagen Passat Prices Paid and Buying Experience