VW Passat .... if you ever consider owning one ....

[canadawest]

Wow, great topic and one I can participate in with knowledge and experience!

I own a '99 VW Jetta which we bought new and the lease is up in less than three months. NEVER had a single problem with it in the four years we've had it, just regularly scheduled maintenance. Guess what the vehicle I'm getting in the next month or two is? Yup you guessed it another VW, an '03 Passat Wagon.

Delph, I'm not making excuses, but keep in mind that you bought a USED car and have no idea how the previous owner treated (or more importanly MIStreated the car). The issues you have had could be the result of many years of abuse that finally culminated into breakdowns during your ownership. This could have nothing to do with VW in general as this happens to any vehicle.

As for Ford, well I'm a Ford man too. Have owned two Mustangs and currently own a '96 Explorer which I've had since new. Yes Ford does have problems with their transmissions (had to have mine rebuilt at 105K kms) but considering that is the only major repair I've done in the almost six years of ownership, I'd say that is a small price to pay for a piece of machineary. I look at the total cost of unscheduled repairs on my Explorer over six years and it's been less than $3000. That's about $500 a year and to me is completely acceptable for an object with so many moving (and bound to fail) parts.

I have no hesitation in buying a new VW or a new Ford. I think vehicles get better and better made each year, and with the average warranties being 4 years/80K kms there is little reason to buy a used vehicle who's history you don't know. Sure you save a little on the purchase price, but I prefer to have the piece of mind of a new vehicle with full warranty and hopefully some improved engineering over the previous years models.

Just my $0.02 worth.