2005 Volkswagen Passat

Pros: Stereo, handling, comfort
Cons: TDI issues that are still unresolved

I bought a TDI Passat back in March of 2005. I took it on a long 2000 mile road trip soon after. There is an issue that started on that trip. The computer or the fuel system has been acting up ever since. The car chugs or sputters like it wants to die. I had the problem checked in June and have had it in to the service department 3 other times since. The dealer has had my car for a total of 42 days since and still cannot find the problem. I am in process of going through the Colorado Lemon Law procedures. I loved my car for the limited time that I had it and the mileage was great. I got 40 MPG on the 2000 mile road trip at 70+ MPH.

Pros: Mileage, Handling
Cons: Common, you see the Passat Wagons everywhere. (not the TDI though)

I searched high and low for this car since I wanted the diesel option.
Having had the vehicle now for five months I can now give a good opinion.
The mileage and performance are amazing. On the highway it gets around 45 miles a gallon. AND it loves to cruise at around seventy to seventy five miles and hour with still plenty of torque left for passing.
Acceleration is good and better if you shift yourself. I'm too lazy to do that so I just leave it in AUTO.
The car handles great and in the snow is very good. I'm a big guy and the Passat is incredibly roomy. The heated seats are a big plus in a cold climate.
If I push the car on turns I can make my passengers complain that they start feeling sick. Not bad..
The only problem is finding one of these cars. Also oil changes are every five thousand miles and have to be done at a dealer since the filter and oil are special.
But being a diesel tuneups are limited to filter changes and minor adjustments.

Pros: Excellent ride, stereo, handling, snow performance
Cons: Reliability, manual adjustment for seat is quite cumbersome

** Update 06/23/06 **
After the tranny replacement the ABS sensor went bad. This was replaced and the car ran well for several months. However two days ago three warning lights came on and the engine power dropped dramatically. The car would not go over 3000 rpms no matter how much gas I gave it. According to the dealer the throttle body was stuck. This was at approx 15,0000 miles.

**

This is the 1.8L Turbo with 5 speed auto and all wheel drive. I like this car's features and performance a lot. It rides very well, has decent power, good stereo, and is awesome in the snow. However, at 1700 miles the transmission had to be replaced. Reverse stopped functioning completely. Also had some trouble with starting/stalling on some mornings...was actually told to use the lowest octane as possible correction (yeah right!!)Reliability is quite suspect at this point.

Pros: Gas mileage
Cons: brainless transmission

I was very excited to finally get a VW, have wanted one for a long time. The mpg is respectable and that is good. But the transmission is already messing up with less than a 1000 miles on the car. In trying to anticipate where it needs to be, it ends up lurching back and forth from gear to gear. It even did it on the expressway settling into overdrive. I would advise anyone looking at a VW to move on, bite the bullet and get something reliable. I'm afraid I am in for a long, miserable journey - back and forth to the Service Dept.
Update: My VW Passat's problem transmission, although not duplicated while driving with the technician, is being taken seriously by the service manager and they kept driving the car until it DID duplicate. Finally - a dealership with a conscience. I feel confident now that the problem will be resolved.They have been totally courteous each time I've spoken with them. I'll update again when they decide what action to take and successfully complete it.