We have this 2001 Passat that tends to have EVERYTHING wrong with it and every time we get it fixed, it's at least $250+ dollars!! Oxygen sensor, gas gauge, air conditioning...you name it, it's gone out! NEVER BUY A PASSAT! My DH's boss also has one and it cost him over $100 just to replace a headlight since you have to take off a huge part of the car. His passat also died on them while on vacation...had to replace the whole engine. They're tired of theirs too. Cute cars and they do drive well...when working.
They also make these cars so that you have to get them repaired at the dealership...other computers don't register our problems. Good money ploy, no?

We are thinking about getting a Chrysler Sebring since my father in law can get us a good deal on one. (2003) Does anyone have any problems with their Chrysler? Or, have you heard anything on the Sebring?

By Marg on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 01:31 pm:

Thanks for the warning!

By Andi on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 01:41 pm:

I drive a 1999 Passat and I love it. Never had anything go wrong with it until recently and it has almost 80,000 miles on it. We just put about $2,500 into it to get it fixed, I agree tht they are very pricey to fix! But, I love it and it is one of the safest family cars you can drive. I would by another one in a heart beat but We are going to sell it in about 5 months so I can get a minivan, tha Passat just isnt big enough anymore.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 02:01 pm:

We have a 2001 Jetta TDI. It has almost 80K on it, and it's been a great car. I will say it does cost a lot to work on it. I worked at the dealership it was purchased at, and even with my discount it was pricey to get an oil change. Upside? VWs hold resale value very well, and are generally safe cars. With good resale value you can always trade for that Chrysler without being terribly upside down! I'm so sorry you are having such bad luck with your Passat, have you talked to the dealership? I hope it all gets fixed soon!!!

By Theresa_Momma on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - 10:22 pm:

I have a 2000 Chrysler Sebring Conv. I love it. It is such a fun car, and I have had no problems at all(knock on wood.) Just want thought I was throw my input in!

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 - 11:27 am:

We got a 1998 Ford Taurus, almost 2 years ago. I think Taurus' as a rule are pretty reliable. We did have to put a new transmission in it, though! (Ouch!) Has worked fine since then!

I do love my Taurus. We had a 1988 one earlier in our marriage. That one was pretty reliable, too, for the most part.

My current Taurus just feels so solid and I love driving it! My only problem is that I usually don't have very far to go, so I don't get to drive it very long!

By Mommyathome on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 - 11:32 am:

We just sold our 1997 Taurus. I loved ours too, Dawn! It was very nice and smooth to ride in. And, we couldn't beat the trunk space. It was huge!!!!
We now have a small car, and a bronco for a couple weeks until we can get up north to go shopping for our next "family vehicle".

By Mommmie on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 - 01:43 pm:

My coworker has had a bad time with her 2002 Passat, too. She'll never buy another Volkswagon she said.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 - 04:31 pm:

Yeah, maybe it's the newer models of Passats or something? It's just become so unreal...something is wrong at least every 3 months.
I feel stupid because I wanted it since they look cute. (It has a cute "butt", if you will! ha ha ha!) But, my hubby looked them up on the internet and got good reviews before we bought it. I honestly think it's the new models.
We also have a TON of recalls...one of them was for the gas tank. They said that the car could EXPLODE if they didn't put a shield on it since something from the wheel could potentially break off.
HHmmmmm.... any other cars out there that are good? Thanks for the Taurus idea. It's really up to my husband bc he drives that car now since we had a new baby and I wanted our SUV. tee hee...

By Annie2 on Wednesday, September 8, 2004 - 09:30 pm:

I bought a new VW Golf back in 1985. The wheel bearings needed replacing, oxygen sensor then we had some electrical problem which no one could figure out for over a year. It would leave me stranded at places.
My sister and BIL have a Passat but they live near the city and do not drive it often.
We ran that car into the ground. I would never buy another VW. Family has had great luck with Toyota and Honda.
Dh is a Ford man. I drive a Windstar and he drives a 150.

By Tink on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 01:55 am:

We have a 2000 Taurus and it is great but they have stopped making them. This was the last year for them. They are being replaced by another car. I don't remember what they will be called. Ours is great. There have been several recalls but not on anything major. A light switch knob and the like. We have 3 kids and it's a little tight now so we'll get an SUV next. Generally, it's a good car and dh is a car nut so he knows the power that the Taurus hides so he loves it too.