Volkswagen Passat Estate (1997 - 2001) 1.9 SE TDI 5d (AC) (1999/T) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Family man who's got a bit of understated class and has half a brain.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Comfortable and well-built.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No I wouldn't, but that's because I've got three kids - it was just starting to become a squeeze in the back and I can't have my seat back as far as I like when I've got passengers in the rear. I'd certainly buy a VW again and I intend to, for myself - the wife will have the estate for the school runs etc.

What are you likely to buy next?

I have actually recently bought a 51 plate Audi A6 Avant to replace the Passat. There's a bit more leg room and the whole thing feels moer spacious.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,200

When did you buy the car?

August 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, it was a fair price considering it was from a dealer. I bought it down in Devon and got much better value than you would in the home counties.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Reputation, build quality, comfort, fuel economy, refinement.

What was the dealer like?

PR Cars at Half Moon village near Exeter. Very friendly and helpful.

What's it like to drive?

Very nice. Gear change is excellent and it's very quiet both in terms of road and engine noise. The suspension is soft so you it's comfortable but body roll is compromised of course. It doesn't exactly handle brilliantly but then you don't buy a 10 year old Passat estate for its cornering ability. the overall feeling is comfort and refinement. The 110 BHP engine is okay but don't expect to be doing too much overtaking.

What's it like to park?

It's a big car of course but rear visibility is very good.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Had a few problems with suspension arms and bushes, but that's not surprising considering it had done 137K when I bought it and it's now done 179K. Other than that, the drainage holes in the battery tray block easily and have TWICE caused the rear footwell to flood as it overflows into the airvents.

What's most practical about your car?

Huge boot and decent interior space. Excellent build quality as well. It's not actually as roomy in the rear seats as other large estates but it's still pretty good.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The climate control is brilliant and the blue and red dials are lovely.