Volkswagen Passat Saloon (2000 - 2005) 1.9 S TDI (130ps) 4d (2003/52) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That we're a family of 5!

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

Friends with families like it: single/child-free people tend to go for a Golf.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely, although probably the estate version and also I'm not sure the newer models are so 'grippy' in snow (which we usually get at least once a year in Cumbria).

What are you likely to buy next?

Would love to buy a Passat Estate but can't afford it. Probably something like a Skoda Fabia though it may be a bit of a squash for all 5 of us.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,200

When did you buy the car?

February 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

I think so. Whilst we were dealing with friends, the guy buys and sells cars quite often and tends to know what he's doing mechanically.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

We needed a car as I was about to leave my job, which had a company car. We like VW and a friend happened to be selling this one.

What was the dealer like?

Fine.

What's it like to drive?

It's great. I was a bit sceptical about a large-ish car, having been used to Golf TDis, and thought it might be a bit sluggish but in fact it's got that torquey-diesel performance and also excellent fuel economy (I've managed nearly 60mpg on motorways etc.). It's a real workhorse of a car.

What's it like to park?

Fine once (having been used to hatchbacks) you get used to the rear boot - which doesn't actually stick out as far as you think.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Plenty, but it's an old-ish car with high mileage.

What's most practical about your car?

Fits all 5 of us (2 adults and 3 children, all still in child seats) and has a large boot so plenty of room for luggage as well.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

None.