1992 Volkswagen Passat 2.0

Summary:

Very fast and fun car

Faults:

Air Conditioner- 180000.

Motor mounts-182000.

Head cracked at 276000.

Many other minor repairs that I can't recall.

General Comments:

This was a great car! It handled very well with its German engineered steering. It could corner any curve. It also was very fast with great Acceleration. When I worked this car took a beating because I drove it all the time. The seating is overall comfortable, but the seats are kind of firm. It started to go downhill once it hit around 200000 miles. Around 272000 it started trying to overheat all the time. By 27600, it finally just quit with what I think was a cracked head.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th April, 2006

1992 Volkswagen Passat GL 2.0L DOHC 16v

Summary:

A high performance car for a lot of money

Faults:

When I first purchased this car it had been in an accident. Thus some of these problems have merit.

Parts to replace from the accident. $600.

8 alternator belts due to bent pulley from accident. $10 per belt.

A down pipe replacement. $100.

5 muffler repairs. $50 per visit.

Fuel pump needed replacing along with fuel filter. $560.

Fourth pair of tires. $80 per tire.

Paint Job due to two tone paint from accident. $350.

Brakes have gone out on it a total of 5 times. It needed a caliper or two every time. At least $125 every time. And they still don't work right.

The wheels need alignment again. $20.

Ignition switch needed replacing. $150.

Fuel injector needed cleaning and adjusting. $160.

Several Other repairs needed to be made.

General Comments:

I think that this car is a good one when running, but much too expensive for a college student who needs to save money not spend it.

The car runs like a dream other than the brakes which need to be pumped and I'm told that are a particular problem on this car.

This car has tons of pep to it and can peel out in second gear. I've clocked the 0-60 time, but can't remember what it was. This car is high on torque and could probably burn out for a minute or two straight! I've smoked kids with engines twice what mine was and haven't lost yet!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th April, 2004

1992 Volkswagen Passat GL 2.0L 16v

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

The car had a bad distributor before I even drove it.

The drivers door switch caused undesired operation of automatic seat belts.

General Comments:

I think it is a great reliable car. I have not had any further problems with it.

It gets out of it's own way and gets exceptional fuel mileage.

And it also handles and rides very well and sturdy, even at higher speeds. A true autobahn cruiser.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th March, 2004

1992 Volkswagen Passat GL 2.0L

Summary:

Trouble

Faults:

O2 sensor.

Fuel tank collapsed.

Fuel sending unit.

Wheel bearings.

Distributor.

Rotors.

AC leak.

Coolant leak.

Inner muffler.

Minor engine compartment fire.

General Comments:

Great driving vehicle, but has a tendency to breakdown often. Not built for North American winters. Very sensitive car even with maintenance from VW dealerships. Components on the car are like dominoes, things start failing in succession. Will NEVER purchase a VW/Audi vehicle ever again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th September, 2000

7th Feb 2001, 07:38

I agree, I bought a '91 when it was 2 years old. I replaced the head gasket, heater core head gasket again, rear window motor and other smaller items.

This car was a lemon, I tried to trade it in on a new Golf, but the Volkswagen dealer refused to take it as a trade, because he had too many on the lot!

Finally got Toyota to take it on a trade, I lost $10,000 through negative equity in the trade.

My first car was a VW, and my third and my fourth, but never again.

15th Feb 2001, 17:58

I also had a 1992. These cars are good for cruising but not everyday driving. Too many problems, and repairs are expensive.

27th Apr 2003, 03:42

Upon reading the review... I see you bought a car with quite a few miles on it... and you were surprised to have to make repairs???

9th Oct 2003, 11:45

90000 KILOMETRES - not actually all that many miles.

4th Dec 2003, 12:39

90000 Kilometres is only about 54000 miles!!!

10th Mar 2004, 21:05

I had a similiar experience with mine, to top it off VW dealer and VW customer service is condescending. They answer every question like you're an idiot. This was my third and last VW.

1992 Volkswagen Passat G60 Syncro 1.8L SC 4-cylinder (G60)

Summary:

High performance bargain for the do-it-yourselfer

Faults:

Nothing except regular maintainance for a car with 115,000 miles. Problematic areas are a rattling heat shield, expensive/weak supercharger and really nothing else!

General Comments:

You can't imagine how much I love this car. I went to Canada to buy/import it knowing how capable it is. 4WD with the G60 engine, better suspension components, etc. It's beautiful and a heck of a lot of fun whether on the track or in the snow. Only one of 300 or so, though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th May, 2000

22nd Jun 2001, 11:10

I agree. But it should be noted that you need to have a respect for cars and know-how to attack the kinks with the G60 engine and general VW issues.

18th Apr 2004, 00:05

You're probably aware of this online group by now... but, if you're not... http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/syncrog60/

These are great cars... So long as they're properly cared for. Then again, what car isn't, eh ;-)

Cheers!