Faults:

I must say that the stock (Michelin) tires are too expensive. They run about $140 a piece from the local retailers. I found the Bridgestone Potenza to be a much cheaper, but nearly equal replacement. I know this because I just replaced ours at 33k miles.

So far, the car has been fairly good for us. The battery needs to be replaced, but that is to be expected after 3+ years in the Florida heat.

Right now, there is a slightly coolant leak near the turbo unit. I will find out what that costs to repair tomorrow.

I also had a problem with a vacuum hose that leaked, causing poor engine performance.

Judging by some of the other reviewers' experiences, I highly recommend buying an extended service warranty with your next (any) Volkswagen. The service at VW dealerships is terribly expensive, and parts are insanely priced. So a good service warranty is a smart option to keep your wallet happy. You can usually buy these warranties for your car up to 30,000 miles.

General Comments:

Overall, I think it's a great driver's car: The power is remarkable considering this is a 1.8 liter engine; The handling is as smooth as you would expect from a German make; And the design is very smart. I have been very pleased with our wagon so far.

The interior fits both me (6'4") and my wife (5'3") equally well. The fold-down seats make it perfect for toting surfboards around on the weekend. The optional roofrack crossmember is okay, but it sits a little too close to the sunroof for my liking.

The engine gets about 30 mpg on the highway when I'm going 85 mph. It must be said that this car rides comfortably at high speeds. It holds the road tightly without feeling heavy. I was surprised at how quiet the interior is on the highway.

Look up this car's crash test results. They are excellent. I think VW added standard airbag curtains in 2001, so that might be an even better model to buy used if you're worried abpout all these idiot SUV drivers blindsiding you.

We got the automatic transmission for convenience in driving through city traffic. The turbo lag is really apparent at low rpm and off-the-line acceleration with this transmission. So don't give up the idea of a manual gearbox in lieu of the auto's tiptronic feature. The tipronic shifting system is built for people who can't drive manuals, but want to feel sporty nonetheless. It is just a silly feature, and I never use mine. In defense of the automatic tranny, it is very smooth and will hold itself in gear to redline when you have your foot on the floor.

I can't think of another wagon for under $25,000 that can match it in overall performance.

Faults:

My two low beam lights went out at the same time after 35,000 miles.

The monsoon stereo system has lost its pre-settings at approximately 40,000 miles.

One brake light has gone out at approximately 40,000 miles.

When taking turns, not overly fast, an engine warning light will flash instructing the driver to stop the car and check the engine oil.

The computer has also had a defect that caused a false warning message. This was paid for by VW, but only after I pushed the issue and authorized payment in advance.

General Comments:

The car handles well and has been fairly reliable other than the electrical system.

The manufacturer does not confess that Passats are known for electrical.