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Author Topic: Opinions on this 2003 Passat?  (Read 13032 times)

Offline onearmed

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Opinions on this 2003 Passat?
« Reply #20 on: February 10, 2005, 07:49:09 pm »
2003 1.8T GTI  
I use synthetic oil and only fill > 91 octane.

I have ~47000km on my engine.  I'd say one thing to watch out for is the waterpump.  Mine failed, and my brother's failed. It's a cheap plastic part, damn VW!

Other than that my car has had no other engine problems.  My brother exact same as me, 1 problem each.
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Offline ArticSteve

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Opinions on this 2003 Passat?
« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2005, 08:56:59 pm »
Hey Onearmed, BMW has been switching between  plastic impellered water pumps for years.  No one knows why.  Replacements are brass and cheaper than OEM so it is one of those many weird things.

Shank, I was responding to a comment about high rpm.  Shank you probably have not driven any older domestic V8s up hills in 4th gear (automatic) just at a speed before it kicks down into the passing gear.  This is prime time when detonation occurs.  Heavy load and a long duration in the 4 stroke cycle.

It's a lot to type Shnak so I will be brief, but essentially the faster the unburned "end" gases get pushed out of the exhaust valve the less chance of deto.  So I was just trying to make the point that if you use something less than 91 octane don't be under the impression that you should not red line the motor.  Any piston/head damage is more likely to occur at low rpm.

As far as oil changes, this is such a subjective topic, but 8000 km is way too long, IMO, for dino oil to be left in a motor, particularily a high pressure turbo/small displacement engine.  Perhaps if the car was started then driven to Florida and back and then some it might be OK.  But, for a motor that very well may be used as a short distance grocery getter, that never gets the acids burned out of the crankcase, I don't think 8000 km on dino is good.

Shank, whatever you decide we will be with you BRO.
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Offline tpl

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« Reply #22 on: February 11, 2005, 07:46:58 am »
The joy of the 1.8T is that a relatively cheap ecu mod will get over 200 HP with no reliability problems...   www.goapr.com  
I chipped my 2000 A 4 with that engine and the difference was amazing.
Even better, you can "hide" it from the dealers test gear AND there is a market for the chipped ECU when you sell the car.

I ran the audi on Sunoco 94 and used synth oil every 8000km and had zero problems
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Offline Shnak

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Opinions on this 2003 Passat?
« Reply #23 on: February 11, 2005, 08:42:46 am »
well the purchase is off... I came to my senses and realized that I'd only get myself deeper and deeper into debts...  

Just for fun, I drove a 2002 Honda Accord SE 2.3L automatic last night and I found its transmission more responsive than the one on the Passat. On the Passat, I would find myself always pushing the gas and not much acceleration happened, then, it decided to drop down a gear and my rpm would boost into the 6000's. With the Accord, even a 2002, it was instant acceleration without any "down time" with the transmission. Other than that, I really hated how "old" the interior of the 2002 Accord looked. It really really showed its age. It looked a LOT older than even my 1999 CR-V did! I was completely stunned. The engine/transmission combo was great though.

I think the Passat adds to too much... it's a bit bigger than what I need/want, premium fuel, more fuel, higher cost of maintenance, long-term reliability is a question mark... I really don't think it's what I need right now.

I'll call the dealer and ask him to give me a call when he gets automatic Jettas or Golfs... that'd make more sense for me.

I'll post my car on local newsgroups and might post it in autotrader... If I get a decent offer for it, I might sell it at that price, come up with the difference myself to pay off completely my Golf and start up fresh, probably even leasing something.
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Offline Shnak

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« Reply #24 on: February 11, 2005, 08:44:17 am »
Oh and by the way, thanks for the great responses by everyone. It is greatly appreciated!
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Offline ArticSteve

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Opinions on this 2003 Passat?
« Reply #25 on: February 11, 2005, 09:24:19 am »
TPL; how much was that chip and where on a 1.8 equipped vehicle do you install it?

There is a Hondadata chip for the SIR but the cost is 500 bucks USD plus shipping and GST/PST so it's not happenning.

Shank; this is no time to be sensible.  We all need something to discuss and the 1.8 Passat would have been a good one.  I'm more disappointed than you are.
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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Opinions on this 2003 Passat?
« Reply #26 on: February 11, 2005, 09:37:03 am »




"The Passat? You can't handle (err, afford) the Passat"
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Offline Shnak

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« Reply #27 on: February 11, 2005, 03:49:40 pm »
Well... we bought a 2004 Jetta TDI GLS!

35,000 km, automatic 5spd, reflex silver, leather seats (with adjustable lumbar support!), sunroof, alloys, block heater (VW started selling block heaters for new TDIs in december!), mug guards, bug deflector, wood trim, tinted windows, my phatnoise, my winter tires, steering wheel cruise control AND steering wheel audio controls! Oh, and an extra 2 yr / 40,000km full coverage warranty!

All considered, I'll end up paying 140$/month (for 5 years @ 4.9%) more than my current Golf, but my girlfriend will give me more than that every month... probably around 200-250$ every month. So it'll cost me less than the Golf in the end.

We drove around for a good 2 hours and it felt super solid, only thing we heard was the driver's leather seat rubbing against the side of the center armrest which is plastic. Little squeaks like that are to be expected with leather though...

The TDI engine mated with the automatic transmission is an excellent duo... I'm really impressed just how much better it is than the Passat's 1.8T with auto.

We should get a call tomorrow about the approval of the financing.

The bonus is that it has the same size of wheels than my Golf so they'll put my winter tires on it. Oh and yes, me and the sunroof get along really well!

We really couldn't be happier right now! I'm still keeping that awesome TDI engine, which really is great even with an automatic transmission, and we're getting a basically new car that was about 35,000$ when it was purchased last summer, with more goodies in it that I ever dreamed to have in a car!

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Offline mrthompson

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« Reply #28 on: February 11, 2005, 03:52:56 pm »
You aren't just teasing us, are ya?    Congrats on the new purchase!  

"All considered, I'll end up paying 140$/month (for 5 years @ 4.9%) more than my current Golf, but my girlfriend will give me more than that every month... probably around 200-250$ every month."  

You are such a man-whore.  
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2005, 04:02:14 pm »



CONGRATS!!!

Sounds like a very desirable package!
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Offline Shnak

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« Reply #30 on: February 11, 2005, 04:18:47 pm »
Just got the call to confirm that everything is approved! I'm bringing in the Golf monday at 8am and by 4pm, it'll be transformed into a Jetta!!
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Offline DriverJeff

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« Reply #31 on: February 11, 2005, 04:47:00 pm »
Inco, keep yer lousy VR6 propaganda outa here!
"The 1.8 is a great engine, but like all high winders, you pay a price sooner or later in wear and tear."  High winders?  Cripes, there's no point in revvin' the thing past 4,000 rpms since nobody's home up there anyway.  With max torque at 1950 rpms, what's the point in driving it like a Honda?

As for the cheapos that put regular or mid-grade in when premium is recommended... gimme a break.  I put premium in mine every fill-up.  In the grand scheme of things what does it cost you?  $5 per tank extra (approx 50L every fill-up avg. x $0.10 extra from reg to prem)... which, at filling up maybe 50 times per year = $250.  That's it for peace of mind.  Geez, and I thought I was stingy.

Oh, by the way, congrats Shnak... sounds like a nice car.  Now give us da pics!
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Offline Shnak

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« Reply #32 on: February 11, 2005, 04:49:23 pm »
Thanks! I'll post pics on monday!
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Offline Drivesideways

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« Reply #33 on: February 11, 2005, 04:58:29 pm »
Phew..I was worried about the phatnoise at phirst.  It's phortunate it'll phind a new home. Hopephully there won't be any phitment phoul-ups like bephore.

Enjoy the new car Shnak.  But now that your left leg is out of the clutches watch it doesn't shrivel up to nothing like the middle one.
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« Reply #34 on: February 11, 2005, 05:14:57 pm »
"Little squeaks like that are to be expected with leather though..."

From the guy who doesn't tolerate any squeaks before in the Golf.  Why the sudden change in attitude?  The leather in my MB, EL, nor MDX have ever squeaked.  

Atleast you got a car you want....for now.  Good stuff.
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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« Reply #35 on: February 11, 2005, 05:19:40 pm »



DSW, I'm in tears!
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Offline Brig

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« Reply #36 on: February 11, 2005, 06:00:29 pm »
Too phucking phunny.

Phar be it phrom me to make phun of someone's speech imphediment, but DSW, you've got me phalling over lauphing.  

Phive stars.

B
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Offline Shnak

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« Reply #37 on: February 11, 2005, 06:22:38 pm »
It's not my phault it's really called a PhatBox...
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Winson

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« Reply #38 on: February 11, 2005, 07:28:08 pm »
Congrats...post pics
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Offline Snowman

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« Reply #39 on: February 11, 2005, 07:35:11 pm »
Nice one DSW…a fiver. Congratulations Shnak on your new ride. Pics are required…..and please update your avatar too.
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