A different experience (99 Passat)

Contrary to the title of this site, I wanted to post my experience…

I have a 99 Passat, 176,300 miles. The car has (overall) been truly wonderful. The reliability has been flawless (1 tow and that was due to a truck backing into it at an intersection and piercing the radiator). There is one odd nagging problem – I have to replace headlights FAR more often than I have ever had to in the past. I think I am on my 10th headlight (mix of left & right). Can’t complain overall though – it’s just a few minutes of work. I replaced the timing belt (& tensioner) at 120k miles – that’s it for “”major”" maintenance expense – I think I spent $800 (along with some other work). I replace the oil & filter (full synthetics only) every 5-6000 miles.

Now, where I can agree with the “”sucks”" part is that most VW dealerships have been relatively slimy. They are the third worst in my opinion – Honda being the absolute worst (I have never found one where I had a pleasant or even close buying experience), Toyota coming in second (one pleasant experience marred by a last minute money grab at the dealer, where I nearly walked out). I would happily see most of these dealers close, though I have had wonderful experience with the cars. My 99 Passat was preceded by my wife’s 86 Golf (194k miles, replaced since we needed more space) and my 87 GTI (engine problems @213k miles, didn’t want to bother since my wife’s 86 Golf was available – mothballed as we had purchased a Volvo wagon w/ the arrival of kiddies).

I am very good about doing routine maintenance (esp. oil changes). I find this totally fundamental to having a “”good ownership experience”".

I have no doubt that some folks have come across a lemon – but that can happen even to Honda & Toyota folks…