Overview & Reviews
After promising the availability of all-wheel drive this year, Volkswagen, in a last-minute product change, has cancelled the Synchro all-wheel-drive option on all Passats for 1999 and will not be offering the GLS wagon with a V6 engine.
- Tight structure, fun-to-drive, comfortable seats, nice sound system, artful design, an Audi at Volkswagen prices.
- Excessive squat and dive when accelerating and braking.
User Reviews:
Showing 121 through 130 of 202.00-
A Disappointment - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By Bailey - April 9 - 2:40 pmWith a baby on the way, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and purchase a newer car in hopes that it would be a safer and more reliable vehicle than what we had. We loved the heated leather seats, sunroof, and spacious hatchback. However, having purchased it in December, it still has temporary tags as it as been in the shop for over 6 weeks. We had to purchase two new engines for the thing, a serpentine belt, turbo, and that is just to get in back on the road. We have spent over $8500 for a car I have barely driven. We should have stuck with what we had.
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VW Forever - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By passatv6 - April 2 - 10:00 amI have had my VW since I bought it new in 99, I love it, never had any prolbems with it. I am an enthusiast and have taken exellect care, wash every weekend, was every 2 months, condition the leather once a month, and it looks like the day I bought it. Fuel economy is exellent and very fun to drive. I had the VW Sport suspension and 18" wheels, so it is a head turner.
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Great Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By Leroy - October 5 - 1:26 amThis car has been the most fun ride Ive ever driven. Perfect example of a heavy German sedan, killer in any driving condition. The only problem Ive had with it after 130,000 miles is a coolant sensor going out, an easy $8 fix. Im a sold VW driver now.
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Big Loss - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By ex-owner - September 16 - 2:13 pmStay away from the 1999 Passat especially if you live In Kentucky. This car has too many problems and is more expensive to mantain than any other European car. It has lubrication problems on the engine, bearings failure, suspension failure... Nobody can service the sealed transmision and it DOES need service. If you own it, change the oil (synthetic) every 3,000 - 4,000 miles regardles of what the shop tells you. Also be careful, the new design will also have suspension problems. This car is fun to drive but a terrible investment.
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Nuisance problems, but Id buy another - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By sljarvis - August 13 - 10:00 amWas reading some reviews and thought much of it was familiar. Ive put 95K on my V6 Passat in just under 4 years. GREAT car to drive, but have had some nuisance problems. Paid $225 for r window. Now r doorlock, $379 to fix. HVAC lighting is out, am told its not a bulb or fuse...have to replace the whole unit for $179. No thanks, I can deal w/no light. O2 sensor also bad, $300+ to fix. Vacuum valve replaced under recall & water pump under 100K warranty. New tires 2X & new brakes & rotars (I drive it hard). Oh yeah, trunk lt & glovebox lt also out...not fixing those either.
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Shocked at the problems you all have - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By Tommy D. - June 23 - 10:00 amI bought the car new in late 99. 4cyl tubo with 5 speed. Didnt take the greatest care of it and still driving it into the ground. Only issue was the timing belt which cost me $1200 when it blew on the freeway at 100k miles which was just over the suggested change amount. Tip for everyone-DO NOT TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER! Someone mentioned you have to have the battery changed at a dealer. What crap.I changed all mine and I am no mechanic. Also, premium gas, you are kidding! U dont need it, never used it once. I have $185k and have spent about $2500 on maintenance over 10 years. Simple oil changes-$35 and a brake job for $200 ea 5 years or so. On my 3rd set of costco tires. be smarter!
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Pasatt - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By melisa - June 17 - 10:00 amGreat car!
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Wanna Love My Passat, but... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By Wex - June 11 - 10:00 amAll the great german engineering went into mechanics, not fit. The drive is fast and smooth with great handling. Interior fit and finish is TERRIBLE. I have had knobs fall off all over, all of the interior felt is peeling off the B and C columns, and the roof is drooping. I expected better from a car just breaking 40,000. Squeaks and creaks are all over the car, including the well knowns "middle of the air vent" creak at about 35k. Great car to drive, but if you like quality and attention paid to construction, consider another car. If you just worry about the drive, on the other hand, best bargain around.
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expensive annual maintenance - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By LA-SF-commuter - June 6 - 10:00 amMy 15-yr old 535i BMW is more reliable than Passat. Did extensive research & test drove other cars. PRO: Crash tests ratings. Affordable, styling, turbo. CON: Expensive yearly maintenance. Terrible cruise ctrl, air- con, tires, stereo. WEAK on take off, 1st gr. Many small parts broke down (no good reason). So-Calif service GREAT: still under warranty, made repairs. Nor- Calif. service HORRIBLE: no warnty, paid expensive annual repairs. VW treats you well until warnty ends, then gouges customer. BIG PROBLEM: air-bag sensor defective after 3 yrs! VW tried to blame us. CONCLSN: Buying a new car soon. A VW Passat is not even in my radar screen.
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Im a VW lover...but! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
By jimbousman@yahoo.com - May 20 - 10:00 amIve had 8 or 9 VWs over the last zillion years. Ive had everything from beetles to busses, GTI/GlIs to Passats. They were bullet proof and cheap to fix. And then theres my 99 wagon. Love the car. Love the ride. Love the look. Love the toys...but do not love the cost of maintenance. When they tell you it is a bargain Audi they forget to tell you that Audis aint cheap to fix. Pay $500 to fix the ball joint, and $65 for a windshield a wiper relay and its trying to tell me something. I now have 106K on the clock and plan to sell it. Hate to sell it but this car is definitely not a high mile risk. Its a shame!
