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 151 through 160 of 202.00

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  Money pit - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeff C. - August 29 - 3:53 am

  This car looks great and is fun to drive. Unfortunately, it is also unreliable and lacks quality. I purchased this car in 2001 with only 17k miles on it. Since that time I have had electrical problems, power window problem, steering collumn problem, some recall, had to replace the brakes, headlight out, battery dead, new tires, broken interior vent, and now at 46,000 miles a new water pump, timing belt and gaskets/seals for oil leak. Now, there is some recall for the suspension. Ridiculous. When you combine the lack of reliability with the exorbitant service costs for this vehicle, it is definitely a money pit.

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  1999 VW Passat GLS Wagon - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By sdyver - August 11 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car for over 3 and a half years with virtually no problems, until recently. While about 75 miles from home the timing belt broke at 79k (recommended change interval is 105k). The timing belt was replaced under warranty, but the dealership (not our local dealership) did sub-par work causing us to have it towed back to the dealer to fix all the problems. Other than this one incidence (which cost us less than $50) the car has been a pleasure to own and drive. Weve taken it on numerous long trips and the seats are superb. The car itself if very versitile, highly recommended.

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  Daughters 1st car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By ncsales23 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Found this 1 owner used car with 51,600 miles. Had to replace a few minor trim pieces ($200) and put new tires on it. What a fun car to drive with the tiptronic transmission and sunroof. Daughter couldnt be happier. Excellent condition both mechanically and appearance. Was able to get 100,000 warranty on powertrain and this should be a very dependable vehicle for the next 3-4 years.

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  Maximum Features for the money, - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By TigerBerj - June 30 - 2:00 am

  More features than BMW & Mercedes combined.

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  Great car! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kaylene - June 25 - 12:13 pm

  I love this car. I drove a stick shift, and it was the best car i have ever owned. I would recommend this if you love going fast. GREAT CAR!

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  Nice car to drive but... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Integraguy1995 - May 26 - 3:06 am

  Ive always driven Hondas and Toyotas and when my wife bought her Passat used with 95k, I was expecting a decent vehicle from VW as well. Boy was I wrong. "German engineering" in this case means that everything was engineered to fail at 100,000 miles. We paid $8,500 for this car two years ago and have put $6,000 into in repairs since. The timing belt and water pump were expected but when we had to replace the power steering rack, strut mounts, all four window regulators and had to fork over absurd money for German-made synthetic oil and filters to keep the turbo from blowing out, we were not pleased to say the least. Cant wait to get rid of this thing for a Honda or Toyota.

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  Crappy Car - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Aril86 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Had to fix numerous times, otherwise good performance and fun to drive.

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  100,000 Miles and still fun to drive - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Moo Man - May 17 - 10:00 am

  The Passat is my first experience with something other than a Japanese built in 14 years. For the past four years maintenance has consisted of oil changes every 3,500 miles, brakes and tires at 45,000 and 90,000 miles, and gas every now and then. (Around town the Passat gets about 27 MPG, with longer trips about 31 MPG.) The funny thing about the car is that its still a hoot to drive. In hindsight, Im glad I went for the 5 speed stick instead of the automatic. I plan on keeping the car until my oldest gets his license (about 5 more years). Maybe Im an optimist, but this car continues to delight the 20 year old in me (Im 42 now).

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  Average Annual Maintenance Costs = $1500 - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By CONNIE - April 8 - 11:40 pm

  I purchased my Passat new 10 years ago. I was seduced by the style, tiptronic and cool commercials during that time. Im a sucker for Nick Drake. I now have 122k miles on the car and have gotten to know my various mechanics very well over the years. The passenger window slipped into the door - twice. That repair cost me $200+. Simple maintenance like battery changes cant be done outside of the dealership. Removing and replacing the battery disables the cars computer console which can only be reset at the dealership = cost of battery + reset fee $70. Silly things like this are common. Other replacements: tie rods, broken sunroof (within the first year) replacement cost $700; oil leaks +++

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  Great for the first 3-4 years... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By BigK - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Nearly problem free for about 3.5 years, but then a variety of SMALL issues came up: bad O2 sensor, belt tensioner, lights on dash burned out, etc. Various things that are annoyances, but dont affect the cars driving.