Buying a passat sized car - what would you recommend?
Thinking of changing our 56 plate, 77,000-mile VW auto diesel SE Passat. It's been a bit problematic - VW have paid for 2 problems I had with injectors and have now replaced them all. I'm worried about the engine quality and want to change. (Had a previous 98 passat TDI which got to 300K miles which is why I went Passat again.)
My wife wants something that 'feels' reasonably substantial and ideally, front-wheel drive to cope with our quite steep drive in icy weather. Need good mpg, reliability, (ideally auto) and a decent motorway cruiser.
Reckon I could get c£5K for our Passat and could put in another c£3-£7K.
Do we just go to a late 2008 Passat (cross rail engine?) for peace of mind (or do these have the DSG problems?) or somewhere else completely? Had even considered a small SUV/Crossover for a bit of a change (don't need off-road or the space of an estate)
My wife wants something that 'feels' reasonably substantial and ideally, front-wheel drive to cope with our quite steep drive in icy weather. Need good mpg, reliability, (ideally auto) and a decent motorway cruiser.
Reckon I could get c£5K for our Passat and could put in another c£3-£7K.
Do we just go to a late 2008 Passat (cross rail engine?) for peace of mind (or do these have the DSG problems?) or somewhere else completely? Had even considered a small SUV/Crossover for a bit of a change (don't need off-road or the space of an estate)
Asked on 12 January 2013 by Always Passat?

You are not alone. The 2005 - 2011 Passat is one of the most problematic cars listed in www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar
So no, don't go for another Passat. A Mondeo is a far better bet. Small SUVs like Nissan Qashqais are very popular and hold their values well, but are not completely immune from problems.
So no, don't go for another Passat. A Mondeo is a far better bet. Small SUVs like Nissan Qashqais are very popular and hold their values well, but are not completely immune from problems.
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Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
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