when did the VWs turn the corner on elec problems?

[mrbigstuff]

I'm looking at a few VW Passat wagons. I have heard that after a certain year, the company worked out the bugaboos. Recalling that a few folks here have had issues with their VWs, I'm wondering aloud if there is a "safe" year to begin my search. If it's a too recent model, that may price me out of the running anyhow.

[jdc]

never?

whats the budget? might get into a 2005-6-7 XC70 for under $18K

[Harbourmaster]

You should not have any issues with a Passat. They were all assembled in Germany.

[davester]

Harbourmaster wrote:
You should not have any issues with a Passat. They were all assembled in Germany.

,,,exceot fir that little excess sludge...plugs oil pump intake...scores cam bearings...engine failure thingy.

[DaviDC.]

I had a 73 SuperBeetle with evil gremlins living in the electrical system.

[deckeda]

Harbourmaster wrote:
You should not have any issues with a Passat. They were all assembled in Germany.

The Brazilian-made VWs are every bit as good (or bad) as those assembled in The Fatherland.

[cbelt3]

I miss our 1976 VW rabbit. It was very reliable. Died after about 250K miles.

[Racer X]

yep, a friend got over 300k on his late '70s FI Rabbit.

[troywellbuilt]

My '95 Passat Wagon, made in Germany, was the biggest piece of junk I have ever driven. After 6 trips back to the dealer I gave up on the rear windows ever working. 50K miles and it burned lots of oil. Coolant leaks, oil leaks, $350 fan switches, etc. After owning nothing but VWs I now buy Hondas and don't look back.

[robfilms]

i have 3 different friends with passat wagons and each had nothing but headaches with everything from electric window risers, faulty a/c systems, bad wiring to/from headlights. 2 of the 3 had their engines replaced by vw (after months of haggling). i would be hard pressed to put a used passat wagon on my short list of interesting cars.

ymmv

be well

rob