Passat of the Month - January 2007
Grant (flying_scotsman)
Austin, Texas USA
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My Passat estate is the first car I've ever owned. For a year prior, I had a pickup for hauling dirt and rock for my home landscaping projects. But for 8 years my only forms of transportation were bicycles and motorcycles. I really wasn't a fan of cages.
But I needed a vehicle to carry rescue huskies, so I sold my bike to pay off the pickup, to trade that in on a used 1999 1.8T estate.
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I can't believe I actually love a car.
Lots of folks take pride in their shiney paintwork and spotless interiors. Sometimes I envy them and feel a bit naughty for the state of my motor.
I know my wee car usually is a bit of a mess inside and out but I'm a happy camper when I remember it's because it gets so much use for so many things. And I know it gets its proper maintenance checks and lots of TLC, even though that's not evident at a casual glance.
For me, the Passat estate is the Leatherman of cars. And a Leatherman is meant to be used ... a lot.
I've lost track of the number of times I've camped in the back ... dog beside me, climbing gear stacked in the front seats.
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I have to laugh when I remember a trip to IKEA in Houston and driving back with a queen-sized futon, wardrobe, chair, ottoman, bedside table, bed sheet sets, cushions, cutlery sets, etc., etc. all inside the vehicle. It took some rearranging but I finally made room for me in there too.
Or the riced out Honda Civic I dusted while hauling a car-full of mulch and landscape soil.
Three large dogs in three large crates have fit in the back, with the rear seats taking a toll of piss and crap.
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Hell, I've even turned it into a fairly usable ambulance!
When some bugger decided to key both sides of the car, down their full lengths, I got pissed off, then got over it when I realised I now don't have to worry about mesquite trees ruining the paintwork.
I can outrun most trucks and SUVs on a dirt road.
I can sit at 130 mph and have a conversation with my passenger without raising my voice.
I can look forward to spending more money than I'd like to on maintenance and repairs but don't really mind doing so ... yet.
I drive this cage of mine hard and often but have yet to tire of how it feels to do so.
I've got a passable sports car, a cosy cabin, spacious pet hauler, mobile gear locker and fairly decent rally car all rolled into one rather posh motor.
![Image]()
Can't ask for much more than that, eh?
And when the engine finally falls out of this one, I plan on buying a used B8 and trolling passatforums for mods, tips, trips and the cursed GBs.
Vorsprung durch technic!
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Grant (flying_scotsman)
Austin, Texas USA
My Passat estate is the first car I've ever owned. For a year prior, I had a pickup for hauling dirt and rock for my home landscaping projects. But for 8 years my only forms of transportation were bicycles and motorcycles. I really wasn't a fan of cages.
But I needed a vehicle to carry rescue huskies, so I sold my bike to pay off the pickup, to trade that in on a used 1999 1.8T estate.
I can't believe I actually love a car.
Lots of folks take pride in their shiney paintwork and spotless interiors. Sometimes I envy them and feel a bit naughty for the state of my motor.
I know my wee car usually is a bit of a mess inside and out but I'm a happy camper when I remember it's because it gets so much use for so many things. And I know it gets its proper maintenance checks and lots of TLC, even though that's not evident at a casual glance.
For me, the Passat estate is the Leatherman of cars. And a Leatherman is meant to be used ... a lot.
I've lost track of the number of times I've camped in the back ... dog beside me, climbing gear stacked in the front seats.
I have to laugh when I remember a trip to IKEA in Houston and driving back with a queen-sized futon, wardrobe, chair, ottoman, bedside table, bed sheet sets, cushions, cutlery sets, etc., etc. all inside the vehicle. It took some rearranging but I finally made room for me in there too.
Or the riced out Honda Civic I dusted while hauling a car-full of mulch and landscape soil.
Three large dogs in three large crates have fit in the back, with the rear seats taking a toll of piss and crap.
Hell, I've even turned it into a fairly usable ambulance!
When some bugger decided to key both sides of the car, down their full lengths, I got pissed off, then got over it when I realised I now don't have to worry about mesquite trees ruining the paintwork.
I can outrun most trucks and SUVs on a dirt road.
I can sit at 130 mph and have a conversation with my passenger without raising my voice.
I can look forward to spending more money than I'd like to on maintenance and repairs but don't really mind doing so ... yet.
I drive this cage of mine hard and often but have yet to tire of how it feels to do so.
I've got a passable sports car, a cosy cabin, spacious pet hauler, mobile gear locker and fairly decent rally car all rolled into one rather posh motor.
Can't ask for much more than that, eh?
And when the engine finally falls out of this one, I plan on buying a used B8 and trolling passatforums for mods, tips, trips and the cursed GBs.
Vorsprung durch technic!
