When looking at Passats (or any car for that matter) you really need to know past maintenance. Ask dealer if they have records oil changes, and big stuff like timing belt...


Unless the car is ridiculously clean, my advice to you is: keep looking.

Because if you are not the DIY type, this car can be quite costly as far as maintenance goes. Especially if it wasn't well maintained by the previous owner(s).

 

I would walk away, or you could buy mine with another 3g.

 

before buying of course, tell the dealership you want your shop to take a look the car. spend a few dollars on a pre-purchase inspection at a VW indy and tell them to find a reason not to buy the car. they will. if anything you'll have ammo to knock down that 12.9.

 

You could also get the VIN by viewing it through the windshield and have a VW dealership check for maintenance records and if all recall services have been performed.

 

A v6 4 motion was never a cheap car.
A top of the line Passat. But, like the others mentioned. Walk away unless they have a full documented service history.

 

Very expensive. And as far as I know, there was never an option called a "sports package." There was a rare sport suspension option, but I don't think it applied to the car you're looking at.

 

i'll second what most are saying here. at that mileage, it's going to need the timing belt + water pump done VERY soon. that's not a cheap maintenance bill. If you can get them to knock the price down AND get them to agree to cover the timing belt maintenance, then I'd be comfortable with the deal.

No records + no timing belt work = Walk away no matter what the price drop is.

//edit: just to add a positive here... a v6 4motion is a great car. it does require some maintenance as it ages, but if you enjoy getting into DIY projects, it's all very managable and rewarding.

just be aware of what you're getting into and don't let them bs you about the timing belt work. VW recommends that it's done every 75k and if that belt fails... then you'll have a very large and expensive garden gnome.

 

Actually the VW recommended service interval for V6s is 105K miles, but I personally will not wait that long. I have a similar mileage GLX. It is a fabulous car. Major unscheduled service items have been very limited, probably because I have serviced it religiously. I did have to replace axles at 55K because the boots failed and I didn't notice it until the CV joints had started "clicking". I also had to replace alternator at 70K. Since the front end was I service position for that, I had the accessory drive belt replaced. But the dealer did that service, and they emphatically did not want to take my money for a TB change at the same time. My service advisor said I had at least two years left.

I am about to replace rotors and pads at 78K miles. I will have to check my service records, but I seem to recall replacing my rotors before, but that is probably because I once drove this car like it was stolen, standing on the brakes deep into corners or late running up to lights.

I agree with getting an indy to find you leverage. And I also agree the asking price is probably $2K too rich.

:driving:


Sent from my Jar Jar Binks iPhone 4S

 

Thanks for all of the replies!! I went back in yesterday to let my daughter look at the car since it would be for her and talked to the salesperson. I told him the book value was $10,250 and he just laughed. He said that was too low. I mentioned the banks use NADA and not KBB when giving a loan and they wouldn't loan more than the value of the car. I mentioned they(dealer) use KBB so they can come down to NADA value to make it look like they are giving you a great deal. He didn't like that. The sad thing is they know all the banks here in town loan off of NADA but they still treat you like an idiot. He said they have a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on the car and that is why their price is higher. I don't think it justifies the $2650 over book they're asking. I think I'll keep looking.

 

^Good decision. Good luck finding a car!

 

^ yep move on,
Why so much car for your daughter? Take a look at the late Mk IV Jettas. Tdi maybe.

 

I would like to have something AWD for winter. We have a 99' Saab 9-5se I was thinking of trading in to help lower the cost but after talking with the salesperson yesterday I think I'll pass.

 

FYI I bought mine with 49K on it 5 years ago for $14000. The price the dealer wants is way out of line.

I luv it BTW.

 

I love mine too, but mine is a wagon. Got mine for 15K with 24,500 miles, C.P.O too, 4 years ago(to give you an idea). The only hitch, had to fly to NH and drive back to DC for it. GL

 

Ahh I see. Being in Florida myself we do not have the 'winter' issues.

 

I just picked up the same exact vehicle, with 113K (a bit high, but fully maintained with records) for $7,000.

The deals are out there, just keep searching.

Side note, I looked at an '05 with 79K and I was able to get them down to 10K out the door.

 

I agree. I bought an '03 W8 sedan with the sport package and a 6 speed in beautiful shape for $7,000. Most expensive passat made. Keep looking, the deals are out there.

 

I went to a local Honda dealer and they have a 04' GLX V6 4Motion Passat with 70,500 miles. They are asking $12,900. I told them it was too high. I think they use KBB. Is there anything I need to lookout for with this car? The engine sounded ok. Tires are new. Haven't driven it yet. I didn't want to until I did some more research. I'd like to go in with a price in mind first. Just called the bank and NADA clean retail is $10,250. Also what's the sport package?

I've bolded what I think the problem is here... Keep looking especially if a Honda salesman is going to tell you what that car is worth, and BTW, I drove my 98' FWD 5 speed 1.8t through 40 miles of back mountain roads (uphill, banks that literally go into uturns, etc.) with about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground, and it was still snowing the entire time. I'd have to say this is a very stable car in the FWD version. I'm 19 years old, I was freaking out the entire time but the car didn't slide all over the place and seemed quite stable the entire time making me more comfortable (I'm a North Carolinian, 0.2" of snow shuts down the entire city and makes the governor declare a state of emergency.) AWD does have the advantage of even more confidence in the snow, but it's more about how you drive or, more specifically, how you teach your daughter to drive in it. I'm going under the assumption your daughter is around my age, forgive me if shes much older and has a family or something

 

I was mainly looking at this one because of the AWD. I can find plenty of FWD Passats for better prices but would rather have AWD.

 

The 4motions do exist around 100K and in the $8,000 range.

Know what you want, what you want to pay, and hold out if you can!

 

With spring here and summer approaching you have the ability to wait with your purchase and find something more to your liking and still have plenty of time to ensure the maintenance is performed before the snow becomes an issue.

Good luck.

 

Audi A4... my suggestion if the AWD is a must...

 

So I called a couple of VW dealers to see if I could get any history on the car. The car has no open recalls or campaigns. They both said the timing belt was a 10yr or 105k belt so I have either 35k or 2yrs left on it. What would be a good price to offer the dealer? The NADA retail is $10,250.

 

Low ball them at 8K and see if they counter...

 

I called the Honda dealer today to see if the car had any service history and asked again on the price and this time they said it was $14,995!!!

 

Screw them. With the number of cars in America nearly exceeding (if not already) the population count, you'll find a car with patience. Most members here would concur that 105k miles is a bit long for the timing belt, 75k miles is more realistic and preventative enough to never have any problems.

 

:thumbup:

 

You said 04' GLX right? VWVortex.com - :::For Sale:::2004 VW Passat GLX

Dunno if it's 4motion but...

Haha, one hell of a drive (almost 19 hours! yikes!)