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Passat vs Jetta

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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
I recently totaled my car. My Dad is looking at new cars now and said it would be either a Passat or Jetta. I really know nothing about cars so any input would be appreciated.

I would like to know the differences, what would be better for skiing, pros and cons for each
Nov 7 2012 7:28PM
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SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
I have a 2003 passat wagon as my first car, recently bought.

118 thou on it, runs great, got some power, plenty of space for ski shit and does well with gas (about 24-26) as long as you don't drive it like a racecar which is what I do most of the time...I get about 21.

But seriously I like it a lot. Really smooth ride, stable at high speeds and a nice car in general. That's the power of german engineering!
Nov 7 2012 7:39PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
2003-2004 jetta tdi wagon

great gas mileage, good year, pretty reliable. i luv mine.
Nov 7 2012 7:42PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
New or used?

Passats are bigger would be the main difference, if you need more space go with the passat, if not go with the jetta. I'd recommend getting the tdi (diesel engine) if you can, they go forever and get decent mileage.
Nov 7 2012 7:50PM
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 427
I wanted a passat and then I realized if I got a sled I couldn't haul it.


But I love passats mmmmm all flat black murdered windows with a rocket box on top is what I wanted for a while
Nov 7 2012 7:53PM
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 427
Oh and you can sleep in a passat which is a huge advantage I having a car
Nov 7 2012 7:54PM
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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
Used
Nov 7 2012 7:56PM
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IHeartWeasels
Posts: 239 - Karma: 55
A passat is a jetta with a longer wheelbase. Meaning, it is almost exactly the same but the passat is longer.

Personally, I have an 01' Jetta V6 and like it quite alot. Except it smells like crayons.
Nov 7 2012 7:56PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i have an '03 jetta tdi wagon and it's a fantastic car. it was super cheap and it gets great gas mileage and does pretty well in the snow for being only 2 wheel drive. the newer jettas drive much better too and get even better mileage. i'd say only get a passat if you really need the 4 wheel drive. i live in vermont and i'd say the jetta is only undrivable like 5 days a year
Nov 7 2012 8:02PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
AWD Passat with the VR6
Nov 7 2012 8:16PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
K, you could get the old Passats with 4motion (awd). Might be nice in the winter, but you can get by fine with fwd.

I'd look for a good condition jetta or passat wagon with a tdi. Lots of space, good mileage and it'll go forever. Or if you want something faster you could get a jetta gli. But those options are more expensive. If you want cheap just go for a base model in the best condition in your price range. My mom has an 02 golf which is basically a hatchback jetta. It has 300,000km and she beats the shit out of it and its still going
Nov 7 2012 8:19PM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
both are Vee Dubs, so they're automatically fucking cool when you put them on bags and throw on some camber.

AWD ftw, get the passat.
Nov 7 2012 8:48PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
Passat tdi or Jetta if there is no passant tdi
Nov 7 2012 8:52PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
this

Nov 7 2012 8:54PM
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2-1-7crew4lyfe
Posts: 9 - Karma: 9
i am gona go ahead hear and say that u need to get an escalade.
Nov 7 2012 8:55PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
wagon*
Nov 7 2012 9:06PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
wagon*
Nov 7 2012 9:06PM
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Round-Four
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 174
Click for larger image
Nov 7 2012 9:11PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
He's getting a vw, not gonna have mad power anyways. May as well have economy and reliability.

Also torque.
You put on some big injectors in and flash it and you'll have buttloads of torque
Nov 7 2012 9:30PM
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lee_aviator
Posts: 213 - Karma: 39
I herd jeep Cherokee's are really nice
Nov 7 2012 9:31PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
haha my 01 jetta had the same smell. loved that car though.
Nov 7 2012 9:32PM
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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
Saved our lifes bro
Nov 7 2012 9:42PM
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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
I think I like the Passat more. I'm not really interested in the wagon. I'm look at the 2000 Passat, not a bad looking ride imo
Nov 7 2012 9:43PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
Passat is just a little larger. Go for the TDI gets crazy awesome mileage
Nov 7 2012 9:50PM
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*rkp*
Posts: 8198 - Karma: 258
OH MY GOD SHUT THE FUCK UP


op...please spare yourself the bullshit of NS and go to a dedicated automotive forum for advice.


Nov 7 2012 9:59PM
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
i had an 06 passat, and now have an 06 GLI (pretty much a jetta). big differnences. My dad has a 2012 passat tdi and its an amazing peice of machinery. i also have experience with the new jetta, as i had one as a loaner car for a month. ask what you exactly want to know and ill do my best to help!
Nov 7 2012 10:13PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Tdi will last forever
Nov 7 2012 10:32PM
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B4NE1
Posts: 876 - Karma: 16
I have a MK4 GTI 1.8T. And will never buy anything other than a VW in my life. I love these vehicles!
Nov 7 2012 11:13PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
its for sure a nice looking car, I have heard some bad things about the electrical things in vw's though.
Nov 7 2012 11:13PM
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introvert
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 1,482
Literally everyone I know who has a Jetta (8 people) has had problems with it.


Go for the Passat
Nov 7 2012 11:18PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
its not jetta problems, its a VW
Nov 7 2012 11:19PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
ya you really need to know which years to get and even then yes vws can be finicky and a little more expensive to fix. it helps i work at and auto repair place, cheap parts, free labor.

but honestly iv had this car for 6 or 7 years 160,000 miles and its only needed the regular repairs/tunes etc.
Nov 7 2012 11:22PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
this precisely, get the passat 1.8t, get bags, get it chipped, new exhaust, intake ect. have a 250 hp awd 26mpg skier wagon. you might be able to do all of this for 10k
Nov 7 2012 11:23PM
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foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
I have heard good things about chrysler and dodge. They make very reliable cars, with good mpg. Specifically, my sisters auntie as well as mom bought a dodge for around 3k; has only been in the shop about 22 times since he purchase in june.
Nov 12 2012 6:46PM
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washparkdub
Posts: 266 - Karma: 66
if you can find a jetta wagon with a turbo, thatd me dope as hell.
a passat wagon would also be dope. gotta the the 4motion though
Nov 12 2012 7:10PM
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
no AWD though. in which case a jetta is preferable
Nov 12 2012 7:14PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
meh, i'd get an audi a4 with quatro instead of the passat anyway. (actually i did get the a4 instead)
Nov 12 2012 11:17PM
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tyberesk
Posts: 446 - Karma: 41
I have an 03 Jetta TDI and had an 04 Jetta TDI, and they can get upwards of 50 mpg, and have some pep considering they have less than 100 hp, but some torque.

Get heated seats and a stick and you are set.
Nov 12 2012 11:21PM
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Mister.F
Posts: 1206 - Karma: 169
Passat=men
Jetta=women
Nov 12 2012 11:22PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
quality is shit, but relevant
Nov 12 2012 11:27PM
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
perfect
Nov 15 2012 1:58PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
4motion
Nov 15 2012 7:51PM
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swanson212
Posts: 108 - Karma: 86
No fucking way! I used to have an 01 vr6 too and when you turned the heat on it smelled like melted crayons!
Nov 15 2012 7:55PM
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cooner
Posts: 72 - Karma: 30
I have an 08 manual Jetta TDI and I want to keep it for the rest of my life. It gets up to fifty mpg(depending on how I drive) and I'e never had a problem with it. It's also good in the snow despite the unfortunate lack of AWD. Both my parents have manual Passat TDI's and they couldn't be happier. They feel like nicer cars and are more specious on the inside but unless you have a use for the extra space and the couple extra features it's not really worth spending the extra money on them (although they are 6 speeds and can go 800 miles on one tank). VW's are amazing. But I would stick with the Jetta. TDI for sure and manual if you can get one. Manual's are cheaper and more fun.
Nov 15 2012 8:06PM
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easiestEC
Posts: 2471 - Karma: 489
PASSAT WAGON WITH A V6 AND 4MOTION!!

trust me, best car you'll own
Nov 15 2012 8:12PM
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Sno.
Posts: 12155 - Karma: 6,152

This isn't snobunny I was just too lazy to logout/login but here goes...

I've owned both, a 1992 Passat 16v and a 1999 Jetta GLS (Jetta IV). Your dad is probably looking for a much newer car, but I'll add my two cents as if it were still relevent anyways.

Its been stated, the Passat is bigger. Its not as quick, but it does WAY better on the freeway. My16v passat topped out at like 140 mph 5th gear was ridiculously long. The jetta starts to whine at like 80mph, but its quicker, handles a shitload better in a turn, the mpg is better around town, etc.

The other big difference that I encoutered was price. Passat parts for a B3 are rare and expensive. You might as well be driving an Audi. For real if you want a Passat just buy an Audi. If you want to mod anything whatsover on it brace yourself. One random example that sticks out in my mind is a Short shift kit on an MkII is like 50 bucks and installs in 5 minutes, on a B3 is like 400 bucks and you probably can't do it yourself. I don't really know much about VW's past 2000, but I loved both my VW's they were reliable as fuck and I only didn't buy a 3rd because I needed a truck. Good luck.

Nov 15 2012 9:23PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
the 1.8t doesn't come with 4motion, and that was the engine he was responding too
Nov 15 2012 11:21PM
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Raz.
Posts: 7456 - Karma: 1,611
GOLF.
Nov 15 2012 11:26PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
I'm currently looking into the (new) Jetta Sportswagen TDI and it looks dope as shit. Granted, it is FWD which is a downside, but most of the time by 7AM the roads are passable with good tires, even in a RWD
Nov 15 2012 11:40PM
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Where-am-I
Posts: 1635 - Karma: 281
dude. . . get the A3 so much better looking. consumer report ranks it really high too
Nov 15 2012 11:47PM
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Dylan_
Posts: 9824 - Karma: 1,403
yeah...if you have aids. ew
Nov 15 2012 11:47PM
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