I know this is a nissan site and really don’t expect much feedback, especially since I sold my 240 and going possibly VW :lol: but anyways, I’m looking at a 1991 manual passat. Some people say since they are made in Germany they are reliable cars, others say the direct opposite. Anyone have any personal or know of people who have had these cars and what sorta problems if any I may encounter? Thanks guys
I had a friend in Vancouver who had an 87 Jetta 5 speed and it was the best car he had ever owned. My dad has known about 5 people who’ve owned newer models and they had never had cars spend that much time in the shop.
I think the secret is to find a car that has been insanely meticulously maintained. Seriously - if it doesn’t have a service history with the car, don’t even bother. And make sure you get that shit inspected before you buy - domestic parts are cheap, german ones aren’t.
I always see them puffing smoke and their trannies are not that great either. They usually need special tools to work on them too.
I used to be a huge VW fan before i sold my golf adn got the silvia
ask any question i can help you out!
As for the 91’s they have electrical gremlins, thats about it their really solid cars and they will run FOREVER
Try and get it with a 16v, way more aftermarket support and tuning options
Good luck VDub hunting!!
I almost bought a 16v manual passat wagon before my 240sx. I say the same thing about the passat. Maintenance records should be key, as well as inspection at a VW specialist.
Thanks for the advice guys. I think VW is the way to go personally right now. My aunt’s husabnd works and a specialty VW shop and probably can get me parts at cost and cheap labour if needed. Uh here is a question, you know how all the KA’s are notorious for the timing chain rattle? Well is there something Passat engines are notorious for?
in the VR6 models, the head gaskets go really easily. i had a VW Corrado VR6, so expensive to repair. :butthead: also the electrical systems arent the greatest.
other than being slow, and electrical trouble, not much.
other than being slow, and electrical trouble, not much.[/quote]
Yeah a Passat is not even close to a 240, german built VWs are notorious for electrical shit, its kinda hard to explain unless you owned one. Audi around that year are the same way.
im in my 3rd year of mechanics at my school now and ive prolly fixed 100 of them like every week i either have to fix a golf or a jetta im not to sure if the engine and shit is the same in a passat but ive to do many things like re time the firing of the pistons to radiator leaks but usually there are just minor fixes and take a mear hour to fix including waiting for the parts to arrive im sure if u got it and you had problems with it i can have a look at it i work with a couple v dub experts as well who also drive the VW’s just gimmie a shout
thanks Skye, ya that would be wicked. Only day that works for both of is Monday during the day 
Either way I’m getting it inspected, electrical analysis and compression tested. I don’t have the money to be stuck with a lemon! And it was owned by a mechanic previous to these guys, hopefully it was well taken car of!