CTC Medium-Term Review: 2007 Passat Wagon 2.0T

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Based on my recent test drives and good reviews on this site and others, I took the plunge and have ordered the sedan version of the Passat (2.0T with luxury leather package). Right now, it's on the ship from Germany. I'll keep you folks posted on the main forums.

Wow, congrats on the purchase!!!
What colour and from what dealer if you don't mind my asking? You opt for a manual or Tiptronic Auto?

What were you comparison shopping the Passat to? Just looking at your previous posts, you were looking at 9-3, A4, etc, so curious.

[JSCC]

Same thing with the sunroof package for the Rabbit.
The vw.ca site says:

Sunroof Package for $1400:
Power sunroof with roof console
Sunglass holder
Upgraded map lights

But in reality, sunglass holder and upgraded map lights comes standard.

So it is $1400 for the sunroof alone.

[Spheric]

Based on my recent test drives and good reviews on this site and others, I took the plunge and have ordered the sedan version of the Passat (2.0T with luxury leather package). Right now, it's on the ship from Germany. I'll keep you folks posted on the main forums.

Wow, congrats on the purchase!!!
What colour and from what dealer if you don't mind my asking? You opt for a manual or Tiptronic Auto?

What were you comparison shopping the Passat to? Just looking at your previous posts, you were looking at 9-3, A4, etc, so curious.

I got it in the luxury leather package (in Black, and rear side airbags as an option). I chose the Tiptronic auto option. (I decided not to get the swivel bi-xenon headlights that change direction as you corner...never had it so I won't miss it).

It was on my shortlist along with the Audi A4 2.0T, and that too was an excellent car, but I saw more value in getting the Passat considering it was much larger, had the same 2.0 turbo engine and felt more stable at high speeds. Obviously the Passat lacks the 'prestige' of the Audi, but I preferred it's discreet elegance and I felt so much more at home during the Passat test drives.

Bought from VW Brampton dealership and this is my first VW vehicle. All I need now is an umbrella that will fit the door. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Was hoping yours was manual as there's not too many around and it's nice that they offer it, but either way works. Yours can complement Lucid0703's  http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc_usrgal/index.php?level=collection&id=4

I like the size of it too.

What are you driving currently?

[Blueprint]

The electric hatch is listed as std when you scroll down the specs sheet on vw.ca

[slybry]

The report of extreme wind buffeting with sunroof open in the wagon is disappointing.  I like to cruise with windows up and sunroof open. I remember when I used to feel the wind in my hair but now it is just the wind rushing over my scalp.

The dynamics of the interior space have a great impact on buffeting. In my 2000 Accord I get no buffeting at all under normal conditions. But when I fold rear seat down to carry long item watch out ! I remember the first time I experienced this I did not even know what that sound was. Just like in the Passat all I had to do was open a window a crack and the noise disappeared. Luckily it is rare that I have my rear seat folded flat.

I wonder if this a common problem with wagona or hatchback designs?

[airbalancer]

But how much do you have close the sunroof by to stop the buffering.
In my truck, sunroof has to be closed by about 2 inches and all is quiet. It is preset to stop at this poistion
One of the worst cars for a sunroof noise and airflow is a Mazda 3 I was in.
I find most car with spoiler sunroof to be worst the the sunroofs that slide into the roof

[wing]

Yes you do not need to close it much as I mentioned or implied, just a wee bit.

[airbalancer]

Yes you do not need to close it much as I mentioned or implied, just a wee bit.

You only wrote about openning a window
"If you do not have a window open, do not attempt to open the sunroof fully, as the wind buffeting will deafen you. Crack a window, however, and all is fine. I noticed the same with the rear window; just having it down creates nightmarish buffetting."

[wing]

Yeah it's tough to write it a good description of what it is without getting too wordy.  if you don't open the sunroof FULLY it is fine as I said.  The Audi/VW switch is pretty nice that way, it stops just before full open and a little extra twist gets it fully open and then murder happens.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Yeah, the first setting with the bigger dot is 'comfort mode', the fully open setting usually results in the buffeting at certain speeds.

In my old Golf, the buffeting was limited to when fully open - and only between 80-95km/h. If I cracked the window the slightest bit, it would solve the problem.

On the new Golf/Rabbit, much more buffeting. Drives me kind of nuts as I can only open the roof about 75% in city driving or power the window a fair amount down.

On the highway, open fully is fine, which is nice on longer trips.

Also, don't like the way the sunroof dial was redesigned on the new cars. Before I could set it to comfort or fully open with one touch. Now, I can only set it so far as comfort, and must turn and hold for fully open which is a PITA compared to the previous version. I guess too many bafoons kept opening it all the way and complained about the buffeting or something  so now I have to be inconvenienced (gee, I am picky and b*tchy, aren't I).

[JSCC]

I have the same, hold for a few seconds for full 100% on my 2002.
What year was your Golf agian SAM?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I have the same, hold for a few seconds for full 100% on my 2002.
What year was your Golf agian SAM?

2001. There's some things that I really liked about that car. Give and take vs the new one.

[soj]

Buyers should consider purchasing this car without the auto, you can save $1400 and make use of the abundent & useable low end torque / HP coupled with a great manual that is shiftable with two fingers.  It's unlikely you could ever purchase a value engineered Japenese car with a 4-cylinder & manual because of the extreme absence of torque or power in day to day driving.  Furthermore, Car & Driver reported 0-60 in 6.9 seconds - unlikley acheivable by many V-6's in the market that usually only come with auto's.  Then consider the mileage: here what I get with mine:  130kph - 7.7, 120kph - 7.3, 115 kph - 6.3, 110kph - 6.3, wow!.  The leatherette is a gift for anyone with kids, more durable, more comfortable and less expensive than leather.  If you don't mind shifting gears, I don't think you can match the performance, efficiency, comfort & utility this wagon offers.

You're mileage is truly amazing when you consider VW's posted HW fuel economy is 6.8 l/100km with the MT.  I've never had a car that matched its advertised or is that Transport Canada's fuel economy numbers.

[JSCC]

VW TFSI (Turbo Fuel Straight Injection)! 

I get 600~650km on my Jetta 1.8T 5MT.
I'm "guessing" I could get 650~700km on the Jetta 2.0T 6MT.

[soj]

VW TFSI (Turbo Fuel Straight Injection)! 

I get 600~650km on my Jetta 1.8T 5MT.
I'm "guessing" I could get 650~700km on the Jetta 2.0T 6MT.

Old Jetta (type IV), 55 l fuel tank, mileage:
600 km with a 50 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km or 33.7 mpg (imperial).
650 km with a 50 l fill would be 13 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.
650 km with a 54 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km.

If you're right, new Jetta with 2.0T 6MT, same tank size, mileage:
700 km with a 50 l fill would be 14 km/l or 7.14 l/100km or 39.4 mpg.
700 km with a 54 l fill would be 12.96 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

VW TFSI (Turbo Fuel Straight Injection)! 

I get 600~650km on my Jetta 1.8T 5MT.
I'm "guessing" I could get 650~700km on the Jetta 2.0T 6MT.

Old Jetta (type IV), 55 l fuel tank, mileage:
600 km with a 50 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km or 33.7 mpg (imperial).
650 km with a 50 l fill would be 13 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.
650 km with a 54 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km.

If you're right, new Jetta with 2.0T 6MT, same tank size, mileage:
700 km with a 50 l fill would be 14 km/l or 7.14 l/100km or 39.4 mpg.
700 km with a 54 l fill would be 12.96 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.

The GTI tranny I figure is geared less for economy, but will let you know after my trek to FL in 2 weeks. I can break 700km on the highway, but just in my experience (I haven't made many longer trips with it). Generally 550-640km/55L tank combined city/highway here and I'm not a leadfoot accelerator (but do live really close to work... a longer drive would reduce the consumption).

I do miss the TDI. Didn't matter whether city, highway, your speed, or how much you packed in it, the mileage was pretty darned consistent and efficient.

Think the A4 gets the best mileage out of the 2.0T. Don't know if it's FronTrak or the Quattro Tiptronic, but something like 48mpg 45mpg highway (FronTrak MT) on one of them.

[JSCC]

VW TFSI (Turbo Fuel Straight Injection)! 

I get 600~650km on my Jetta 1.8T 5MT.
I'm "guessing" I could get 650~700km on the Jetta 2.0T 6MT.

Old Jetta (type IV), 55 l fuel tank, mileage:
600 km with a 50 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km or 33.7 mpg (imperial).
650 km with a 50 l fill would be 13 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.
650 km with a 54 l fill would be 12 km/l or 8.3 l/100km. <----- I usually do that.

If you're right, new Jetta with 2.0T 6MT, same tank size, mileage:
700 km with a 50 l fill would be 14 km/l or 7.14 l/100km or 39.4 mpg.
700 km with a 54 l fill would be 12.96 km/l or 7.7 l/100km or 36.6 mpg.<----- I guess I would get that.

[lucid0703]

My Passat is a sedan with 2.0T engine and AT.
I went to Niagara Falls then came back to Toronto(North York) via Niagara-on-the-Lake and through some city drivings.
I filled up the gas(70L) before going to 401.
The trip was 339.7km, and the display shows I can still go 580km more.
The calculated fuel economy is 13.14km/L or 7.6L/100km, which made me quite impressed as I've only driven mostly in city, this is almost the first time I observed the highway fuel economy carefully.
The city fuel economy is not that impressive, although still decent..

[JSCC]

My Passat is a sedan with 2.0T engine and AT.
I went to Niagara Falls then came back to Toronto(North York) via Niagara-on-the-Lake and through some city drivings.
I filled up the gas(70L) before going to 401.
The trip was 339.7km, and the display shows I can still go 580km more.
The calculated fuel economy is 13.14km/L or 7.6L/100km, which made me quite impressed as I've only driven mostly in city, this is almost the first time I observed the highway fuel economy carefully.
The city fuel economy is not that impressive, although still decent..

Hmm..... 900km/tank, not bad huh?