Topic: Introducing Die Großer Käfer

[OliverD]

Congrats!

I was trying to think of what car it reminded me of while driving it. Then it came to me, a Citroen DS! I almost bought one a million years ago. It was soft, comfortable, quiet and roomy, with just enough power, but nothing crazy. This really reminded me of it, at least how it rides and handles. Of course this one is better in every way and thoroughly modern.

Minus the styling, of course.

[Snowman]

Welcome Sir O, welcome to the dark side 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXndQuvOacU

[Scaerio]

Congrats!  But isn't this an American/Chinese mutt?   For that reason it may prove to be faultless, and very un-FGC-like!   (IIRC, the North American Passat uses the Chinese Passat's body and platform, but has NA market specific engines and is built in the southern USA -- ah the great debate about a car's nationality rages on!)

Looks great, and hope it gives you years of trouble-free service!

(From the owner of a Swedish-designed car that shares its underpinnings with a Euro Ford and a Mazda, that's built in Belgium, for a now Chinese-owned company that was American-owned when this model was designed and released... sigh...  )

I am curious about the engines, are the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI NA specific?

Perhaps not...

[Scaerio]

Welcome Sir O, welcome to the dark side 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXndQuvOacU

From the owner of a German-designed car, built in Hungary, by a company founded as a propaganda tool by Josef Goebbels!  LOL! 

(And yes, I realize I helped finance the world's largest dictatorship when I bought my C30...)

[5 Wheel Drive]

Congrats on the new wheels, very nice! 

[Noto]

1.8TSI and the 5 speed manual. It's a pretty sweet little engine. I took it down to Sedley and back, 6.0L/100km at 110kph. I'm pretty happy with that.

A buddy of mine is out here looking for work. He's boarding with me for a while.

Soooooo, first of all, con-fricken-grats, and thank you for choosing the car I recommended

Second, it seems like now that you have wheels, perhaps you'll also want to mark in your calendar a little trek to Edmonton (only 5 hrs away ) for Aug 21 or 22?

...or third, and better yet, since your place is open to boarding folks, perhaps I'll fly into Sask instead of Edmonton and go along for the drive from Sask to Edmonton a day earlier?

... :| I'm actually considering taking an extra day off work and enduring a 5 hr drive specifically to meet you in the Sask...by the way...

[whaddaiknow]

Congrats, SirO!
Sharp looking FGC in white. Many happy miles!
 

[Blueprint]

Welcome Sir O, welcome to the dark side 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXndQuvOacU

From the owner of a German-designed car, built in Hungary, by a company founded as a propaganda tool by Josef Goebbels!  LOL! 

(And yes, I realize I helped finance the world's largest dictatorship when I bought my C30...)

...and actually penned by a Montrealer!

[Sir Osis of Liver]

So the windshield washer fluid was low and I topped it up. It then leaked onto the garage floor.

I'm suspecting a missing hose clamp or missing pump gasket. I can't tell because it's tucked in front of the passenger side fender well, and can only see a bit of it. From underneath, it's covered by aero tray.

And so it begins. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

1.8TSI and the 5 speed manual. It's a pretty sweet little engine. I took it down to Sedley and back, 6.0L/100km at 110kph. I'm pretty happy with that.

A buddy of mine is out here looking for work. He's boarding with me for a while.

Soooooo, first of all, con-fricken-grats, and thank you for choosing the car I recommended

Second, it seems like now that you have wheels, perhaps you'll also want to mark in your calendar a little trek to Edmonton (only 5 hrs away ) for Aug 21 or 22?

...or third, and better yet, since your place is open to boarding folks, perhaps I'll fly into Sask instead of Edmonton and go along for the drive from Sask to Edmonton a day earlier?

... :| I'm actually considering taking an extra day off work and enduring a 5 hr drive specifically to meet you in the Sask...by the way...

You're an interesting cat, Noto. 

I'd like to meet up with you guys, but August is pretty well booked up with work. I just started it seems and I am running behind.

[SaskSpecV]

Great stuff, SirO!  But you buying a FGC - is the end truly nigh?

What's next?
AirBalancer picking up a new F150?
Ron trading in the Lexus for an ATS?
Fob taking a lease on a Smart Car?
Is this the beginning of bizarro world here??

Naw, on 2nd thought - you got it with the right tranny...the world is still spinning as it should!

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^

CR gave the four cylinder Passat a "much better than average" rating. Statistically, I have a good chance of getting a reliable car, but everyone rolls snake eyes once in a while. 

[Noto]

I'd like to meet up with you guys, but August is pretty well booked up with work. I just started it seems and I am running behind.

Well...perhaps then the Saskatchewan flight is the right way to go for a pint with the elusive SirO!

But you buying a FGC - is the end truly nigh?

What's next?
AirBalancer picking up a new F150?
Ron trading in the Lexus for an ATS?
Fob taking a lease on a Smart Car?
Noto buying A car?!?!?!?!
Is this the beginning of bizarro world here??

Beat ya'll to it

[aquadorhj]

So the windshield washer fluid was low and I topped it up. It then leaked onto the garage floor.

I'm suspecting a missing hose clamp or missing pump gasket. I can't tell because it's tucked in front of the passenger side fender well, and can only see a bit of it. From underneath, it's covered by aero tray.

And so it begins. 

it could be an "overflow/breather" hole. or like you said, hose clamp.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I just heard back from the dealership. The gasket for the washer pump was installed improperly. It's fixed and sealed now.

Lets see what else the boys in Tennessee missed. 

[dirtyjeffer]

I just heard back from the dealership. The gasket for the washer pump was installed improperly. It's fixed and sealed now.

Lets see what else the boys in Tennessee missed. 

i wouldn't worry about it, it happens to the best of them...that new plant in Chattanooga is amazing.

and congrats (i noticed the Passat replaced the XV in your profile...no more XV?

soooo, when you are getting your 1.8 tuned? 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I just heard back from the dealership. The gasket for the washer pump was installed improperly. It's fixed and sealed now.

Lets see what else the boys in Tennessee missed. 

i wouldn't worry about it, it happens to the best of them...that new plant in Chattanooga is amazing.

and congrats (i noticed the Passat replaced the XV in your profile...no more XV?

soooo, when you are getting your 1.8 tuned? 

The XV is living happily with the ex in NB.

I'm happy with the output, no tunes for me. 

[2JDM]

So the windshield washer fluid was low and I topped it up. It then leaked onto the garage floor.

I'm suspecting a missing hose clamp or missing pump gasket. I can't tell because it's tucked in front of the passenger side fender well, and can only see a bit of it. From underneath, it's covered by aero tray.

And so it begins. 

  FGC!!!!!

[JohnnyMac]

Congrats Sir O.  Welcome to the FGC and VW family.  I drove one of these last summer with this engine and the TDI.  I actually preferred the 1.8T as it had much more pop off the line.  I've read rumours that this engine actually makes closer to 200hp and that VW understated the numbers again.

I'm sure you got a screaming deal on her.  Can never go wrong with white on black.  What's the rpms like at 110km/hr?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

What's the rpms like at 110km/hr?

I can't quite remember. I think they were quite low. I'll try to remember to look then next time I'm on the highway.

The 215/60R16 on the Passat are within 2.5% of the 225/55R17 winter tires left behind from the XV. They have a couple of more seasons left on them. I might get new 17" steelies for them. I haven't decided.

The Passat apparently uses the ABS system to indirectly measure air pressure, so no TPMS sensors to buy, which is a plus.