[psi glx]

Ok - I am not a B5 person at all, but my fiance likes the B5 and we found a very clean model with high miles that she likes. I have had other high mileage VWs that were alot higher then this with no problems, but never owned or heard much about the longevity of the 20v 1.8t.
Spec:
98 Passat GLS - Black - 80k miles Auto/w Tip Engine (or whatever VW Calls it), cloth seats, power moonroof, cd changer, power windows and lock, no alloys, exterior in good shape, with a bit of rock chips in front due to highway miles and driver seat worn a bit from longer miles i assume as well, also drove very nice and felt solid with good wear on tires and suspension felt like a factory suspension - not like it was shot or worn out.
We have the guy at $7700 including all taxes, tags, and other fees.
Is this buy worth it?
What do I need to look for on this car?
Any tips and points would help as I am looking at buying before the weekend.
TIA

 

[EZ]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (psi glx)

The price is ridiculously low. I would think that even with that much mileage it should be over $10,000. Seems a bit too good to be true...
EZ

 

[ssvr6]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (EZ)

Here's what KBB.com says:
Private Party Value $10,710
Private Party value represents what you might expect to pay for a used car when purchasing from a private party. It may also represent the value you might expect to receive when selling your own used car to another private party.

Retail Value $15,150
Suggested retail represents the price a dealership might ask for this make and model vehicle. This represents a fully reconditioned vehicle in excellent condition with a clean title history. This retail price is not a trade-in or private-party value, but rather assumes that a dealer has absorbed the cost of making the vehicle ready for sale, reconditioning, advertising, sales commissions, arranging for financing and insurance and standing behind the vehicle for any mechanical or safety problems. Many late model vehicles at this price have passed an inspection program or carry a warranty. Actual dealer selling price may vary from this price.

Steve

 

[vwguild]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (psi glx)

The place to look for a Pre-Owned Passat is at http://www.vw.com Here you
can click on *CPO*, Certified Pre-Owned, put in your Zip Code & Voila!!!
All of these carry a 24Month/24,000Mile Bumper to Bumper and 24/24
RoadSide Assistance, you may even capture some extra PowerTrain...

 

[MysticalUnicorn]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (psi glx)

I love my 99 Passat and dealt with Pat Bondi at Wynn VW in Norristown. I had gone to all the other dealers in the Philadelphia/NJ area and was exposed to a multitude of jerks and lousy salespeople until Pat Bondi.
Having said that, I was extremely happy to buy from the dealer because of the VW certification and the dependability that is built in there. I drove it down to Florida soon thereafter, without a hitch. The car has always felt safe to me. Except when my cat stood on the "lock all doors" button and locked me outta the car <g>.
The financial person at Wynn used cars also arranged a VW loan for me that was far below the one I had walked in with. In essence she saved me thousands of dollars.
80,000 miles is a lot higher than I'd like to buy simply because of the possible problems with resale. Financing is more difficult. Insurance isn't easy. Sudden repairs are more difficult. Granted, they aren't very likely with the Passat, but . . . I'd give Pat Bondi a call at Wynn Motors.

 

[mutcth]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (psi glx)

$7700 is a steal if it includes taxes, even considering future work that might have to be done. I'd personally wonder if the car had been hit or suffered some other damage.
The 1998's had some issues with lacking a heat shield to protect oil feed lines to the turbo - some turbos were lost from this. I'd have a dealer look over the car to see if this TSB was taken care of - otherwise, you could be in it for a turbo. Be warned that control arm bushings tend to fail and are very expensive if replaced at a dealer.
Tom

 

[MysticalUnicorn]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (mutcth)

What are "control arm bushings" and what would be a symptom of the problem? Also, when you say "very expensive" to fix, what is current ball-park?

 

[mutcth]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (MysticalUnicorn)

Symptoms are clunking or loud noises from the front of the car when hitting bumps. If you have to pay full parts and labor, I've seen prices from $700-$900. I'm not sure there is a cheaper fix, but VW is picking up part of the tab on some jobs.
Tom

 

[MysticalUnicorn]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (mutcth)

Thanks!!

 

[av_audi]

Re: Looking at buying used passat (psi glx)

The car may also be due for a timing belt change. You should at least do a carfax check on it.
As to the price of $15,150, I would never pay that much for it.


[Modified by av_audi, 2:57 PM 2-14-2002]