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My previous car was a 2000 Passat 1.8T wagon that I traded at 170,000 mostly trouble-free miles on my 2006 9-5 wagon last year.
The B5 (1998-2005) Passat shared a platform with the Audi A4 and A6 and was one of the best highway cars I have driven. Like the 9-5 the handling is crisp and stable, albeit not sporty or nimble. It has a quieter and smoother ride and less wind noise than the 9-5. Although smaller in all dimensions it has about the same passenger and cargo space as my 9-5 wagon, except that the 9-5 seats are a little more comfortable. Front pasengers have more room in the Saab, rear seat passengers probably are a little more comfortable in the Passat.
The B6 Passat, introdiced as a sedan for 2006 MY and the wagon as a 2007 model is larger and handles a little better than the B5. It is based on the Golf/Jetta platform, which may explain some of the shortcomings that made me decide not to buy one - the ride is harsher and much noisier than the older Passat, and the seats are much less comfortable.
VW continues to force you to buy the V6 if you want things like power seats, dual zone climate control and other little goodies. A Passat with the comfort/luxury features and performance of the '06 Saab (Aero engine standard) has a V6 and costs about the same as a comparably equipped 9-5.
The choice for me came down to three points:
I prefer turbo fours to V6s (and straight sixes to either).
The B6 Passat seats were not as comfortable as those in the B5.
and,
The Saab dealers in my area (South Central PA & Baltimore) have good reputations, whereas the VW dealers do not. I have dealt with two Saab dealerships since I have had the car - Kelly Cadillac/Saab in Lancaster, PA and Hunt Valley Saab in the Baltimore suburbs - and would recommend both based on the knowledge and helpfullness of the staff. I would not recommend either VW dealership that I dealt with when I had my Passat.
Since I live 45 to 90 minutes away from any of the above dealers, the balanced was tipped by the Saab dealers providing loaners for almost all maintenace and repair appointments, something the VW dealers used to do a few years ago but now have stopped.
All in all, if it had better seats and dealers I would be as happy with a Passat as with my 9-5.
posted by 76.1.19...
, Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:54:33
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