In 2002, I factory ordered a 2003 Passat GLX wagon with the 5 speed manual. Fresco Green with gray interior. 2.8 30 valve V6. Same mpg as the turbo 4. Drove it for 18 years and 104k miles before selling it to its second owner. Never left me stranded but did have many expensive repairs. Audi luxury at VW prices. The rear seats DO fold flat if you lift the seat cushion first then fold the backrest forward. The rear headrests do need to be removed to do that and there are holes in the seat cushion to stow them. The GLX added rain sensing wipers, auto dim rear view mirror, Climatronic, leather seating surfaces, real walnut wood trim, power folding mirrors, steering wheel controls for audio and cruise, and a few other niceties. I loved that car!
seeing longitudinal front wheel drive so late is interesting. Either way, back in the 2000s VWs had by far the best interiors in cheap cars. Ignoring Mazda, budget Japanese cars, and american ones were honestly pretty bad; all scratchy rubbish bin plastic on the inside... that stuff that would shed chalk sunned with age. Hyundai and Daewoo at least kept most of the interior soft touch.
In 2002, I factory ordered a 2003 Passat GLX wagon with the 5 speed manual.
Fresco Green with gray interior.
2.8 30 valve V6. Same mpg as the turbo 4.
Drove it for 18 years and 104k miles before selling it to its second owner.
Never left me stranded but did have many expensive repairs.
Audi luxury at VW prices.
The rear seats DO fold flat if you lift the seat cushion first then fold the backrest forward.
The rear headrests do need to be removed to do that and there are holes in the seat cushion to stow them.
The GLX added rain sensing wipers, auto dim rear view mirror, Climatronic, leather seating surfaces, real walnut wood trim, power folding mirrors, steering wheel controls for audio and cruise, and a few other niceties.
I loved that car!
seeing longitudinal front wheel drive so late is interesting. Either way, back in the 2000s VWs had by far the best interiors in cheap cars. Ignoring Mazda, budget Japanese cars, and american ones were honestly pretty bad; all scratchy rubbish bin plastic on the inside... that stuff that would shed chalk sunned with age. Hyundai and Daewoo at least kept most of the interior soft touch.
These Volkswagen Passat Wagons are so cool for the time