So my car is in the shop this week so I'm renting a car. Hertz lent me a 2017 Passat. 1.8 turbo. So here's a very basic review.

Pros: Size. Smaller than an Hbody.

Cons: half range tilt, weird driving posture. Seats lack support. Skinny tires make the car wander the car on the highway: Kids/women texting and driving will kill someone. Defrost works very slowly and only on the driver side. Headlights semed blocked by something: night visibility is greatly reduced. Mpg is not impressive ( 20mpg, same as ssei) 6spd auto is confused. 170hp. ***Forgot, mandatory foot brake turn on annoyance.**

Now I know these engines respond very well to a tune and downpipe...mid 13s stage 2. But that only fixes the anemic factory acceleration.

I miss my car and more importantly have a new respect and adoration for it.

That concludes my short, scathing review.

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HD intake / DHP / 3.25 / 1.9s / ported m90 / HVtb / PEMs / downpipe / 3 inch catback

Don't forget, more expensive to repair and harder to work on...

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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

I can't speak for a newer Passat but my 2001 B5.5 is awesome, and has been very reliable. It's decently quick for its size and I've pulled 35mpg. Other than the oil pump issue (which is why I got it for cheap) all I've had to do is change the oil and put gas in it. I've put about 12k miles on it since I got it and it's now at 184k.

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-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro

Yeah, driving less-performing vehicles will definitely make you appreciate what you have, or in my case, want something better! Don't get me wrong, my G20 drives circles around my Buick from a handling perspective. But I rented a C7 with the Z51 package through my work a few weeks back, and after getting out of that and going back to my 140hp Infiniti was a disappointment needless to say. Glad to hear that you're still appreciating what the Bonne is!

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Joseph

Current: 2013 Infiniti G37 Journey
1999 Infiniti G20T - Sold
1999 Buick Lesabre - Race Couch - gone but not forgotten

My parents had a 2012, but it was a loaded up TDI with the DSG. It had 235/40R18 tires factory, and it handled like a champ. No wandering, very direct steering. I wonder if they haven't cheapened them up with the mid-cycle redesign. Hope not.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Also, on a side note, my Passat got tagged today and it didn't even damage it.

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-Ryan
2004 GTO....LS1, LSA supercharged 525whp, 6MT
96 SSEi...September 2010 COTM........GONE
04 GTP comp G.... December 2015 COTM........GONE
2013 Audi Allroad Quattro