keep or let go? 2013 vw passat s 2.5liter

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Do some test drives and I bet your itch will go away.

Great point. Every now and then, I go out and test drive some new cars only to realize that aside from some cool new tech gadgets, I'm not really gaining a whole lot over what I already have, other than a big hole in my wallet.


Agreed

I test drove a Cruz RS with Auto and the 1.4 turbo.
I really hoped this car would be quieter and more refined than my Focus (considering it shares the platform with the Buick Verano) but it wasn't.
No need to throw good money down the toilet.

To the OP considering you bought a practically base model Passat why not consider an upgrade to your current car, like tinting the windows, an upgraded stereo with Navi, suspension upgrades? These somewhat small upgrades will keep you interested in driving your car over the long term.

 

[dareo]

That 2.5L is a tank, i would keep it.

 

[Lolvoguy]

The 2.5 is a very reliable, but technologically stale engine.

Compared to what others manufacturers were doing with less displacement and fewer cylinders makes VW look obsolete even when this car was new.

IMHO, this is why it was mainly rated so poorly. Kind of like Volvo with their 240 series in the early 90's. The B230 engine was stout, reliable and bullet-proof but compared to the competition it was poorly out of date (and the reason for Volvo's ultimate success from the 850 series).

 

[ryanschillinger]

The Passat you're driving is actually one of the most reliable VW products made recently. I'd stick with it. Bored? Invest a month's car payment into a new stereo system. Maybe a few hundred on tint, and a bit more on a complete detail. It will bring back that new car feeling.

 

[CKN]

Yes----Subarus and VWs are like poison on BITOG.


Trade it in on a 20 year old Crown Vic....the greatest car ever made!!

 

[SLCraig]

I'm with the other posters here. If it's been good to you so far, keep it. If it has been a nightmare, that's a whole other story.
In your case, why bother?

 

[asand1]

Tire replacement is NOT a reason to dump a car. SMH

 

[dareo]

Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
The 2.5 is a very reliable, but technologically stale engine.

Compared to what others manufacturers were doing with less displacement and fewer cylinders makes VW look obsolete even when this car was new.

IMHO, this is why it was mainly rated so poorly. Kind of like Volvo with their 240 series in the early 90's. The B230 engine was stout, reliable and bullet-proof but compared to the competition it was poorly out of date (and the reason for Volvo's ultimate success from the 850 series).


I wouldn't say its stale. The basic block and head are similar to the Lamborghini V10. However this one is tuned for low end torque, fuel economy, emissions, and not having excessive fun. Friend of mine has one in a wagon and it pulls nice from down low, but not a lot up top. Its a tractor tune pretty much.

 

[Huie83]

I had a 2013 Sportwagen with the 2.5 and 5 speed manual, loved that car. The 2.5 has a awesome note and is a real pleasure to drive, it is slightly related to the Lambo V10 like others have stated. Very reliable engine and my VW held up great while I had it, not one issue. I sold because I outgrew it but unless you have a real reason to sell it, I'd keep it for sure.

 

[jstert]

quick update here. at 50k miles last fall i changed all fluids, replaced conti oem tires with kelly edge a/s and deep cleaned my passat. it runs like a top now. new a/t fluid has really perked up and smoothed out shifting. the 2.5L engine shines on the interstate highway, with plenty of oomph on tap for passing. 70mph at 2000rpm and 38mpg with warmer weather. i really don't understand why the automotive pundits hated the 2.5L so much.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: jstert
quick update here. at 50k miles last fall i changed all fluids, replaced conti oem tires with kelly edge a/s and deep cleaned my passat. it runs like a top now. new a/t fluid has really perked up and smoothed out shifting. the 2.5L engine shines on the interstate highway, with plenty of oomph on tap for passing. 70mph at 2000rpm and 38mpg with warmer weather. i really don't understand why the automotive pundits hated the 2.5L so much.


Never understood the 2.5 hate either. I see the automatic keeps the RPM's lower than my 08 5 speed Jetta would do. IIRC it was 3K at 70. It was a great highway car and required no downshifting to pass. Can only hope the new owner is enjoying it as much as I did.

 

[dareo]

It is a far nicer car than current market conditions would suggest it is worth. I would keep it unless you really must have something new. It will cost you a ton of depreciation to sell it now.

 

[miden851]

If the car does not ask for money, I'd keep it;

My situation: my wife has '16 CRV while I have 08 Mazda 6; we joke often how her car, practically new always asks for money, while mine is old, yet doesn't ask for a dime!

 

[Mr Nice]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
Those cars have a toilet resale value so replacing is more expensive then you may want.

I'd keep it.

I belive consumer reports has this model/year/engine with above average reliability last time I peeked.

Yeah VW has terrible resale/trade in values.

If i was him, I would keep it 7 more years and max out retirement contributions. Zero need for a new car.

 

[jstert]

the passat is a paid-off keeper, thanks to all for your comments. it now has 53k mostly east coast highway miles since i got it as a cpo in 2013. i just drove i-95 south from dc in low 90s f and using aircon so mpg went down to 36.

on a side note, i wonder why vw didn't put the 2.5L into the tiguan as the 2.0T requires more costly premium gas for not much more hp. wouldn't the tiguan have greater small suv market share using a simpler regular gas engine? 2.0T was a dealbreaker for me coming out of a m-b glk to vw.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: jstert
on a side note, i wonder why vw didn't put the 2.5L into the tiguan as the 2.0T requires more costly premium gas for not much more hp. wouldn't the tiguan have greater small suv market share using a simpler regular gas engine? 2.0T was a dealbreaker for me coming out of a m-b glk to vw.

Doesn't the 2.0T have a significantly better torque curve though? That might be better for carrying heavier loads or towing.

 

[deanm11]

Originally Posted By: jstert
quick update here. at 50k miles last fall i changed all fluids, replaced conti oem tires with kelly edge a/s and deep cleaned my passat. it runs like a top now. new a/t fluid has really perked up and smoothed out shifting. the 2.5L engine shines on the interstate highway, with plenty of oomph on tap for passing. 70mph at 2000rpm and 38mpg with warmer weather. i really don't understand why the automotive pundits hated the 2.5L so much.


That's a bit concerning that the AT fluid service seems to have made a material difference in performance- I suppose it was more that you noticed it was better after, rather than anything really wrong before?

 

[jstert]

Originally Posted By: deanm11
Originally Posted By: jstert
quick update here. at 50k miles last fall i changed all fluids, replaced conti oem tires with kelly edge a/s and deep cleaned my passat. it runs like a top now. new a/t fluid has really perked up and smoothed out shifting. the 2.5L engine shines on the interstate highway, with plenty of oomph on tap for passing. 70mph at 2000rpm and 38mpg with warmer weather. i really don't understand why the automotive pundits hated the 2.5L so much.


That's a bit concerning that the AT fluid service seems to have made a material difference in performance- I suppose it was more that you noticed it was better after, rather than anything really wrong before?


thanks, now that you mention it, i do notice the improvement now: very smooth, no hesitation. i had not heard of vw 6sp non-dsg auto transmissions being troublesome. it will be out of its 60k mile cpo warranty in about 5k miles. i need to do a bit more research...

 

[surfstar]

jstert - you get great gas mileage in that!
My friend has an '08 Golf with the 2.5 and 5sp stick, averages ~28mpg usually. Too high of rpms on the freeway with the stick, keeps it from doing any better.
He bought it new and it has maybe 90k miles now? Been quite reliable for him, so he sees no need to replace it.

Sounds like you got a keeper also - enjoy not making payments!

 

[jstert]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
jstert - you get great gas mileage in that!
My friend has an '08 Golf with the 2.5 and 5sp stick, averages ~28mpg usually. Too high of rpms on the freeway with the stick, keeps it from doing any better.
He bought it new and it has maybe 90k miles now? Been quite reliable for him, so he sees no need to replace it.

Sounds like you got a keeper also - enjoy not making payments!


thanks, i hand calculate my mpg, very happy with it.