Need help about a VW Passat 08 B6 HIGH 1.4 TSI 122 4DR 120 Car

average_runner

I dont know much about cars so hope someone can help us here.

Garage says this car is as good and as ecomoniable as a diesel. So wondering is it worth buying.

I know the car tax is higher and cost of petrol is higher. But how does this car compare to the other family diesel cars like insigimina, mondeo, corolloa and vectra?

How does it even compare to a NISSAN QASHQIE?

-Corkie-

average_runner wrote: »

I dont know much about cars so hope someone can help us here.

Garage says this car is as good and as ecomoniable as a diesel. So wondering is it worth buying.

I know the car tax is higher and cost of petrol is higher. But how does this car compare to the other family diesel cars like insigimina, mondeo, corolloa and vectra?

How does it even compare to a NISSAN QASHQIE?

That car is in the cheaper tax bracket AFAIK. Highline Passat dont compare to a Corolla or Vectra. Its a small step above the Mondeo or Insignia.

EDIT Nissan cashcow are a pointless car imo.

EPM

It won't match a diesel in terms of economy. That's bullcrap anyway. It won't be madly thirsty either and should crack low to mid 40s on a long spin driven sensibly.

mickdw

average_runner wrote: »

Garage says this car is as good and as ecomoniable as a diesel. So wondering is it worth buying.

Tell that to the previous owner who traded in to this garage. The garage no doubt told them that the petrol one was worth nothing and in no way compared to the diesel in terms of fuel efficiency or general value.

In my opinion, the diesel would be a better buy. However it should be reasonable on fuel if driven in a suitable manner. It would need to be bought many thousands cheaper than the diesel version though and would be significantly harder to sell on too.

Zubeneschamali

average_runner wrote: »

Garage says this car is as good and as ecomoniable as a diesel. So wondering is it worth buying.

Cheaper to buy and tax than the 2.0 diesel, but slower and dearer to fuel.

Quicker than the 1.6 diesel, but a bit dearer to buy and run.

Might be harder to sell on in a few years, as people just want diesels these days.

bazz26

-Corkie- wrote: »

That car is in the cheaper tax bracket AFAIK. Highline Passat dont compare to a Corolla or Vectra. Its a small step above the Mondeo or Insignia.

EDIT Nissan cashcow are a pointless car imo.

For what it's worth the 08 1.4 Tsi Passat cost around €333 to tax on the Co2 system which wasn't that much better than the cc based system. Only 2010 models came down to €156. And I would not rate a Passat Highline a small step above a Mondeo or Insignia. A Mondeo Titanium X or Insignia Elite feel just as tasty as a Passat Highline.

OP, the garage are telling you what you want to hear, after all they are trying to sell the car. The 1.4 Tsi is nippy enough considering the size and weight of the Passat. It isn't however as economical as the diesel. If it was then nobody would pay a premium for the diesel models.

-Corkie-

bazz26 wrote: »

For what it's worth the 08 1.4 Tsi Passat cost around €333 to tax on the Co2 system which wasn't that much better than the cc based system. Only 2010 models came down to €156. And I would not rate a Passat Highline a small step above a Mondeo or Insignia. A Mondeo Titanium X or Insignia Elite feel just as tasty as a Passat Highline.

OP, the garage are telling you what you want to hear, after all they are trying to sell the car. The 1.4 Tsi is nippy enough considering the size and weight of the Passat. It isn't however as economical as the diesel. If it was then nobody would pay a premium for the diesel models.

For smaller mileage I would go for the petrol especially with DMF`S etc. The Insignia elite is quite nice actually. I only ever seen the basic one until now..:)

bazz26

-Corkie- wrote: »

For smaller mileage I would go for the petrol especially with DMF`S etc. The Insignia elite is quite nice actually. I only ever seen the basic one until now..:)

Agree 100%, if you are doing small mileage then the small savings at the pump could potentially be written off by unreliable modern diesel technology.

-Corkie-

bazz26 wrote: »

Agree 100%, if you are doing small mileage then the small savings at the pump could potentially be written off by unreliable modern diesel technology.

GRRRRRRR Bazz. I looked up the Insignia elite that time. My wife seen it and she wants one now!!!!. She said its a way nicer than the 08 passat highline she has.

bazz26

Only downsides to the Insignia is that the rear headroom is very restrictive due to the sloping roof especially on the hatchback. Large 18"/19" alloys eat tyres too. Also the diesels are a bit noisy too at idle but coming from a VAG TDi it probably will not be noticed.

-Corkie-

bazz26 wrote: »

Only downsides to the Insignia is that the rear headroom is very restrictive due to the sloping roof especially on the hatchback. Large 18"/19" alloys eat tyres too. Also the diesels are a bit noisy too at idle but coming from a VAG TDi it probably will not be noticed.

I had a new diesel on hire before but it was a base model. I wont be sitting in the back unless when I am being carted home drunk from the pub and at that stage my head will probably be between my legs anyway..;)

Zubeneschamali

bazz26 wrote: »

Only downsides to the Insignia is that the rear headroom is very restrictive due to the sloping roof especially on the hatchback.

I'm driving one right now, and the worst thing is the visibility.

Leonard Hofstadter

If it is substantially cheaper to buy than the equivalent diesel, then it probably does make sense to go for the 1.4 TSI.

The petrol will be more reliable(no DMF for starters), especially if it is compared against the 2.0 TDI; the 1.9 is however bulletproof(about the only thing in a Passat that is guaranteed not to cause trouble) but not terribly powerful at 105 PS. It's meant to be more like a 1.8 non turbo petrol to go, which means it will be better than you might think, but 1.8 petrols in this size of car(and I should know since I've got one) are fine most of the time but can lack that extra bit of go when you really need it, like when overtaking or on really steep hills.

By the way, 08 MY TSIs are in band D (447 tax) but because of the smaller engine they can be taxed on engine size (330ish).

The 1.9 TDI was €302 back in 2008, since it was in band C at the time.

The 09's are 156(band and the 10s with the little 1.6 diesel with a measley 105 PS are 104(band A).

I would consider other options as well as the Passat OP, VWs are not that well made and the Passat doesn't (IMHO) feel any better made than an Avensis/Mondeo/Insignia, in fact I would rate the perceived quality as lower than that of the Insignia(others may disagree). The Passat is not a bad car, but it is a good car(when it works) competing in a class where there are cars so good, they could easily compete in the premium badge category, in fact the only things wrong with the Mondeo or the Insignia are the 'badge', if you're bothered by that kind of thing.