Young fellas in Passat's.

W.Shakes-Beer

What is the attraction to young fellas, about 19 - 28 year olds, to drive big, old 1.6 barges like Passat's and A4's, generally with no mods?

Just an observation, they also drive them with an air of "gangsterism"; as in they don't seem to use it for just getting around but more to lounge around inside, with their head 3 inches over the door frame, left arm on top of the wheel and right arm holding their chin up.

I'm not taking a jab at the drivers, just curious to the attraction.

What is it? :pac:

Melion

DAYSEL

W.Shakes-Beer

Melion wrote: »

DAYSEL

Not even the DAYSEL's! Usually see 1.6's that are bet down looking

See some of the lads I went to school with driving them (Im 21).

An odd one.

Vicxas

I like the look of passats, but im gonna guess that its compensating for something

pajo1981

Owning a d-segmenter when you're young is the last word in cool.

Graham_B18C

Funny this thread appeared today, I can't see the appeal of big saloons for young lads either. Yesterday I pulled up to a petrol pump and there was a 09 White Avensis with tiny White wheels, White mud flaps, a HUGE sun visor and two scrotes sitting in the front.

I grin to myself as a I see it (they wouldnt of seen the grin) and he pulls up beside me and the passenger asks how much I payed for the replica (I drive a Teg R) I chuckle to myself and ask is he asking that because my car is faster than his tractor. As I'm saying this he shouts THIS IS A 2.5 as he wheel spins off. I had to laugh! Probably tarted up mammys Toyota! I was kinda annoyed that someone that drives an AVENSIS slagged my car!

NUTZZ

Yeh this trend of Passat's (etc.) with young guys is really starting to take off! I assumed it was because of few reasons;

1) Diesel - cheaper fuel
2) Mid range engines, 1.6, 1.9's, not too hard on tax and insurance
3) They are actually fairly fast cars (in comparison to Golf's, Focus's etc), especially those turbo Passat's!

Sids Not

Well any that i've come across are usually owned by eastern europeans....seems like its a status symbol...bit like the irish skags driving BMW's....:p

celica1994

Well im 26 years old myself, beem driving 8 years, had aroud 10 or 11 cars, all various types, bought a red (di) passat a year and a half ago, prob about the best car ive owned, last car was a 98 merc E240, The appeal to the passat i guess from my point of view is that its a nice looking car, cheap to drive compared to a petrol car, enough room in the car for passangers that theyre not cramed in like sardines in a tin. and i suppose above all the car is very reliable compared to most other cars ive owned, so yea.. thats my attraction to it haha

n900guy

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

What is the attraction to young fellas, about 19 - 28 year olds, to drive big, old 1.6 barges like Passat's and A4's, generally with no mods?

Slightly OT, but Passat's and A4 - big, barges?

They are probably useful as they are quite well made, reliable and easily serviced for the price.

Graham_B18C

n900guy wrote: »

Slightly OT, but Passat's and A4 - big, barges?

They are probably useful as they are quite well made, reliable and easily serviced for the price.

They're a bit of a barge for lads in their young 20's (probably) with no kids. I ain't going to be buying a saloon until I absolutely have to!

Bassboxxx

Maybe it's as simple as they're comfortable and decent looking.

zero19

I think they're fairly boring looking, wouldn't go near one.

johndaman66

I reckon a lot of them are Mammy or Daddies car...insurance and all that jazz.

mgbgt1978

For the past year or two the Passat has been the car of choice for the lower level drug dealer (at least here in Limerick citaaayy).
The guys who were up the scale a bit were buying new Passats so the foot soldiers starting buying 3/4 year old ones.
Then the wannabees started buying 5/6 year old ones.
If you drive through certain areas of the city you would swear that there must be only one main (car) dealer in the whole place.

Vicxas

Passats - Drug Pushers choice, wheres that on the brochure

TestTransmission

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

For the past year or two the Passat has been the car of choice for the lower level drug dealer (at least here in Limerick citaaayy).
The guys who were up the scale a bit were buying new Passats so the foot soldiers starting buying 3/4 year old ones.
Then the wannabees started buying 5/6 year old ones.
If you drive through certain areas of the city you would swear that there must be only one main (car) dealer in the whole place.

they're huge down in Limerick alright.My car got the attention of a few undesirables at a petrol station down here a few days ago,I then got asked to race ya man in his Passat :pac:

VolvoMan

In my opinion, I think a Rover 75 is a far nicer and more interesting car than the likes of a Passat, yet young lads wouldn't be caught dead in one.

Eric Cartman

lots of space, low insurance loading , the 1.8T is a fairly quick engine for the size of the car , reasonably reliable, parts available , not currently a target of attention for the gards , common as muck so not stolen to order, cheap to buy 2nd hand

Voodoomelon

Graham_B18C wrote: »

They're a bit of a barge for lads in their young 20's (probably) with no kids. I ain't going to be buying a saloon until I absolutely have to!

I'm the opposite, not a fan of coupes at all! Unless theyre bruisers like a CL or the likes. :pac:

I like cars with road presence but I certainly see why coupes are so popular.

The Passat thing I don't get, same with Boras but we'd be a boring bunch if we all drove the same thing. The noise from them Passats though, sounds like 5 tractors in a biscuit tin.

Supraman

Most people even in this age group despite what they think have very little imagination when it comes to cars. Due to the r...... a few people bought them on a/c of being relatively cheap to buy/run. The goons saw a new "trend" emerging and latched onto it. Same with Audi a4's etc. Vast majority look the exact same. Some aren't too bad I guess it's just mundane imo.

zilog_jones

I'm in my mid-20s and wanted to get a car that kind of size as soon as I could afford it (i.e. when I got a job ), but the Passat didn't make it onto my shortlist at all - I think VWs are overpriced for what they are, their reputation for reliability is overrated, and the Passat just seems boring and nondescript to me. I went for a Peugeot 406 in the end - a bit more interesting IMO, a lot less "Paddy spec" than the majority of Passats (aircon, half leather, trip computer, etc.), equally good if not better in terms of handling, comfort, etc., the HDI diesels are much more refined than the old VAG tractor engines (I haven't even seen any black smoke yet), and fortunately the 406 doesn't have as much of a taxi driver image here compared to the UK and elsewhere (they're all driving Avensiseses, Octavias and Passats here :pac: ).

CosmicJay

Passat 1.8t

Makes 180bhp with a remap. Will still do about 30-35mpg if you treat it nicely. Loads of electric goodies and heated seats. Nuff said.

It just ticks all the boxes for a young lad.

Relatively quick - Yep
Nice and comfy - Yep
Cheap to buy/run - Yep
Does'nt look like a s**tebox - Yep

Once you stay away from the diesels insurance is cheap. I had mine at 17, still have it (parked up) and love it like a child.

fullstop

Graham_B18C wrote: »

Funny this thread appeared today, I can't see the appeal of big saloons for young lads either. Yesterday I pulled up to a petrol pump and there was a 09 White Avensis with tiny White wheels, White mud flaps, a HUGE sun visor and two scrotes sitting in the front.

I grin to myself as a I see it (they wouldnt of seen the grin) and he pulls up beside me and the passenger asks how much I payed for the replica (I drive a Teg R) I chuckle to myself and ask is he asking that because my car is faster than his tractor. As I'm saying this he shouts THIS IS A 2.5 as he wheel spins off. I had to laugh! Probably tarted up mammys Toyota! I was kinda annoyed that someone that drives an AVENSIS slagged my car!

Maybe if you didn't have a stupid condescending smirk on your face in the first place they wouldn't have slagged you car :rolleyes:

-Chris-

fullstop wrote: »

Maybe if you didn't have a stupid condescending smirk on your face in the first place they wouldn't have slagged you car :rolleyes:

RELAX

Eric Cartman

Eric Cartman wrote: »

lots of space, low insurance loading , the 1.8T is a fairly quick engine for the size of the car , reasonably reliable, parts available , not currently a target of attention for the gards , common as muck so not stolen to order, cheap to buy 2nd hand

CosmicJay wrote: »

Passat 1.8t

Makes 180bhp with a remap. Will still do about 30-35mpg if you treat it nicely. Loads of electric goodies and heated seats. Nuff said.

It just ticks all the boxes for a young lad.

Relatively quick - Yep
Nice and comfy - Yep
Cheap to buy/run - Yep
Does'nt look like a s**tebox - Yep

Once you stay away from the diesels insurance is cheap. I had mine at 17, still have it (parked up) and love it like a child.

I doubt the Passats the OP has noticed are 1.8T models.

fullstop

-Chris- wrote: »

RELAX

Well if he's complaining about 'scrotes' slagging his precious car, maybe he needs to look at his own attitude too.

GERMAN ROCKS

i always liked the passat and a4 and im 19.they would be my first choice saloon. i think there more popular with country lads as saloons are more popular in general out in the country.

wandatowell

an air of "gangsterism" eh?

I drive an A4 1.6 and the only thing gangster about me is my diamond stickpin and silk suit.

GERMAN ROCKS

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

i always liked the passat and a4 and im 19.they would be my first choice saloon. i think there more popular with country lads as saloons are more popular in general out in the country.

The Carina of post Celtic Tiger Ireland.

partyatmygaff

They're both lovely cars if you ask me. It's no worse than someone buying a Civic or Mondeo.

Tea drinker

They're trying to attract healthy femailes of breeding age, what's the issue?
Girl sees lots of space in the back and immediately starts thinking of childseats and dodgy window blinds.

it's obvious when ya think about it ;-)

-Corkie-

RoverJames wrote: »

The Carina of post Celtic Tiger Ireland.

Your right there James I had a few Carina E`s in my younger day and even a Carina 2. I worked up to a Passat then in better times and then a A8 but back at a Passat again. Allthough I agree with the original OP there is a lot of Chavs driving them.

VolvoMan

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

i think there more popular with country lads as saloons are more popular in general out in the country.

.....where they usually have them kitted out like this:

-Corkie-

Thats a 700HP A4 Volvoman...:p

VolvoMan

-Corkie- wrote: »

Thats a 700HP A4 Volvoman...:p

Check out the thread I got the image from: http://www.total-ni.com/forum/MembersShowcase/audi-a4-felt-spec-37

Is it on Air ride Lad ?

:D:D

-Corkie-

VolvoMan wrote: »

Check out the thread I got the image from: http://www.total-ni.com/forum/MembersShowcase/audi-a4-felt-spec-37



:D:D

Awwryt lad its sitting well there..:D

faw1tytowers

I have noticed the same of late alot of younger ones driving passats.

My boyfriend (27) drives a 2000 1.9 diseil and we bought it cos its great on fuel about 60mpg its comfy, looks nice in our opinion. fits kids in comfortably and at the time we got a really good deal on it.

I dont think there is a "I drive a passat" thing happening I just think young ones are buying cars they know will last and keep value better.

In particular I notice alot without hub caps or alloys too... just an observation

the_syco

Voodoomelon wrote: »

The noise from them Passats though, sounds like 5 tractors in a biscuit tin.

So, what you're saying is: they don't need a paint can glued onto the back to make them sound louder? :P

zilog_jones wrote: »

fortunately the 406 doesn't have as much of a taxi driver image here compared to the UK and elsewhere (they're all driving Avensiseses, Octavias and Passats here :pac: ).

I wonder how many of the chav Passats are ex-taxi cars? :pac:

johndaman66

faw1tytowers wrote: »

In particular I notice alot without hubs

I doubt them ones will be driving too far;)

Collibosher

CosmicJay wrote: »

...Once you stay away from the diesels insurance is cheap....

A diesel is a lot more to insure ?

faw1tytowers

johndaman66 wrote: »

I doubt them ones will be driving too far;)

lol ooops typo!

faw1tytowers

Collibosher wrote: »

A diesel is a lot more to insure ?

nope its usually down to the bhp i believe. My insurance was actually cheaper on the diseil.

partyatmygaff

*shudder*

That car wouldn't look half bad...

If it weren't for the ridiculously large alloys, the neon coloured grille and those matte white wheels that is.

Killinator

If certain undesirable types drive these cars (Passats, A4's, etc..)its a bit unfair to hold it against those who just drive them because they like that type of car,
Why shouldn't a young lad drive a saloon car like the ones mentioned, should they just stick to a Civics and Puntos so that they fit a sterotype?
Is there a particular age when they should be allowed/accepted into the saloon club?
Nowadays you can pick up a nice VAG saloon for cheap enough money so if you want to buy an Audi then its possibbe to buy an Audi,
Audi would be considered (by most) as a top brand compared to Honda and Ford (be it right or wrong).

Each their own and all that.

As a note (I drive a Polo, far and away from a saloon)

sdanseo

I'm 22 and I drive a 1.6 barge Vectra - not a passat but in the same category, and with no mods, not lowered, no bodykit.

I'm actually glad I didn't pick a Mk5.5 passat because of the stereotype they're getting. Vectras are generally associated with older (30s+) drivers and I kind of enjoy that as I'm not an egomaniac and it's great not to have every Garda in the country look sideways at you because you've added a stupid looking bodykit to your lowered car that looked a ton nicer when it rolled out of the factory.

My reasoning behind it? It was a measley €150 more over a year to tax and only a tad more expensive to run than a small car. For that I get good performance, lots and lots of space, huge boot, and a bit of comfort for me at 6'0 rather than trying to cram me and my mates (none of them have the luxury of a car yet) into a Corsa or a Fiesta. Not only that, but I have a car that looks good and that I can resell for a decent bit of value further into the future than with a smaller, ****tier car.

It's a choice I made also because I love the saloon type of car and my choice for a wagen was only ever going to be a Passat/Vectra/Octavia/Mondeo/A4/S40 and all the others bar the Vectra were too expensive, had huge mileage or were in bad nick when I was looking

ninty9er

I'm 24 and drive a Mondeo, all factory standard, no crappy skanger alloys or chrome. My car is classy see...it came with chrome from the factory....and xenons too:D

It costs a fortune to run, but is no more expensive to insure than my old 1.6 Astra and not much more to tax, but hey, I'd rather have a decent car than 2 holidays a year.

I wouldn't, however, drive a Mondeo LX or Zetec as they're pretty much everywhere and to be honest, I would have been as well off with the Astra spec wise.

the_syco

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm 24 and drive a Mondeo, all factory standard, no crappy skanger alloys or chrome. My car is classy see...it came with chrome from the factory....and xenons too:D

Mondeo? Bastid :P Driving a Honda Civic myself; next car will be either a Mondeo or a jeep of some type. Being 6 foot 6 limits my options, and cancels out any small cars. If I tried a Passat, I probably ignored it due to lack of headroom... but not sure if I looked at one (it was a while back).

Graham_B18C

fullstop wrote: »

Well if he's complaining about 'scrotes' slagging his precious car, maybe he needs to look at his own attitude too.

As said, I grinned subtly, the other driver wouldn't of seen it. This was a poxy looking car...and he slagged MY lady!

Believe me, if you seen it, you'd giggle too

Killinator

Graham_B18C wrote: »

As said, I grinned subtly, the other driver wouldn't of seen it. This was a poxy looking car...and he slagged MY lady!

Believe me, if you seen it, you'd giggle too

Maybe his car is his lady yet you don't seem too shy of slating it,

In fairness it probably was the usual felt spec but how about a little give and take,
If a guy arrived up beside you in an R8 he could just as easily be thinking how poxy your little ricer* looked compared to his!:)


*I don't mean to imply your car is a ricer, but I'm sure your aware of the reputation a car like yours may have to some.

sdonn

sdonn wrote: »

Not only that, but I have a car that looks good and that I can resell for a decent bit of value further into the future than with a smaller, ****tier car.

Whenever you decide to get rid of it you'll probably find that not to be the case. Also as you say your Vectra was cheaper than the competition in its class.