2001 Volkswagen Passat / CC

GLS Wagon

4 - Cyl.

Automatic

wvwvd63b31e232879

Gasoline

First, what's wrong with this car, and then what's right with it (a lot). The check engine light is on and we got it diagnosed by our mechanic. It needs a new secondary air injection pump, and likely the valves and tubes that go with that system. Our mechanic says the cost for all this is about $1K, since the parts alone add up to $600. But this is retail. I did a quick search on eBay and used parts are available for vastly less. If I were mechanically inclined I would fix this car myself, but I'm not. Also, we just spent $700 on this car two months ago for inspection, and we have car payments now for a Honda Fit so we are not inclined to spend more money on this Passat - so we've decided to become a 1-car household. It's got 3 dings, all small, and one pinky-nail-sized rust spot on the hood. There are numerous surface scratches on the body of the car, not the kind you see from far away but when you look up close there they are. There are surface scratches on the front windshield from when my husband was carrying something on the roof and then slid it down the windshield to remove it. These scratches did not present a problem at inspection. The clear-lens headlight covers in front are slightly fogged, which our mechanic says is typical of an aging car. On the roof rack, a plastic piece to cover the screws is missing on one side. The VW emblem on one of the wheels is missing. The interior is shabby but clean. The roof of the interior has some black spots we couldn't get off, from moving our bicycles in and out of the car. My son broke the cover to the cigarette lighter in the rear armrest by repeatedly kicking it when he was a toddler in his carseat. The headrests for the rear seat are missing. I removed them at some point b/c they obstructed my rear view, and then we lost them in a move. I guess I'm a sucker for VW design, but to me this is a beautiful, solidly-built car. It sounds a little diesel engine-ish right now with the problematic secondary air injection pump, but it drives fine, so you don't have to repair it the day you buy it. But keep in mind you won't get the optimal gas mileage (EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 20/29 mpg) until you get the check engine light off. We bought this car in Miami about 5 years ago and it was well maintained there; we've continued to take good car of it here with regular synthetic oil changes so it's had a good life so far. The storage capacity of this car is excellent, since it has an SUV-like flexible interior with 60-40 folding rear seats and a flat cargo bed. Ikea runs have been very productive for us with this car - we will miss that now that we have a subcompact! Tires (Yokohama Avid TRZ) have plenty of wear left in them. The air conditioner works fine. In addition to regular airbags, the car also has front and rear side curtain airbags, which protect the heads of front and rear passengers. Please don't hesistate to email questions or request additional photos. I've pasted some specs below; get additional specs here: http://www.cars.com/volkswagen/passat/2001/specifications/?acode=USB10VWC046A0 Steel wheels15 x 6.0 in. wheelsSteel spare wheel195/65R H tiresFullsize matching spare tire Roof and Glass Variable intermittent wipersRear defoggerIntermittent rear wiper Doors Rear liftgate door Measurements Width: 68.5 in.Height: 59 in.Length: 183.8 in.Ground clearance: 4.3 in.Wheel base: 106.4 in. Curb weight: 3136 lbs. Mechanical Engine & Performance Base engine size: 1.8 LCam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)Cylinders: inline 4Valves: 20Torque: 155 ft-lbs. @ 1750 rpmHorsepower: 150 hp @ 5700 rpmTurning circle: 37.4 ft. Base engine type: gas Drive type: front wheel drive Suspension Front independent suspension Fuel Fuel type: gasFuel type: premium unleaded (recommended)Fuel tank capacity: 16.4 gal.Range in miles (cty/hwy): 328.0/475.6 mi.EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 20/29 mpg Safety Safety & Security 4-wheel ABSFront and rear head airbagsDual front side-mounted airbagsChild seat anchorsRemote anti-theft alarm systemVentilated front disc / solid rear disc brakesRear door child safety locksDaytime running lightsRear center 3-point beltFront and rear seatbelt pretensionersTraction controlElectronic brakeforce distributionInterior Front Seats Front head room: 39.7 in.Front leg room: 41.5 in.Front shoulder room: 55.8 in.Passenger seat with manual adjustable lumbar supportDriver seat with manual adjustable lumbar supportVelourBucket front seats Rear Seats Rear head room: 39.7 in.Rear leg room: 35.3 in.Rear shoulder room: 54.6 in.Split-folding rear seatback Power Features Remote power door locksPower mirrorsHeated mirrors2 one-touch power windows Convenience Cruise controlFront console with storageFront and rear cupholdersFront door pocketsFront seatback storagePower steering12V front power outlet(s)Tilt and telescopic steering wheel Comfort Interior air filtrationAir conditioningCargo area lightFront and rear reading lightsFront and rear floor matsDual illuminating vanity mirrors Instrumentation ClockTachometerTrip computerExternal temperature displayLow fuel level warning In Car Entertainment Mast antenna8 total speakersAM/FM CD-controller stereoReview The exterior styling of the 2001.5 Passat is sharper and more Audi-like than the previous iteration, with a chrome-trimmed grille, new clear-lens headlight and taillight clusters and integrated foglights. Volkswagen engineers also gave the car a more structurally rigid body, which will yield greater crashworthiness, better handling and tighter exterior panel fits. Of course, we already liked the Passat's physique, and those who like a few more rounded edges may want to stick with a 2001 model. Base-trim Passats have become an even better value, as Volkswagen has given the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine a significant power boost. This engine now makes 170 horsepower (up from 150 for 2001) and a nearly lag-free 166 foot-pounds of torque (up from 155). This powerplant has always offered good acceleration (power upgrade or no), and it contributes to the Passat's overall grin factor. Regardless of drivetrain choice, all Passats offer superb steering, handling and braking. With ABS four-wheel discs standard on all trim levels, an independent front and rear suspension and perfectly weighted power rack-and-pinion steering, the Passat is one of the most entertaining midsize sedans or wagons. Some drivers might find body roll to be excessive during canyon runs, but overall the ride quality is excellent. Inside the 2001.5 models, drivers will find the familiar Passat trimmings with a few more upscale-type features: chrome-trimmed gauges, a telescoping steering wheel and an updated center console with a wider front armrest, two integrated cupholders and a compartmentalized storage area. The backseat also receives an integrated armrest with a cupholder and additional storage.