2003 Volkswagen Passat

W8 4Motion Sedan

8 Cylinder 4.0 Liter

Automatic

WVWUK63B83P262226

Clear

All Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Power Windows

Volkswagen's popular midsizer remained a strong seller since its last major remodel for the 1998 model year. It looked good, handled nicely, and served well as a smart-priced alternative to some of the costlier German brands. Now, the Passat would have power, too--and not just from a turbo option, but via a revolutionary new engine architecture based on a "W" instead of a "V." A high-tech eight-cylinder motor and all-wheel drive? Sport suspension and a six-speed stick? Sounded like a bargain-priced alternative to a 540i Sport or A6 4.2. We, among others, were excited about what the Passat W8 promised. Put us down for 12 months' worth. Everyone had his take on the $40K sticker price when the car was introduced in mid-2002. Some staffers felt it a good value, as the Passat W8 was the least expensive eight-cylinder German sport sedan--by a lot--on the market at the time. It also was intended to help bridge the gap about to be created in VW's lineup by the introduction of the S-Class -size Phaeton, which started at over $60 grand. Yet, in spite of the Passat W8's high equipment levels, others felt $40,000 for a midsize VW--the body style of which had already been on the market for five years--was still a stretch for the brand that earned its cred with spendthrifty Beetles and Rabbits. The main reason we wanted to subject this model to a year's flogging was to see what the much-ballyhooed W8 engine was all about and what sort of service experience--or maintenance headache--it would deliver. Its 270-horsepower rating wasn't a lot for a 4.0-liter eight; nearly everyone else's 4.0-4.2-liter V-8s put out over 300. And the W8 wasn't long on torque, either, but it was butter smooth, offered plenty of punch in the tach's low and middle ranges, and proved reliable. The muted burble out of its four exhaust pipes sounded rich and expensive. So much for engine issues, at least during the car's tenure here. The six-speed manual trans was less popular. Most editors felt its gear ratios weren't right: First was short, and second a bit too tall to use in its place for a smooth takeoff, although all was well once underway. Deft matching of throttle and clutch operation was required to avoid a lurch or stall, but the shifter felt crisp and direct when rowing through the extended H pattern. Having driven an identical car equipped with VW's excellent five-speed Tiptronic automatic, even one self-declared stick-and-clutch guy said the W8 would indeed be best ordered with the Tip instead. It was offered as a no-cost, buyer's-choice option. We accept the following methods of payment: Cash, Cashiers-check and Certified funds. Successful "winning" bidder must contact us within 24 hours after the auction has ended to verify the purchase and must submit a $500 non-refundable deposit, as well as make arrangements to complete the transaction. Within (7) business days of the end of auction, full payment must be received either by cash payment, cashiers-check, or certified funds. If funds are not received, and an alternate arrangement has not been made, the vehicle can and will be made available to other potential buyers on a first-come, first-serve basis. A $260 processing / dealer documentation fee will be added to the final value of the auction. This includes a 30 day Pennsylvania In-Transit / Transportation Plate, temporary Pennsylvania registration, notary, messenger and title transfer fees. This fee is not negotiable, and dealers are included. The buyer is responsible for all taxes and registration fees in their state of residence. All vehicles are sold "as-is" and without warranty. Some vehicles will have factory warranty remaining (will be stated in our description). Online Bidders are entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle described above. If you do not intend to purchase this item, please DO NOT BID! We reserve the right to cancel bids and/or our auction at anytime for any reason. On Jul-25-10 at 07:40:28 PDT, seller added the following information: Please Note: This vehicle color is blue (The pictures in the listing are of the actual vehicle)