Volkswagen Passat Wagon 2004: The Weekly Driver Review

Sports cars to luxury sedans, family vehicles to economy models, the diversity of cars has never been greater. But what if a buyer wants a multipurpose vehicle fits into more than one category?

Is there an economical, high-performance, luxurious, family car on the market?

With its Passat GLS Wagon, Volkswagen can certainly make its case offering among the most versatile cars on the road.

For my weekly test drive, I drove the wagon equipped with the manufacturer s 4-MOTION option, the always-engaged system similar to Audi s Quattro version of four-wheel drive.

The system s efficiency is reason enough to purchase the vehicle as an all-weather choice. The steering is firm and secure, the automatic transmission is without hesitation and the ride is smooth without exception.

But the Passat Wagon has a lot more to offer, both in its appearance and operation.

One friend (a BMW owner) looked at the vehicle and blurted out: "That may be the best-designed, most functional vehicle out there."

My friend s quick assessment is hard to dispute.

Car manufacturers no longer use the words "station wagon" while promoting their vehicles, and with the Pasat s sleek-looking contoured styling, it s hard to call the vehicle a wagon, let alone adding the word "station."

The Passat Wagon I drove had a blue graphite exterior nicely matched with optional gray leather seats. The front and back seats afford plenty of leg and head room and the advertised "five-passenger" lingo is not a stretch, as is sometime the case with other vehicles.

The standard comfort, convenience and special feature list is long and varied and includes: cruise control, remote keyless entry, intermittent speed wipers, dual illuminate front vanity mirrors, AM/FM cassette and single CD players and power, daytime running lights and heatable outside mirrors.

Equally impressive are the console and instrumentation trim and design. The controls are all easy to reach and pleasantly positioned. As such, the driving or riding in the Passat Wagon may remind the occupants of a luxury vehicle. But how could that be? It s a wagon and its base price is $26,130.

To capitalize on the efficiency of the 4-MOTION system, the Passat GLS Wagon features a 170-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbo, 4-cylinder 20-valve engine. While the engine s performance can t be described as a sportscar-like, when a quick burst or steady acceleration is needed, it s available.

The $1,800 option package my vehicle featured included leather seats, wooden trimmings on steering wheel, shift knob and door insert. The Electronic Stabilization Program ($280) and $575 destination fee pushed the total price to $28,785. That s still well under the $30,000 price point often associated with luxury vehicles

Still, it s the combination of a smooth ride, precision steering and handling, sharp and crisp turning, a spaciouss comfortable interior and its attractive interior and exterior designe that make the Passat Wagon rare in its class.

It s a fine touring sedan, for sure. But it also just happens to be a wagon with plenty of room for groceries, home project supplies and the kids youth sport equipment.

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS Wagon

Safety features -- Driver and front passenger front and side airbags and front and rear seat head restraint airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles; Roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles; Free scheduled maintenance, 1 year/ 12,000 miles.

Base price -- $26,130.00

James Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who writes about sports, fitness and business topics as well as the free electronic newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times and The Weekly Driver, a car review column.

Samples of Raia s writing can be viewed on his web site: ByJamesRaia.com. His car reviews and newsletters can be viewed at The Weekly Driver, Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times



Bookmark it:

Terrible Debit Motor vehicle Loans - The solution for credit repair

Any in regard to the most common problems plenty of community face is credit problems. If they are either of these people and they in addition ordeal problems Regard availing loans savours financial publicize to pay for a motor vehicle; this condition, terrible debit motorized vehicle policy loan is the best selection With you. versus define, Ghastly credit motor vehicle loanis the product in regard to the ghastly credit advertise fund which is particularly made into cater all people facing debt responsibility. From addition versus this, bad credit car collateral loan helps people In re-creating their credit score upon atmosphere payments From a absolute dateor occasion. More beyond, Bad credit motorized vehicle policy loan has two classifications. Protected bad credit motorcar loans By this type of terrible debit automobile policy loan, the consumer must region collateral However sometimes it is identified that the motor vehicle itself act for the reason that security hostile the amount. The collateral in addition devotes the lender the chance into offer competitive rate in regard to Attention. All the same carry make a make an observation, that if the individual misses even without difficulty either of this repayments in regard to the Installment algorithm, this could go downhill elevate the setting. As well as while that came, it can be absolutely tough With the credit score into maximize. Unsecured terrible credit car loans From unsecured bad debit motor vehicle collateral loan, there is no such liability versus spot collateral. Instead of proving collaterals, the purchaser entails into provide different records to confirmation his credibility. The comment rate For this make of ghastly credit motorcar policy loan is alittle higher for equivalent into the fasten Type. don t mull over that lender might t accomplish no matter what if they miss your payments because albeit there is no asset Involved the lender has legal correctly versus comprehend the asset or may well stock back the automobile if he tends versus miss any costs. The records which are called for versus be submitted were for the reason that follows, Bank assertIdentity attestationIncome attestationFinancial statusOr some other detail whereas in line with the requirement. There are diverging banks, financial Institutions in addition to dealers where a personwould obtain capital. By this, the banks with financial Institutions serve since direct mode of finance on the varying hand dealers are found out because the From direct mode of finance. The dealers are the people Regard between the financing organization also the borrower. The borrower must avoid managing such Intermediaries as it boosts the worth in regard to the cash because they Includes their reward also furthermore charges absolutely expensive rate in regard to Comment. Thus, it is best that the borrower avail loan right away fancy the bank or either financial Institutions. The bottom column here is, whatsoever your atmosphere is, it is highly authorized along with suggested that you payyour costs on era. As excess sophisticated In motorized vehicle loans, bad credit automobile loans, motorized vehicle policy loan financing, instant automobile loans, concrete motorcar loans From US ask this site Break my Debt Ray is the Owner & Developer of ReleaseMyDebt, which connects all of the financial industry together. May it be to network, share websites, videos, get questions answered, and so much more.



Bookmark it:

BMW Z4 - Flame Surfaces The Attention-Grabbing Coupe

BMW has unveiled its coupe version of the Z4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. BMW Z4 is a, 2-door, rear wheel drive sports car designed by Chris Bangle and was manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is made bigger and more powerful than its ancestor - Z3.
Z4 was originally built as a roadster. However, this year a coupe version was eventually introduces to the automotive world. It exudes Bangle s controversial flame surfacing design which is said to be aggressive yet stylish. This design is also noticeable in most BMW vehicles.
The stunner of the 2005 Frankfurt auto show was produced in May 2006. BMW Z4 comes in two distinct flavors the 255-hp 3.0si and the 330-hp M. BMW s new Z4 3.0si is designed to be fascinating and fun. To grab the attention of the fanatics, Z4 coupe is given a sloping, double-bubble roof that tapers to the rear like a droplet. The front suspension of Z4 is also made different from its ancestor. Said suspension is based on E30 BMW 3-Series only that in the recent version, said is made more advanced. The bigger engines power outputs range from 170 hp (2.2i) to 231 hp (3.0i). On the other hand, the base of the car uses an updated version of the 3.0 L straight-6 N52 engine that produces 195 kW and 315 N m. This is done to accumulate primed speed.
BMW Z4 is also furnished with tempting equipment. Its pride includes the BMW Z4 alloy wheel, electric roof, standard air-conditioning, CD player, twin front and side airbags, leather upholstery and sports steering wheel. Further, its electronic driver assists in the stability control as well as cover traction.
Prices for BMW Z4 3.0si coupe start at $40,795, $2000 less than its ragtop counterpart. Moreover, the price is almost $10,000 lower than the base price of its rival - Porsche Cayman.



Bookmark it: