Passat estate 1.8t shed.
Discussion
Decided to start a thread on this as it's probably more worthy than my previous two cars (1.4 mpi fabia mk1, 1.9 tdi octavia mk1). Bit sad to say goodbye to Skoda, but this car is much nicer, really.
Bought the Skoda as a shed bargain a few months ago fancying something a bit bigger/faster than my Fabia, which was my first car, though I never managed to get over the fact that it wasn't an estate - I need something roomy/practical for mountain biking, and the hatch just wasn't cutting the mustard. Couple that with having a bad back, and the flat boot lip on the passat certainly helps.
Anyway, bit of an opportunistic buy this one - seeing family for easter weekend, happened to spot this on autotrader a few miles away from my Aunty's house where I stayed last night. Stopped in to have a look, decided I liked it and parted with my Octavia and £200 for it (listed on autotrader for £800). Perhaps not the bargain of the century, but considering I got the car I wanted for shed money and the ease of the situation, I'm happy.
The important bits - 1.8t engine, 150 brake and it certainly goes! Cam belt changed last year, 164k on the clock (not bad for a 16 year old car), full service history, mostly VW, and no funny noises etc. - all the mechanical credentials are there.
The not so good bits - some cosmetic/minor issues that can and will be dealt with -
rear wiper doesn't work
screenwash jets not working
indicator glass missing on one side (this and screenwash are priority number 1)
keys are a bit tatty and need batteries changing
few bits of interior trim missing/need replacing (electric mirror knob, drivers window button etc.)
rear doors don't open from the outside, one doesn't open at all
headlights need a polish
needs a bit of a clean
All little niggly things that can be fixed easily enough. She goes well though - just drove her 80 miles to my mum's house and didn't skip a beat. Very happy.
I'll stick some more photos up later if anyone cares. (I have photos of the fabia and octavia if anyone really really cares)
Bought the Skoda as a shed bargain a few months ago fancying something a bit bigger/faster than my Fabia, which was my first car, though I never managed to get over the fact that it wasn't an estate - I need something roomy/practical for mountain biking, and the hatch just wasn't cutting the mustard. Couple that with having a bad back, and the flat boot lip on the passat certainly helps.
Anyway, bit of an opportunistic buy this one - seeing family for easter weekend, happened to spot this on autotrader a few miles away from my Aunty's house where I stayed last night. Stopped in to have a look, decided I liked it and parted with my Octavia and £200 for it (listed on autotrader for £800). Perhaps not the bargain of the century, but considering I got the car I wanted for shed money and the ease of the situation, I'm happy.
The important bits - 1.8t engine, 150 brake and it certainly goes! Cam belt changed last year, 164k on the clock (not bad for a 16 year old car), full service history, mostly VW, and no funny noises etc. - all the mechanical credentials are there.
The not so good bits - some cosmetic/minor issues that can and will be dealt with -
rear wiper doesn't work
screenwash jets not working
indicator glass missing on one side (this and screenwash are priority number 1)
keys are a bit tatty and need batteries changing
few bits of interior trim missing/need replacing (electric mirror knob, drivers window button etc.)
rear doors don't open from the outside, one doesn't open at all
headlights need a polish
needs a bit of a clean
All little niggly things that can be fixed easily enough. She goes well though - just drove her 80 miles to my mum's house and didn't skip a beat. Very happy.
I'll stick some more photos up later if anyone cares. (I have photos of the fabia and octavia if anyone really really cares)
Edited by samj2014 on Saturday 4th April 17:17
Ordered a new screenwash pump last night, door mirror switch, indicator cluster. Will fit these during the week when they turn up.
First task - bit of a clean. The car had been valeted, but not very well. lifted up the back seats to find a crapload of muck, dog hair, and what I can only assume to be a puddle of dog piss.
Armed with a bucket, cloth, anti-bac spray and a hoover, it's now a lot better. Glad I won't have to look at that mess every time I have to put the seats down. Minging.
Before:
After:
First task - bit of a clean. The car had been valeted, but not very well. lifted up the back seats to find a crapload of muck, dog hair, and what I can only assume to be a puddle of dog piss.
Armed with a bucket, cloth, anti-bac spray and a hoover, it's now a lot better. Glad I won't have to look at that mess every time I have to put the seats down. Minging.
Before:
After:
They are a similar age VAG yes, but the trim is a bit nicer, and the ride/cabin is just a nicer place to be, the octavia was very rattly and suffered from a lot of wind noise. Makes long journeys a bit of a chore - the passat is a much more pleasant car to be in. That said, the Octavia felt a bit more sporty through the corners.
Not sure about the turbo.
Not sure about the turbo.
Edited by samj2014 on Friday 10th April 00:09
In case anyone is vaguely interested, I just sorted the washer pump - had to bodge it a little as I ordered the wrong one, this one only has an outlet for the front jets, however since my rear wiper motor is dead too, I'm not overly bothered. I'll get around to sorting that some other time along with the right pump. At least it's not an MOT fail now.
Few more jobs left to to:
Few more jobs left to to:
- Tighten or replace AC belt - it's started making some nasty noises when the AC is on
- Mirror switch (in the post)
- window switches (in the post)
- rear right door central locking actuator (in the post)
- rear left door doesn't open at all - need to look at this and work out what the problem is...
- new radio - the current one is temperamental
Edited by samj2014 on Thursday 9th April 22:48
Yes but sometimes it's far quicker and easier just to chuck the bike(s) in the boot if it's just a short journey - I've had a cheap rack and they're a major pain in the arse. Estate also means more space for awkward loads and even more people (say three people plus bikes, one in the car, particularly useful for long road trips. Estate is just much more practical, trust me. I could probably sleep in the back of this one too! The seats fold pretty much completely flat.
In fact I reckon if I took the wheels off (dead simple on modern bikes) I could get my bike in the boot without even folding the seats down. I almost managed it in the Octavia, but the hatch boot scuppered me!
edit: I should add that I also work in a bike shop, so regularly have to stick bikes in my car for customers etc. and I don't always have a rack to hand.
In fact I reckon if I took the wheels off (dead simple on modern bikes) I could get my bike in the boot without even folding the seats down. I almost managed it in the Octavia, but the hatch boot scuppered me!
edit: I should add that I also work in a bike shop, so regularly have to stick bikes in my car for customers etc. and I don't always have a rack to hand.
Edited by samj2014 on Friday 10th April 00:51
Quick update in the interest of shedding.
She had new tyres yesterday as the fronts were comically bad, particularly in the wet. Only dropped £100 on them, but it's a significant improvement. (£105ish)
Changed AC belt, old one had two big holes in it, surprised it hadn't snapped already... - £5
She's got a bit of an oil leak at the moment, so have been topping up, gotten through 2L already, hmm... Gonna have to work that one out. £25 (5L bottlel)
Had what seems to be a common Passat electrical fault yesterday - windows, remote locking and alarm started malfunctioning. Half an hour with a wire crimping set and that appears to be sorted. - Free (might have to pick up some self amalgamating tape - £4)
New CV joint ready to go on, old one is making a lot of noise - £25
New thermostat ready to go on - running cold - £5
Front wipers - £17
All done myself so far aside from the tyres. Thermostat should be an easy DIY job, not so sure about CV joint but I'll give it a go.
Both rear doors have now decided to not open at all now. Bit of a bugger. That's on the list of things to do once the more pressing mechanical issues have been dealt with.
Oh and she's returning about 30 to the gallon on average.
She had new tyres yesterday as the fronts were comically bad, particularly in the wet. Only dropped £100 on them, but it's a significant improvement. (£105ish)
Changed AC belt, old one had two big holes in it, surprised it hadn't snapped already... - £5
She's got a bit of an oil leak at the moment, so have been topping up, gotten through 2L already, hmm... Gonna have to work that one out. £25 (5L bottlel)
Had what seems to be a common Passat electrical fault yesterday - windows, remote locking and alarm started malfunctioning. Half an hour with a wire crimping set and that appears to be sorted. - Free (might have to pick up some self amalgamating tape - £4)
New CV joint ready to go on, old one is making a lot of noise - £25
New thermostat ready to go on - running cold - £5
Front wipers - £17
All done myself so far aside from the tyres. Thermostat should be an easy DIY job, not so sure about CV joint but I'll give it a go.
Both rear doors have now decided to not open at all now. Bit of a bugger. That's on the list of things to do once the more pressing mechanical issues have been dealt with.
Oh and she's returning about 30 to the gallon on average.
Edited by samj2014 on Thursday 25th June 10:06
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