How did the change of line affect the passat/jetta?

[el_fefes]

Was there a big change in terms of quality, and reliability with the newer jettas/passats after they changed the line. Was it after 96 or 95? Difference in engines? Anything besides looks? The newer ones obviously look better. Thanks

[hjr]

? the generations of VW are 85 for A2, 93 for A3, and 99.5 for A4. I think thats what your asking. as for quality, the cars arnt bad but it cannot be said that they are great either. they have lagged behind with defects per 100 vehicle ratings for a while.

Which generation are you refering too? that will help determine what engines and such was available, because they changed through the years.

[el_fefes]

Thanks for clearing that up man. My dad's thinking of purchasing a passat, and he's seen an 98 a 00, and I think he might be looking at a 96, so I'm guessing that the 98 and 96 are in the same group and the 00 is different. So which is better?

[Kor]

I believe the 96 is a B4, and both the 98 and 00 are B5 passats. The B5 is a much better car if you ask me. The B5.5 line started in 2001.5 and there were also many improvements, including an updated body style and interior.

I would try to get a 2001.5+ if at all possible, but if not, the B5 line is pretty good.

As for engines, VW typically has a variety of engines available. I know that for the B5 for instance, you can get a 1.8T, VR6, and TDI for sure. Really the engines haven't changed too much over the years. I think that at one point, maybe '01 they changed the 1.8T from about 140-150 hp to 170hp.

96

http://www.vw-club.ru/vw/gallery/passatB4/img/Passat4_TDI_1996_01.jpg

98-01 (B5)

http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/vw/1998/98_volkswagen_passat_gls2.jpg

02 (B5.5)

http://images.automotive.com/reviews/2002/volkswagen/02passat.jpg

[Fluidic]

Good explanation Kris.

[el_fefes]

thanks man....so the changes where mainly on the styling on the cars and not so much on the engines, i think he might go for the 00

[A2VR6]

Well the 98+ cars switched to Audi engines. The 1.8T from the B5 made 150 hp and the 2.8 V6 (not VR6) made 190 hp. The older B4 models had the 2.0, TDI and the 172 hp VR6. So there was a slight change in the engines. But like Kor said I would go for anything 98+.