6 Speed Manual: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8

The B5 generation Passat was launched in the 1997 model year with a product that looked/drove/smelled a lot more like an Audi than the previous generation Passat.  In 2001 Volkswagen introduced the B5.5, a cosmetically refreshed version of the platform that added more chrome trim (inside and out) some fancy taillights and a unique W8 engine option that could have been...if you were lucky...mated to a 6-speed manual. Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 offered for $8000 in Philadelphia, PA via Brabus Auto. Tip from Pat.

4Motion Equipped: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Wagon

The B5 generation Volkswagen Passat had an interesting model lineup during its 1997 through 2005 lifecycle.  It started with the basic 1.8T powered 5-spd stripper models that offered a surprisingly fun drive for economy car price and included a turbo-diesel option, but went all the way upmarket to a 4.0 liter W8 powered leather infused luxury cruiser.  Not many cars have that range, and the W8 powered wagon models are particularly interesting to the low buck car enthusiast. Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Wagon offered for $2,500 in Dallas, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

Mid Week Match-Up: Talk Jeff Out Of A W8 Passat

This week's Mid Week Match-Up is to help Jeff who is considering a trip to Mechanicsville...no...that isn't right...Mechanicsburg, where you can find this 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 with a 6-speed manual-- BUT, we have a short window to talk him out of it.  What should Jeff get instead?

Auction Watch: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 6-Speed

Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 6-Speed here on eBay bidding for $10,000 with auction ending today (Monday) at 2:15PM Pacific.

One Owner 8/6/4: 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6-spd

The B5 generation Passat was launched in the 1997 model year with a product that looked/drove/smelled a lot more like an Audi than the previous generation Passat.  In 2001 Volkswagen introduced the B5.5, a cosmetically refreshed version of the platform that added more chrome trim (inside and out) some fancy taillights and a unique W8 engine option that could have been...if you were lucky...mated to a 6-speed manual.  Find this 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion offered for $7325 in Denver, CO via craigslist.  Tip from Joel.

4Motion 6-Speed: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 B5.5

Volkswagen went a bit off the rails with their B5.5 generation Passat.  For some reason (dreams of unfulfilled world domination, perhaps?) the Germans decided that they wouldn't split the market with different models (like everybody else in the car world) and instead offered 1.8T powered Passats starting in the low $20k range, Buick-esque mid range 2.8 V6 versions around $30k and finally the king of Passats, the W8 4-Motion 6-speed monster at $40k.  Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 here on eBay bidding for $5,000 in Studio City, CA with 2 days to go.

5k: Worth The W8: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Wagon 6-Speed B5.5

The B5 generation Volkswagen Passat was built at a time when VW and Audi shared many components between their mid-sized sedan families.  It was also built at a time when VW received  abysmal quality scores from the lopsided yardsticks of survey companies like JD Power.  Rumor has it that the Passat did not suffer from the same constant issues as the Mexico assembled Jetta/Golf/Beetle because the Passat and A4 were assembled in Germany at a greater cost and probably with more experience/automation from the folks on the factory floor.  This will give you some peace of mind when you consider picking up the most complicated of all B5 platform vehicles -- the Passat W8.  Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Wagon 6 speed offered for $7,200 in Richfield, WI via craigslist.

15k: One Owner: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Wagon

It may be a bit late for Syncro de Mayo, but it is never a bad time to post up a 4Motion equipped, 8-cylinder powered, low-mile Volkswagen Wagon.   The B5 generation Passat was remodeled in late 2000 (known internally as the B5.5 generation) and recieved updated headlights, chrome trim and optional W8 engine.  Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Wagon offered for $14,950 on ebay from a dealer in Feasterville-Trevose, PA with 13 days to go.  Tip from IgnatiusReilly who says "Hola! Still hangin' after too much Patron so tardy in submitting for the syncro featurette."

10k: Stick-up: 2002 Volkswagen Passat B5.5 W8 4Motion

The friendly, fat-cheeked Wisconsinite B5.5 Passat you're looking at has an unusual yet desirable combination of drivetrain options. And it's here to rob you of everything you own. Volkswagen decided to fit an experimental W8 engine in an already crowded engine bay, leaving little room for anything but your checkbook. Find this 2002 Volkswagen Passat V8 4Motion wagon with 6-speed manual for $11,000 in Richfield, WI.  Words by DT contributor slowcarSLOW-MPGlol.

Carfaxfauxpas: 2003 Volkswagen W8 Passat 4MotionWagon

Like us, You probably spend most of your working day looking for cars on the internet busting your hump for an unappreciative boss, so it's only natural that you'll occasionally find a car worth pursuing.  You've read a million ebay, craigslist, Traderonline and Turbobricks ads which has given you a certain confidence. You now believe that you know how to spot a scam.  Besides, even if your own training lets you down, you know that you have the ultimate firewall between internet scammers and your wallet; the paid experts at CARFAX! If you're a frequent DT reader, you can already smell the unhappy ending to this. This is not about the car, it's about what we discovered about the car, so don't deprive us of the opportunity to tell our story...read on past the break, please.

ONCE UPON A TIME, You've just spotted this 2003 VW W8 Passat 4Motion wagon listed on Cars.com, for $6,995 at a used car dealership in El Cajon, CA (a suburb of San Diego)....but the saga has only just started on this one...

10k: Rare Bee5: 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6spd

The B5.5 Passat was introduced mid-year in 2001 as a 2001.5 model year with a new look but most of the same chassis/engine/suspension it shares with the Audi A4/A6.  In the lower spec'd 1.8T form the Passat looked like a bargain version of the A4 but by the time a buyer checked off a few options the price could double and metamorphose into an uber expensive Volkswagen.  The days of  $50k Volkswagens is behind us now and depreciation has reared its ugly head, put on a horned helmet, pulled out a flamethrower, and decimated the value of the "expensive" VW...good news for savvy used cars buyers.  Find this 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6-spd manual for sale near Seattle, WA for $8,800 via craigslist.