At this point I've just done a test drive with a A4 1.8t, and after the test drive am seriously considering a 99.5 1.8tms. <p>Has anyone driven a Passat V6 here? Did you think the the suspension was too soft?<p>The cars are about the same price, although considering the way I would option them, the Passat actually turns out to be more expensive. That's because I think I would need leather in the Passat, as well as some aftermarket 16" alloys. What do you think?

donp's wife has a 1.8T Passat.... he did a pretty good wirte-up comparing the 2 cars at his site. You may want to check it out. <p><ul><li><a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/chicane/175/index.htm">AudiZone</a></li></ul>

The suspension of the Passat is definitely softer than even a non-sport A4. The V6 GLS Passat I test drove has a smoother 190-hp engine (same as A4 2.8) and more interior room. I think if quattro is an issue, the A4 1.8T is your clear choice. The other issue is whether you would consider chipping a 1.8T. Then the A4 1.8T would aagin be your better choice. Since you are looking at FWD models, it is a much tougher call. The A4 definitely looks and feels nicer and is the more sporty car, but the Passat V6 engine is tough to overlook. If backseat room is a consideration, I would go with the Passat and add the aftermarket wheels/tires to improve the handling. <p>Personally, since the A4 and Jetta's sizes are more to my liking, I would go with a Jetta GLX VR6 over a 1.8TMS. That's because I prefer the styling of the new Jetta to the Passat. It looks and feels more like a sport sedan.

A4 had quattro, and with chip in 1.8 same or more power than the V6. 1.8 T gets better mileage, and is lighter. Audi handles better than VW (in stock configuration) as suspension is<br>stiffer. Passat is excellent car though. If I did not want quattro, I would look at 1.8T Passat and<br>put a chip in it.

It was sweet. It was loaded, had leather, and its sticker ($28K) was $1K less than what was on my A4. If that car had been on the lot when I bought my A4, I would have bought it instead of the A4. At the time, I was not interested in quattro. But, I absolutley love my quattro A4 1.8T, and wouldn't trade it for a Passat anyday.

I'm a Passat owner and follow VWVortex's forums. Many Passat owners looked at the A4 too but their decision path most often contained these two factors: They wanted a bigger car (back seat & trunk) and they wanted to pay less for a car. Other trivial factors have also been mentioned like Passat has built in fog lights, etc. I don't think any Passat owner would deny that the A4 is a great car and probably a better sporting package overall.

NT

<br>I don't think the Passat and the A4 are all that comparable. Both great cars but with different characters. Motor Trend (or maybe it was C &D) said in an article raving about the VW that the most amazing thing about the Passat is that it retains about "75 percent of the A4's goodness." <br> I test drove a Passat 1.8T manual to compare, and my impressions are: If you don't care about Quattro, you can save a bundle on the four-cylinder Passat if you don't option it up. You can still chip it, and get the same straightline performance (chipped or unchipped) as my A4 1.8TQM (Sport). That's the only way this comparo makes sense, since with the 4-banger Passat you can save a lot. If you buy the six, you're in sweet A4 1.8T land anyway. But here's the rub: The VW doesn't handle as well (you would need to dump those tall tires and 15 inch wheels), isn't as quiet and "rich feeling," has a softer but still great ride, the shifter seems to have longer throws and isn't as precise as the A4. Also, the VW in my opinion doesn't have quite the same build quality level or fit and finish. But I think it whips the Japanese competition in both of those, and almost every other, area. The VW feels like a good handling family car, cause that's what it is. It's the only real "driver's car" I think you can find in this price range. The A4 is more of a personal car, sportier even with the same engine. The Passat's backseat is much bigger (due to longer wheelbase), therefore much more practical if people are going to be in the backseat very often.<br> To wrap it up, at about $21,500 a Passat 1.8T manual is an absolute steal. But if you're going up into the mid-to-high 20s, I prefer the Audi since you can chip it and get about the same performance as the V6 anyway.<br> The only other factor is the transmission ... if you don't want a manual and don't want to chip it, then the V6 Passat may be the best option. My as of yet unchipped 1.8TQM is quick, torquey and fun to drive because of the manual. (You can keep the revs up). The Tiptronic is a great concept but I didn't feel it did justice to either car in four-cylinder stock form. Chipped is probably a different story. Hope this helps.

I have driven both. I LOVE my Audi..but keep reading! It has a few more features than the passat. I chipped mine because I felt the power was lacking for an automatic. My parents recently bought a Passat v6, all options except leather and Syncro. I have to tell you if I had the choice I would go with the loaded Passat, around 28k to 29k, which is about what you will pay for the A4. You get the same Engine/Tranny as the A4/A6 2.8. The interiors look almost identical. They are both made in Germany. And a bonus: The Passat is BIGGER! I have 2 kids (5 & 10) and the A4 is getting small. The Passat is great looking on the outside and inside. VW hit a good note on this car.<p>Well, that all folks.

If both cars are the same price, and extra room isn't an issue, get the A4 1.8tms. The A4 suspension/interior/gadgets are more worthwhile than the V6 IMHO...<p>AJL<br>98 Passat 1.8T

As most everyone has already noted, the A4 has better handling, interior design, ergonomics, fit & finish, etc. But it is pretty close. Drive them both the same day. If Quattro isn't a consideration and you don't get all that aggressive with your turns, the Passat may be a good choice. AliB mentions the Jetta, if you're looking for performance. I haven't driven the new ones, but I loved my 1994 Jetta GLX (VR6...what a sweet engine!). In fact I disliked only 3 things about it: 1)FWD (front wheel drive is evil IMHO), 2)Stock Goodyear GA tires (these S*CK!!!), 3)Auto tranny is the spawn of satan (I know, I shoulda bought the 5 speed). Anyway, try driving all 3, you really can't go wrong with any of these cars.<p>Regards,<br>Rodney<p>'99 silver A4 1.8tqms

I have a 99 Passat 1.8T 5 speed (silver/black) with leather, sunroof, alloys, heated seats/mirrors, and cd changer to which I havve added 215/60VR15 Michelin Pilot XGTV4s. I paid alittle under $23K plus the tires. I wonder how many commenting on the relative quality and finish have actually tried the leather/lux pkg Passat. As Bob V mentions, size and cost were considerations, but I am truly happy with this car. I have 12K on the Passat and it has been flawless - zero defects or problems. I regularly visit this site as well as three Passat sites because I really appreciate this "family" of cars and the 1.8T. Interesting to get the varied perspectives; we all seem to invest a lot personally in these choices! Thanks for the access...

The Passat V6, along with the A4 1.8T are the best car in each of its class. Passat is competing with V6 family car class. Accord, Camry and Maxima quickly come to mind. Because of its competitors, the Passat is tuned to be a softer alternative to A4's non-sport suspension. Even though its softer than the A4, the Passat still the best handling, most-fun-to-drive family car. The A4 1.8T is competing in a different class of vehicle, it competes against BMW 323, Saab 9-3 and Mercedes C230 Kompressor. Because this class means SPORTS SEDAN, the A4 has to be in a firmer setting even though its on standard suspension.<br>Before we decided to get the Jetta IV GLS, we test drove the Passat V6 GLS (in early November before the Jetta launched). We absolutely love thd way the Passat drives, it retains most of the qualities of the A4 while keeping in tune with its family car target and Volkswagen personality. Why the Jetta IV? Because we couldn't get the color we want at the dealer lot (we want Black, but they only got Colorado Red). Since the Jetta is towrds a more sporty nature than the Passat, also its more compact in size. Finally, we decided to get the Jetta IV!<br>If you are looking at the Passat, you should also look at the Jetta VR6 (especially the GLS version) because of its sporty nature and lower price. Don't flame me, I don't want to start any A4 1.8T vs Passat V6 vs Jetta VR6 war!<br>Tom<br>97 A4 1.8TQMS<br>99 Jetta GLS 2.0<ul><li><a href="http://vancouver.a4.org">A4 Club Of Vancouver</a></li></ul>