Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.6

I am going to be frank. I am not old enough quite old enough to drive. Despite this I love cars from the Alfa to the Volvo. For years I have had a huge - and often disturbing - amount of car knowledge. I know many things apart from being able to drive. Which is why when my Dad has to change hsi car every few years he is harassed by me so I can get him the best possible car. In 1999 my Dad was in-line for a new car and yours truely was the first to get involved. Now my Dad doesn't really like cars but he bares with it. Being part of a company my Dad was to get a company car and so we got a list ... more

When my Da came to changing the family car in November 1997 he looked in a highly competitive sector to find the right one. We had the choice of the Nissan Primera (ugly), Ford Mondeo (an ugly car that was a Ford), Vauxhall Vectra (dull) and the refined and handsome brand new VW Passat Mk IV. The only problem was that we could only afford the 1.6 litre SE model. The Passat is a wonderful car in most respects, but in the now defucnt 1.6 SE guise power is notable by its absence. Try to accerate while overtaking and the torque just isn't there. It's top speed is a more than respectable 115 mph ... more