So long and thanks

[mikecb1]

Well, the day has finally come and the Passat has been sold. So goodbye and many thanks for all the invaluable help I've received from this excellent forum. I had the car (2.0 Tdi Sport 170) for 9 years, and touch wood never had any significant problems with it. In fact it has been a lovely car to drive and 100% reliable despite all the scares over injectors, balance shaft gears, oil pump drives etc. which sometimes made me feel as though I was driving a ticking time bomb. Would I have another Passat? No, mainly because my needs have changed, and I no longer need such a large car. However the "time bomb" aspect would also put me off.

Mike
L

[RichardSEL]

You got out before me! What with our new London mayor making ready to ban older diesels from the "Congestion" charge zone, second hand prices of '06 to about '11MY B6/CC have taken a real hit -- many good quality sub-90k miles for less than £4k on the sites.
Which doesn't help me -- I hunted down and bought a petrol specifically. They're being caught in the TDi down market trap too

What you getting now? Smart?

[mikecb1]

Choosing cars involves lots of different factors. In my case I bought the Passat Sport 170 because at the time I needed a long distance cruiser with good performance and economy that would comfortably carry 4 adults. I had another shopping car for local stuff. I am now retired so no more business driving, the need to carry elderly parents has sadly gone away, and ease of parking in congested spaces is of greater importance. I still have the use of another car, so I can take my time choosing the Passat replacement, but I'm drawn towards a (petrol engine) Audi A3 or possibly an up-spec Golf. I do like German cars.

[RichardSEL]

Enjoy your retirement!
First year I didn't do anything, so chuffed was I that I'd got to "that age" with a public sector pension.
Second year did the house.
Third year did the Passat.
Fourth year went round relations I'd not seen since being a kid. While they wonder: "Why's he come round after all these years? Give him a cuppa and a biscuit and mebe he'll go away."
Now I'm "Chasing Classic Cars." I'm told the secret is to keep the grey matter challenged, otherwise it degenerates. Good luck

[Quatrelle]

I retired early 20 years ago, and a classic is definitely the way to go. Makes you slow down, keeps your brain and your wallet active. Had the Passat over 10 years now (anyone had theirs longer?), and our needs changed shortly after buying it, so it's very low mileage, 61000 kms (37k miles). Shan't be changing it, it's probably a ticking time bomb but hopefully it's got a lot of ticking to do. Our 20-year-old Laguna (diesel!) does all our local running around, and the MG gets used for our annual 3-week tour of Spain.

Diesels are getting a bad name here too, but I don't see anyone doing anything too drastic too soon, it would be political suicide - diesels far outnumber petrol and a recent survey showed that a lot of French would be happy buying another.

Good luck with whatever you buy Mike.

Q.