Passat or Maxima?

[psteng19]

Maxima definitely.

My cousin's 1996 Passat wasn't that nice inside or out.
Reliability was poor (alternator/battery, cluster died at 25k miles).
And the warranty was something like 2 years/24k.

Of course you're looking at newer models so none of the above may apply, but it was bad enough that she'll never buy VW again.

Nissan ~ Driven

 

[vi edit]

Oops. I missed the buying used and looking at '99 model years. If you are buying used, you will get a newer Maxima, with lower miles and better options for much less than a comparatively optioned out Passat.

If I was buying used, I would probably go with a Maxima because of the value. I did buy my passat used, but I wanted a wagon and there really is no other competition when it comes to midsize wagons.

 

[halik]

maxima looks like a generican asian sedan, nothin to see there.

Passat looks way better in my opinion. Plus Vw's have more class

 

[vi edit]

My cousin's 1996 Passat wasn't that nice inside or out.

Big BIG differences between the previous gen and current gen passats. Can't even begin to compare the two.

 

[smp]

Originally posted by: halik
maxima looks like a generican asian sedan, nothin to see there. Passat looks way better in my opinion. Plus Vw's have more class

People who buy cars for "class" appeal deserve nothing more than my unbridled hatred.
Class, should not be a motivation to buy a car. I guess it is for some people, but the guy said he's not getting a BMW because he doesn't want an attention car.
WTF is class anyways?
Money?

 

[ElFenix]

see if you can find a 2k2 maxima, theres some huge rebates on them, should be able to get one for several grand off. the rebate is to the dealer though, so you can't be sure of the size unless you get some info from somewhere...

 

[vi edit]

People who buy cars for "class" appeal deserve nothing more than my unbridled hatred.
Class, should not be a motivation to buy a car. I guess it is for some people, but the guy said he's not getting a BMW because he doesn't want an attention car.
WTF is class anyways?
Money?

You've got some serious anger issues there bub. Class IMHO is synonymous with luxury. It's a combination of looks, feel, ride, and overall ambience of the car. The passat has it, the maxima doesn't. The maxima is too racey looking and bloated. Just doesn't have the refinement.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I'd have to say the Maxima is the better value as a used car (their resale is nothing special, especially compared to the class-leading Passat). As others have said, the two cars offer very different experiences, and a test drive is in order to see which is better for you. Both should be fairly reliable, but I would ultimately have greater faith in the reliability of the Nissan. Neither is a real speedster, but the Maxima is definitely the quicker car. IMO the Passat wins in terms of its comfort, interior quality, and styling. You have to decide what means more to you. I decided on the Maxima when I was choosing between the two, but I have no doubt I would have liked a Passat as well.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito
Neither is a real speedster, but the Maxima is definitely the quicker car.

with a 6 speed the max does 0-60 in 6.3... which isn't all that far behind a mustang GT from only a couple years ago...

 

[dafatha00]

i'm glad you're picking a '99 over the '00s. The newer model looks like ass

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: dafatha00
i'm glad you're picking a '99 over the '00s. The newer model looks like ass

2001.5's were the minor upgrades with the chrome and redone tail lamps. And yes, I agree. The B5.5's are worse looking than the pre B5.5's.

 

[SuperTool]

You can't beat a Maxima as a used car buy. It drops resale fast first few years and then holds it well.
Maxima has more speed, more interior space, better Bose stereo, best reliability of any car according to CR, handling (esp with RSB and FSTB added), and resale value (lower is better for buyer)
Passat has better interior styling, and arguably exterior styling if you don't mind the D pillar.

 

[smp]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

People who buy cars for "class" appeal deserve nothing more than my unbridled hatred. Class, should not be a motivation to buy a car. I guess it is for some people, but the guy said he's not getting a BMW because he doesn't want an attention car. WTF is class anyways? Money?

You've got some serious anger issues there bub. Class IMHO is synonymous with luxury. It's a combination of looks, feel, ride, and overall ambience of the car. The passat has it, the maxima doesn't. The maxima is too racey looking and bloated. Just doesn't have the refinement.

I don't have anger issues actually.
Class, Luxury .. yeap, same old victorian, classist, racist bullsh!t .. I thought you were a smart guy, but yeah, most people would not agree with me. Fine.

 

[SOSTrooper]

Obviously both cars are getting pretty even recommendations. I've only driven in a Passat, so I cannot comment. Get one with price that fits your budget.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: smp

Originally posted by: vi_edit

People who buy cars for "class" appeal deserve nothing more than my unbridled hatred. Class, should not be a motivation to buy a car. I guess it is for some people, but the guy said he's not getting a BMW because he doesn't want an attention car. WTF is class anyways? Money?

You've got some serious anger issues there bub. Class IMHO is synonymous with luxury. It's a combination of looks, feel, ride, and overall ambience of the car. The passat has it, the maxima doesn't. The maxima is too racey looking and bloated. Just doesn't have the refinement.

I don't have anger issues actually.
Class, Luxury .. yeap, same old victorian, classist, racist bullsh!t .. I thought you were a smart guy, but yeah, most people would not agree with me. Fine.

So my preference in vehicle "class" dictates my intelligence? Riiiight. I drive 25,000 miles a year in my car. I regulary do 1500+ mile trips in a few days time. When you spend 10 hours a pop in a car, you tend to really notice inadequacies that many lesser vehicles have. From road noise to creature comforts, they all add up to a more pleasant and bearable trip.

I could have bought an Audi or a BMW, but a VW offered no more than I needed, and I saved myself anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 for the same size car with comparable options.

 

[StageLeft]

max

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Oooh, tough call. I own a passat, so I'll try and be as bias free as possible.

Performance: Maxima
Handling: Maxima
Bang for your buck: Maxima
Reliability: Maxima
Luxury: Passat
Refinement: Passat
Better interior: Passat
Resale value: Passat(best in it's class actually)
Safety: Passat
Looks: Passat (COMPLETELY subjective though)
Comfort: Tossup. I'm very happy with the Passat. Haven't been in a decked out leather interior Maxima, so I can't say.

If you lean more twords luxury instead of performance, then the Passat will be a better choice. But, if you are more performance oriented, then the Maxima is the way to go. The 2.8L in the Passat is no slouch, it just can't compete with .7L more displacement of the Maxima. The Passats have their quirks, but overall, they have the best reliability of any VW vehicle and actually got honored by Consumer Reports as a Best Buy.

It's a tough choice and you can't go wrong with either. It really just comes down to personal preferance. Luxury or Performance.

I agree with this post. He is considering the 99 Maxima which is the 3.0 190HP, so is only 0.2 more than the 2.8 Passat. If you get the Passat it seems that the 1.8T is better than the 2.8 (Wards 10 best engine). If you are into modding you can just get a new chip and cranck up the boost.
Both are great cars. You can't go wrong with either. Max should be cheaper I think

 

[psteng19]

Can the Maxima ever lose an ATOT comparo? :Q

Last week's landslide victory - Maxima 119, Mustang - 65

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: prodigy69
Passat

Originally posted by: mchammer187
Maxima

-=bmacd=-

 

[m2kewl]

maxima! any questions?!

 

[CraigRT]

I'd go with the Max too. but that's cause I have personal experience

The new ones are sooo nice if you ask me.. like many other ppl have said.. subjective!!

 

[0roo0roo]

bah, passat is like a bloated flattened out bug, its ugly. not much else good about it either.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
bah, passat is like a bloated flattened out bug, its ugly. not much else good about it either.

Spoken like someone who has never driven one.

 

[N8Magic]

Get the Passat.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

i saw passat, maybe its because i drive a golf, but its a damn nice car. not one person who has sat in my car has not awed at the comfort of the seats and the looks of the interior. from all the cars i've driven, there's no car i like to drive more than my golf, and i've driven plenty of luxury cars. and if you afraid that you won't get enough power out of the car, go with a 1.8T engine, there is plenty of room there to mod it up a bit and add plenty of power. upgrading the ecu will get you to just about 200hp. and while most companies like to overrate their car's power, vw on the other hand downrates them. i think they are both fine cars, just buy which everone you perfer.