5k: 1992 Passat G60 Syncro (AWD)
The B3 generation Volkswagen Passat was essentially a larger version of the VW Golf – sharing the pluses (cost, ease of repairs) and minuses (quality, frequency of repairs). Production started in 1988 and continued in some fashion until very recently for the taxi cab market in China. This 1992 Passat is equipped with the G60 engine and has all wheel drive (VW Syncro!) and is now for sale in Melrose Park, IL for $4,000 minimum bid, no reserve on ebay (thanks to tip from DT reader Andy L).
The B3 Passat won’t win any beauty contests today – in fact it sort of blends nicely into the general automotive landscape and looks very much like what a child would draw if you asked for a ‘car’. You won’t see many driving down the streets in the US (most have probably been lost to the crusher or are being aged in barns) but you can find them littering the streets in Shanghai as taxi cabs.
You won’t find a taxi powered by this Passat’s G60 1.8 liter G-lader supercharged SOHC inline 4 cylinder engine putting out 158 horsepower and 166 ft-lbs of torque, however. The power is put through a 5 speed manual transmission and into an all-wheel-drive system by VW called Syncro. Before you start thinking this is some kind of power-train swap – you may be surprised to find out this was original equipment for a rare (250 sold new according to seller) Canada only version. Performance in this 3000 lb sedan won’t be particularly noteworthy, but you’ll get mad respect from the flat brim wearing watercooled vee-dub fanboys. Dub-wars is sick – yo!
Inside the B3 it is…well…morning..because we can’t see much more than the sun washing out most of the photograph – but it looks like a stock ’90s VW interior and will probably look worn in person. 170k miles on any car will leave some wear/tear on the steering wheel and switchgear.
This car looks to have a set of aftermarket tinted rear tail lights (seller claims they are from Europe…but they don’t look OE from any Passat we’ve seen). But overall it looks in decent shape – not sure if its worth the $4k asking, but given the relative rarity of all-wheel-drive supercharged factory VWs perhaps it would make a good Daily Turismo.
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The B3 Passat's design was a pretty big departure from the prior Quantum (B2 Passat elsewhere), and the grill-less nose was fairly different (not a recipe for sales success in the family sedan market).
As noted, the early 90′s VW reliability was less-than-stellar also. So, of course, I bought a new '94 GLX VR6 anyway.
With the manual transmission, my car was actually quite enjoyable (and highly functional) for a family car. However, it did have the typical electrical and accessory issues – even under warranty. “The HVAC controls are acting up.” Nope, not surprising at all – the HVAC control unit on my car was replaced. Twice.
170K miles is quite a lot – particularly for a B3 Passat. G60 motor probably has to work pretty hard to get an AWD B3 Passat going also, so I’d question it's continued longevity. The seller notes the G-lader has been rebuild once already.
The starting bid is over the top. The G60 syncro may be an uncommon variant in the US, but it’s still a B3 Passat with high mileage. GLX VR6 versions with that kind of mileage go for half that. It’s nowhere close to “showroom condition,” and will continue to provide it’s new owner with all sorts of repair and maintenance entertainment.
This car would be very well sold at anywhere near the starting bid.
An interesting and very rare variant, so I don't blame the seller for wanting a few extra dollars. But it definitely looks tired, and there could be lots of hidden maintenance. The headlights also look aftermarket, or maybe those are Euro lamps? The G60 is certainly tunable and can make more power pretty easily. And it can also expire easily. More Audi quattro is available for less, so this is for the dedicated V-dub fan only.
China taxicab is based on previous generation Passat B2, named Passat or Santana in Europe, Quantum in United States (never officially sold in Canada). Longitudinal engine, whereas B3 is transverse. Called Santana 2000 in China. Mid-life, got smoother Jetta-like nose grafted on. Produced until 2006, also in Brazil.
Grille-less nose ("bottom breather") gave very good aerodynamics, but as Larry notes, no "presence". Have a 1993 Passat CL 1.9 AAZ code turbodiesel, unique to Canadian market. Base version CL fortunately with manual HVAC, seats, and windows, so no worries. Huge legroom. Backseats not really reclining as seller states, but rake adjustable a few degrees.
Peter N