Ok, so I was test driving a 1999 VW Passat GLS V6 5MT, and errr..... it was.... different.... I've now driven an Integra, Mustang, and Saab 9000, all of the clutch's relatively the same except for stiffness, now i'm no pro @ teh manual but I can drive the previous 3 around w/ stalling, rough shifts, and rough starts, except the passat. The dealer said "yah passats have a real late engagement point which is why you were messing up" and well I talked to some one else and they said it could be a bad clutch.

I want to know if it's true that passats engagement is late or is it a bad clutch?

 

VWs do have a fairly late engagement, however, anyone who is a "pro" at driving should be able to adapt with no problems.

 

Try another passat and then you will know.

I had no issues with my A4, thought it was fairly easy compared to mustangs or BMWs that i have driven.

 

Does the A4 have the same clutch as the Passat? Because there is an A4 @ my school which I can easily find out if it engages late or not....

 

Welcome to Vdub's. Most newer ones are like this, and even my 92 has also a fairly late engagement. Not a problem though, a few times around the block and I was good to go, should be the same for you.

 

The early model mk4's clutch is pretty bad. My '01 is the same way you are describing but this is my second veedub so i'm used to it. They changed the clutch in newer models. When I drive my friends '04, the clutch engages the second you start letting it out.

 

was it a '99 or '99.5?

 

uhhh here....



and



just an FYI, I'm a dunce when it comes to vehicles other than Honda or Buick .

 

Also another thing, does this car sitll have life/value @ 123K miles?

 

 

A late '90s VW with 123K AND a questionable clutch?? As Shoofin says, "ruuuuunnnnn"!
FWIW, I thought Hondas and my Integra have the most "sudden" or abrupt clutches, with most of the engagement occuring at the bottom of clutch pedal travel.

 

^ I <3 the integra's clutch, that car alone gave me the confidence to what little skills I have @ teh 3rd pedal (except for finding reverse), I felt like a pro this morning in the parking lot, but this afternoon w/ teh passat.....

 

Do your research here first.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=6

 

Everything you could ever think of has been talked about, re-asked, reposted and been told to search for. Twice.

 

Ahhhh! Thank you so much guys! +1 on both reps! I ended up not getting the passat, it did not go over to well w/ the guys (the VW association... yes there is a VW association @ my school, it's quite sad) @ school.