 My 1997 Volkswagen Passat is a completely unexpected bad product from Germany! This is the biggest hunk of junk we have ever owned.  We bought it with resonable miles on it.  Shortly after owning it all the electronic issues began.  VW mechanics removed entire dash to fix some of the problems which reset digital mileage.  There goes the equity!  I have had so many problems with this thing (I agree with all other comments made here..too many to list...).  We thought many times about finding one of the hurricanes and leaving it in the heart of the storm.  It has finally died and we will not be sad to say goodbye! Buyer beware...looking at the other years after this car, it doesn't look like Passat has fixed any issues with this car!