Which One Of You Is Brave Enough To Hit This Rare W8 6-Speed Manual 2003 VW Passat Wagon?

Before I joined the team here, I worked at a Volkswagen enthusiast blog called VWVortex, and I can tell you with certainty that the quickest way to make new friends after the pandemic is to show up to any VW-focused car show with this Passat because you’ll be mobbed.

Volkswagen was at the peak of its engineering adventurousness back in the early aughts, so it developed this W8 engine. Like the W16 found in modern Bugattis, the W8 essentially features two narrow-angle VR engines united by a common crankshaft.

The 4.0-liter engine makes 275 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque that is sent to all four wheels via a 4Motion system. The whole setup is a little complicated, though, so you’re unlikely to avoid VW’s reputation for high maintenance costs.

In all, VW sold a little less than 5,000 W8 Passats in the U.S., but this one has a rather rare sighting. Not only is it a wagon, not only is it powered by a weirdo eight-cylinder engine, but it also funnels its power through a 6-speed manual transmission, all of which make it one of only about 100 sold stateside.

It also features the original 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, which look great, and has a sports suspension, sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, wood trim, a Monsoon audio system, and more.

There are some knocks against this Passat, though. Along with some scratches and stone chips, there is some rust on the exhaust system, the parking brake needs adjustment, and there are some signs of age inside. Moreover, it has driven 122,800 miles, which means that you should go into it with your eyes open. Boat people say you shouldn’t buy a yacht unless you could afford to buy it three times, and that’s probably not a terrible attitude to take here.

The car is listed for sale on Cars & Bids and the auction ends on Friday, May 28 at 2:45 PM.