When it was time for me to upgrade my car it was an exciting time though it was also nerve racking. I had learned a lot watching a few friends purchase from off beat pre-owned places and craigslist. I did my research and decided that a more certified lot was the only way for me to guarantee that I wouldn't be throwing hard earned money away. Volkswagen has a lot of dealers in my area (Seattle) and was one of the first cars I had in mind. I chose a '03 Jetta Passat. It has been perfect for the last year. No servicing has been needed and I have the next two for free in house. There is nothing bad about this car, and I'd say the model is ahead of it's time. I can see driving this car for a few more years through college and that is my plan.

I love that my vehicle gets good gas mileage town or highway, is safe and reliable, and holds precious memories. My car feels like a friend who has been there through good times and bad. I take good care of my car as needed. I would be very sad to lose this car. The capacity does not seem large, but I used to drive my boss's three children around - booster seats through middle school. Living between two houses, they always brought their martial arts bags and disorganized backpacks, which magically seemed to fit. My pregnant sister and 2-year-old nephew also rode in the backseat with a portable stroller. Sometimes, though, I dislike the leg room. It is an old car, and little minor things have fallen apart easily - the middle arm rest, one of the air vents, and part of the passenger side mirror. Some parts are hard and expensive to replace, as it is German engineering. Overall, I hope to keep this car for at least a few more years for some more life milestones.