Help with deciding on purchase?

[eviered]

Hi!!
I have an opportunity to purchase a 4-motion W8 Passat -- 2003. This car is gorgeous, all the fun stuff. I currently have a Jetta TDI and love it! But my family is growing and the little Jetta doesn't fit us all anymore

I realize that this car is a much bigger engine, but if anybody has an opinion on this model, if it would be a wise purchase, what to look out for, all that stuff I would so appreciate it.

It has 50K on it, drives nice, interior is immaculate. I have a very good friend who is a car dealer that owes me a favor, so I have the opportunity to pick this up around wholesale price.

Any opinions, advice for me? I am going to miss the MPG of the Jetta, but I was certainly cringing when diesel was running almost twice as much as gas. Does this Passat only take premium gas? That would be a deal breaker for me. I do like the idea of the AWD, as I live in a very snowy climate. I do have a jeep I use when the weather is bad, but would be glad to have a vehicle that I wouldn't have to worry about in bad conditions. The Jetta is pretty useless in snow, even with the blizzak tires.

Please let me know your thoughts!
Evie

[pogi_passat]

i just bought that exact same car!! lol it has the 5-spd tiptronic auto tranny. with that, i get on average (mind you i have a leadfoot ) 15-17mpg mainly city driving. It takes minimum 91 octane the car has been a frickin blast to drive, speaking since i used to own a 90 eclipse gsx. The awd system is phenomenal and the car is waay torquey. it handles like a dream and has good brakes. The oil it recommends is 5w-40 full synthetic w/8qts....ie: i spent $104 on my first oil change. I have a few minor issues with the 6-disc changer in the back and the sensor/controller thingy for the thermostat housing (electric thermostat) is going a little a-wall and it slightly overheats but never above 200f. overall....I LOVE IT! It's a fun car to drive.
***I got it back in january in the heart of winter here in utah.....it handled sooo well in the snow. the only drawback was if i gave it any more than just a little gas, the torque kicked in like no other and i kinda slid sideways, but that only happened a few times when i really romped on the throttle. other than that, i climbed up steep hills that were very snowy and icy with no problems.