Selling One of 89: The Manual Passat Wagon You Never Knew You Wanted

Selling One of 89: The Manual Passat Wagon You Never Knew You Wanted

Out of all the cars we’ve sold, few have sparked more conversation than this one — a 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion wagon with a 5-speed manual transmission. Just 89 of these were built for North America in this configuration, making it one of the rarest longroofs VW ever offered — and easily one of the most overlooked.

The Rarity Nobody Talks About

Manual wagons are already a dying breed. Add in all-wheel drive, turbocharging, and sleeper-level anonymity, and you’ve got a combo that ticks every box for a very specific kind of enthusiast. The 2004 model year brought some minor updates to the Passat, but more importantly, it was one of the last years you could get this drivetrain setup — and almost nobody did.

That’s why this one stood out. A true unicorn spec buried in plain sight.

The Backstory: Local, Known, and Driven Right

This car wasn’t just rare — it had real local history. Originally sold in Washington, it eventually ended up in the hands of employees (and later the owner) at SK Motorsport in Bellingham, where it’s been a known shop car for years. Maintained properly, modified modestly, and always driven by people who knew what they had.

It came equipped with GIAC engine management software, a Curt hitch, 17" alloys, and was sitting on H&R spacers. Not perfect — it had 199k miles and a few flaws — but the kind of car you actually want to drive.

Why It Mattered to Enthusiasts

The attention this wagon got was kind of wild. BaT commenters recognized it. Some couldn’t believe the spec. Others just wanted to reminisce about the era when VW made driver-focused cars that didn’t scream about it.

This wasn't a collector car. It was a cult car. The kind of thing you drive because you know. And someone out there knew.

Sold at No Reserve, With No Regrets

The car sold at no reserve, and while it won’t break auction records, it did what it needed to do:
It proved that the right buyer always exists — even for a high-mileage, gray-on-gray wagon with a dent in the door and some worn interior bits.

We didn’t list it because it was perfect. We listed it because it was real. And that’s what connected.

Got a Car With Character? Let’s Talk.

We don’t just consign supercars. We specialize in vehicles with stories — and we make sure they’re told right.