Honestly, if you really like the Passat wagon, check into local mechanics. And if you or your husband is handy w/cars, that helps. We are POOR...really, really, poor right now. We have a '98 Passat. We've had it for 5.5 yrs and have had no major problems with it. Granted, it was IMMACULATE and perfectly cared for by the one and only owner (who's friend was a VW/Audi mechanic and the only one to ever work on it). We thought it would be super expensive to repair, but many things haven't cost much more than any other vehicle we've had. And it hasn't been as difficult for my husband and dad to work on themselves either. They're going to replace the CV joints or something like that soon. My hubby has said it was the easiest car EVER to change the oil on. We put cheap Wal Mart tires on it last time. The oil in ours has always been a special synthetic blend that only gets changed about once a year...and when he does it himself, it costs us about $50-75 (I think...). We recently replaced the battery, which was the most expensive battery at Autozone at $180. But that is, at most, the third battery this car has ever had in it's whole life. We've had to replace the key fob, b/c dh jumped into the pool after our son and had it in his pocket....that was expensive, but got a non-VW one that works w/it for fairly reasonable. Also replaced the door panel piece that holds the window up...about $100. Dad and dh did the work together.
Haven't had any major engine trouble yet, and I'm sure that's where bigger expenses could come into play, but it isn't necessary here to take it to the VW dealership.
hths
henrietta