;-)
Ok, I wasn't as clear as I hoped to be.
Consumer Reports loved the Passat for many years - it was their top-rated mid-size sedan for several years recently:
E.g.
Overview: The Passat continues to be defined by a solid, luxurious feel; comfortable, quiet ride; capable handling; and an interior that exudes quality. Those strengths and advanced safety gear unavailable on some competitors make the Passat among the top choices in this segment. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers lively performance; the V6 is quiet and strong. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but the standard five-speed manual improves the driving experience. AWD is available but it makes the car slower and thirstier. The economical turbo-diesel engine that debuted in 2005 returned 28 mpg overall in our testing. Overall reliability has been spotty for various engines and body styles.
Last emphasis added. If one had a 1.8T Passat with coil problems, one probably wouldn't be too happy with it if one was stranded by coil failure.
I believe all the Passats are made in Germany.
The New Beetle, OTOH, is generally made in Mexico:
Overview: The New Beetle, introduced in 1998, is a thoroughly modern hatchback that bears a nostalgic family resemblance to the VW "Bug" discontinued in the 1970s. In our tests, we found the car's ride to be good, and its handling nimble. The 2.0-liter four cylinder accelerates adequately but was noisy. A more economical diesel is also offered. The front seats are firm and supportive. The rear is cramped though the seats fold for increased cargo space. The New Beetle has performed notably well in crash tests, but reliability has been sub par. A quicker turbocharged model was added for 1999. A convertible joined the line for 2003.
Emphasis added.
Without a breakdown of 1.8T versus 2.0 versus 1.9TDI, it's hard to make predictions of reliability of a particular VW. It's widely believed that German New Beetles (e.g. early convertables and early sport models) were of higher quality than those assembled in Mexico. Comparisons among various Toyotas are much easier because the engine choices are much more limited (1.6 versus 1.8 in most years) even if you're comparing among, say, a Japanese and a US and a Canadian Corolla.
That's all I was trying to say. :-)
Cheers,
Scott.
(Who recognizes that it's just handwaving so far. ;-)