It will come with far more kudos than anything new that most people will assume is rented.
That's a strange statement Dubber. I've never looked at someone's car and thought, Oh they rent as if its some sort of crime.
What does it matter how someone pays for their car?
Having re-read it, I guess it is a strange statement, and it doesn't matter a bugger how someone pays for a car, but surely a car enthusiast, whether it be the owner or onlooker, would appreciate a more interesting car as opposed to another 'white good'.
Please buy it and let us know how cheap it is to run and the incredible Px you are offered on it by the trade in 3 years time!? 
*Update, just had a look at the current trade bid on the car = £4500 and that wasn't we buy any car, which you may consider would be harsh?
Most traders wouldn't want a car like that in stock as it has a very niche market, hence the low book value. I am a member on a couple of Passat forums and when these cars do come up for sale, nice cars will sell for prices north of £10k. More often than not, private sales too.
I'm not saying that the Passat should be the car for the OP, but it is an example of what else is out there.
