the 3.4 may have more 'balls' as you say, but you're not gonna win any reliability rewards with a 3.4. maintenance costs are way high on the 3.4 not to mention harder to work on than just about any other gm motor.
besides... the point of the thread isnt about which car has more 'balls' which is a funny term for cars anyway... but rather weather or not the passat is a good choice for a daily driver/beater type car.