[db17k]

3 words

Chrome =

[cntlaw]

There is no alternative to a BMW 3-Series unless you were never really sure why you wanted a 3-series in the first place.

[creaminz]

EXCUSE ME!? You CANCEL what over what!? Plz......don't make me stay up all night thinking about how miserable you would be with ANY VW vehicles. I don't wanna say Passat is POS(Since you seem like very interested in it) but VW is POS....and YES! VW makes Passat!!

[ON325i]

i sat in the 2005 passat (even before test drive), it just feels 'no thank you' quality already

[Asiann]

Just sold my wife's 2005 Jetta and never made a better decision! Go read the Passat forums and you will see many days in the shop. I didn't have any problems with mine except for the trunk not closing right, but I got rid of it before I did. They are 2 different cars entirely! I think it is really a choice of what really appeals to you the most. You are going to live with that decision for sometime!

[PitJ]

I had a Golf III from '92 until I wrecked it in '98 and it was a really fantastic car for me at that time. No mechanical problems, very reliable, good mileage, fast for its 75 bhp. Volkswagen built good cars then.

Next car: A used 1997 Passat wagon 2.0l/110 bhp, automatic transmission. Lots of room, but: A real gas guzzler at 13 litres/100 km (however not as bad as the VW 6-cylinders which tend to use gas as if it was free, my brother had one that he did not get below 18 l). Severe electronics problems, e.g. 3x in the shop because the sunroof wouldn't close and finally I repaired it myself. Lots of other issues. Also, trying an Autobahn curve at 190 kph is a thrilling experience, but not because the car does it well.

Hence, never ever again a VW. Mr Piech spends all the money on personal vanity things like the blown-up Passat (Phaeton), buying Bentley, Lamborghini etc. instead of quality, service and understanding the mission that the name Volkswagen (= people's car) contains.

Four years in BMW now, the only problem I had so far was a blown turbo charger in my previous 320d which however might have been my fault but was exchanged for free.

Btw, my wife has a MB A-Class, a long A160. Nice and intelligent town car, but quality? Don't ask...

So, what's left other than BMW?

Peter

[Dante]

Originally Posted by PitJ

I had a Golf III from '92 until I wrecked it in '98 and it was a really fantastic car for me at that time. No mechanical problems, very reliable, good mileage, fast for its 75 bhp. Volkswagen built good cars then.

Next car: A used 1997 Passat wagon 2.0l/110 bhp, automatic transmission. Lots of room, but: A real gas guzzler at 13 litres/100 km (however not as bad as the VW 6-cylinders which tend to use gas as if it was free, my brother had one that he did not get below 18 l). Severe electronics problems, e.g. 3x in the shop because the sunroof wouldn't close and finally I repaired it myself. Lots of other issues. Also, trying an Autobahn curve at 190 kph is a thrilling experience, but not because the car does it well.

Hence, never ever again a VW. Mr Piech spends all the money on personal vanity things like the blown-up Passat (Phaeton), buying Bentley, Lamborghini etc. instead of quality, service and understanding the mission that the name Volkswagen (= people's car) contains.

Four years in BMW now, the only problem I had so far was a blown turbo charger in my previous 320d which however might have been my fault but was exchanged for free.

Btw, my wife has a MB A-Class, a long A160. Nice and intelligent town car, but quality? Don't ask...

So, what's left other than BMW?

Peter

I totally agree with everything you said in your post, peter, except one thing:

The phaeton is not a blown up passat. I´ve heard this so many times and it ´s complete

A phaeton is a phaeton, like a maybach is a maybach and not a mercedes. It is handmade in its own factory and an extremely luxoriuos, smooth and tank-like-build car. Most people who judge it by its VW-badge never even sat in a phaeton. It was a big mistake of the marketing to sell it under VW label because it has nothing in common with a VW.

Sorry folks but I had to get this off for one time

[ben1364]

The new Passat is a far cry, appearance wise from it's predecessors. It takes styling cues from both the E90 BMW and the G35 Infinity. All said, it's still a VW.

[stressdoc]

Drive them both. Hard to beat a 325 ED for price. I would probably get a camry or accord or Acura TL or avalon before I would get a Passat, but that would be based on simple utility/value ratio. The E90 is a very special car if you like to drive. The Passat has a bit more room in back for the kids.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by Dante

I totally agree with everything you said in your post, peter, except one thing:

The phaeton is not a blown up passat. I´ve heard this so many times and it ´s complete

A phaeton is a phaeton, like a maybach is a maybach and not a mercedes. It is handmade in its own factory and an extremely luxoriuos, smooth and tank-like-build car. Most people who judge it by its VW-badge never even sat in a phaeton. It was a big mistake of the marketing to sell it under VW label because it has nothing in common with a VW.

Sorry folks but I had to get this off for one time

Ok, it is an Audi A8 in drag then...

[PitJ]

Originally Posted by Dante

The phaeton is not a blown up passat. I´ve heard this so many times and it ´s complete

Dante

I know it is not a blown up Passat from its manufacturing, built etc.

But please have a look at that car and at the previous Passat Sedan side by side!!! It looks as if they took an air pressure hose, popped it into a Passat's butt and - whoopee! This, by the way, is one of the main reasons for the Phaeton's lousy sales in Germany. Nobody wants to pay that kind of money for a luxury traveling salesman's car.

Peter

[LEDZEP]

VW seems to be having an identity crisis. Their marketing group can't make up their mind which direction the company is taking. I paid more for my VW Passat W8 than I did for the E90... and it was a very nice car - but you feel stupid paying $$ and having a VW emblem on your steering wheel.

[JamieA]

I agree with LedZep 101%. I honestly think that they have got to respect the image of the VW brand and keep their cars in that range. They are loosing customers because of this confusion. If the VW group wants to do grand cars, then whack an Audi, Lambo or Bently badge on it for god's sake.

Ever Mercedes had the sense to realise that the MB brand would not stretch up to RR status, so they resuscitated the Maybach brand.

IMHO, what they are doing with the VW brand is corporate ego, pure and simple.

[colonelburke]

I am a VW fan as well. I had a '84 GTI, it was the worst car (reliability) and the best car (FUN!) I have ever owned. That is until I take delivery of my 335i.

But, for the $40K price of the top of the line Passat, I would like to see it in the R form as seen at SEMA and in recent publications.

[Macfreak7]

I've driven the 2.0T version, thanks to a friend who signed up for the alpha driver program.
The performance, like others have said doesn't even remotely compare to a 330. It does have a lot of other bells and whistles, so it is decent as a family car. Very roomy, much bigger than the previous Passats. However, the interiors, on this NEW passat did seem a little "cheesy". Didn't feel as sturdy as the previous Passat (even tho. this could be cause it was a "test car" for the alpha driver program or whatever).
The build quality again isn't as good as the E90. It is way better than most Japanese cars, but still not close to BMW.

The V6 engine probably does have a difference in feel and performance, but as far as the 2.0t goes.. it's a from moi.

p.s. Nothing like the smoothness of the inline 6

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by Macfreak7

I've driven the 2.0T version, thanks to a friend who signed up for the alpha driver program.
The performance, like others have said doesn't even remotely compare to a 330. It does have a lot of other bells and whistles, so it is decent as a family car. Very roomy, much bigger than the previous Passats. However, the interiors, on this NEW passat did seem a little "cheesy". Didn't feel as sturdy as the previous Passat (even tho. this could be cause it was a "test car" for the alpha driver program or whatever).
The build quality again isn't as good as the E90. It is way better than most Japanese cars, but still not close to BMW.

The V6 engine probably does have a difference in feel and performance, but as far as the 2.0t goes.. it's a from moi.

p.s. Nothing like the smoothness of the inline 6

I have to agree with you here. I drove the 2.0T in the B7 A4 quattro and was disappointed with it. Though it has good low down torque, I was still caught short a couple of times when it was off the boil, even with a 6sp manual gearbox.

The engine in my 325 is much more driveable and smoother and more interesting to listen to at full noise.

As good as this engine was, I didn't like it. I much prefer a good ol NA inline 6 anyday.

[z1ppo325i]

To each there own, if you like the Passat, go for it, but surely you will be made fun of by E90 owners~ even the lexus guys.......

I just dont like VW...

[needashower]

The new Passats are higher priced than the older ones. This makes them less appealing from a pure economic standpoint then the 3 series. All else being equal, which it never is, the 3-series is a better buy. If however you need extra backseat room(to haul more family, or maybe more girl friends), and this is a priority, you should consider the new Accord.

[england1987]

GET THE E90, you MAD NUTTER!!!

[SCA]

Hmm...VW or BMW?

[wantmye90]

I test drove both before buying and after just 2 miles behind the wheel of the v6 Passat, it was a no brainer - get the 330. The Passat is a nice enough car, but that v6 was loud and very rough driving. Not a smooth power train at all. IMO, the reliability and interior materials of the VWs leave a lot to be desired. I owned a 2001.5 Passatt before my 330 and I can definately say I am glad to be out of the VW.

[mava330]

I get an employee discount on VW's because of my work's relationship with VW. Will I be using it?? NO NO NO!!! $40k for the "people's car?" I don't think so.