VW NMS (new mid-market sedan)
02-12-09, 10:15 PM
#47
Lexus Fanatic
02-13-09, 12:56 AM
#48
Speaks French in Russian
It is sad to see VW not market the Passat here anymore as it has always been my favorite VW, but IMO I think they priced themselves out of the market (along with the Jetta and Rabbit).
Whats interesting is that the CC has the same level of refinement as the Passat, yet its a few grand cheaper (starting price).
Last edited by GFerg; 02-13-09 at 12:59 AM.
02-13-09, 01:10 AM
#49
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 09 Passat starts at $28,000 and is a 2.0T/Tiptronic only affair. The $38,000 280hp VR6 is no longer avialable on the Passat.The car used be able to be had at around $23K (the value edition), with the 2.0T tip, which was a good value, yet again the money made on every car was very small.
The Jetta is the one model in the VW lineup that people actually seem willing to pay a premium for over the less expensive competition. It still sells very well. Not so for the Passat, unfortunetly.
I'm just a little sad that the Passat, the car that really does drive the competition to advance. It's the benchmark for just about everything, from design to engine technology to build quality. Honda benchmarks it, Ford benchmarks it, hell, any automotive design team going off to build a mid-sized car takes a seriously long look at VW's Passat. I have a friend who works for Honda in Torrance CA and even he tells me how highly regarded the car is within industry circles. The current car has class leading safety, build quality, and VWs latest design injections - Electronic parking brake, rear side airbags, Direct Injection), and mark my words the competition will offer all this in their next generation cars. The Passat has always been a generation ahead, which accounts for it's price. This car sets goal markers, it's the one to beat, bar none, I truely believe this. Shame to see it go and in it's place a cheap attempt to immitate the Japanese take over.
If you ever get a chance, spend some time with a Passat. Say what you will about ownership costs, but the quality upon inspection cannot go unnoticed. The trunk arms look like they were designed to belong in an art museum. All four windows can be lowered and raised in one touch. The overhead mirrors have a sliding mechanism found in more expensive German cars. The laser gap tolorances on the body are best in class, bar none. The intricately placed LED lighting for the turn signal and brake lamp look like they belong in a $100,000 car. Hell, open the drivers door, there's a slot to drain your umbrella. Take your foot off the brake on a hill and the car automatically holds the brakes until the instant you release the clutch pedal (you have no idea how luxurious it was to have this in San Francisco). These small details are what makes the car German, a Volkswagen, and supposing VW focuses on cost cutting, the end result cannot be a good one in my opinion.
The Jetta is the one model in the VW lineup that people actually seem willing to pay a premium for over the less expensive competition. It still sells very well. Not so for the Passat, unfortunetly.
I'm just a little sad that the Passat, the car that really does drive the competition to advance. It's the benchmark for just about everything, from design to engine technology to build quality. Honda benchmarks it, Ford benchmarks it, hell, any automotive design team going off to build a mid-sized car takes a seriously long look at VW's Passat. I have a friend who works for Honda in Torrance CA and even he tells me how highly regarded the car is within industry circles. The current car has class leading safety, build quality, and VWs latest design injections - Electronic parking brake, rear side airbags, Direct Injection), and mark my words the competition will offer all this in their next generation cars. The Passat has always been a generation ahead, which accounts for it's price. This car sets goal markers, it's the one to beat, bar none, I truely believe this. Shame to see it go and in it's place a cheap attempt to immitate the Japanese take over.
If you ever get a chance, spend some time with a Passat. Say what you will about ownership costs, but the quality upon inspection cannot go unnoticed. The trunk arms look like they were designed to belong in an art museum. All four windows can be lowered and raised in one touch. The overhead mirrors have a sliding mechanism found in more expensive German cars. The laser gap tolorances on the body are best in class, bar none. The intricately placed LED lighting for the turn signal and brake lamp look like they belong in a $100,000 car. Hell, open the drivers door, there's a slot to drain your umbrella. Take your foot off the brake on a hill and the car automatically holds the brakes until the instant you release the clutch pedal (you have no idea how luxurious it was to have this in San Francisco). These small details are what makes the car German, a Volkswagen, and supposing VW focuses on cost cutting, the end result cannot be a good one in my opinion.
Last edited by FKL; 02-13-09 at 01:29 AM.
02-13-09, 09:34 AM
#51
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 4,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-13-09, 10:27 AM
#52
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Park Ridge IL
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good for VW, whats the point of being the best if you cant sell it? Knowing VW the passat wont be cheapend down much. The golf V was selling very well in europe yet it cost a lot to build and VW wasnt making much on it. The new golg VI is a bit more a lot nicer and a lot cheaper to build. I think that VW might take the same simaler route. They will find a way to drop prices on somethings make it look and feal almost the same and thats how it will sell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fximoEOhL4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fximoEOhL4
02-13-09, 10:49 AM
#53
Lexus Fanatic
02-13-09, 12:01 PM
#55
Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ny
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
em, interesting..
Passat is being sold in China market and has the same price with Camry and Accord.
but still can't compete with them (2008==accord, 170000, camry,150000, Passat, 70000).
How can they manage to downgrade this car and then get a big jump of selling?
plus, VW entered China Market 30 years ago, Camry entered this same market 2 years ago.
Passat is being sold in China market and has the same price with Camry and Accord.
but still can't compete with them (2008==accord, 170000, camry,150000, Passat, 70000).
How can they manage to downgrade this car and then get a big jump of selling?
plus, VW entered China Market 30 years ago, Camry entered this same market 2 years ago.
Last edited by kpmg2007; 02-15-09 at 05:41 AM.
12-07-10, 10:18 AM
#59
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
that's the equivalent of an automotive brown paper bag. 
12-07-10, 11:53 AM
#60
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It seems that a VW is quickly becoming the "beige Volvo" of yesteryear.
In their quest to topple Toyota, they've managed to make Toyota designs look exciting in comparison.
In their quest to topple Toyota, they've managed to make Toyota designs look exciting in comparison.