05-11-2006, 12:36 AM | #1 |
Vicarious Twitterer
Join Date: May 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP
Location: CT
Posts: 7,566
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Test Drive: New Passat Wagon
I have a friend who just purchased a new Passat 2.0t wagon.
He got the "package 2" option this includes a leather interior, sat radio, 17's and some other nice bits I can't recall. What a car! The engine's silky smooth at idle, but has a muted growl upon acceleration. The six speed tip-tronic shifts smoothly and imperceptively. The ride's excellent, the steering (electric) just fine and the throttle response is right there. It's not sporty by any measure, it's just really competent. The interior, in package two level, is quite nice. There are a few hard plastics here and there, but the seats, with their long cushions and multiple adjustments, fit me just right. The steering wheel's covered in leather and it tilts and telescopes. My only ergonomic nit is the brake pedal - it's too high and too close the the throttle. Nice ambient lighting, just like my old E46. This car has the same luxo feel as the BMW 325xi wagon I drove last week, yet it cost just under 30k and had generous 4.9 percent financing. Now, if only VW could convince me they're on a track to better customer relations and improved reliability (i.e., I suspect the electric tailgate will cease working, but I'd like the tranny to last more than 70k) I'd convince my wife she needs this car. Ed |
05-11-2006, 07:27 AM | #2 |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,265
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Did this car look like this: http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=7126
If so, no dice. Ever. |
05-11-2006, 09:25 AM | #3 | |
Vicarious Twitterer
Join Date: May 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP
Location: CT
Posts: 7,566
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Quote:
Ed |
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05-11-2006, 09:43 AM | #4 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,611
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05-11-2006, 09:59 AM | #5 | |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Quote:
You can't deny the freaking thing has teeth though. |
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05-11-2006, 10:17 AM | #6 | |
Vicarious Twitterer
Join Date: May 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP
Location: CT
Posts: 7,566
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Quote:
Ed Last edited by Sharp11; 05-11-2006 at 10:35 AM. |
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05-11-2006, 10:45 AM | #7 | |
Nerd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Carmudgeonly Ride: '87 M3, Subie FXT, Mazda CX-9
Location: Missouri loves company
Posts: 884
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05-11-2006, 12:31 PM | #8 |
Western Anomaly
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca
Posts: 16,612
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my only concern, as always, is the reliability of the product.
but i looked up the specs of the 3.0 5M mazda 6 wagon and it's 3400 pounds and has the same power as the 2.0T. i'm actively looking in this market. pickings are slim.
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05-11-2006, 12:59 PM | #9 | |
lawn boy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,029
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05-11-2006, 02:05 PM | #10 | |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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