New VW Passat

[Falc]

Think the new 2L FSI Passat (B6) is launching at $109K now.

[Edrollbrick]

Anyone with an idea if they include service package?

How is their service anyway? Or where do you guys normally service your VWs

[Falc]

From what i heard all VW agents' svcing

 

Some VW oriented workshops are Servotronics and Autospitzer.

 

But as the 2.0 FSI or TFSI engines and DSG are so new, it's still a ? if those outside w/shops have the expertise to handle.

[See_eff]

Anyone drove it yet?

[Qwert]

The price of 109K is the pre-launch price, after that will revert to 115K.

[Toledosun]

Glad I didn't wait for it then. Before I bought my Jag, I was thinking of waiting for the passat. Hoped that they would at least price it closer to the Camrys and Ciferos. Even at $100k, the Passat will be a good buy because it's a great car.

 

But at $115k, for less than $5k more, you're looking at the Jag X-type, Volve S60s and Audi A4s. It's kinda hard to put the passat beside these and say it's in the same league.

[Rm2s]

I believe you need to look at how Passat is traditionally positioned. VW is trying to place it at the mid-executive car market but in most market we are aware, it is successful as an cheaper alternative to 5-series, A6 or E-class.

[Falc]

I would say it's a marketing gimmick, to entice pple to buy now.

[Rm2s]

huh, which new car launch does not have marketing gimmick? Like Lexus IS250, Yaris, etc etc .. all trying to get people to lock in their orders before the car even on our shore mah.

[Falc]

If it is the 2 TFSI, IMHO it will be more than a match for those cars u mention. But just the 2 FSI, agreed it is overprice. Will be nice if it is just say 10K above cefiro, JDM accord etc. But depends on the OMV also i guess.

[Falc]

Even if every new car launch has that, doesnt mean one need to fall for it.

[Rm2s]

Even if every new car launch has that, doesnt mean one need to fall for it.

 

Oh, of course, it all depends on you.

 

The point I was making is that all car launches has marketing element to it, whether the marketing campaign is successful or not depends on what they do and how they position their car and which consumer groups they are targeting.

[Toledosun]

I believe in other markets, it's pitted against the Beemer 3s, Merc Cs and the A4s. But then, considerations in other countries are quite different. In S'pore, most people shopping for cars will normally not put it in the same categories as those cars. Not that it's inferior in any sense of the word, just that our perception of how these brands measure up is different.

[Rm2s]

In some way, I agree with you. VW positioning of cars is interesting, like I always believe, it does not matter how the manufacturer feel where their model belongs, it is the market that will determine their place.

 

In Singapore, VW has never been a premium brand, even Audi is trying so hard for so many years, it is still not up there with BMW or Merc when it come time to sign your name on the dotted line.

[Falc]

I think VW is already regarded more highly in SG than in other countries. Elsewhere it is just the "people's car", same level as all other non-premium brands (Merc, Lexus, Audi).

 

Here it is a lower rung german marque, but still a tad higher than the lesser contis. That's why their pricing reflect this kind of positioning I guess.

[Gkotody]

Glad I didn't wait for it then. Before I bought my Jag, I was thinking of waiting for the passat. Hoped that they would at least price it closer to the Camrys and Ciferos. Even at $100k, the Passat will be a good buy because it's a great car.

 

But at $115k, for less than $5k more, you're looking at the Jag X-type, Volve S60s and Audi A4s. It's kinda hard to put the passat beside these and say it's in the same league.

 

No offence but sat in the Jag X-type before.I don't think you can compare the X-type with the new Passat.X-type IMO is cramped.Only sweetener is probably the free 3 yrs service package.Passat is big & spacious.When you get older,space becomes important.If the Passat does come with the DSG,it'l be great coz it's possibly the greatest autobox in the world currently.All these just based on my observation hor so don't flame me ah.

[Darth_mel]

Read somewhere that Jag-X is just an overpriced Mondeo.

 

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/02x-type2.htm

Edited December 22, 2005 by Darth_mel

[Toledosun]

I agree with your comments. If you compare the specs of the passat with that of the X-type, I agree that be it in terms of space or specs, it is superior.

 

In fact, if you compare the passat with even the beemer 320 or the merc 180, you will find that it really doesn't lose out that much in terms of space or specs (not talking about 0-100 type of specs but more technology goodies etc).

 

Where the passat loses out is only in terms of its status image. VW is viewed as a good, solid continental car, but not really as being an upmarket continental car. For that matter, if you were shopping for a luxury car and the choice is between a phaeton, beemer, jag or merc, I believe the phaeton would not be your first choice.