2009 VW Passat (What Happened?)

[silverspeedbuggy]

Manual transmission is on the 'entry-level' Sport model. Even though it is the 'basic' model it still is very well appointed.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by silverspeedbuggy

Manual transmission is on the 'entry-level' Sport model. Even though it is the 'basic' model it still is very well appointed.

I guess that's why I missed. As long as GPS and bluetooth are available on the entry level, I'm good. I'll go back in re-configure a manual one in a bit.

[glx01]

kinda reminds me of the new accord.......I know accord is a honda but looks similar

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by glx01

kinda reminds me of the new accord.......I know accord is a honda but looks similar

I can kinda see that in the headlights. I definitely see some similarities with the CLS & S-Class and the CC

[JGC843]

I think it's off the chain...

[thorgipsy]

I really like it. I looked at them when I took Zuka in for his first checkup/oil change. Affordable Phaetonesque luxury

[Cadenza]

It's a hoot... but the manual is more fun, of course. When revving, the engine has a nice tune.

Clutch is very light and so is the steering. A light clutch I can get use to but the steering needs to be tightened up.

Overall it handles well for a sedan. Not like a GTI or a NB but good enough. Upgrading the suspension with stiffer shocks/struts and/or add a rear sway bar would improve handling.

I think the base trim (2.0T & manual) is very good when compared to the Accord and Camry of similar price level.

[Severecaraddict]

I got to look at one of these up close last Friday and they're REALLY attractive cars. They have classy body lines and the sunroof is HUGE. As much as I love the look of the car; they get pretty pricey when you start adding options. BMW > VW any day and a nicely optioned out CC is very comparable to a well loaded 3 Series and damn close to the 5 Series.

Originally Posted by Cadenza

I think the base trim (2.0T & manual) is very good when compared to the Accord and Camry of similar price level.

Its not really a fair comparison when you look at other factors such as service, resale, and overall reliability.

[Cadenza]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

Its not really a fair comparison when you look at other factors such as service, resale, and overall reliability.

Nothing is fair if you throw in "service, resale and overall reliability". Especially on reliability, the Germans are really lagging regardless of brand.

I met 2 Bosch engineers who worked as consultants in Japan admit that the Germans will probably NEVER match the Japanese on quality control in mass production. A lot of it is cultural, social and legal. For example, in Japan failure and not meeting expectation is personal shame and/or lack of honor. Another example is regular inspection of cars 3-4 years or older is law. The inspection is paid by the owner but the information collected is passed to the manufacturer, who uses it to improve the manufacturing quality.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by Cadenza

Nothing is fair if you throw in "service, resale and overall reliability". Especially on reliability, the Germans are really lagging regardless of brand.

I met 2 Bosch engineers who worked as consultants in Japan admit that the Germans will probably NEVER match the Japanese on quality control in mass production. A lot of it is cultural, social and legal. For example, in Japan failure and not meeting expectation is personal shame and/or lack of honor. Another example is regular inspection of cars 3-4 years or older is law. The inspection is paid by the owner but the information collected is passed to the manufacturer, who uses it to improve the manufacturing quality.

I'm just saying: Compare apples to apples.

[pdoel]

I dunno. Comparing my NB and my Audi to my two Toyota 4Runners, the German cars beat the Japenese in both service and reliability, hands down.

I had a ton of trouble with both 4Runners, and my service experience was absolutely horrid with Toyota.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by pdoel

I dunno. Comparing my NB and my Audi to my two Toyota 4Runners, the German cars beat the Japenese in both service and reliability, hands down.

I had a ton of trouble with both 4Runners, and my service experience was absolutely horrid with Toyota.

There are flukes with any manufacturer's vehicle or dealership service. With that said, I think its fair to say that VW has been known for 'issues' with their cars and are notorious to say the least when it comes to horrible service.

I've never owned a Toyota but they seem to be known for great reliability and resale.

Glad to see that after two problematic Toyotas and poor dealer services that you opted to get something other than a Toyota to replace your 4Runner.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by Severecaraddict

There are flukes with any manufacturer's vehicle or dealership service. With that said, I think its fair to say that VW has been known for 'issues' with their cars and are notorious to say the least when it comes to horrible service.

I've never owned a Toyota but they seem to be known for great reliability and resale.

Glad to see that after two problematic Toyotas and poor dealer services that you opted to get something other than a Toyota to replace your 4Runner.

Actually, these aren't "flukes". Both vehicles had issues common to that model that Toyota refused to fix.

'99 4Runner had a problematic clutch pedal that had to be replaced every 6 months.

The '03 4Runner has many issues. A few bad switches, rattly sunroofs, rattly seats, sunroofs going bad (no power) and needing to be replaced, and I had to put new brakes on it every 6 months. The '99 I actually enjoyed despite the clutch pedal. But the dealership became more and more problematic each time the problem came up.

The '03 was just horrible from the beginning. As Toyota has grown, their reliability has dropped. The last few times I had my Toyota in for service, I couldn't even get it onto the lot due to the long line of cars waiting to check their cars in for service.

At least with VW, when they do have issues, they recall parts, extend warranties, replace parts with better ones, etc.

Toyota won't do that. The driver's seat on my '03 rattled from the day I got it. Every '03 - '07 4Runner off the truck from the factory had the same issue. It took Toyota THAT long to replace it in the new models, but they refused to fix it in the ones already out there with the bad seats.

I know Toyota is "known" for quality, but those days are over for now.

[Severecaraddict]

Originally Posted by pdoel

I know Toyota is "known" for quality, but those days are over for now.

I suppose that's why Toyota just posted their first loss in over 50 years.

My ex-girlfriend still has her '03 4-Runner Limited w/the v8. Its sitting at around 140k and still no issues aside from regular wear and tear.

Back to the CC: Like I said, in a few years once the market has become saturated with them, I wouldn't mind picking up a gently used one. They're nice cars but not $45k worth of nice.

[Be a Bug]

Originally Posted by callisto9

I didn't like it when they changed the design in 2006 - the Passats are looking like every other car out there. I say "meh".

Phaeton, CC, Passat? I haven't seen a German luxury sedan I've liked in years and I've never seen one I can afford. I'll stick with my NB and da wife's Jetta.

[pdoel]

I saw my first CC on the road Friday evening. Looked incredible!!!

[jeromiej]

The new CC is Beautiful- a bit pricey though! They are probably amazing to drive.

[ShiftyTDI]

You're loco, the CC's are gorgeous.

[Turbomania]

The CC is no doubt one of the best looking cars on the road. As far as reliability goes, all cars have their own issues. My 99 NB 1.8 turbo GLS came with every option available for 99 except the ESP plus a very generous warranty. 10 years/100,000 miles. It is trimmed out to be a GLX with all it's optional equipment like leather, power everything, cold weather package, etc. As with all cars, the dealers service department makes or breaks the car. A VW that is maintained by the VW bible will run for a very long time. Mine has been the best car I have ever owned as far as repairs and breakdowns go but I have been lucky enough to have 2 pretty good service centers to choose from. With as much knowledge of your car as you can have plus a good relationship with the service guys, I think my car will last me my entire lifetime. If I had the money, I would trade it for another VW product in an instant, but only after mine wears out.... JK

[888]

I have a 2000 Passat (B5), I thought it was one of the cleanest and most attractive designs VW ever came up with, next to the NB. I haven't liked any of the later Passat designs as well, even the B5.5 where they added all the chrome trim to the B5.

The 09 Passat seems to be more of what was done to the Mk5 Jetta, looks sorta Japanese from some angles. I can't find an angle that I like on the Mk 5 Jetta, the Passat looks better than the Jetta for sure.

I just hope they are getting more reliable and less complex/costly to own but knowing VW, they probably aren't. I have to replace the aluminum front end on my B5 next week, that's a really painful experience.