What Model Passat Do You Have?

**Autopia** · 13-05-2009, 11:22 PM

I thought it might be interesting to see who's got what.

As you can only offer 10 options in a poll I apologise to those with older models.

**Rocket36** · 14-05-2009, 08:22 AM

Great thread! Thought I'd add to it a bit with some details and background...

MY09 Volkswagen Passat R36 Sedan
Biscay Blue
Factory Sunroof
Factory SatNav

Background: In May last year my sister decided she wanted to trade in her Nissan X-Traill on a new car. We test drove EVERYTHING and really went into the details on each car all in the Golf size range. Other Euros, Japanese, Korean etc etc... The Honda Civic rated well but we drove the Golf Mk5 last. It was a 4000km dealer principle's wife's car - a White GT Sport. It literally blew EVERYTHING we'd seen before it out of the water even if it was priced slightly higher. I was driving a VE Clubsport R8 at the time and even I was in love with the Golf my sister was getting.

Ever since then I've had this thought wearing down at me that I really should be driving a Euro car. So last month, after having Holdens for as long as I can remember, I went into my dealer and traded in on a brand new R36. Everything about the car is brilliant! I still can't fault it. Quality, engineering, safety, comfort, features... It's got everything (except standard factory bluetooth). It's my first Volkswagen and I can see myelf driving it for at least the next 5 years! Short of winning the lottery, it's easily going to be the car I own for the longest period to date.

The thing I don't understand though (and I'm not complaining here) is that it's got everything, no, MORE than the BMWs, Audis and Mercedes in the same price range have and it's not gutless! You have to crack well into the 6 figure price range for any performance comparison with other Euro models similar in size and spec to the R36. I drove the Audi RS4, BMW M3 and my Uncle's AMG C63. Yup. They all outperform the R36 but not by an extra $80,000+. Other than performance figures, with every comparison I did the R36 was on par or better (seats in the R36 are by far the best out of all of them) and let's not forget that sweet engineering marvel - the DSG gearbox! I keep having to ask myself, "why did this car only cost me $70,000?" Yeah, the C63 would be my first choice if money was no object. But let's be practicle here... How much of the extra performace are you going to be able to use most of the time you drive? And besides, if I want performance that's hard to match from even Ferraris and Lamborginis, I'll take my B-King for a ride!

Nope - Volkswagen sold me with the R36! I'm certainly not looking back!

Great idea for a thread too...

Cheers!

**Autopia** · 14-05-2009, 08:38 AM

Nice little write up Rocket.

I know where you're coming from with your comments on the Audi's, BMW's and Merc's. The price premium they ask is just plain ridiculous. I'm a big Merc fan myself but no matter how I ran the figures I just couldn't justify the price they were asking.
The R36 (in fact VW's in general) represents outstanding value for money. Sure the DSG box is not without it's niggles but no car is perfect (except maybe the E63

).

I searched long and hard for a comparable "plan B" car but found nothing.

Well done Volkswagen.

**vinderliker** · 14-05-2009, 11:46 AM

Forgiven, I suppose

**limmy** · 14-05-2009, 04:00 PM

no one has a CC yet?!? maybe a little too old for the forums! my old man is waiting on delivery...est Sept. another one converted!

**Rocket36** · 14-05-2009, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by limmy

no one has a CC yet?!? maybe a little too old for the forums!

I'm 29 and it was the CC that prompted me to go in and check out the Volkswagens 3 weeks ago when I bought mine. They're a very classy looking car but what turned me off was the seriously lacking rear head room. Granted I'm 6'1" but if ever I had anyone in the back as tall as me it would be a safety concern for me. Worst case - in a roll over they could suffer serious head injuries. The max. 4 occupants didn't bother me and I love the rest of the car but you should be able to option lower, sportier suspension like the USA model. Ultimately, it's the same engine, gearbox and drive train as the R36. But thanks to the handling and slightly better practicality of the R36 (as well as it's sportier appearence) it won my decision.

I just wish I could put the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) in the R36 but it's an option that's not available unforunately.

Oh and I'm not sure I fully like the design of the bonnet on the CC. The middle "hump" looks out of place, it doesn't fit in with the curvy lines of the car.

**Steve** · 14-05-2009, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by limmy

no one has a CC yet?!? maybe a little too old for the forums! my old man is waiting on delivery...est Sept. another one converted!

I'm 24 and would have seriously considered the CC if I didn't want a wagon for ease of golf club access and maximum capacity for storage of gear for camping adventures... so the R36 got the nod

I do wish the R36 had some of the cooler CC options, like adaptive cruise, the steering wheel controls (but not shape), and KESSY or whatever it is.

**nting** · 16-05-2009, 01:27 AM

Knew we had a fair bias towards the R36 in the forums and fair enough, it's the best one. But it's also nice to see a few fellow 125TDI Wagonists around. Though it's still a bit early for me, mine doesn't arrive till June.

**passatpout** · 21-05-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by nting

Knew we had a fair bias towards the R36 in the forums and fair enough, it's the best one. But it's also nice to see a few fellow 125TDI Wagonists around. Though it's still a bit early for me, mine doesn't arrive till June.

Hear, hear... mind you, with three dogs, a kid, guitar, car fridge, etc, even the wagon can get squeezy... next thing I'll be getting a trailer..