fahoumh

wow....just wow.

fahoumh

While I agree that the LS is a really nice and easily the most quiet car I have ridden in, I was a little disappointed the rear legroom. For some reason I thought it had more. Oh, it was a '99.

Maximized

You really cannot tell unless you buy a phaeton and take it into service or know someone who has done the same. VW could have instructed it's dealer network to treat these customers in a different way.

CLovis

we're talking about the 1st gen Q. It was a slightly radical and definately controversial design when it came out (part of the reason of its comparatively poor sales) - the later ones, they made them more "normal" looking....

CLovis

CLovis

thank you. that's all I'm saying, think about it. VW may be making a bold move with this Phaeton, but they are not stupid. And remember VW may not seem like much to you guys, but in the automotive world they have quite a history. Indeed, the Beetle is a direct ancestor of the Porsche 911, and consequently all other Porsches. The Germans know a thing or two about making cars, and VW is about as German as it gets.

What does the term "fahrvergnugen" mean to you??

Clovis

Sarlacc

Im not dissing VW. But i garuntee you wont see the same standards of service.

1) youll get other vw pissing, moaning, and complaining they arent receiveing similar service. And VW replying "well you didnt spend 100g" wont fly.

2) I jusst dont believe VW will send a driver with a new VW loaner to pick up your car for you form your doorstep for something like say an oil change, doesnt matter if its under warranty or not. ala lexus.

3) with all the complaint ive read concering vw and warratny work. I dont see owners having great times getting vw to help on after warranty problems IF its something valid. Like say AC parts failing at 60k, or something along those lines.

I just dont see it. Aint gonna happen.

fahoumh

ooohh...

CLovis

its ok, youre ok, not like that sarlacc joker.

Sarlacc

heeeey now, i havent slung out a single insult. :P

CLovis

good job

gavriil

Good and valid point, though, I dont think this one issue makes the whole package not worth its cost. I still think the Phaeton is a good value buy.

gavriil

Review by Autoweek on the V8 Phaeton:

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=08279679

In the end they conclude:

"Despite that, many on our staff argue Phaeton is the best German sedan available for the price, with VW over-delivering and under-pricing to attract customers. For a comparably equipped S-Class, the sticker would be near $90,000.

If our wallets were fat enough to drive a German luxury car, would we venture into a VW dealership? We'd argue it's worth the trip. "

Source: Autoweek

gavriil

Also from another Autoweek article, it says that USA VW dealers did not like the fact that they were allocated only 330 W12 Phaetons for the year. VW said OK but will now charge $10K more than earlier.

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=08626959


Also, about the service point raised by a member before, in this article it's mentioned that only 225 out of 607 VW dealers around the country have been trained for servicing a Phaeton.

Finally, it says that these dealers are required to have at least 2 Phaetons in stock, one to sell and one for prospect buyers to test-drive.

CLovis

you'll get no "chummy" from me buster. I live life a quarter mile at a time.

CLovis

soopa

The ES was a ripoff of the Legend... back when the Legend and Acura was the hottest selling luxury brand.

soopa

no better than an S.. you mean S-Class?

your kidding right?


the S-Class cant hold a candle to the Phaeton.

soopa

god. i hate americans.

soopa

the only negative i can get onboard with in this thread is the SERVICE.


despite VW's improvements... you will never get BENZ level service from a VW dealership...

you dont even get that with Audi or most Porsche dealerships... let alone standard ole VDub.


that is just about this cars ONLY downfall... and the only negative IMO about the VW badge.

Mike 350Z

well according to cars.com: 4dr Sedan Premiere Edition W12 $79,900 $73,253

Mike 350Z

that's msrp and invoice

soopa

**Base MSRP for the U.S. 2004 Phaeton W12 models. Features a special equipment package priced at
$4990 for a total MSRP of $84,890, excluding taxes, title, options, dealer charges,
emissions & destination charges. See a select Volkswagen dealer for details


so bout 100k out the door.

DISRUPTV

100% correct....the current s-class is way overrated in quite a few areas...the phaeton is built a lot better than an sclass and the materials in the phaeton will make the sclass interior look CHEAP....also, the ride on the phaeton should be a lot smoother and more luxurious than that of a comparable sclass

soopa

the V8 is about 75k fully equipped out the door. thats a bargain for what you get

its msrp is 65k... and thats with just about every option except for the `4 door` package which is a bunch of goodies for rear seat passengers

DISRUPTV

i would buy a phaeton, not new tho...i'd wait 2-3 years for depreciation to settle in

i agree adam, the phaeton is def a baragain

Crazy Bimmer

I just saw a commerical for it. Really didnt make the car look "s-class" status.

They need work on their marketing for it

gavriil

Yes I mean S Class. You really think the Phaeton is better than the S? So you're saying the Phaeton is THE best in its class, not considering price. Right?

If yes, I disagree, though only from what I have read and judged. I have never driven and S, nor a Phaeton of course.

gavriil

Hehehe.... What you hate is a certain way of thinking. What is it though exactly in this case? Because dont forget that what Europeans are thinking of the Phaeton is that it's an unecessary effort for a huge car that consumes a ton of gas and pollutes the environment, etc, etc. Plus they also think that VW should "not have gone there" with a luxo tourer.

gavriil

OK then let me rephrase. It wont be better than the new S Class (W221) since the current model is on its way out, the comparison may not be exactly fair.

Of couse we dont know what the new S will be, feel and look like, though we all know it will be a huge improvement on the current car, from all angles.

soopa

go look at an S-Class gavrill. than look at a new benz.


the QUALITY of late model benz's is extremely lacking. shit even Beltfed can get on board with this. I remember him at PAA bitching about the shitty material inside his S-Class.


yes. the phaeton is the BEST luxury car short of a Maybach. and I stick to that. I would take a Phaeton over anything in its class... I would take it over a Rolls... or a Bentley.

(all badges aside of course)

soopa

i think you are only reading the negative press.


read some of the GOOD press. and than go see the car for yourself

Maximized

I would disagree that it's the best luxury sedan. The A8 W12 is a much nicer car inside and out. The Audi will handle a lot better and be quicker due to the fact it is lighter and has a more performance oriented suspension.

soopa

the A8 is not a better car.

yes it has better performance.


but its a luxury car!

the VW has a better ride... better materials, more luxuries, and a higher standard of build quality.

Zoot

So many of you would choose the Phaeton because it "is better" AND cheaper than the competition....What about the XJ8? That is cheaper than the Phaeton no?

Maximized

Where can you back up that last opinion? The A8 is VW/Audi's flagship. The A8 W12 is a better car all around. C&D wasnt too impressed with the V8 Phaeton, in fact the Audi A8L handily beat it in the most recent comparo. The A8 W12 shares the same engine in a better handling, better performing car, all with better service and prestige. These are the things that luxury car buyers look for. The interior is a toss up IMO and is subjective to the viewer. I prefer the A8 styling because it is more athletic.

heyitsme

yum, either way I think the vw and audi have the best interiors in that category.

gavriil

I now see where you're standing.

Again, without having any personal experience with any of these cars (although I have been in an S class several times), I am under this impression:

The S Class is better than the Phaeton even if you take the money factor out. But maybe not by much. And the case can be made for the new 7 series, although a lot of it will depend on how high the sportiness factor will be in the prospective buyer's priority list.

The new W221 though will for sure be ahead of the Phaeton. Also, the A8 will give the Phaeton a good run and in some respects will also be ahead.

The Phaeton will be the winner only if the price is taken into consideration, especially in the case of the V8 car.

gavriil

Some photos of the S Class' interior:
















Phaeton here:

Crazy Bimmer

damn Phaeton is hot looking!!!! Shift knob could use work but besides that i think its better than the s-class.

Plus the pics that you posted of the next s-class looks terrible. Not feeling the bmw-like interior

soopa

yea.... alll those big ass airvents in the s-class are sure LUXURIOUS



Phaeton Please

Python2121

what i like about the vw is the fact that you dont see anything, no airvents, nice materials, everything looks kinda classy.

what i dont like about it is the fact that the trim and the interior clash in terms of colors, i think the benz looks much more chill and peaceful



i dont think anyone is really arguing that its not a nice car, though, or that its worse. i think anyone arguing against the phaeton is arguing

1. label is wrong
2. service might be an issue

they have valid points, though, and this car could be nicer then a bently and the issues would still be there.

i would assume if you brought it in, the loaner would be a passat w8, though. i wouldn't expect anything less.

both of these cars are in my dreams, though. if i had the money i would still probably go with the phaeton and throw the extra money someplace else. (then again if i had that money to blow id probably have enough to get both)