Low mileage diesel Passat, anyone?

Matt82 · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:35

but then why would they put such an enormous engine in? there must be a sort of need for a sense of "fun" if you spec it with that lump

The Mad Rapper · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:36

[TW]Fox;16360521 said:
People who want carbon fibre interior trim dont buy new VW Pheatons. They might like the idea of a Pheaton, but they wont buy one. They'll buy something else. The Pheaton is the opposite end of the Motoring spectrum to sportyness.

I agree that it's not a sporty car, but I disagree that one shouldn't be able to specify an interior that isn't 'Old Man'

I really like the Phaeton, I'd even buy a good used example if they sorted that hideous wooden trim out. I really think there should be an option.

After all, you can get a brushed aluminium interior trim on most decent mid-range family estates and I don't think anyone could say they are sporty.

mjt · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:37

Matt82 said:
but then why would they put such an enormous engine in? there must be a sort of need for a sense of "fun" if you spec it with that lump

So you can waft across Germany at 300 km/h with minimal fuss.

The Mad Rapper · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:38

Matt82 said:
but then why would they put such an enormous engine in? there must be a sort of need for a sense of "fun" if you spec it with that lump

Indeed. Although my view of the Phaeton has always been that it is an extremely comfortable and rapid motorway muncher, rather than anything overtly sporty.

The W12 in particular transforms that car from the other options.

Jez · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:40

The Mad Rapper said:
I agree that it's not a sporty car, but I disagree that one shouldn't be able to specify an interior that isn't 'Old Man'

That is exactly the point though, most customers of new luxury segment vehicles are people who could be described by that very term, or at least be of that persuasion.

The Mad Rapper · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:42

Jez said:
I would assume that this has been thought of. I cannot imagine it being a popular option at all. Traditionally cars with sporting pretensions within this class have not been popular

Do you think you are likely to ever be in the market for the purchase of a new car within the luxury segment?

Given that Mrs Mad Rapper is 4 months pregnant with Baby Mad Rapper I would concede that, for the immediate future at least, our needs will have to be more practical

Our joint income is substantial, so financially we could buy a car in that segment, but realistically it wouldn't be the right option for us at the moment.

The Mad Rapper · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:43

Jez said:
That is exactly the point though, most customers of new luxury segment vehicles are people who could be described by that very term, or at least be of that persuasion.

What about young men who are grumpy on occasion and losing their hair? Do they count?

The_Abyss · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:46

Phaeton, not Pheaton.

Unless this was an attempt at humour that passed me by.

Jez · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:54

The Mad Rapper said:
Our joint income is substantial, so financially we could buy a car in that segment, but realistically it wouldn't be the right option for us at the moment.

I wasnt meaning financially as such, i was wondering whether really you would even ever be after a luxury segment car (as opposed to a more sporting exec class car such as an E-Class Mercedes or 5-Series BMW)?

I very much like them (them being luxury class cars), and see them as the only type of saloon car i would be interested in, but then i like the wood trimming, so i fit their target.

I cant really imagine many people after a car of this type would be interested in the metal or carbon type trims really.

Kappa · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:56

-Ad- said:
We can clearly see you are not engineering minded

eheheh, from being an engineer and now in finance, I see both sides

Matt82, I wouldnt really care if it was a golf or something as I'd have probably paid a fiver for it, these Phaetons are complicated machines with potential for big bills, high mileage and age puts it in the category of being closer to a big bill than not.

LiE · 14 Apr 2010 at 13:59

This car was DAME SHIRLEY BASSEYS personal chuffeur car

Sold.

The Mad Rapper · 14 Apr 2010 at 14:00

Jez said:
I wasnt meaning financially as such, i was wondering whether really you would even ever be after a luxury segment car (as opposed to a more sporting exec class car such as an E-Class Mercedes or 5-Series BMW)?

I very much like them (them being luxury class cars), and see them as the only type of saloon car i would be interested in, but then i like the wood trimming, so i fit their target. I cant really imagine many people after a car of this type would be interested in the metal or carbon type trims really.

Aah, sorry, I misunderstood.

If you count the Phaeton in that class, then possibly. I've also always liked the 7 Series BMW as well. That said, I have to be realistic. We just bought an 09 Passat for family reasons, and as I mentioned yesterday, the next car will probably see us return to Audi and buy an A6 Avant.

Boring I know.

Perhaps one day when the chicks have flown the nest - or are at least flapping their wings

The_Abyss · 14 Apr 2010 at 18:34

Trying to prompt some flaming with the edit of the thread title?

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2010 at 18:40

I've not edited the thread title?

Hxc · 14 Apr 2010 at 18:49

I adore the Phaeton for no real reason, and 2nd hand they are a hell of a bargain.

Has a truly silly torsional rigidity as well, miles higher than anything comparable and higher than a lot of supercars as well.

OllyM · 14 Apr 2010 at 18:59

I want to know what a 'chuffeur' is!

Moeks · 14 Apr 2010 at 19:02

Now I like that a lot, I still wouldn't buy it though because I can't come to terms with a luxury car mated with a diesel engine, good, quiet, smooth and powerful as it may be ...I'd want the W12.

Joshy · 14 Apr 2010 at 19:58

I have my doubts that a W12 powered car would make it ANYWHERE near that sort of mileage... I always hoped that Bentley would try and shove the V10 diesel into something, ideal powerplant for one.

I really doubt we'll ever see anything like the Phaeton again. It is a brilliant luxury car, but was a complete marketing failure purely because of the badge they stuck on. These really are THE second hand bargain barge of the century

OllyM · 14 Apr 2010 at 19:59

Joshy said:
I have my doubts that a W12 powered car would make it ANYWHERE near that sort of mileage... I always hoped that Bentley would try and shove the V10 diesel into something, ideal powerplant for one.

I really doubt we'll ever see anything like the Phaeton again. It is a brilliant luxury car, but was a complete marketing failure purely because of the badge they stuck on. These really are THE second hand bargain barge of the century

Why? The W12 is a normally aspirated fairly lazily tuned engine in the Phaeton, it's less complex than the V10 TDI with two turbos and all the ancillaries?

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2010 at 20:08

Joshy said:
I really doubt we'll ever see anything like the Phaeton again. It is a brilliant luxury car, but was a complete marketing failure purely because of the badge they stuck on. These really are THE second hand bargain barge of the century

I think they WERE the second hand bargain badge of the century but are no longer. They do not seem to be appreciably cheaper these days than the equivilent Mercedes, BMW or Audi.