Volkswagen Passat 2006+

ivan_99

Had a similar experience at a dealer as well...and Infiniti/Nissan.

The Infinity sales people just ignored me. There were about 5 or 6 of them standing around talking. I gave the "glance" a few times (and they did see me looking), but nobody came over. A Nissan salesman came by and I ended up buying an Infinity from the Nissan sales person.

I don’t see what the dealers/salesman problem is. Just a simple “Do you require any help” or “Call me or another sales person if you need anything”. They don’t have to jump down your throat trying to sell a car…and they don’t have to ignore you.

I think manufacturers cringe at the thought of losing sales do to poor sales staff…all the hard engineering, processing, manufacturing and marketing that goes into the product…only to loose the sale because some jerk doesn’t know proper social etiquette.

usmj1

Great experience with dealer in Burlington, Vermont. Immediate contact at dealership. Went the extra mile to get requested color for 06 Passat and gave loaner for 3 days it took to get the car. Still have fingers crossed on service. All in all, a good first impression.

markcincinnati

For best performance and mileage you must use Premium. If you use Regular, you will spend more money on gas and other costs. Don't chintz out on the juice!

dl7265

Same story. I prefer Boardwalk in Richardson. BTW whats did your other 2 cars think ?

DL

shaolingolfer

cars - kids. lol

I probably will give broadwalk a try. If not for the dealership problem and I still a little bit skeptic about the Passat's reliability, I will definitely buy the Passat.

gadom

I find it hard to read the speedo (it is to the right and 1/2 the numbers are small). Is there any way to use the MFD in the center as a speedometer (my E320 did this) MFD will show average speed but that is not very useful.
Thanks

rwatson

I bought a car from a Japanese dealership in Montgomery back in 97. The sales guy was awesome. We'll call him "H." That was his last sale at the dealership because he was to start at the VW dealer the next Monday. Fast forward 2 years. I wanted a VW and went off to find H and let him sell me one. No H was around. The dealer at the VW place was a $!@& munch (as usual). I walked out in an over-torqued condition to return to the Japanes dealership. Coming out to greet us was (of all people) H. I asked him what happened and told me about how he couldn't even stand being around those dorks at Jack Ingram Volkswagen of Montgomery, AL. There, I said it. He said that was the worst experience of his life, and I believe it. Funny thing is the service department is awesome!

owens2

when will the AWD be available?

rwatson

I think I heard next year.

maxamillion1

I agree 100% there....

VWoA makes some rather strange plans and ideas IMO.

yodaroni

I went to a VW dealer here in the Milwaukee area to lease a 2006 Passat, the sales person was helpful TILL he asked me if I was willing to lease the car today if all the figures are ok, I said no, I want to test drive it only for now, as I need to look at other possibilities. He said ok here is my card, I asked him if I can test drive the car he said he doesn't have time. I asked again all I need to do is to test drive it, he said he have an appointment and don't have the time. But he was willing to work with me only if I would commit to lease today???

So I visited the dealer again just to look at the car again from the outside, he saw me and he said would you like to test drive it?, I said sure

After the test drive I returned to the dealer, I handed over the key and told him I will be in contact.

Now that I am ready to lease it, I don't know if I should give them my business or go to a different dealer to lease it.

yodaroni

Did anyone notice that the transmission on the 06 Passat is made in Japan?

I thought the car is made totally in Germany, by the way the VIN # is German

Any thoughts?, is that a good or a bad thing, or does it even matter?

Thanks

robr2

Did anyone notice that the transmission on the 06 Passat is made in Japan?IIRC, the auto transmission is made by Aisan which is partly owned by Toyota.

fish8

I would not reward the attitude the salesman gave you...go to another dealer!!

ivan_99

You could also say “Did you know that the Camry is built in the USA and not Japan”, the Volvo V8 is from Yamaha. And many more statements like that.

I usually concern myself more with where it’s engineered than where it’s put together…for the most part. Not sure where the tranny is engineered.

But even if it’s engineered in Germany…are those natural born German engineers…or engineers from Asia…or would it matter? Probably not if the product development kept true to the “German-ness”.

Global economy…all one big happy planet sharing everything…I could use a hug.

rwatson

Saw my first 2006 Passat on the road today. Looks like someone made that 100+ mile trip. Too bad. I wanted to be the firs tin the town. But hey, I'm waiting for the manual to show up.
Yodaroni, I would go to another dealership, get one from them (if they play nice) and show up at the first dealership and ask the sales guy how he likes it.

birdboy

I agree. I went to Heart VW in Kingston NY. They could not do enough for me with questions, answers etc. I was even told I could take take the car home overnight to test it on the backroads..I test drove it for an hour and found it a wonderful upgrade from my 02 except for the seats. I do not like the new flat seats.I would not reward the dealership with my purchase if I got less than acceptable treatment.I am deceiding between the passat and the new saab 9-3 sport combi hatch due out next month.

silverfox1

Looking at 06 Passat with 2.0T and 6 speed auto. Has anyone any real gas mileage figures (city and hwy) on this car?

hondaconvert1

Try out the new 2006 Avalon before your final decision, you will not regret it, unless you have no interest in Japanese vehicles... I drove both BMW and Passat, but none has the comfort, luxury and reliability of the Avalon...

yodaroni

Hondaconvert, did you end up buying the Avalon?, and if so, what kind of gas mileage are you getting?, I looked at the sticker of the Avalon and it say some high numbers like 22 city and 30 highway...is that true with such a big V6?

fish8

2006 Avalon? Interesting comparison. I personally, would never put these 2 cars in the same category. My Mom has a new Avalon and that thing is fast, but also: BIG, plain / odd interior and doesn't have the road feel of the Passat. It's a nice car to say the least, but think it's a bit of an odd comparison.

voicenyc

Dear Silverfox,

I bought a new 2006 Passat about 4 weeks ago with automatic and turbo. If I drive at reasonable speeds, I get about 20 MPG in town. The highway is about 28 to 29 if I drive 75 mph or above. If I drive 65 or below, the mileage goes up to about 31 mpg.

I love the car. It is MUCH better mileage than my 2002 Passat with the V6 and it has more horses under the hood. So far, I really am enjoying this automobile.

Good luck.
voicetea

vwguild

The 4 Motion 3.6L Passat will should be available on the West Coast aound Christmas, but on the East Coast around Thanksgiving...

vwguild

It is an Aisin Transmission...Probably the best in the world

rwatson

I wonder if the manual will have reverse in the same old quirky VW position (Upper- far left)? I was in orlando a couple years ago and watched as a valet tried to back up a new Beetle. He kept creeping forward until he was just inches from the car in front of him. Finally I got out of my car to see what the problem was. He couldn't figure out how to get it in reverse! :P I showed him how to press down on it first and move it into gear. He thought that was the neatest thing he'd ever seen!

ivan_99

A few years ago (1999) I was in Germany and had a rental (Opel) and I was attempting to get it out of the underground parking. I could not find the reverse!!! I didn’t want to ask the Germans how to get it into reverse…pride…shame, so I fiddle for a while (I would have slept there if I had to). I finally figured out that I had to lift the circle ring around the shifter and then put it into the reverse gear…go figure.

vwguild

No...This is a 6 Speed...Reverse is down and to the right...

rwatson

Sounds Japanese to me.

rwatson

I apologize for wasting band width. I should have checked other sources as well before I spouted off. I have a Passat screen saver from the German VW site. It has some really cool Close-up pics and of course, it is of the manual. What self-respecting German would drive an automatic VW? Anyway, it shows reverse to be in the standard VW position: Up and to the left. Thank goodness for tradition.

cpurick

I think reverse, with most six speeds I have seen, is to the left of first gear. You have to go through and extra detent or something to get there -- in the VWs I think you push the stick downward to get to the reverse gate.

irnmdn

Apart from having Japanese transmission, it would be nice if VW
got their eletricals from Japan too. Of all my VW owning friends not one hasn't
replaced headlight yet!

foolsquirrel

You mean replacing the headlight bulb?

yodaroni

I remember when I leased my 2001 Jetta, my friend droped me at the dealer to pickup my brand new car, we picked it up and as I was driving home my friend who was behind me noticed the rear brake light is out on the right side, I thought he was pulling my leg after all its BRAND NEW, oh no it was out, eventhough it wasn't a big deal I was mad, oh well after few other problems with windows and so on, I was happy to return the car at the end of the 3 year lease.

vwguild

I am sorry, I was making a joke...forgot to put in the "wink" icon...Reverse can only be up to the left with a 6 Speed...And yes, Aisin is Japanese...

someguy1

anyone know the date release of the wagon????
thanks,
ka

ivan_99

I think spring 2006





or a modified version...

dino001

Why I was so surprised when hated the chrome nose when I saw it in person (I liked it on pictures). Eureka! Florida doesn't have front licence place and that hideus chrome is exposed. With license plate it look allright. Should I move or perhaps get one of those "tasteful" alumni tags? How about a bra ? Anything wil do...

vwguild

I would go with the bra...

rwatson

Beautiful car. Now something new for the Japanese to copy. And copy they will, as they always do.

cosmo

Drive by a Mercury dealer's lot and check out the new Montego. Now that is one good looking Passat. A lot more attractive than all the Edsels on the Audi/VW lot. I'm glad I bought a 2004.

ivan_99

I think the Jetta aftermarket has grey/black in place of the chrome...i assume the Passat is coming as well.

sixfive

Yes, the Corolla look alike 06 VW's are just the envy of all japanese design firms and manufacturers. I used to love my passat for the way it looked. :lemon: Then the G-35 came out and I replaced my lemon with it. It doesn't seem to look like anything else now does it? Sure the TL looks like a 3 but, lets not start a stereotype becasue we feel superior in our love for german engineered cars. Maybe the Germans should copy some of the japanese electrical design principles, oh wait it sounds like they did!

As a 05 Touareg owner, I doubt the FX drivers are feeling like they drive a copy of a german SUV. The FX is the best looking SUV on the road and broke design ground. I don't think the new IS350 looks like anything German. I don't see anyone copying this passat. It actually looks like a Ford 500. And for 40K loaded, my money goes to the Right Wheel Drive offerings.

mantan

What you say about the reverse is not true. My 04 Maxima has the reverse on the right,
next to the 6, like the reverse on old 4sp-man.

vwguild

UP to the right/Up to the left...Does this really matter?

shipo

Yes. I've known two folks who when they were in a hurry managed to grab reverse instead of first and caused an accident by backing into the car behind them (in fact one was in one of my cars and caused a fair amount of damage). In my case I was driving one of my "Reverse Up to the Left" cars and unexpectedly caught reverse and I too nearly caused an accident.

Is it a show stopper for me if a car is up and to the left? No. Would I prefer up and to the right? Yup.

Best Regards,
Shipo

mattsf

Hey folks--

anyone else notice the Flash-based web configuration tool at vw.com for the new Passat is broken? you can't unclick things you've clicked, etc. seems like gunning for such a tech-savvy demographic would behoove a website that worked. I guess all the extra developer bucks went into the sort of cool but essentially useless Force of Good campaign for the Beetle

I'm considering the 06 Passat to replace my aging (but loved!) 97 Jetta GLS that was the recent winner of a free hit-and-run door and quarterpanel impact. Insurance is going ahead and paying for repairs but it begs the question why? since the best KBB value on my car that I could figure was $4700.

Anyway, I have to agree with dino001, the chrome thing is out of hand. And the only thing worse than too much chrome is chrome that is nothing but chrome on plastic. If the goal is to keep body weight down, how about plastic that's honest plastic I have the same thing on my German-made Grohe faucet backplate in my shower: genuine chrome-plated plastic. thanks but no thanks ...but i digress

It is a shame to read some of these terrible encounters with dealers some readers have had...inexcusable. does autobytel.com still do the dealer-evaluation thing? I used them to buy my Jetta back in 97 and it was great: they steered me away from a local dealer with bad cust service ratings to another Bay Area dealer that had good marks.

I'm keeping an eye on the 06 Passat stories and hope to test drive one soon. One thing I think is lame is the "can't get this option without that other option" pricing but I guess all automakers like to play the gouge-game to some degree.

Great reading all the useful info here, thanks and I'll be reading more!

owens2

When can you place order for 2006 AWD Passat--------When will they actually arrive at dealers?

vwguild

First allocation this week...I can order 1. Due into California mid January...Into Chicagoland probably closer to Christmas week...

jerry23

I have purchased 4 Passats from Heart VW over the years, and have purchased a new GLI Saturday. They will stand by you throught your ownership of your vehicle. Go and buy the Passat, you will not be disappointed.

akaristos

Perhaps but Avalon 2006 or any other year for that matter do not come in 4 cyl, only V6. Right? Otherwise I agree that Avalon has a sterling reputation for quality and durability.