I'll be looking for a new awd wagon in a year or two to replace my fwd 2000 1.8t Passat, but it looks as though VW once again will force a v6 on awd buyers until the last year or two of the new model's life cycle. They'll again be driving many people into Subaru dealerships. If only SAAB or Mazda offered awd versions of their wagons!
To make matters worse, while prices increase faster than the competition's it seems that the new Pasatt also will be "decontented". The detailed lists of features in the four new packages seems to omit the trip computer and rear power windows on lower-level trims, and there is no mention of a power passenger seat in any of the packages.
After the Phaeton and new Golf pricing fiascos, one would have thought that VW had learned something about pricing itself out of the market niche it which it does well.
This hidden additional price increase is one more example of VW's tendendancy to shoot itself in the corporate foot..
The Mazda 6 does not appear to be very reliable. In fact a Mazda6 makes a VW Passat look pretty good in terms of reliability(refer to Consumer Report April 05 edition).
Unlike the new Jetta, I think the new Passat will be a success( depending on pricing). Only time will tell
I agree that Price, price, price can cause trouble in sales over here too. VW of America is still having to many mechanical problems. You add that to a new design plus a very high price it could cause big problems over here. I think the new disigned Jetta will out sell the new 06 Passat.
Yup! Just like that. Now, how about the above AND the hotted up VR6 AND a 6-Speed Manual. Hmmm, I'm guessing that Audi wouldn't like that too much. :-/
You're absolutely right about the leather/cloth. I have an '02 Passat, and was considering trading it in in a couple of years, but I've always purchased cars with cloth interior instead of leather for comfort reasons (regardless of eventual resale value being higher with leather - I'm more concerned with my comfort level while I own the car). Although, according to CarsDirect.com, the GL (only) is available in cloth. Is that wrong?
I am looking at VW's full line brochure. On the two pages for the Passat it only refers to leatherette and leather where it lists upolstery choices. In addition a footnote says leatherette standard on GL and GLS.
I never sell cars anyway, so I don't care what some else wants in it. In 20 years we have bought 6 cars. 3 new and 3 used. Two were donated when they became junk, two are being driven by two of my kids. The other two we are currently driving, their ultimate fates will also be to be driven until they are junk or be passed on to kids.
VWOA's website still indicates that cloth is a no-charge alternative to leatherette for all but the GLX, but it sounds like dealers aren't ordering any cars with cloth.
I generally prefer fabric seats to vinyl, but the velour fabric used on the current Passat is a very odd material to which fibers and dust cling so tenaciously that they're almost impossible to remove. I have an 03 GL with black cloth (which of course shows every little fiber and speck of dust) and I have to use masking tape to get them off -- vacuuming hardly does squat.
Nice to know there is someone like us out there. My wife and I still drive the same car my father bought 22 years ago. A 83 MB300D.
Despite all the furor about VW reliability, I cant help but notice that there seem to be so many old VWs being driven out there. In fact I see far more dated VWs than most Japanese marques. Go figure?
Also the VW resale values seem to be high. I noticed this when I was considering buying a used Passat.
Additionally if you get extended warrantee prices VWs are not bad. More than Honda, but not enough to be scary. For 7 year/100K warranty I was quoted price of around $1500 for VW Passat or Jetta vs. a little over $1000 for Honda Accord. These prices were from my credit union, so are for the exact same product from the same company.
Less than a $500 difference in expected repair cost 100,000 is not much of a concern to me.
Go to http://www.vw.com/passat/features_us.htm and scroll down to Interior, Upholstery. Actually, it suggests that cloth is standard and leatherette is the no-cost option.
I agree, I'd rather be dirty and comfortable! The tan velour looks ugly yellow to me, and the light gray is SO light I thought it would show every little stain. So I settled on the black, which does look sharp when kept clean.
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kirstie_h
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
It looks like they cost reduced the trunk struts on the 06' Passat. No more sexy chrome pistons. And that trunk is really up in the air, a big spoiler!
The trunk hinges are a real bonus on the current model. Being completely external to the truck, they avoid crushing items inside as the hinges close into the compartment. These look like they will intrude on the interior space. That is a step backwards in my eyes.
(I love the look and many of the features, that is why this strikes me as odd).
I plan on being at the New York Auto Show with my wife and our friends next week. When I saw the new Jetta in the showroom yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised (this car definitely looks German). If the 2006 Passat is any indication (especially if it looks as good or better than the photos), VW may have a serious winner on their hands...
I honestly think the Jetta will do better than most people think, but I don't see it being a runaway hit. That will be the Passat - imo. It all depends on pricing! Can't stress that enough.
Im wondering if the new Passat B6 is much different mechanically from the previous B5? Or for that matter the new Jetta from the Old? Just wondering if VW sought to address any reliability issues in the new versions?
You might think 38k for a loaded V6 Passat is high, but a similarly eguipped new body style Audi A4 w/ the 255hp V6 w/ nav & all the other goodies can reach 45 grand. So it reperesents a good alternative to those who can't afford the A4.
With the options lifted from the Phaeton and a 280hp (wonder when reviews and specs will come) V6 and AWD, it may be a good alternative to M35, RL, GS300, G35x etc.
Not sure if it will compete with refinement, NVH, prestige, etc of those, but the pics and specs seem impressive.
Maybe with healthy discounts (after of course the initial release) and some good negotiating a well equipped V6 AWD could be had for mid 30’s (sound pretty good to me)
Is VW Passat's competition Camry/Accord/Legacy/Altima/Maxima or does it go after BMW 5, RL, GS300, MB E-class, ... A4 or A6 (VW's own entries in luxury market)? I would think that idea of Audi going after BMW and VW after MB is nice but in Europe VW has two more brands to cover lower end. Seat and Skoda are missing from US. I wonder what they do as what they are doing right now is causing them to loose a lot of money (at least in US).
Is VW Passat's competition Camry/Accord/Legacy/Altima/Maxima or does it go after BMW 5, RL, GS300, MB E-class, ... A4 or A6 All of them...
I actually like the direction of the models they are releasing; the very few they are releasing.
I think the reasoning goes: you can choose a car (size) you like and equip it the way you want. So if you like the size and base equipment of the Passat you could get an entry level one for 25K, but if you want to compete against luxury vehicles you could option it so (with an engine to back it up).
Bring over Seat and Skoda...and more vw's Touran..etc. How about more 7 passenger seaters my wife wants something “big” (I’ll take a Seat Leon)
Seat could compete against Scion.
Skoda could compete against Hyundai/Kia and overlap into the camcords.
I just found out about the new Passat for 2006 tonight... Does anyone know when it will be released? I wanted to be in one before the end of July.... When will the 4Motion be available? Can we price them with options yet? Any reviews out there of it yet? Does VW lease in NY? When will they be available for test drives? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I think the '06 Passat is to be released this Fall. Don't think July will be an Option. As far as pricing goes, no firm prices have been released by VW. The rumor has it the range will be from $25,000 up to a stratospheric $38,000. go to www.vwvortex.com for info on the new Passat.
we loved our 98 passat 1.8T but hated the seats. we love our audi a6 quattro (2002) seats but would prefer a passat for driving otherwise. does anyone know if a 2006 model passat (maybe a glx ?) would have audi-like seats?
My dealer will take an order -- he does not have a price guide. I believe he has a preliminary order guide. I thought he said the cars WILL be here in month 6 or 7, I assume that means June or July.
I read yes on AWD, but, typically no certainty on "from the very beginning."
Ask a dealer -- the person who buys the cars, not the sales rep, should by now have an order guide of some kind.
Finally, as dumb as this may seem, go onto the VW sites for Europe (even if you don't speak German, for example) and see if there is a configurator -- knowing that a sizable amount of the features and options will be brought to NA, at least you can construct a "rough" order (the issue is what options will be "delayed availability" -- hopefully not many if any).
What I have heard is that the 280HP versions will be well equipped, AWD only, Tiptronic only and NA market [almost] exclusively.
The stuff WE know and exchange here is often greater than many dealers seem to have. VW guild who is a participant may have some info.
The main small risk is "the price" -- but, from where I sit, as a person who always leases, is the lease cost.
I think I read some of your posts on the A4 forums here at Edmunds too... I am going to lease no matter what so the price shouldn't be a huge distraction but I definitely want to test drive the new Passat before "settling" on a more expensive car first. I would absolutely hate to wait until the Fall to buy a new car but I would hate myself even more if I bought a car and then in a few months, the Passat comes out with everything I wanted and more and now I'm stuck with an Audi/BMW with higher monthly payments. I contacted a local dealer by email regarding the '06 Passat. I'm hoping they have a vague idea as to when they will have the vehicle available for test driving... I'm more interested in the Passat now than any of the other cars because it looks to me like it'll redefine the entire entry-level luxury car class. At least if I could test drive it, I'd know if the A4 were worth the extra $$$ (which I doubt when you factor in rear legroom etc. on most entry lux cars). I'll have a look at that site but I think it'll only make me want it more!
"does anyone know if a 2006 model passat (maybe a glx ?) would have audi-like seats?"
I know that my 2001.5 new passat (the model that ran from 2001.5-2005) had seats that looked exactly like those of the Audi A4. I know that's not your question, but maybe it'll help.
Comments
Such a beauty she is...
M
To make matters worse, while prices increase faster than the competition's it seems that the new Pasatt also will be "decontented". The detailed lists of features in the four new packages seems to omit the trip computer and rear power windows on lower-level trims, and there is no mention of a power passenger seat in any of the packages.
After the Phaeton and new Golf pricing fiascos, one would have thought that VW had learned something about pricing itself out of the market niche it which it does well.
This hidden additional price increase is one more example of VW's tendendancy to shoot itself in the corporate foot..
The Mazda 6 does not appear to be very reliable. In fact a Mazda6 makes a VW Passat look pretty good in terms of reliability(refer to Consumer Report April 05 edition).
Unlike the new Jetta, I think the new Passat will be a success( depending on pricing). Only time will tell
Best Regards,
Shipo
I never sell cars anyway, so I don't care what some else wants in it. In 20 years we have bought 6 cars. 3 new and 3 used. Two were donated when they became junk, two are being driven by two of my kids. The other two we are currently driving, their ultimate fates will also be to be driven until they are junk or be passed on to kids.
I generally prefer fabric seats to vinyl, but the velour fabric used on the current Passat is a very odd material to which fibers and dust cling so tenaciously that they're almost impossible to remove. I have an 03 GL with black cloth (which of course shows every little fiber and speck of dust) and I have to use masking tape to get them off -- vacuuming hardly does squat.
Despite all the furor about VW reliability, I cant help but notice that there seem to be so many old VWs being driven out there. In fact I see far more dated VWs than most Japanese marques. Go figure?
Additionally if you get extended warrantee prices VWs are not bad. More than Honda, but not enough to be scary. For 7 year/100K warranty I was quoted price of around $1500 for VW Passat or Jetta vs. a little over $1000 for Honda Accord. These prices were from my credit union, so are for the exact same product from the same company.
Less than a $500 difference in expected repair cost 100,000 is not much of a concern to me.
"...shows every little fiber and speck of dust..."
I guess we'd rather be dirty and comfortable :-). I don't have a VW, I'll have to take a look at the "velour" in a Jetta GL or something.
On the speedometer: Is that 260 mph or kph? Either way, you don't see speedometer's going that high.
and scroll down to Interior, Upholstery. Actually, it suggests that cloth is standard and leatherette is the no-cost option.
I agree, I'd rather be dirty and comfortable! The tan velour looks ugly yellow to me, and the light gray is SO light I thought it would show every little stain. So I settled on the black, which does look sharp when kept clean.
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kirstie_h
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
And that trunk is really up in the air, a big spoiler!
(I love the look and many of the features, that is why this strikes me as odd).
I think this method gives you the option to use a remote to automatically open the trunk I like the chrome shocks better too...
M
Me too - and things like the associated "automatic dual-clutch gearbox (DSG)", gearing, EPA mileage estimates, fuel tank size, etc.
- Ray
Who owned a 275 HP, AWD Passat - a 2002 W8 - for a while . . .
Steve
M
That doesn't mean it will be reliable tho...
...here it is
http://broadcaster.freespeed.de/broadcaster.php?s=1060&t=67
Boy I wish I had money to throw around
A wide margin to choose engines and equipment.
I suspect most will be somewhere around 30K.
With the options lifted from the Phaeton and a 280hp (wonder when reviews and specs will come) V6 and AWD, it may be a good alternative to M35, RL, GS300, G35x etc.
Not sure if it will compete with refinement, NVH, prestige, etc of those, but the pics and specs seem impressive.
Maybe with healthy discounts (after of course the initial release) and some good negotiating a well equipped V6 AWD could be had for mid 30’s (sound pretty good to me)
I would think that idea of Audi going after BMW and VW after MB is nice but in Europe VW has two more brands to cover lower end. Seat and Skoda are missing from US. I wonder what they do as what they are doing right now is causing them to loose a lot of money (at least in US).
Krzys
All of them...
I actually like the direction of the models they are releasing; the very few they are releasing.
I think the reasoning goes: you can choose a car (size) you like and equip it the way you want. So if you like the size and base equipment of the Passat you could get an entry level one for 25K, but if you want to compete against luxury vehicles you could option it so (with an engine to back it up).
Bring over Seat and Skoda...and more vw's Touran..etc. How about more 7 passenger seaters my wife wants something “big” (I’ll take a Seat Leon)
Seat could compete against Scion.
Skoda could compete against Hyundai/Kia and overlap into the camcords.
http://emosites.volkswagen.de/passat/frameset.htm?modul=tv_spot
but would prefer a passat for driving otherwise.
does anyone know if a 2006 model passat (maybe a glx ?) would have audi-like seats?
I read yes on AWD, but, typically no certainty on "from the very beginning."
Ask a dealer -- the person who buys the cars, not the sales rep, should by now have an order guide of some kind.
Finally, as dumb as this may seem, go onto the VW sites for Europe (even if you don't speak German, for example) and see if there is a configurator -- knowing that a sizable amount of the features and options will be brought to NA, at least you can construct a "rough" order (the issue is what options will be "delayed availability" -- hopefully not many if any).
What I have heard is that the 280HP versions will be well equipped, AWD only, Tiptronic only and NA market [almost] exclusively.
The stuff WE know and exchange here is often greater than many dealers seem to have. VW guild who is a participant may have some info.
The main small risk is "the price" -- but, from where I sit, as a person who always leases, is the lease cost.
I think I read some of your posts on the A4 forums here at Edmunds too... I am going to lease no matter what so the price shouldn't be a huge distraction but I definitely want to test drive the new Passat before "settling" on a more expensive car first. I would absolutely hate to wait until the Fall to buy a new car but I would hate myself even more if I bought a car and then in a few months, the Passat comes out with everything I wanted and more and now I'm stuck with an Audi/BMW with higher monthly payments. I contacted a local dealer by email regarding the '06 Passat. I'm hoping they have a vague idea as to when they will have the vehicle available for test driving... I'm more interested in the Passat now than any of the other cars because it looks to me like it'll redefine the entire entry-level luxury car class. At least if I could test drive it, I'd know if the A4 were worth the extra $$$ (which I doubt when you factor in rear legroom etc. on most entry lux cars). I'll have a look at that site but I think it'll only make me want it more!
I know that my 2001.5 new passat (the model that ran from 2001.5-2005) had seats that looked exactly like those of the Audi A4. I know that's not your question, but maybe it'll help.