Das Auto: 2012 VW Passat TDI

[00Beast]

So those of you who saw my thread in the lounge know we were looking for a new car. I decided to go test-drive a Passat this week at a local dealer, and even though I drove a 2.5L 5 spd manual, I really liked the car. We had talked about getting a manual for the fun and better mileage, and I found a couple dozen throughout the country. One happened to be in Denver, where my parents just happen to be this weekend for a conference. I contacted the dealer, got some more info and forwarded it on to them. That was yesterday. Today they got into town and almost immediately went to the dealer. They test drove the manual and started talking numbers, then the salesman mentioned or something that they had a TDI/DSG (6 speed "Automatic"). The manual was an SE with the touchscreen radio but no Nav or Sunroof. This one was an SEL with Nav and a sunroof, and of course the 6 speed DSG versus a 6 speed manual So they decided to take that out for a drive, and decided it was a better fit.

It should be a great car for us, getting 40-50 MPG on trips, and probably average low 40's on my dad's commute. It's also MUCH larger inside than an 00+ Bonne. I can comfortably fit behind a 6' tall guy in the driver's seat, and I'm 6'6".

Dad is going to drive the car home from Denver. Nothing like a road-trip to break it in!

Couple pics they sent me. Don't worry, it'll get a full whoreage next week.
Dad and Dealer Guy in front of the car:



Car I drove:

My knees and the seat in the backseat:

Massive Trunk:

[nos4blood70]

Nice Ed!
Those things are deceptively large on the inside. Gotta love the rear seat leg room.

[94SilverSSEi]

You'll have to let us know how you like it.

We have a 2011 Routan and it is SURPRISINGLY nice for a minivan and very powerful.

My aunt and uncle actually just bought a Passat too. They said it was the most solid car they looked at at was reasonably priced compared to others.

I was actually quite surprised how roomy these (Jetta and Passat) are when they look small from the outside.

[00Beast]

The Passat is absolutely cavernous inside. It's amazing.

[94SilverSSEi]

The Passat is absolutely cavernous inside. It's amazing.

I drove a 2011 GTi and didn't think it was all that. (But that could have been because of the dick-wad salesman).

I think a Jetta or Passat TDi could be in my future (eventually if I save enough)


So far from what I have seen the VW's have been very quality cars. (They should be when so new).
But they also have AWESOME 12 year corrosion warranty.

[00Beast]

GTI is golf based, GLI is Jetta Based. Passat has neither.

[Hotwheels]

Looks like a nice ride - really like the wheels & trim on that SEL - looks sharp, and sets it apart from most you will see. I believe the new Passat is Motor Trend's car of the year this year. I've heard nothing but glowing reviews on VW's TDI's over the last 10-15yrs. I have some good friends that are VW/Audi loyalists, and they are indeed very good quality cars, but just don't age gracefully after they hit the 10yr old/100-130k mark. VW seems to be trying to reinvent itself lately, so it will be interesting to see if long-term reliability improves over the mid-2000's and earlier models. I do LOVE Audi's though. Just scared of affording the repairs at this point, till I can eventually afford a lower-mileage CPO car with a warranty. It does seem that the TDI's evade some of the issues that the N/A cars have.

Is the nearest dealer to you Park Place in Rochester? Just curious to know if there's much service support in your area.

Looking forward to pics when it arrives home!

[SSEiMan01]

Looks nice Ed, can't wait to maybe see it in person.

[00Beast]

Dealer is in Mankato Hotwheels.

It is indeed the 2012 MT COTY. Not the decision maker, but indeed a nice flourish on it.

[yonkerse]

The car looks nice. Hope it works out for you guys. Not something I would drive...especially with diesel being more costly than regular right now...

[00Beast]

Eric: The gassers get 30's MPG highway. This will get upwards of 50 MPG. Price of diesel < difference in mileage.

[99BonnevilleSE]

Pretty nice not gonna lie . I gained faith in VW's after driving my friend's VR6.

[yonkerse]

My buddy and I argued over this all the time. He raved about his TDI Jetta and I raved about my Bonneville....all in all, I think expenses worked out pretty darn close. He always claimed to be getting "bad gas" that would lower his mileage and wasn't achieving his 50 MPG..even after mods. Now his car wasn't a brand new Passat, but that jetta was do darn uncomfortable...it could have doubled my mileage and I wouldn't have purchased it. And be glad yours has a warranty, because those darn diesel injectors are quite pricey!!!

[00Beast]

Eric:
Local prices for me are $3.52 for Regular Unleaded, $3.95 for Diesel.

12,000 miles/year at 30 MPG = 400 gallons of gasoline x $3.52 = $1408 in fuel

12,000 miles/year at 41 MPG (being conservative) = 300 gallons of fuel x $3.95 = $1185 in fuel.

So being generous with a gas car and (very) conservative with a diesel, it's still cheaper to run overall. That's being conservative in all areas. I have always liked Diesel fuel, and it's a 120+ year old technology that still is more efficient and better for the environment than any hybrid...

In any case, anything would be cheaper on fuel than the GXP, which gets 20-ish for my dad, on average. It's also designed to run 300k+ miles. And in these cars, it's not the injectors that go, it's the high-pressure fuel pump, lol.

[yonkerse]

Those mileage numbers for his car are pretty close, sometimes around 42-43, and my car has pulled 34-35 on highway many times....Now consider the two sets of injectors he went through...my car was much cheaper to drive over the course of our book keeping. Not to mention, he has sold his car and I'm still driving mine! haha

[00Beast]

It's all about driving style, maintenance, etc. His also probably had fairly high miles on it...

[yonkerse]

Yea, I do agree....he purchased his car with 80k and sold it around 120k..so basically about the same mileage I'm at right now..

All in all, I would put my car's qualities and monthly expenses against any new car payment...I think 1oldman did a very good summary of this couple weeks ago.

[bonniegirl]

I work for a VW/Audi dealer. I personally would not own a VW or an Audi especially after working at a dealership and seeing how much things cost to fix! But it also will depend on how well you keep up on the maintenance. You will have a warranty for awhile so that will help. But even brakes on them are not cheap to do.

[00Beast]

Maintenance is 3 years/36k included. After that you need the DSG flushed every 40k and the timing belt at 100k, and brakes, tires, etc when they are needed. Some of this I can and will do myself, especially oil and fuel filter changes.

[CMNTMXR57]

You'll have to let us know how you like it.

We have a 2011 Routan and it is SURPRISINGLY nice for a minivan and very powerful.

So basically you've got a Dodge Grand Caravan without it's best feature... the Stow-N-Go seating!