Passat W8. worth it?

[ROD06]

The passat W8 is a very nice car. But have you looked at its price tag?

It's in Audi, BMW and Mercedes territory!

Do you think that much money is worth for a car that shares everything with a mainstream sedan that comeptes with camrys?

I'm not sure if its a luxury car or not... and you could alway sbuy an A4 1.8T or whatever.

[zackiedawg]

Well obviously it is all up to personal opinions...but depending on what you are looking for, it can be a good deal.

First of all, the base Passat competes with the Camry and the Accord...both of which ascend all the way to $30,000 in fully dressed form. So they aren't necessarily cheap.

Second of all, the W8 doesn't really fall into the Mercedes/BMW/Audi price range when comparing apples to apples. If you want a large and comfortable executive engine (read: 8 cylinder or turbo V6 at least) in a mid-size luxury car, the lowest model BMW and Mercedes will not be on your shopping list. The C-Class, A4, and 3-Series are all smaller inside, with smaller back seats, than the Passat. The E-Class, A6, and 5-series are slightly larger than the Passat. So the Passat fits somewhere between those two classes of European cars. The C, 3-Series, and A4 in their fully-equipped models go near or over $40,000. The E, 5-Series,a nd A6 fully dressed go well over $50,000, and start in the $37K+ range. The W8 on the other hand has many of the luxuries and features of these other models, and in some cases more features, yet has a STICKER price of $39K...and can be purchased significantly under that number.

Third, there are precious few AWD mid-luxury cars available...BMW only offers the basic 330xi, Mercedes offers 4matic on the E class for well over $50K, Audi offers Quattro on a well dressed but too small A4 for upper $30s, and on their A6 for upper $40K range, and VW on the W8. Break it down this way: If you want a midsize car with at least 250HP and all-wheel drive, your choices are all over $40K except the W8, which offers 275HP and the excellent Torsen-based AWD (quattro) system for under $39K.

Fourth - the W8 is derived from the basic Passat, yes. But so too is the Lexus ES simply a tarted-up Toyota Camry...and a BMW M3 at over $50K is based off of the $29K 3-series you can buy. So why shouldn't VW beef up a Passat to make it a better performing and more luxurious car than the lower models it is based on? A W8 has a 275HP 8-cylinder engine, Audi's Torsen Quattro AWD system, Audi's S4 brake upgrade (4-piston calipers on 12.6" rotors up front, 12.2 in back), Eibach-designed sport suspension, custom-tuned low restriction dual exhaust system, an upgraded 23 gallon fuel tank, auto-levelling bi-xenon headlamps with washers, heated seats/mirrors/wiper nozzles/front and rear windscreens, and every available electronic luxury and gizmo they could think of from rain-sensing wipers to power-folding exterior mirrors. What makes a $41K Lexus ES better than the $21K Camry it is based on? I'd be surprised if the upgrade list was even half as extensive.

And forget not that though the W8 is based on the 'cheap' Passat, the Passat itself is based on the Audi A4/A6 chassis...and shares many of the same parts with that same Audi. Even a base Passat is already getting a head start in the luxury game because it is a reverse-engineered Audi to begin with. It isn't that hard to imagine it going back up-market, since the build quality and interior materials were already a significant cut above most of the Japanese competition.

Realistically, a W8 can be purchased for $35,500-$37,000 depending on equipment. I for one was not cross-shopping Camry or Accord...I was cross shopping Audi A6, Allroad, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class. In order to have these vehicles equipped fairly well, I would have to turn over $45K or more. The Allroad I could get down to $43K and that was the limit. Then I shop the W8, and find I can have all the same features, alot more options, more power, a better AWD system and ESP traction and stability system, and could pay at least $10,000 less! I will not argue that the new E-Class and the Audi A6 are not a cut above the W8 in overall material quality...they are better, but not very much better. Certainly not $10,000 better! I was looking for a wagon myself, so my decision was cut down to the Allroad, W8, 330, or C-Class. The BMW and Mercedes were too small, and the Audi too expensive. I paid $35,700 for my fully dressed W8 wagon with a sticker price of $39,680. I certainly feel that this vehicle was worth it, because I love it!:

[ex42_25]

No man Get a touareg my mom got one and the V8 is realy good on gas the touraeg is one of my faveret cars vw is my fave make well my familys.

[zackiedawg]

Well, if you were considering an SUV, the Touareg is a darn fine choice...it can drive well on road and kick butt off road.

But some people don't want an SUV...so for a midsize AWD 8-cylinder luxury tourer or wagon, the W8 is a great choice IMO.

[midlifecrisisvette]

Yeah my Dad is in the market for a Passat GLX right now, the only advantage for the W8 is the engine, 4motion and an available 6-speed stick. But I don't think that all of that is worth another $10K, did you know that since the Phaeton isn't out yet, the W8 Passat is the most expensive VW ever sold in the US?

[midlifecrisisvette]

"Did you know that since the Phaeton isn't out yet, the W8 Passat is the most expensive VW ever sold in the US?"

ZackieDawg, I bet that makes you feel powerful lol. Good looking wagon BTW. Is it the 5 or 6 speed?

[zackiedawg]

Thank you...my wagon is the 5-speed tiptronic. The 6 speed wasn't available when I purchased mine.

I had a GLX previously, and it was perfect to me for 3 1/2 years.

The difference between a GLX and a W8 is not as far as you think. The GLX is the fully-equipped V6 model, with the transmission and the CD changer being the only option. It lists just over $31,000. You can negotiate the price down to the vicinity of $29,400, which is just above invoice. The W8 lists from $39,600-$40,500...however there are very nice incentives offered to the dealers which allow them to cut under original invoice. Most transactions are going from $35,000 to $37,000. So the difference between a negotiated GLX and the lowest possible negotiated W8 price is about $5,600. That gets you the wonderful engine with 85HP more, 85Lbs torque more, bixenon lighting, 4motion AWD, ESP control system, indirect lighting, and quad exhaust.

Looking at the price difference between a loaded 6 cylinder E-class Mercedes ($53,000) and the V8 version ($67,000) - you have a difference of $14,000 and the engine, exhaust, and front valance are among the few differences.

Anyway...the W8 is no longer the msot expensive VW product sold in the US, even though the Phaeton isn't here yet...the Touareg V8 has a sticker price of $51,000 loaded, and even the V6 model is priced above the most expensive W8...over $40,000.

And it is selling with massive waiting lists! So I guess people are willing to pay that kind of money for a VW badge, as long as the product is well advertised, and can back its price with appropriate equipment and quality. The only fault VW made with the W8 was to not advertise it...one television ad was made, and never showed what made the car different. A man driving at 5MPH next to his kid's bike doesn't let you know what the W8 can do that the normal Passat cannot...a big mistake when you are trying to push a premium luxury 8 cylinder sedan!

Despite all that, I love mine to death, and it is clearly the best vehicle I've had to date (out of 11 previous models from 5 countries).

[Ssom]

Damn I only wish I could get my hands on a Passat W8!!!!! Here in New Zealand- if we want we can get our W8's with a special-order 6 Speed manual transimssion- There is a Sedan at the local dealer with the special-order 6 speed- also sits on 18 Inch BBS wheels, Sports suspension and custom Recaro seats- it's definitely worth the upgrade- at NZ$99,000 for the Sedan and $102,000 for the Variant- and about $5000 for the 6-speed option- it is unbeatable value for money- it only sits in E240/525i/A6 3.0 territory- yet has 2 more cylinders and is FAR better equipped- and the only one bar the Audi- with AWD. The car has also picked up the AA Autocar Car of the Year award for 2002- a prestigous honour even beating out cars like the new E class, Mazda6 and Ford's BA Falcon to take the title!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It beat the Lexus GS300 in an NZ Autocar 2-way comparo and scooped a full 5 star rating.



Sales have been good as well- the total number sold should be at about 100 now- it was 50 six months ago- my dad was looknig into one- but decided it wasn't worth the $25,000 it held over the V6 4MOTION sedan Oh well our V6 has been by far the best car this family has owned



Yes- the W8 is WELL worth the price-ticket- only the V10 Diesel Touareg surpasses it as the greatest VW ever

[zackiedawg]

I'm with the Kiwi on this one!