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Buying a car-VW Phaeton

post #1 of 28
3/11/10 at 1:15am
Thread Starter 
Thinking about getting a new car. I'd like to get something decent but nothing too flashy. I was thinking about getting a Phaeton as I have always liked the way it looks and offers luxury while flying under the radar. I walk to work so my wife would be driving it to work and she does not want a Benz, BMW, etc.

Anyone own one or know of any reasons not to get one?
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post #2 of 28
3/11/10 at 2:19am
VW's less than stellar reliability?

If I were in the market, I'd check out a Hyundai Genesis.
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post #3 of 28
3/11/10 at 3:25am
I think they are fantastic cars in spite of the VW on the grille. If you check some of the online forums you will see that they are pretty reliable, but certain kinds of repairs can be very expensive.
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post #4 of 28
3/11/10 at 6:31am
I have had a Phaeton for 5 years now. I usually change cars and makes (BMW, MB, Jaguar) after a couple of years but when I went back to spec up another Phaeton I realised I was spending money just to get the car I already had. Mine has been very reliable and I will be buying another if they still make them when my current one turns to dust. As maxnharry mentioned if things go badly wrong or you get a dent the repair costs are in the same league as its competitors not ordinary VW prices. It is a big car, S class in size and as you know the guts are Bentley Continental as anyone who has sat in both driver's seats will soon recognise. The interior was what stood out most when we bought it it was against the old XJ and the quality and space were noticeably better. I have been looking at other cars and there is still nothing else out there with the stealth wealth credentials of the Phaeton. I have some pretty lefty friends and none of them has made any comment about it and they would have if it was a big MB.
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post #5 of 28
3/11/10 at 11:16am
I had an extended test drive in one with a W12 when they first came to the U.S. Although it was a bit heavy, it was quite agile and had gobs of power. The fit and finish was well done, too. If VW had continued to sell them in the U.S. I would have most likely considered getting one.
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post #6 of 28
3/11/10 at 11:41am
Beautiful car, killer depreciation so there are deals to be had. Since I don't care about the badge on front, I understand the appeal.
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post #7 of 28
3/11/10 at 12:25pm
Pretty much the definition of stealth wealth.
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post #8 of 28
3/11/10 at 1:34pm
i like them, too. i'm not a huge fan of the VW logo (specifically the enormity of it) so i'd get a badge-less grille for the front. had that on my old passat and it looked killer.
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post #9 of 28
3/11/10 at 5:11pm
Stealth Wealth sounds like someone trying to impress their well to do friends by getting the least amount of bang for their buck.

Just seems like a very uninteresting car. I don't remember it's price range but wasn't it around 100k or something? I'm all about Jaguars right now so I would probably get a new XFR instead.
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post #10 of 28
3/11/10 at 5:34pm
I love phaetons, and they can be had for cheap these days. I think there is an informative phaeton thread on the car lounge.
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post #11 of 28
3/11/10 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by turboman808 View Post
I don't remember it's price range but wasn't it around 100k or something?
Yes. The W12 was introduced at $88,000 but in the few subsequent years of its existence in the U.S. the price rose quite a bit depending on the options added.
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post #12 of 28
3/12/10 at 6:00am
This is the place with the most information about Phaetons http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=112
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post #13 of 28
3/13/10 at 4:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by turboman808 View Post
Stealth Wealth sounds like someone trying to impress their well to do friends by getting the least amount of bang for their buck.

Wrong, you obviously have not been in or near a Phaeton before. Culverwood stated it very well, the Phaeton is a very luxurious and understated vehicle. When in planning and r&d the VW execs set extremely high standards for this car. On my trip in China, I spent most of my time being lugged around in the Phaeton and I must say, it is charming, comfortable, and a bit outdated.

It is the perfect car for people who appreciate the finer things in life but don't want to go around screaming that they have money, especially in this down economy, many wealthy individuals have been trading their high marque(d) cars in for more understated cars and I don't have to explain why.
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post #14 of 28
3/13/10 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monaco View Post
... it is charming, comfortable, and a bit outdated.

What disappointed me when the car came to the U.S. was that the technology wasn't up to par with many other high end brands for that year, 2004 IIRC. For example, the nav system was outdated compared to BMW, MB, and others for that era, and features found on other makes were not available for the Phaeton. I liked the car regardless, but was surprised that the tech wasn't more advanced. Then again, the cost of the car, especially with the W12, was substantially less than its MB and BMW counterparts, about 40K less.
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post #15 of 28
3/13/10 at 9:39am
Some wonderfully accurate comments in the thread.

My brother rode in one and still talks about it. If you have the dosh....
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