Passat W8 ... furthering the wonderment: "why buy an A6?"
07-11-2002, 02:05 AM
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Passat W8 ... furthering the wonderment: "why buy an A6?"
I got a Passat W8 4Motion yesterday to test drive for my newspaper. Too early for any serious impressions, but at first blush, it's veddy, veddy nice. The engine's interesting; it pulls like a train under long, hard acceleration (like up a highway ramp) but doesn't seem to have a readily identifiable sweet spot in its torque curve. Gotta get out and play with the Tip.
The interior is first rate, even by Passat standards, and the handling seems better tuned than than in the Passat 1.8T I tested earlier this year. The steering feels particularly heavy at low speeds, much like the MB C Series.
Bottom line, though: At $38K and change, why buy a base A6?
J.Russ
98.5 pelikan blau 2.8 Avant qMS
The interior is first rate, even by Passat standards, and the handling seems better tuned than than in the Passat 1.8T I tested earlier this year. The steering feels particularly heavy at low speeds, much like the MB C Series.
Bottom line, though: At $38K and change, why buy a base A6?
J.Russ
98.5 pelikan blau 2.8 Avant qMS
07-11-2002, 02:32 AM
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Re: Passat W8 ... furthering the wonderment: "why buy an A6?"
Because the A6 is still much nicer inside, handles better with sport suspension, has much more driver involvement and... for many people, like me, a VW is a VW and an Audi is something else.
07-11-2002, 03:46 AM
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After owning two B5 Passat's-1.8t and 2.8l-- I got a A6-----more----
My 2002 A6 (2.7t) is great car but I don't think it is $6 to $15k more of a car. A base A6 Quattro is $38,000--A Passat GLX 4 motion is $32k and is slightly better equipped--And may have a better resale value because Consumers Mag did not "bash" it--I don't think the A6 is worth $6k more--The A6 is slightly bigger inside and heavier--I think the W8 is a good value in its class--wait a year and they will sell at a discount like the other Passats. Build quality, fit and finish are the same. VW dealer was great--Audi dealer also great.. But I am still glad I got the A6--just something about driving an Audi that makes me feel good...!
07-11-2002, 03:57 AM
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Because the A6 is much bigger, more refined....
and has a much different driving feel. The A6 is a much bigger, heavier, better suspended machine. The A4 feels similar to the Passat from the drivers seat. (I know the Passat is bigger behind). It is very hard to compare the best of one model vs. the least of another
On the other hand I love Passats, I drove them from 85-99. I test drove the W8. It is a great engine, that would feel nice in an A6. But it is what it is, the biggest house in an inexpensive neighborhood. Albeit, the best house that neighborhood has ever seen.
One thing to note, If you are trying to lease the W8, it costs almost as much as the S6! VW credit isn't ponying up for the residual. An A6 3.0 or maybe even the 2.7T, cost less to lease.....
On the other hand I love Passats, I drove them from 85-99. I test drove the W8. It is a great engine, that would feel nice in an A6. But it is what it is, the biggest house in an inexpensive neighborhood. Albeit, the best house that neighborhood has ever seen.
One thing to note, If you are trying to lease the W8, it costs almost as much as the S6! VW credit isn't ponying up for the residual. An A6 3.0 or maybe even the 2.7T, cost less to lease.....
07-11-2002, 04:49 AM
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He was comparing W8 with a BASE A6, not 2.7/4.2.
BASE A6 has no sport package option, at least in US, and no more "driver involvement" IMO - steering in particular, than W8. (Passats in general feel sportier next to 3.0 or older 2.8 and even non-sport 2.7/4.2 with 16" wheels and steering booster module not removed.) However, if by "driver involvement" you mean driver working much harder in trying to move AWD 3.0 from stand still, then you're right. Agree with you on A6 (even base) being much better looking inside than any Passat. But W8's interior makes the difference less drastic. Also, W8 is much faster and costs about $3-5K less in US than similarly equiped A6 3.0. I still would take 4.2 or even 2.7 any day, but not 3.0, over W8.
07-11-2002, 04:52 AM
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Excellent point
"The biggest house in an inexpensive neighborhood" was precisely what I thought driving in this morning. You pay $38K for a base A6 and you're living in the gated community of Audi. The same amount for a Passat W8 buys you the mansion next to the VW apartment complex.
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07-11-2002, 05:16 AM
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Wait a minute, wasn't "image" and being car savy one of the major reasons many on this board chose
Audi, instead of BMW and MB. Because "image" was not the point for Audi vs BMW/MB but now image is everything in Audi vs VW equation? When I see 2.8/3.0 I know that those just sort of look like my car having non of the feel or prestige of 4.2/S6 IMO. I agree with "house" comparison in general, but not in this particular case. Also, what you say now contradicts with what you stated before.
07-11-2002, 05:27 AM
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It's not competitive with A6 (more A4), but it does make you wonder about...
... where VW is going with the brand, and what that means for Audi. We hear conflicting statements. On the one hand, we hear that Audi is supposed to become the "sport" brand, Bentley the pure luxury brand, and VW the solid, middle-of-the-road, brand.
07-11-2002, 05:46 AM
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Not much different in size-----
Interior dims almost the same except A6 has 2" more rear legroom--larger trunk because it is 7.5" longer--A6 is over 6" wider but only 1/2" wider inside??!! W8 more HP--More torque--3MPG better EPA (than 2.7t) and it is just as heavy as A6 2.7t Quattro. W8 Sport package is comming and also 6sp trans. But I don't think you will get a W8 at 3% over invoice for a while like you can on a A6.