The Phaeton – would you pay 67-100k for a VW?
April 22, 2006 – 10:00 am by Matt Radel
Filed under Rants, Volkswagen Phaeton
Just my thoughts on VW’s Mercedes killer.
Granted, I’m not in the target market for a Phaeton. But, did this model come out of left field for anyone else? Just looking down their line, I doesn’t seem to fit. And generally speaking, none of the options seem to warrant such a high price tag. I’m sorry but if I’ve got 100k to spend on a vehicle, I’m not looking at VW (and, of course, I love VW). I’m thinking Audi, Mercedes, etc. Hell, I’d snag an R32 and a Passat for that change.
But, I’m issuing a call out to all Phaeton owners. You got one? Tell me why it’s so great. Did you ALMOST buy one? Tell me why you didn’t and what you went with. As far as I’m concerned, the existence of the Phaeton is primarily so they can price the Touareg more aggressively. This way, it’s not really the top of the line(Even though 99% of consumers would see it that way).
Please, feel free to disagree. Right now the Phaeton doesn’t have too many proponents.
The Phaeton – would you pay 67-100k for a VW?
April 22, 2006 – 10:00 am by Matt Radel
My guess is they were trying to target the vw freaks like me (and obviously you) who somehow stumbled into a lot of money.
If I had that much to spend on a car, it’d be a Porsche.
I saw the Phaeton when I was in Germany in 02/03, so I knew they’d be here soon, but last time I heard they’re not here for much longer (if at all). Poor sales big time.
Yeah. That’s exactly how I look at it as well. As nice as the Phaeton is, for that price I would go Audi, BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche. Most likely Porsche. haha VW took a shot, but missed the mark big time on this one.
i bought 3 on for myself, my daughter and wife. Im rich and i could have purchase any vehicle, however i chose this brand and model and love it.
I got to test-drive a W12 Phaeton one Saturday back in January, 2004. I loved it!! Smooth, quiet, powerful, easy to handle - I felt very comfortable driving the car, despite its huge price tag. I honestly didn’t feel as though I were driving a big car; it handled like a smaller vehicle. My only complaints about the car were that visibility out the back window and to the right rear quarter were obstructed by the headrests in back, and the rear roof pillar on the right side. Also, the on-board infotainment center, with its big LCD screen and multiple buttons, was a bit distracting. I had to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road whenever I fiddled with the CD player’s settings.
I wish I could afford a Phaeton: I’d by a V8 model in a heartbeat (as nice as the W12 model is, it’s too much of a gas hog. The V8’s good enough for driving on U.S. roads).
Needless to say, I was disappointed to hear VW’s dropped the Phaeton from the U.S. market due to poor sales.
It’s interesting to hear a couple of proponents for the car - most of the folks I’ve talked to feel the way I do. It’ll be interesting to see if VW tries to release another upper tier ride like the Phaeton, or if they’ll abandon the market all together.
In my opinion, they shouldn’t abandon the luxury market; just give any future car a more reasonable price tag. That, more than anything else, is what killed the Phaeton here in the U.S.
Price, price, price. VW has more of a blue collar heritage, and throwing a vehicle out there at 67-100k kind of undermines that. If the Phaeton topped out in the low 50’s, I think they would have had alot more success.
Phaetons are awesome and wwho would buy three if you had money, iwold rather have one ferrari,but don’t get me wrong,i love vw my dad used to have a thing,he sold it they’re cool.
I just got my second Phaeton a month ago. You can read a detailed report as to why I did at http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2915381 and http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2934066 If you are still confused why someone would choose the Phaeton over other cars in it’s class just just navigate through the other postings at http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=112. I loved my 04 and now am a proud owner of ne of the last 06’s in the US.