Thursday, March 22, 2012

Passat

Where has the time gone?  It's spring, and here is a follow up on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat S manual I've been driving.  The more I drive the VW, the more I like it. My regular car is an old Lexus LS430 and the Passat is the day to its' night.  The Passat is just damn fun to drive, and I love the manual.  Now don't get me wrong, I love the Lexus but it's like driving an old leather couch compared to the VW.  Why?  Well the Passat has much crisper handling, (no shock) is very nimble.  The back seat, as I said before, has more leg room than the Lexus, the trunk is large too.  There is just something about how you sit in a German car, I've always described it as: you sit "on" the seat, not "in" the seat.  Yes, this a matter of preference, but there is something about the driving position that just feels better in the Passat.  The Passat is a great family car, great professional car, great soccer mom car just an all around strong performer. 

OK, so what didn't I like about the car?  I agree with most auto reviewers that they have cheapened the interior from years past. I like my dashboard dim, I always turn it down as far as possible, because I believe it helps me see better at night with it dim.  In the Passat everything dims except lights on the button for the locks...kinda of annoying.  I also liked there older blue interior lighting. 

Yes I work at a car dealership...would I buy a Passat?  Yes.  Would I buy this model? No. I'd buy the TDI with a 6 speed, because that's just me.  Who should buy this car? Someone who wants the fun and control of a manual but needs the convenience of a good sized family car with a sizeable trunk. Without the manual the rest still holds: great driving, great gas mileage (low 30's) fun to drive.  So, for me, VW has made a leap forward with the Americanization of their line, highly practical, highly fun, great value for the money. What is the money? $21,000...here's the link:http://www.joepechelesvw.com/VehicleDetails/new-2012-Volkswagen-Passat-4dr_Sdn_2.5L_Manual_S_PZEV-Greenville-NC/1292416913

Drop me a line rudiontheroad@gmail.com