RIP Regal...

[Alpha]

Only a few of you might remember me, but those who do are likely to remember my Regal. Last February she suffered massive electrical failure and a replacement had to be had immediately.

The list of cars we were considering...

Dodge Charger

Chevy Malibu

Nissan Altima

I could fit in all three (something of a concern if you remember me...lol), though barely for the Malibu... All new, considering my vehicle history, a warranty was definitely needed. The Altima was ok, but I was not a real fan of it... The answer was coming down to economics... The Charger looked good at the time, 36 month 0% with 1.9% after that, and at the time for the V6 we were looking at about 26k...

After nearly buying it, I decided to stop by the local Hyandai dealership to give them a chance at least... (When economics are an issue...you consider them...) While at our local VW-Hyandai dealership...the salesman asked me to try a Jetta...I kinda fit... But who in their right mind puts a piece of hard sharp plastic right where your knee might rest? After that I got the usual: try the beetle...you'll love it. I'm sorry, but cheap reflective plastic door panels and no backseat were not what I was looking for (not to mention...it's a beetle, lol). Next the Tiguan, Routan... And reluctantly I agreed to sit in a Passat... I do have to say, my eyebrow went up as I just watched the driver's seat keep going back...and back... I fit, surprise... The economics of the situation? 31k, 6k rebate, 25k to finance....and 72 month 0%... Heh...I didn't see that coming...

2008 Volkswagen Passat Komfort ('08 hence the rebate)

2.0T

Only options: Ipod Adapter, Rear Side Airbags.

Cobalt Blue with a Black Interior.

The Passat at the tail end of her first real roadtrip, a weekend down at Ocean Shores - click for full size.

The Passat parked in the stall at the Condo I was staying at in Ocean Shores... Parked next to the only other vehicle in the entire lot (it was a weekday trip).

Well, I have to run right now... I know it's not another GM as I wanted the Malibu to be, but the Impala has never seemed to fit and the Malibu is just too tight on my knee. Other than that they were too small or too expensive this time round. It's nice to stop by here again and I'll catch you guys later as I actually do have to be somewhere...

[Blake Noble]

Nice Passat, sir. I hope you have many carefree miles with it.

[Justin Bimmer]

The VW is pretty cool. Glad you could unpimp zee ahuto

[A Horse With No Name]

As a fanboi of both GM and VW (who would think of that combo) all I can say is congrats and nice choice!

Chris

[Intrepidation]

Spiffy new ride. Did you check out the CC while at the VW dealer? I want me one of those.

[Alpha]

Howdy everyone...

I did look at the CC, evil temptress she is... In so many ways she's better than the standard Passat... The biggest two problems? She's 10k more or so...and getting in is a bitch... I had to press my head pretty hard against the doorjam getting in. Though the seating position is nicer, the support is better, the accessories are nicer, and the updated display is great. I just wish the roofline was a little more forgiving.

But as is I can't say I'm unhappy with what I got, there are so many standard features in this thing that it's ridiculous. I swear I was still finding features a week after, and those of you who know me...know I do my research...

Though as a note whiteknight, the "carefree" thing...nada... That's '09's and newer...but instead I get a 4 year Bumper-to-Bumper instead of the current 3 year. Probably better for me in the end.

Other than that...

-1 Problem so far...a piece of trim, the fob cover (no key, just a fob in the dash) on the dash fell off...had that fixed for free...and a free carwash to go with it...lol.

-JD Power Initial Quality and Owner Study filled out.

-The sport mode...wow... She feels like a different beast... I know all it is is changing the shift points to higher RPM's, but it makes a world of difference when I'm on twisty, windy, double yellow, 50 MPH highways... The way back from Ocean Shores was a pure delight! Down there, I averaged 29 MPG, on the way back with Sport Mode active for about half of it? 24 MPG... Not too bad either way.

-The handling, pretty suprised... It's the least expensive car I've been in with that good of handling. Comparative to the other German brands...

[Intrepidation]

Didi it come with the VW umbrella hidden in the door somewhere? I thought that was a neat novelty.

[Alpha]

Didi it come with the VW umbrella hidden in the door somewhere? I thought that was a neat novelty.

Not quite... You don't get a VW Umbrella (there is one to buy...heh), though you do get an umbrella slot in the door.... Something I do use actually. I think I've used the umbrella once...we had to carry in some papers... Other than that...it's Washington...rain? Are you kidding me? :AH-HA_wink:

[ocnblu]

Alpha, what's it been, like 14 years since you've been by here to see us? It's good to see ya, sir, and that is a nice Passat. I've always seen that blue paired with the light tan interior, it really looks sharp with the black. Good luck with it!

[Drew Dowdell]

Welcome back to the site! Hope you come around more often!

[CSpec]

Welcome back! Nice ride; VWs have an air of solidity about them.

[daves87rs]

Welcome back!

I love that color....big fan of blue, I guess.

Good lookin' car there....

[Daryl Z71]

Sharp looking ride.

[frogger]

Nice car, sharp colour combination. I've liked the Passat quite a bit the last few generations.

[trinacriabob]

The Passat parked in the stall at the Condo I was staying at in Ocean Shores... Parked next to the only other vehicle in the entire lot (it was a weekday trip).

Nice color for the Passat. Nice color for any car, actually. That is a nice design, for a FOREIGN car. When you say the Regal suffered major electrical failure, what exactly happened? How many miles were on it? Sad...I now remember you as being a Regal owner.

Hey, as a resident of Washington state, you undoubtedly know that the license plate on the adjacent Cayenne says Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

[pow]

Congrats! The Passat is arguably the best midsize family sedan out there. Do your own synthetic oil changes and that will save you lots of money.

[Cory Wolfe]

I remember you. Congrats on the VW.