CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

Station wagon
Discontinued for a year, the Volkswagen Passat Wagon returns for 2007 based on the all-new Passat sedan that was introduced for 2006. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh says the turbocharged version exhibits no lag and gives a comfortable ride, with a quality interior and lots of storage space. It's a nice car, she says, but "it simply costs too much."
   
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[2latecrew]

What is with companies packaging desirable options intop these hugley expensive packages that require you to take options you wouldn't otherwise want.

Want a sunroof? Buy a 2700 package that icludes Homelink transmitter for the garage door I don't have and chrome window trim I hate?

Volvo's done the same thing with their 5000 Sport package you have to buy to get the sport suspension. Nissan is doing the same thing with the Altima.

Its either base (which admittedly are well equipped these days0 or everything.

41 K for a FWD 4cyl turbo wagon?

Another thousand bucks gets you a 250 HP AWD Legacy that is loaded and will spank athat VW in a straight line, keep going in the snow and will likley spend far less time in the shop.

Passats really are a lovley looking car but the autor is right its jusst too expensive.

[JSCC]

Oh yeah, you knew I was going to be the first to post.  

Judging from the pictures of the stereo system, the black buttons indicate it is an early production model of the wagon.

The "New" Passat and Passat wagons actually come with the steering mounted control buttons when you get the Luxury Leather package.
I think it was a running model change with the addtion of the silver radio buttons.

[JSCC]

Grrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!  2nd!

Beaten by 46 seconds!

[JSCC]

Regarding the price issue.
2 solutions:

1. Wait for the Jetta wagon that is coming by the end of this year, which would be about $5000 less.
OR
2. Summit an offer for $2000 off MSRP. Don't forget to bring your credit card! 

[2latecrew]

Regarding the price issue.
2 solutions:

1. Wait for the Jetta wagon that is coming by the end of this year, which would be about $5000 less.
OR
2. Summit an offer for $2000 off MSRP. Don't forget to bring your credit card! 

Spoken like a true salesman!

Actually not.

#1 overcomes the objection in a manner that would stiill get you the same or greater profit but telling someone to wait will lose you a lot of sales while people purchase other makes in the meantime.

2. Just reinforces that the car IS overpriced.

It may make it slightly worse looking becuase the bi xenon headlights are an option that boosts the price up over the 40 K mark but its still an issue that the 4cyl "base" model ends up in that price range.

When the Jetta wagon does come its probably going to canabalize sales from the Passatt.

The market for a 200 hp turbo 4cyl is likley a decent size. But the market for people who must have the extra size (while giving up some performance and economy) is likley only a small portion of that espcially with the price.

[Blueprint]

Jil, the rattle in the driver's door might have been the std hidden umbrella 

The wagon was available in 2006, as I know at least one owner of one and have seen quite a few, but VW being VW, they might have stopped importing them some month or the other.

I find the pricing OK provided you avoid the premium packages.  The base car is pretty well equipped for 31 500 $ (I would like the option of cloth seats however).

[Spheric]

The same price option structure affects the Volvo S40 model range too........no way am I paying 39k for a fully loaded 2.4i (non-turbo) S40.

[2latecrew]

The same price option structure affects the Volvo S40 model range too........no way am I paying 39k for a fully loaded 2.4i (non-turbo) S40.

Volvo changed their option package structure last year.

Had they done the same thing 2.5 years ago when we leased our v50 we would NOT have gone ahead (which would have saved us greif).

Now if you want the Sport suspension you have to shell out 4500 to also get the Dual Climate control and heated headlight washers that used to be in the climate package.  I'm sure it makes production more economical by having fewer combinations but it seems to have faulty rational in how they packlage options together.

If you are a sporty driver who wants the wheels and shocks does that mean you are interested in heated headlight washers?

For Passats do the majority of people who want a sunroof also need a homelink transmitter?

There has to be a better way

[JSCC]

Regarding the price issue.
2 solutions:

1. Wait for the Jetta wagon that is coming by the end of this year, which would be about $5000 less.
OR
2. Summit an offer for $2000 off MSRP. Don't forget to bring your credit card! 

Spoken like a true salesman!

Actually not.

#1 overcomes the objection in a manner that would stiill get you the same or greater profit but telling someone to wait will lose you a lot of sales while people purchase other makes in the meantime.

2. Just reinforces that the car IS overpriced.

It may make it slightly worse looking becuase the bi xenon headlights are an option that boosts the price up over the 40 K mark but its still an issue that the 4cyl "base" model ends up in that price range.

When the Jetta wagon does come its probably going to canabalize sales from the Passatt.

The market for a 200 hp turbo 4cyl is likley a decent size. But the market for people who must have the extra size (while giving up some performance and economy) is likley only a small portion of that espcially with the price.

1. Waiting doesn't mean not to do the deal now.
2. Every customer wants a discount anyway, even if i was for free more stuff should be thrown in.

When the Jetta wagon does come, it will not only canabalize sales from the Passat but the V50, Impreza and Legacy too!

[2latecrew]

Regarding the price issue.
2 solutions:

1. Wait for the Jetta wagon that is coming by the end of this year, which would be about $5000 less.
OR
2. Summit an offer for $2000 off MSRP. Don't forget to bring your credit card! 

Spoken like a true salesman!

Actually not.

#1 overcomes the objection in a manner that would stiill get you the same or greater profit but telling someone to wait will lose you a lot of sales while people purchase other makes in the meantime.

2. Just reinforces that the car IS overpriced.

It may make it slightly worse looking becuase the bi xenon headlights are an option that boosts the price up over the 40 K mark but its still an issue that the 4cyl "base" model ends up in that price range.

When the Jetta wagon does come its probably going to canabalize sales from the Passatt.

The market for a 200 hp turbo 4cyl is likley a decent size. But the market for people who must have the extra size (while giving up some performance and economy) is likley only a small portion of that espcially with the price.

1. Waiting doesn't mean not to do the deal now.

It does of you want to actually KNOW what your monthly payment will be! 


I don't think you can really canabilize sales from another maufacturer. Its a competative takeaway. Canabilizing means taking sales form another of your own models. Any new Jetta sales that would have been passat sales before are not incremental sales.

I think that the Jetta Wagon's major markets will be Current jetta Wagin owners who have been waiting. Volvo v50 Base jetta will have comperable power and features to V50 for less $. 2.0T will perform/outperform the 2.5 V50 for a lot less $. Only lack of AWD gives volvo any leg up.

Legacy and Impreza lilley are not qualing in their boots becuse of the AWD.

My opionion is that its going to hurt Passat wagon sales and take from v50. I think Jetta Wagon will be strong seller if its priced right

[sirAQUAMAN64]

VW packages are much like Lexus's. Overpriced. Well, with the exception of the Cities and Rabbit, thank goodness. It's a real shame.

Passat sales have been treading down for some time now. I do like the car, but find it pricey as well. The 3.6L all the more so, and they don't include the equipment they need to properly compete with competitors at that price.

[random006]

Will the Jetta wagon have AWD?  That would be an important factor for me.

When I saw the AWD drive price and its lack of availability on the 2.0 litre engine, my eyes nearly popped.  Like many of you, I'm tired of having to shell out thousands extra for features I don't need or want just to get the one or two features that I do need.

Grrr. 

[kgb1]

for the moement no awd in the jetta wagon ...... to all the people that said about the passat .... to expensive have they all try one , even the vr6 awd is a good deal wheb you think about the car......  and the steering qheel button il only in the vr6 model ......... , another big problem of option at vw

[Mike S]

I think all off when it comes to price.  Just do the analysis.  First off, forget the automatic, with its low pressure turbo & direct injection & supurb 6-speed, this is easy to drive with a manual.  Secondly, compare this to the V70 - my $35k wagon version (luxury package only) is $12,000 less than a V70 equipped with an outdated engine and actaully fewer options.  Lastly, compare this to any cross over SUV.  Less expensive, 0-60 in 6.9s, and I've actually acheived 6.3l/100km highway milegae.  This is the best combination of utility, comfort, saftey and performance out there for this price.

[random006]

I think all off when it comes to price.  Just do the analysis.  First off, forget the automatic, with its low pressure turbo & direct injection & supurb 6-speed, this is easy to drive with a manual.  Secondly, compare this to the V70 - my $35k wagon version (luxury package only) is $12,000 less than a V70 equipped with an outdated engine and actaully fewer options.  Lastly, compare this to any cross over SUV.  Less expensive, 0-60 in 6.9s, and I've actually acheived 6.3l/100km highway milegae.  This is the best combination of utility, comfort, saftey and performance out there for this price.

OK, let's do the analysis. 

First off, what you want in a car is not necessarily what I or others want.  So,...

I want AWD:
=>  6 cylinder only in North America
=>  $ 47,015 minimum

So, even before looking at other options, I'm already $12,000 over your price.  For that kind of money I can look elsewhere and avoid the reliability gremlins that seem to be dogging VW these days.

I want the bi-xenon system:
=>  add $1600

I want a sunroof:
=>  Do I really need to the luxury package for this or is it standard on the 6?
=>  If it is not standard and I need the package, add $6,450

Yikes!  Assuming that none of the extras mentioned above is included with AWD version, that makes for a seriously expensive station wagon.


Final note:
Recently, I've been a passenger in a new Passat Wagon and it is a beautiful ride.  Smooth, responsive and nimble.  Even the seat heaters worked almost instantaneously.  Still, I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a station wagon from VW.

[Mike S]

Wow, great analysis Random006, maybe you could be a writter like Jill.

Did it occur to you that the low pressure turbo 4 w/direct injection puts out similar power & torque rating to most V6's?  The sunroof comes with it, and those lights costs the same anywhere you go.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.  The accusation of high price by Jill is simply stupid.  She makes no comparison to other product with equal product offering, performance, features, etc.  Writers are supposed to be able to look at the substance, not the form, and their certainly not supposed to make unfounded statements & conclusions.  Pull off the specs of a V70 & Passat 2.0 with the luxury package, but don't waste my time comparing this to the Mazda wagon.

[stickshift]

Jil's accusation is hardly stupid. This is an expensive car. For this kind of cash, I'll buy an A6.

And what's a writter?

[Blueprint]

Jil's accusation is hardly stupid. This is an expensive car. For this kind of cash, I'll buy an A6.

These days, 41k$ is A3 money 

[Arthur Dent]

Wow - the price of some of those options is what I pay for whole cars.