Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Volkswagen Passat TDI; Day 1

[Serniter]

I recently compared prices for the Camry, Legacy and Passat in the New Jersey area. While prices may be different in Canada, the Camry LE and Passat S trims were quite close, with the Passat ~$1500 more expensive. The Camry XLE was about the same as a Passat SE. I'd recommend driving them both over making a choice based on price. Solely based on numbers, one would choose a Camry (resale value, maintenance costs, reliability...). However, they look different (inside and out), have different NVH characteristics, and have other less tangible differences.

[Noto]

Why do you keep pointing to the TDI engine when I was specifically speaking about standard 1.8T engine?
...
Can you show me in NUMBERS where a Passat with the standard engine is more expensive than a Camry?

...because the vehicle tested was the TDI?

Since you asked so nicely, here:

[mixmanmash]

There are auto-headlights.  But I found out tonight wow they suck

Going back to the Sylvanias, I drove the RX yesterday where papa changed just one DRL (since the OEM burned out after 9 years...not bad).  They are, indeed, holy crap brighter.  I will be switching the headlights on the Corolla to those and hope to get more than just a few years out of them.  Even if I get the 2 years, I feel like it's worth $25/year to have brighter headlights.  Since I'm heading to Ithaca on Wednesday night, I'm really wanting some good illumination!

You can't compare a 9 year old bulb to a new one.  Halogens lose a good chunk of their light output even after 2 years.

[Noto]

There are auto-headlights.  But I found out tonight wow they suck

Going back to the Sylvanias, I drove the RX yesterday where papa changed just one DRL (since the OEM burned out after 9 years...not bad).  They are, indeed, holy crap brighter.  I will be switching the headlights on the Corolla to those and hope to get more than just a few years out of them.  Even if I get the 2 years, I feel like it's worth $25/year to have brighter headlights.  Since I'm heading to Ithaca on Wednesday night, I'm really wanting some good illumination!

You can't compare a 9 year old bulb to a new one.  Halogens lose a good chunk of their light output even after 2 years.

So your suggestion is that the Sylvanias have absolutely no benefit?

I said that they are "holy crap brighter", not "they seem a 'bit' brighter".  I'm aware that after 9 years, the halogen DRLs will be weaker than brand new.  That's even more reason to swap out the low-beams on the Corolla when doing a lot of night driving in the rain through deer country.

[mixmanmash]

There are auto-headlights.  But I found out tonight wow they suck

Going back to the Sylvanias, I drove the RX yesterday where papa changed just one DRL (since the OEM burned out after 9 years...not bad).  They are, indeed, holy crap brighter.  I will be switching the headlights on the Corolla to those and hope to get more than just a few years out of them.  Even if I get the 2 years, I feel like it's worth $25/year to have brighter headlights.  Since I'm heading to Ithaca on Wednesday night, I'm really wanting some good illumination!

You can't compare a 9 year old bulb to a new one.  Halogens lose a good chunk of their light output even after 2 years.

So your suggestion is that the Sylvanias have absolutely no benefit?

I said that they are "holy crap brighter", not "they seem a 'bit' brighter".  I'm aware that after 9 years, the halogen DRLs will be weaker than brand new.  That's even more reason to swap out the low-beams on the Corolla when doing a lot of night driving in the rain through deer country.

Spoken like a lawyer... 

I suggested that your analysis and comparison is flawed.  I didn't say the silver stars off no benefit, you did.

Compare your 9 year old halogen, to new standard halogen and then to the silverstars.  That would be a fair analysis.  I have compared a 7 year old halogen to a new one and the difference is remarkable.

[bombastic]

Why do you keep pointing to the TDI engine when I was specifically speaking about standard 1.8T engine?
...
Can you show me in NUMBERS where a Passat with the standard engine is more expensive than a Camry?

...because the vehicle tested was the TDI?

Since you asked so nicely, here:

Your comparo is bogus. Here is the valid one 
2015 Volkswagen Passat
1.8 TSI Trendline 4dr Sedan
$ 25,375.00
   
2015 Volkswagen Passat
1.8 TSI Comfortline 4dr Sedan
$ 28,095.00
   
2015 Toyota Camry
SE 4dr Sedan
$ 25,240.00
   
2015 Toyota Camry
XLE 4dr Sedan
$ 31,040.00

[Noto]

How do you figure that the LE should not be counted?  Based on feature content, it's pretty similar to the Trendline.

I don't care.  You keep thinking whatever it is you need to.  The Passat is a great car, and maybe my desire for it to be priced lower is because I actually like it, but don't think that competitors should outprice one another?

It may not be realistic, but it's a preference and it would, indeed, drive my sale decisions.