Author Topic: Test Drive: 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT (Read 3901 times)

Quote from: sailor723 on September 10, 2018, 12:31:52 pm
"a sort of Walmart-grade lederhosen"

It's probably safe to say Autotrader isn't going to be receiving any more VWs for review.

, maybe, maybe not! I bet if we asked any VW exec they would admit "yeah...fair play, it's kind of a mediocre effort from the company the builds the GTI and the Veyron. We're not terribly proud of it...but that's what the Americans wanted."

Fobroader · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2018, 01:49:14 pm »

Quote from: sailor723 on September 10, 2018, 12:31:52 pm

"a sort of Walmart-grade lederhosen"

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2018, 02:08:19 pm »

Quote from: aleksl on September 10, 2018, 12:19:55 pm

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 10, 2018, 12:06:06 pm
You can't price them on the configurator.

Which?

I see the GT on there. It's $33,795 base price.

Unless they fixed it, if you go through Build and Price, it kicks you back to the start page when you get to the final step.

Jaeger · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2018, 02:21:06 pm »

Handsome sedan, in a Ward Cleaver kind of way.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2018, 02:25:53 pm »

^ That's a good description.

I like the styling. It's conservative, but not ugly.

With the V6 and DCT, this thing moves too. About as quick as the V6 Camry, and quicker than the rest of the midsizers. Handling is plush, but not wallowy. It's a good compromise. It's not like anyone is buying a midsize car to autocross.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2018, 03:22:46 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 10, 2018, 02:25:53 pm

^ That's a good description.

I like the styling. It's conservative, but not ugly.

With the V6 and DCT, this thing moves too. About as quick as the V6 Camry, and quicker than the rest of the midsizers. Handling is plush, but not wallowy. It's a good compromise. It's not like anyone is buying a midsize car to autocross.

[/color]

Or to get a date

dkaz · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2018, 03:24:52 pm »

Autocross is about handling, not power. But still, no one is getting a mid size to autocross. Heck, I know someone who traded in his Focus ST for an 86 and is a lot happier with his lap times.

Serniter · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2018, 03:33:56 pm »

Quote from: lebowski on September 10, 2018, 01:36:25 pm

Quote from: Serniter on September 10, 2018, 01:11:36 pm
It's probably safe to say Autotrader isn't going to be receiving any more VWs for review.

, maybe, maybe not! I bet if we asked any VW exec they would admit "yeah...fair play, it's kind of a mediocre effort from the company the builds the GTI and the Veyron. We're not terribly proud of it...but that's what the Americans wanted."

I do understand VW's perspective and was only kidding in my comment. Found the article hilarious BTW!

Serniter · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2018, 03:40:16 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 10, 2018, 02:25:53 pm

^ That's a good description.

I like the styling. It's conservative, but not ugly.

With the V6 and DCT, this thing moves too. About as quick as the V6 Camry, and quicker than the rest of the midsizers. Handling is plush, but not wallowy. It's a good compromise. It's not like anyone is buying a midsize car to autocross.

Agreed, it is a handsome car that offers good ride/handling balance (for its format). The frame feels more vibration-free than other large FWD cars. I would gladly get one again.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2018, 04:13:03 pm »

It and the GTI are the two cars I keep coming back to.

I might have to try to find one sooner than expected.

mlin32 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2018, 04:23:40 pm »

One of the better, more honest reviews I've read on Autotrader thesedays.

Even the "real" Passats I see here in Europe just blend into the scenery. I literally forgot about them until I read this review.

Gawd the platform on the NA Passat is so old.......VW is really milking every last development cent.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2018, 06:18:11 pm »

Quote from: mlin32 on September 10, 2018, 04:23:40 pm

Gawd the platform on the NA Passat is so old.......VW is really milking every last development cent.

they did the same with their 2.slow engine...debuted in something like 1992 and was the base engine in some of their lower end vehicles even just a few years ago (2014ish?).

greengs · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2018, 11:40:40 am »

Quote from: stodge on September 10, 2018, 05:03:09 pm

I actually like the looks of this thing. I've always liked simple designs but other manufacturers (and VW at times too) have ruined simplicity by tacking on stupid looking front ends. It's a nice mix of simple and a bit sporty. Does it still have that weird offset steering wheel? If I recall correctly, the steering wheel in the Passat I drove a few years was offset slightly, which felt weird.

It does. That won't change until redesign. At least with this thing, yes it's old, but they priced it accordingly. It's ~6 grand less than the V6 Camry. Still, most dealers don't even bother stocking Passats in any numbers out here. It's common for dealers here to have more Golf Rs on the lot than Passats.

lebowski · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2018, 01:04:15 pm »

Quote from: Serniter on September 10, 2018, 03:33:56 pm

Quote from: lebowski on September 10, 2018, 01:36:25 pm
Quote from: Serniter on September 10, 2018, 01:11:36 pm
It's probably safe to say Autotrader isn't going to be receiving any more VWs for review.

, maybe, maybe not! I bet if we asked any VW exec they would admit "yeah...fair play, it's kind of a mediocre effort from the company the builds the GTI and the Veyron. We're not terribly proud of it...but that's what the Americans wanted."

I do understand VW's perspective and was only kidding in my comment. Found the article hilarious BTW!

Totally understood that you were kidding - I was just tyring to add (rather unsuccessfully

) to your joke