Does anyone remember the Phaeton?

[Godsson314]

A few years ago I was able to put my hands on a Volkswagen Phaeton this car was only made for about 2 to 3 years. It was a very high end luxury vehicle it had almost every bell and whistle you could think of power lift gate truck, you could also adjust the shocks and struts inside the car. It has the power folding mirrors just to name a few options. I think it was almost close to what the Equus is now.

Does anyone remember this? If so what are your thoughts?

 

[scottdk]

Amazing car and I think it was the right idea to keep the price down, but failed due to lack of brand prestige vs. Audi etc. Pretty awesome car especially with the W12 engine.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15qdqTilkVI&feature=plcp"]Volkswagen Phaeton--Chicago Cars Direct HD - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Dicko]

Sly Stalone has one and loves it every once and a while you photos of him driving it.

 

[Ruissimo]

I loved the Phaeton. Had a Passat at the time, and thought about buying the W8 version of THAT car... but would've loved the W12 Phaeton instead.

IN RETROSPECT, it's a good thing I made neither one of those purchases. I had *THE* single worst car ownership experience ever with the VW, and I've sworn I'll never own another one again.

Having said that, the Phaeton was a great car, and a bargain when compared to the A8. Those two cars single-handedly converted me from a "I want a sports car as my dream car" guy to a "give me a luxury sedan any day" guy.

So yeah, I remember it. May it rest in peace... maybe if there are some cheap ones out there, they could eventually become great collector's items, who knows.

 

[STREETS]

Difference I believe was A8 has the aluminum SpaceFrame and Pheaton steel unibody.
Still see a couple out and about.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

Difference I believe was A8 has the aluminum SpaceFrame and Pheaton steel unibody.
Still see a couple out and about.

That is correct about the steel vs. aluminum, but unfortunately, like that vintage A8, they were brutally expensive when something went wrong, and something ALWAYS went wrong.

I still get tremors recalling experiences with these cars.

 

[PMCErnie]

What do you mean RIP? They say they will return to the USA.

http://m.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-phaeton.html

Have a look at two 2012 versions.

http://youtu.be/SKkmvb3Xz6A

http://youtu.be/GUGaVW0U9ic

 

[Ruissimo]

I can get everything in that car (sans AWD) and pay $30-$35k less in a Genesis.

Go ahead and bring it... It will flop again.

And those new models look exactly the same as the old ones... I guess VW is going the way of Skoda, with their fresh 15-year old designs.

 

[scottdk]

Who wants a Bentley? Click on the link for the whole article and "Bentley" pic

OK, that’s all for the compliments now. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? You know what’s worse than owning a $100,000 Volkswagen? Making that $100,000 Volkswagen look like a $30,000 car trying to be a $150,000 car. Be proud of your Phaeton, like anyone who knows anything about cars would be proud of your Phaeton. Know that in 2004, the year this car was built, it probably was the best sedan money could buy at any price. Volkswagen lost money on every single one of these cars built, which is why they charge so much more for the Bentley that’s basically the same car: they have to make it back since it tanked on the showroom floor. This one’s got 119,000 miles on it, looks to be in great shape, and has the desirable W12 engine. Be proud of your W12. Dont cover it in Bentley badges.

http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2012/found-for-sale-more-like-a-bentley-than-a-chrysler-300/

 

[Ruissimo]

http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2012/found-for-sale-more-like-a-bentley-than-a-chrysler-300/

barf.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Billfz1]

I find it interesting that many people are enamored with the W12. I have had conversations with one of the principle crankcase designers and even he thinks it is a bit of a kluge. The W12 is an out growth it the narrow angle V6 technology. That was/is used in the front drives. It is like two Jetta v6s mated at the crankshaft. The trouble is mainly the poor ports on the "off" or far side of the heads. A single head for both banks of a V6. This was a good trick, and a great packaging job but not the best for efficient HP making. I will take a nice variable intake length V8 thanks. The Tao is a MUCH better design with so many fewer trouble spots it is hard to count.

Bill

 

[Ruissimo]

Bill,

I agree with you on the design - and I think that's exactly what they were trying to do from the start; take two existing V6's and join them to put a 12-cylinder engine on the market.

I think we can all agree that large VW engines (anything bigger than a 4-banger) are not known for their efficiency -- be it consumption or power output.

My 5.0L R Spec engine gets the same mpg that my V6 4-Motion engine did. And puts out 45% of the horsepower LOL

 

[Billfz1]

Bill,

I agree with you on the design - and I think that's exactly what they were trying to do from the start; take two existing V6's and join them to put a 12-cylinder engine on the market.

I think we can all agree that large VW engines (anything bigger than a 4-banger) are not known for their efficiency -- be it consumption or power output.

My 5.0L R Spec engine gets the same mpg that my V6 4-Motion engine did. And puts out 45% of the horsepower LOL

Ruissimo,
Don't you mean that the Tao 5.0 R-spec engine has 45% MORE horsepower? The syntax of you last sentance infers less. (Blame my mom the scrable queen)
Bill

 

[Ruissimo]

Ruissimo,
Don't you mean that the Tao 5.0 R-spec engine has 45% MORE horsepower? The syntax of you last sentance infers less. (Blame my mom the scrable queen)
Bill

That's SOOOOO not like me!

Good catch!

 

[ImInPA]

The Phaeton was superior to the Equus in just about every way. Keep in mind that it was built off the Bently Continental platform. The W12 Cylinder version was simply incredible. VW did a poor job at positioning the Phaeton. If they had Hyundai's marketing department, they would have positionined it at a a car that competes with $200k cars at a price of only $90k. They never raised the bar of the cars it was to compete against. The interior materials were simply amazing. The leather on the seats was the same grade as fine Ethan Allen home furnishings. It is a shame that they ended up selling fewer than 300 during its US run.

 

[Ruissimo]

I have to agree with you on the fit and finish. I LOVED that car inside, it was truly beautiful.

I'd love to see some reliability reports on it though... my guess it wasn't so pretty in that department.

 

[EdV]

The Phaeton was not marketed very well in my opinion. I only saw one of them in person. I think that VW will be offering it again. I personally drive a 2012 Genesis 4.6. Good car so far but the A/C is slow to cool.

 

[Koolhaas]

The Phaeton was not marketed very well in my opinion. I only saw one of them in person. I think that VW will be offering it again. I personally drive a 2012 Genesis 4.6. Good car so far but the A/C is slow to cool.

Yes, the Phaeton will come back. VW built a special factory for the manufacturing of the Phaeton. I think they made some design changes and put a bently badge on it.

The phaeton factory had little robotic carts that would come off of a train and drive themselves right up to the appropriate car where a tech would install the parts on a moving wooden floor.

As an architect, i was in awe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E35RvFeHL50

http://www.glaesernemanufaktur.de/

I owned a couple VW's and will probably own a couple more. I loved having a german car. The only problem I had with VW was the service. It was horrible. The cars were amazing. I had a 2009 VR6 CC before I bought my Lexus ES350. Everyday in the ES made me miss my VW. I got the Genisis to replace the ES, and think that the Genisis is way better. I didn't even test drive any VW's. I wanted RWD!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I think it'll come back to America as well. I'm pretty sure Volkswagen feels that if Hyundai and Kia can do it - so can they. I bet Mazda is pissed they didn't start their Amati brand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amati_Cars

 

[Koolhaas]

I think it'll come back to America as well. I'm pretty sure Volkswagen feels that if Hyundai and Kia can do it - so can they. I bet Mazda is pissed they didn't start their Amati brand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amati_Cars

a buddy of mine had this car in college, and I thought it was fantastic. Never even thought about looking at 4-door cars till i rode in this.

(edit by admin: image too large for screens) upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Mazda_929_.jpg/1920px-Mazda_929_.jpg