It's time to get rid of our 2002 V6 Omega, so just looking for some views from you knowledgeable lot.
As a family we take a leaf from comrade Stalin book and plan 5 years ahead budget of all our motoring needs for 10000 miles/year.
We do mostly motorway miles. We includes all of our spendings = petrol+insurance +maintenance+VED , never buy new and try generally to drive the most comfortable car we can get for £3000 x 5 years = £15k.
Just had a look at Autotrader and found that four years old VW Phaeton petrols go for £8000 to 12K. Say we get a not very high miler (at 50k miles+) do you think we can run it within our budget? or are we looking for troubles?
Our budgeting system worked well in the past and we like to keep it that way.
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You probably could provided you go for the diesel: but if you just need the space, just think of the money you could save by geting a Skoda Superb instead.
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Not sure about running and repair costs, but by all accounts the Phaeton is a superb car, and, after the predicted off-a-cliff depreciation it is now in the bracket that's been forecast: a screaming buy for those seeking a premium vehicle and who are immune to badge snobbery. Someone said something like "Think of it as a Bentley at beta stage".
If I weren't so fond of my mini-fleet, I'd be in the market for one. I'm sure there's enough commentary around on the Web for you to get informed about costs. No doubt you've been here already:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=604&
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=82
Keep us posted.
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Not a chance. Fuel alone will cost you £10,000 over 5 years.
And that's at current prices.
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10,000 miles per year is going to cost you £2500 per year in a 20mpg car and £2000 in one which does 25mpg at current prices so that is most of the annual budget gone before you worry about depreciation and maintenance.
Phaetons are good cars but boy do they cost if anything goes wrong - anything specific to the car cost an absolute fortune and because there are few about there is little specialist knowledge about them and even the diesels like a drink.
You'd probably be better off with an Audi A8 which is much the same car although you won't run one on £3k a year or even close.
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The Phaeton is built in Dresden I have been in and watched them being assembled use the same floor pan and mechanics as the small Bently absolutely superb car and second hand must offer one of the best value for money deals around secondhand big petrol models are for peanuts in Germany compared to purchase price.
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Some more here:
tinyurl.com/5z2mc6
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I saw one on Autotrader which had an LPG conversion. Sounded like a good idea.
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Some more here: tinyurl.com/5z2mc6
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Roger - did you read the reviews ? They're fakes, generated by some kind of program that combines random opinions with random parts of the vehicle.
My favourite was the reviewer of the W12 version (450bhp, 6 litre, 190 mph) who said the "most underestimated thing about the car is the driver's side wing mirror" !
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I was about to say the chassis of the Bentley Contintental is the same as the Phaeton. A lot shared between the two - did VW hide development costs for the Bentley in the unpopular Phaeton.
The Audi A8 on the other hand is aluminium body and chassis - so not that related. I'd prefer the Audi but they will cost more.
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The Phaeton is built in Dresden I have been in and watched them being assembled
Ditto. Well worth a pilgrimage to worship the cut-away W12 engine on its pedestal.......and then walk back to see the even more complicated astronomical clocks built nearly 500yrs ago.
[there's also palace room full of rare expensive trinkets to entertain a less mechanically minded partner while you're contemplating these marvels....or driving the Phaeton around their virtual circuit ...it's free!]
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I've owned 2 Phaetons, both 3.0tdi's bought as 3 month old ex-demos. The Phaeton is a fantastic piece of engineering but...... I don't think it's safe to assume you can run one in your budget.
Why ? Firstly, while they don't go wrong that much, when they do it really hurts: if the shock absorber goes on one corner, you'll have to replace all 4 and you're probably looking at a £3k bill.... and most VW dealers, let alone independents, run scared of the car. Second, they'll keep on dropping in value just like any other 4 year old car at that price, regardless of the amount you seem to get for your money. Third, the petrols are thirsty: it's a 2 and a bit tonne automatic with at least a 3.2V6, 4wd as well except on early V6's.
Make sure you do the rational thinking bit before you test drive one. Once the triple skinned door shuts with a thud more solid than a bank vault and you sink into the 18 way ventilated massaging leather seats, bury your feet in the deep pile carpet, admire the beautifully polished wooden air vent covers sliding back and turn up the best in class sound system, you will become ruled by your heart !
If you do go ahead, or just if you're interested, check out the forum at
forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=112
The moderator of that forum knows more about Phaetons than all the UK dealers put together !
Edited by morellomax on 12/09/2008 at 01:27
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"Roger - did you read the reviews"
Yes, I did, and noticed some peculiarities. I've written to them and we'll see if there is an honest answer.
"if the shock absorber goes on one corner, you'll have to replace all 4"
Gulp. Why?
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"if the shock absorber goes on one corner you'll have to replace all 4" Gulp. Why?
Because they revised the design of the shock absorber and you can't get the old design any more, but you can't mix and match either. Only a problem for the older cars:
forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3456250&page=1
It seems to be a rare problem, so far.....
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(edited for repetition !)
Edited by morellomax on 12/09/2008 at 12:20
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