Got the Rabbit... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iwrock · #31 07-21-2006, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Where are you located? Shop around and don't let some greedy dealer stick you with a "market adjustment" premium. I checked wiht one dealer and he told me that as a favor he would "only" charge me a $1,000.00 premium.

I got mine for below sticker. You can do it too.

I looked around at other similar cars, the Matrix, the Vibe, the Caliber, etc.

In my opinion the Rabbit has the best build quality of that whole group.

Tonight I washed it, gassed it (it got 27 mpg in around town and feeway driving since we picked it up yesterday, I expect it to do better as the engine gets in a few more miles) and then drove it around town...damn, I felt like a kid again.

My daughter may not get it after all....

We may have to meet halfway so that I can drive it. Or maybe a roadtrip to Southern California is in order. I live in Sacramento, so maybe a 5 hour drive if I leave now...

snp8990 · #32 07-21-2006, 02:14 AM

VW's are wonderful cars.I just sold my sons 1999 VW Jetta because hes going to college (he got into Villanova).That car is very surprising.It went through snow like there was nothing there!A few weeks ago,my good friend picked up a 2000 Jetta fully loaded.That car flys,like a mini-Mercedes.I think most used VW's are steals.I saw a Phaeton W12 for around 45 grand.

BENZ-LGB · #33 07-21-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Good for you, denying 'em the "additional dealer markup". Probably they'll be practically giving the cars away in a year or so when the initial frenzy and demand subsides....

Maybe you should at least keep it yourself till it gets "properly broken in",
let her use the Volvo wagon meanwhile...

I think the build quality is pretty good (I've read) on the VWs again, though some of them have had electric problems (Golf, Passat) in previous years.

They sell really well in Europe, and I'm sure it will be much safer and sturdier than some Vibe or a Matrix.

Please don't say they will be giving them away...

The mark-up is partially due to demand on a new model (although it has been selling in Europe for a few years now) and the fact that there are so few units here in the U.S. When I called my insurance agent to put it on the policy, he couldn't find the VIN in their computer. He said that it is that new.

The Volvo is her sister's car (well, they are all mine since I pay for them, buy the insruance, pay for the as...etc., etc., etc. ....) so I don't think her sister is going to go for that. I should give her the 300TE to practice on...well, I am very attached to the 300TE.

Somewhat apropo to this thread...diesel is becoming sexy.

The sales manager at the dealer where I bought the car told me that just a week earlier they sold a new diesel VW (I can't recall the model) to actress Diane Lane. You can't sell new diesels in California. so you have to bring in a diesel with 7.5k miles on the clock OR you have to get an out of state dealer to certifiy a "new" diesel car as a "demo" and then bring it in to California -- a "demo" is technically no longer new apparently.

Anyhow, the manager told me that Ms. Lane wanted a diesel real bad and so they got her the diesel she wanted. He said she is absolutely a sweetheart, cute, nice, etc. Her hubby, Josh Brolin (Ms. Streisand's son in law

) is apparently not-so-nice (or bright...what a shock).

Willie Nelson and his bio-diesel business are making a big hit in Hollywood, even Julia Roberts is getting into the act. I think that Ed Begley and his dorkey hybrid push may be dead in Hollywood. Long live the diesel engine and alternative fuels (after all I believe that Mr. Diesel first used peanut oil to power his engine).

Anyhow, I really enjoy driving the Rabbit. I will post pics later.

BENZ-LGB · #34 07-21-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snp8990

VW's are wonderful cars.I just sold my sons 1999 VW Jetta because hes going to college (he got into Villanova).That car is very surprising.It went through snow like there was nothing there!A few weeks ago,my good friend picked up a 2000 Jetta fully loaded.That car flys,like a mini-Mercedes.I think most used VW's are steals.I saw a Phaeton W12 for around 45 grand.

First, congrats to your son for getting into Villanova. That is a great school and the competition to get into college is getting harder and harder. He must be a bright kid and you should be very proud of him.

We just went through the college app process with our youngest daughter...she is off to college in the Fall. She got into a very good school...it surprised her (but not me, the proud Papa

)

I was very impressed with the Rabit and I really like the Toureg. I looked at a lot of other cars and there is a definite mindset (and difference) between Japanese cars and German cars.

BTW, the instrument cluster in the Rabbit is verty similar (maybe identical) to the instrument cluster in the 2006 C230 loaner that I drove a few weeks ago. I think that there may be a lot of part cross-use between German/Euro car makers. Some of the parts and switches in the Rabbit look like parts/switches in our Volvo wagon.

Tha Phaeton is a gorgeous car that was marketed wrong. People just couldn't get past the fact that they were paying so much money for a car with a VW plate. VW shold have started a separate luxo car division, like Nissan and toyota did for the Infiniti and Lexus. Wait...doesn't VW already have a luxo division...Audi???

Anyhow, ask PC DAVE about his Phaeton, he got it for a song and he loves it.

snp8990 · #35 07-21-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

First, congrats to your son for getting into Villanova. That is a great school and the competition to get into college is getting harder and harder. He must be a bright kid and you should be very proud of him.

We just went through the college app process with our youngest daughter...she is off to college in the Fall. She got into a very good school...it surprised her (but not me, the proud Papa

)

I was very impressed with the Rabit and I really like the Toureg. I looked at a lot of other cars and there is a definite mindset (and difference) between Japanese cars and German cars.

BTW, the instrument cluster in the Rabbit is verty similar (maybe identical) to the instrument cluster in the 2006 C230 loaner that I drove a few weeks ago. I think that there may be a lot of part cross-use between German/Euro car makers. Some of the parts and switches in the Rabbit look like parts/switches in our Volvo wagon.

Tha Phaeton is a gorgeous car that was marketed wrong. People just couldn't get past the fact that they were paying so much money for a car with a VW plate. VW shold have started a separate luxo car division, like Nissan and toyota did for the Infiniti and Lexus. Wait...doesn't VW already have a luxo division...Audi???

Anyhow, ask PC DAVE about his Phaeton, he got it for a song and he loves it.

The Toureg is very,very nice.Actually,I was interested in buying either a Toureg or the ML500.
The Phaeton is awesome.In all the pictures ive seen,it looks huge.Bigger than any W140.Does anyone know the exact wheelbase?

PC Dave · #36 07-21-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snp8990

The Phaeton is awesome.In all the pictures ive seen,it looks huge.Bigger than any W140.Does anyone know the exact wheelbase?

118 inches for the LWB version; they don't import the SWB to the US. The back seat is cavernous; I have the seat all the way back (and plenty reclined) and I could easily sit behind myself with space to burn. If you have $30k (330 hp Audi 4.2 V8) to $50k (400+hp Bentley/Audi W12) and want the best automotive deal in years, find a 1-2 year old Phaeton, pay about $2k for a 7 year, 100k extended warranty, and enjoy it. Explore the Phaeton forum at www.vwvortex.com, it's a model for what a car forum should be. [Commercial mode off].

Ernesto, great move on the Rabbit (why did they bring that name back? Am I the only one who thinks it's a really dumb move? Apparently). I really like the car and the platform. I got an A5 platform Jetta as a loaner from VW Santa Monica when I dropped off the Phaeton for service one day, and drove it all over SoCal. I was really impressed. I'll think hard about getting a Rabbit TDI when those are widely available, I nearly got one of the last of the A4 Golf TDI's, but the improvement between the A4 and A5 platforms made me wait. I'll just have to buy the "Golf" insignia next time I'm in Europe to replace the Rabbit stuff and preserve my dignity, such as it is. Maybe there's a business there. Hmm...

BENZ-LGB · #37 07-21-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC Dave

Ernesto, great move on the Rabbit (why did they bring that name back? Am I the only one who thinks it's a really dumb move? Apparently). I really like the car and the platform. I got an A5 platform Jetta as a loaner from VW Santa Monica when I dropped off the Phaeton for service one day, and drove it all over SoCal. I was really impressed. I'll think hard about getting a Rabbit TDI when those are widely available, I nearly got one of the last of the A4 Golf TDI's, but the improvement between the A4 and A5 platforms made me wait. I'll just have to buy the "Golf" insignia next time I'm in Europe to replace the Rabbit stuff and preserve my dignity, such as it is. Maybe there's a business there. Hmm...

I think they are marketing the car to young women (the GTI is more hardcore and thus more "male" oriented).

I think a "rabbit" is cuter to a girl than a "golf."

I was talking to the salesman about "buyer's remorse." He said a guy brought back a VW convertible Bug (red) beause his buddies thought it was too gay.

Go figure.

I took the day off today because I had some errands to run. Took the Rabbit and I ended up driving all the way to Santa Barbara and back.

snp8990 · #38 07-21-2006, 06:52 PM

PC,how does the Phaeton drive?Is it more comparable to the W220 or the W140?Do they have the rear reclining seats?
-Nilesh

suginami · #39 07-21-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I took the day off today because I had some errands to run. Took the Rabbit and I ended up driving all the way to Santa Barbara and back.

Sounds like something I would do.

BTW, where's the pics man. You're killing me.

iwrock · #40 07-21-2006, 08:11 PM

I had to run errands today. Hit nasty traffic, and took an hour to go 2 miles. UUUGGHHH..

PC Dave · #41 07-22-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snp8990

PC,how does the Phaeton drive?Is it more comparable to the W220 or the W140?Do they have the rear reclining seats?
-Nilesh

Can't say, I haven't driven either one (though I have driven the W221 - that's a great car..). The Phaeton won an AutoWeek face-off vs. a W220 S500 a couple of years ago, which makes sense, it's a 4 year newer platform. It's a very smooth, substantial car, with a lot of great details (heated/cooled/massaging seats standard, adjustable air suspension and mini-flashlight instead of cigarette lighter in the power outlet standard, etc.). No reclining rear seats, but if you get an optional package they're heated, and you can get a 4 seat option with two buckets instead of a bench. Just a very nice car. I won't say it easily beats the A8/S Class/7 series - everyone has their personal preference among those for various reasons - but it's definitely in the same class, for much, much less $$$, especially after the discounts that anyone with a pulse could get just for asking.

snp8990 · #42 07-22-2006, 01:05 AM

I may have to go see a Phaeton.I can easily understand how the W220 was defeated by the VW.The 2000 VW Jetta that I drove,is very comfortable and smooth,it seemed more accomadating than the W220.I can only imagine how the Phaeton moves!After some major consideration,im going to to stick with trying to get a W140 S600.I really want the feeling of driving a V12 Mercedes!

iwrock · #43 07-22-2006, 03:53 AM

The V12 W140s are screamers. They can shed their weight and take off. I know that my SL600 weighs in at about 4200 ish pounds, and that thing is a bat outta hell. The W140 I would imagine is the same weight, so I would think it has enormous pulling power, even for a car its size.

BENZ-LGB · #44 07-22-2006, 10:19 AM

Here are some pictures...this is the first time that I used photobucket, so I hope it works...

Engine bay

Interior front

Interior rear

Sideview

Rear

Can someone show/teach me how to post pics directly from an external site like photobucket. I want to be able to post the pictures directly here, instead of posting a link.

I feel soooooooooo dumb.

See below...I got it....

BENZ-LGB · #45 07-22-2006, 10:44 AM