Not buying the Passat

[edkellock at juno.com]

I had the same reaction to the Tiptronic when I drove the Allroad.
I do believe its behavior was schizophrenic due to very few miles
on the odo (48) and probably half as many drivers.  I believe 
these two factors combined with its ability to learn driving style
made it very unpleasant.  The action of the transmission seemed
as over-reactive as that of the Servotronic steering.  I couldn't
put my foot even half way down without it downshifting two 
gears.  Way overkill.  I played with it in Tip mode and was able
to nearly floor it in higher gears and let the turbos do there thing.
I enjoy the long steady surge of turbo-induced torque.  If I then
went ahead and goosed it all the way, it would downshift in the
same manner and Tip would hold that new gear.  Kinda cool.
I'm sure I'd adapt.  But I can't escape the feeling that it would
always exhibit this mildly schizo personality.  Never totally an
automatic, never a stick.

I enjoyed my drive in the Allroad very much.  However the most
amazing thing was that when I got back in my 13 year old CGT,
it still felt fresh and, as you put it, friendly.  In the past, after
driving
a more sophisticated and/or newer car, my own car feels old in
comparison.  My reaction to this is that I didn't connect with the
Allroad.  

Another surprise was that I was treated as a viable customer.
This dealer, Phil Long in Colorado Springs, is also a Mercedes
dealer.  The Allroad was parked in front of the MBZ showroom
and the salesman who approached me came out of it.  I was
there in my 13 year old CGT and dressed rather haphazardly.
He didn't seem to be at all concerned about that.  I did not ask
for the test drive either.  I mentioned that I was there to see if
they had an Allroad in and later mentioned that I have the V8 and
had a 91 Avant.  He offered the drive and we went.  Afterward,
I told him I was very interested in driving a 6spd when it is available.
I have since received a letter of thanks and his business card in the
mail.  I can't quite remember, but I think this is the way it is
supposed to work.  Right?

Ed
Colorado Springs, CO

On Sat, 13 Jan 2001 09:11:28 -0500 (EST) Andrew Duane USG
<duane at hunch.zk3.dec.com> writes:
> I took the Passat GLX 4-motion out for a serious spin last night.
> At night, it's an interesting car. The dash illumination is a
> kind of royal blue with red gauge needles.
> 
> Anyway, it is indeed a very nice car, very close to the equal of
> the A6Q for almost $10K less. That said, I do not think it is the
> car I want.
> 
> I found the steering way too light and vague. On the Audis, that
> is the Servotronic, and a quick removal of the relay will fix it.
> On this car, that's just the way it is. The crappy tires they
> chose (Michelin Green X-one) may be a part of it too. But there
> aren't any other tires available on the GLX 4-motion (which uses
> a 16" wheel instead of the normal 15"), so I'd have to shell out
> about $500 for new ones.
> 
> I also think the Tiptronic, while a very good transmission, is just
> going to be a $1000 compromise. I really want a stick. Maybe I'm
> just not used to the Tip, and it will grow on me. But I doubt it.
> 
> Besides, when I got back in my A6QW for the ride home, I just
> realized that my car is "friendlier". I don't know how to quantify
> that, or whether it's just that the Passat is new and unfamiliar,
> whereas my car is an old friend. Maybe I'd just be sad at losing 
> it.
> 
> So, I think Plan B is to start making a "car payment" into a nice
> savings fund, hang on to my wagon for another year or two, then go
> after an Allroad with the 2.7T and a stick. I somehow think I might
> be able to handle driving an Allroad :-)
> 
> If anyone wants a good deal on a Passat GLX 4-motion in Cashmere
> white with Black leather and a CD changer, I can give you the
> number of the dealer that has it. Our last price was $28,533.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7)                        duane at zk3.dec.com
> Compaq Computer Corporation                (603)-884-1294
> 110 Spit Brook Road
> M/S ZKO3-3/U14
> Nashua, NH    03062-2698
> 
> Only my cat shares my opinions, and she's too psychotic to express 
> it
> 
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