[s-cars] Passat 4motion W8 wagon: Opinions? (LAC)

[Robert Rossato]

I test drove a W8 mit 6-spd a year or two ago when they finally became available.  Compared to my chipped S6, even though the HP is pretty much the same, the S6 felt faster.  The suspension on the W8 was too soft.  Can't recall if it had a sport suspension.  The brakes were way over assisted.  Took some getting used to in order to not have the car slam it's nose on the ground every time I touched the brake pedal.  Made brake modulation difficult.

The suspension can definitely be fixed, and that might help out on the brake dive as well.  Overall, I was underwhelmed, but it is a decent car.  Though if it's not a 6-spd I wouldn't bother.

It felt good to get back into my S6 after the drive.  

Bob

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Marc Gorelick <marc at frogville.net>
> I am smitten with this car. In fact I am about 90% ready to jump on an 
> airplane and go get one that I've had my eye on for a while. We have a 
> "boring" (V6, FWD) Passat wagon coming off lease and I need a 
> replacement. I really like the one we're giving up and this seems like 
> the same thing, only more.
> 
> It seems very S-car like: 270 HP, AWD and designed to NOT draw excessive 
> attention to itself. The perfect all-season, family-hauling 
> grocery-getter, assuming one can't find an UrS6 Avant around. Plus, 
> unlike our UrS cars this one still has 48k miles of factory warranty 
> left on it. ;-)
> 
> The car is 1,100 miles away and I am mildly hesitant to fly out and buy 
> a car I've never seen or driven. So....anyone have one of these? If not, 
> any driving experiences? Baseless opinions? I figure if ever there was a 
> group of people who would "get" this car it would be all of you.
> 
> Thanks, hope this isn't considered a waste of bandwidth.
> 
> Marc
> 
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