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[Sixstring]

Had a test drive once.....what a massive car!! a bit like an old jag in size, but sooooooo smooth.
Managed about 46 miles before the little fuel light came on, and it was 1/4 full when I left...................

[pscocoa]

To satisfy just part of chrisgixer's interest in gadgets - this is the touch screen suspension fitted to the current Phaeton . I was in an A8 last week and interior was no where near as nice as Phaeton admittedly not the brand new A8.

[pscocoa]

[Dishevelled Den]

Very impressive indeed PS - that looks to be a lovely car. 8-)

[bluey]

I've never really got my head round the reason for the Phaeton.  Was it a demonstration by VAG to show what they could do, or was it an attempt to stretch their range up into the premium sector, in which case why when they already have Audi's A8 doing battle?  On both levels the model is very good indeed, although I would contest the point that it is astonishing because the main reason I believe why people are so amazed by it is down to them not expecting the makers of dull efforts like the Polo to come up with such a decent luxo-barge. 

I certainly wouldn't mind having one but it would have to be a few years old as the depreciation appears to be pretty eye-watering, which doesn't appeal to my Welsh side! Joking aside, it's great news for us tightwad drivers but must be absolutely maddening for anyone buying them new, enjoying what is a really nice car and then being insulted by a shiny suit on a forecourt come chopping-in time.

[pscocoa]

I tend to do my own thing and keep cars a long time. The Omega is now 9 years old.

I have had years of old man's car, taxi etc on the Omega and yet when people have been in it they have been mighty impressed. VX have been great and as posted a couple of years ago - they fitted a brand new engine to it after a cam belt problem that was never pinned down as either mechanic error or tension bolt failure. So I just look at the average cost per year on depreciation - keep it in good repair and all things considered is a reasonable outcome.

Some guys go to Dresden to get involved in assembly of their Phaetons when buying new  and pay £50k. I got this new with £5k of extras due I think to a mistake by manager of VW dealer who has since left the company. I paid about the same as I would for an Insignia but he had miscalculated and I had already committed to a price. When I went to pick it up they were offering to let me out of the contract!!

If I keep this 10 years then a loss of £20k is probably max unless of course ownership of big cars has become even more punitive. Road Tax is £425 a year to illustrate the point - but I have insured it with full ncb etc for £300 per annum with admiral on multicar.

The reason for the Phaeton was a misjudged attempt by a past VW CEO to compete at high end so they threw all the bits into it on same platform as Bentley Continental.

But when I was being offered 1 year old A8s for nearly £40k and had the chance of this I took what I think is the best financial solution over a long period.

[bluey]

I saw some pics of the assembly line (if you can all it that) at Dresden a few years back.  The facility is jaw-dropping in terms of the environment in which the models are made and the tower in which finished cars are stored for collection is a brilliant idea.  The pic made them look like dinky toys in a collector's showcase.  When I compare that place to the times I've been round the likes of Ellesmere Port .... blimey....

[feeutfo]

To satisfy just part of chrisgixer's interest in gadgets - this is the touch screen suspension fitted to the current Phaeton . I was in an A8 last week and interior was no where near as nice as Phaeton admittedly not the brand new A8.

ooooh thats nice....no no stop it, you'll cost me a fortune, i may do something rash and go out and buy one.

[venom]

I have a new V6 Phaeton 4 motion so repairs not an issue at present but will buy extended warranty in due course. The 2004/5 models and before will be massively exepnsive on suspension problems as whole system was redesigned in that year.

They have a huge spec including 2 batteries and huge infotainment - hard drive, mp3, sd card etc with integrated phone which works best with Nokia phones as Nokia designed the system. It is quick, very smooth, touch screen suspension options, does 36 mpg but I only use it on lomg journeys - never round town. I have done about 4000 miles now and no issues - touch wood. VW garages are generally useless on helping with information.

Repair costs will be heavy compared to Omega but apear to be less than A8.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?1652232

The above thread has a lot of how to's - a lot of data is on the older models and for experience with newer models you need to go into main section for general posts.

If your mate has specific issues then suggest he joins the Phaeton forum and he will get input - a lot of US posts - growing in UK and Sweden - understand China is big market for these now.

You lucky ******* these are my favourite cars in the past few years, a Bentley @ VW money  8-)