I was all set to buy a Sportwagen until I sat in a Passat. Man, the Passat is nice inside! This will be a daily driver/highway cruiser, about half subsidized by mileage reimbursement from my employer.
The Sportwagen pleases me more from an aesthetic standpoint. It has a younger/more hip vibe. It has a firmer ride, utilitarian value, some cool factor and I suspect it will hold resale value better than it's bigger cousin.
The Passat is just plain nicer and bigger inside and feels like a luxury car in comparison. I know in my heart it would be a better choice for gobbling up miles on the interstate but it just seems like an old man's car to me. It is also about 10% more expensive.
Either car would be the TDi with DSG and mileage difference is negligible. Mama drives a XC 70 so we do have the utility part covered already.
Anyone want to take a crack at pushing me off the fence one way or the other?
or
SVreX
MegaDork
7/22/13 11:45 a.m.
Are you more concerned with the happiness you get sitting inside, or with the younger, more hip vibe and what people think of you when they look at you driving by in your (less comfortable) car?
There is your answer.
I'd wait a bit if you can and get the Sportwagen. I read the other day that the 2014's are getting some new features, including the Jetta GLI's rear suspension setup in place of the beam axle.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/10/2014-vw-jetta-brooms-loathed-5-cylinder-beam-axle-rear-suspensi/
Plus, wagons are cooler than sedans.
Also, the 2015's look really nice.
Passats have Urea injection, Liquid to air intercoolers, and lower fuel rail pressure. All things to think about that air different than the Golf/Jetta platform. Look up the pros and cons of those things.
SVreX wrote:
Are you more concerned with the happiness you get sitting inside, or with the younger, more hip vibe and what people think of you when they look at you driving by in your (less comfortable) car?
There is your answer.
Logic vs. emotion. I get that. I don't necessarily think that logic should always win, however.
SilverFleetwrote:
I'd wait a bit if you can and get the Sportwagen....including the Jetta GLI's rear suspension setup in place of the beam axle.
Plus, wagons are cooler than sedans.
Long wait - the 2014's aren't expected until next summer, and the current Sportwagen already has the better (last generation Jetta) suspension. On the 'wagons are cooler' part - that's part of my dilemma
SVreX
MegaDork
7/22/13 11:58 a.m.
I didn't say logic should win. I said whichever of those floats your boat is your answer.
Vigo
UltraDork
7/22/13 12:57 p.m.
You already have an XC70 so there goes all the utility advantage of wagon vs sedan. Add to that that you really liked the Passat and it seems obvious to me. Get the Passat.
bludroptop wrote:
pinchvalve wrote:
Passat Wagon?
I wish, but NLA.
Well, in America the NMS Passat was never done in a wagon. I know, I would have bought that instead of my Jetta!
Also the Passat gets better range than the others too which is something to consider
The passat has always been homely.
Vigo
UltraDork
7/22/13 2:46 p.m.
Hmm, GTd also sounds pretty cool considering your other car has the utility covered.
It looks like GTd won't be here in the U.S. until 2016?
Also unclear if it will be offered as a 4 door, which is somewhat of a requirement for the business purpose of the vehicle
Autoblog linky
CLH
Reader
7/22/13 3:07 p.m.
If you don't need the utility of the wagon I'd pick the Passat. For that kind of driving and mileage volume I'll pick comfort over hip every time.
I would pick Passat. I like comfort in my daily driver.
Man I want a Sportwagen in brown with the manual for some reason it's the only color I like on those! Otherwise the GTd would be really cool if they actually bring them...
TDI wagons seem to have really strong resale values...
David