Volkswagen Phaeton (2003 - 2015) 4.2 V8 4MOTION 4d Auto (5 Seat) (2006/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

It says i love luxury, I' m a cool dude for getting such a chic car that does not shout out 'rich so and so' but has everything you could want and every comfort, at such a crazy price. It says I am a real car lover driving something different and original.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone who sees it loves it. VW for some unknown reason did not promote it properly and idiots in the motoring press were putting it down. It illustrates that good money is wasted on the rich, and people in general seem slaves to fashion. However, when they get close to this car it knocks everyone out! So much nicer than a common Merc or BMW.

Would you buy this car again and why?

If i could find another so near to my dream specification of course I would. Sadly the next Phaeton will not be so magnificently overc engineered and beautifully conceived and built. This car was the baby of a total car buff, the then boss of VW, mad genius Ferdinand Piech.

What are you likely to buy next?

We are about to take delivery of a Skoda Yeti as a second car, for shorter journeys and practical carrying capacity, as the Phaeton is a saloon, albeit with a large boot, and is quite thirsty as a V8.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£45,000

When did you buy the car?

February 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

I paid well over the usual book value, this is actually a 2008 car first on the road in december. In Switzerland this model is still available. The carwas three and a half years old like new and full of great stuff, extra walnut, the 18 way electric seats, wood steering wheel, electric boot lid, side assist,metc etc. great value at 45 grand in English money, would be over 100 new.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I have always dreamed of this car since we first attended the launch in Holland in 2003.

What was the dealer like?

I bought the car sight unseen by phone,mI knew the quality,the colour etc. the dealer drove it to our home, 3 hours away, brought a basket of goodies with them, took away our 12 year old Passat. Usual excellent Swiss VW main dealer.

What's it like to drive?

Smooth, quiet, bags of power for overtaking, corners like a limpet as 4 wheel drive. I can change the ride height from inside for rough terrain. It ducks down lower automatically at high speed on its air suspension. Utterly marvellous especially on very long drives.

What's it like to park?

Actually very easy when you have got used to the size and gained full confidence in the reversing camera. Take it easy. The right hand ( or in the UK the left) automatically moves downwards to show the kerb when reversing. Bloody marvellous!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Would you expect a 3 year old Bentley to go wrong? This car is the only available that brings sheer joy to its owners. I regularly drive over a thousand mile to visit my Mum in England, it's tireless and totally untiring to drive, the nearest thing to flying without an aeroplane.

What's most practical about your car?

It is smooth, powerful, utterly comfortable (the seats won prizes from the German orthpedists),mquiet, exquisitely appointed and constructed, everyone who sees it loves it. A far superior car to boring Mercs and bossy Bimmers. Totally unfairly ignored by the stupid motoring press. Unchallenged as a long distance cruiser with a lovely waffling engine and great standard sound system.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Everything is completely charming and wonderful. Hard to single any one thing out. Perhaps I most love the understated chicness of the body. People do remark on its beauty, and two ladies gestured and said 'beautiful car' while I was waiting at traffic lights once recently. It is gorgeous.