I've been thinking about picking up an Audi A8 w12. Why is the VW PHAETON 6.0L w12 so much cheaper?Maybe this is the car to get? Also this is the same motor in the Bentley Continental? Who is the expert?
the VW is cheaper because its a VW... i would almost argue that the VW with the W12 is the nicer car to have compared to the W12 A8... why dont you test drive each to see which you prefer? the W12 is a similar engine to the Bently contentental, and Flying Spur... but those are bi-tubo engines with 550 hp, rather then 450 hp. if you aren't picking up on the used market; the next generation of Audi A8 wil be here with an aditional option: the S8 package with a more sporty 5.2 FSI V10... but with the same power... but a very different feel. if you continue waiting til 2008, Porsche is coming out with the Panamera, which is said to be touting anywhere from a 340 hp V8(n/a) to a roumored 600 hp Bi-turbo v8.
The other big difference is, you could actually sell the Audi in a few years. Good luck with the VW. They couldn't even do that when it's new. They are canceling it for the US because of low sales. Darrell.
Interesting info guys......... Was the VW priced right? Why couldn't they sell it if it's got the same engine and drivetrain?
70K for a VW might have had something to do with the poor sales, and having to look twice to determine if the vehicle was a Phaeton or a Passat.
granted the continental gt and flying spur shares many components with the phaeton, it seems the car is a great value, minus the HUMUNGOUS VW badge on the back. if it were an Audi, it would have sold better. honestly i would not want a A8 W12 now, considering the S8 is in the horizon.
Well, price and value are factors. I want a car 1-2 yrs old with a few miles on it. I don't want to take the big depreciation hit driving it off the lot. '04 Phaeton approx. $45k '05 A8 W12 approx. $85k '07 S8 ??? I think these numbers are close......
The A8 is an awesome machine. Do not discount the aluminum as a major difference, it is. I would be another one in a second. John
I think the W12 is lighter than the V8 in the standard A8. Might make a difference when you have the engine out in front of the front axle.
The Phaeton was critically acclaimed, but VW just didn't understand that people spending that kind of money on a car don't want a VW badge. Not in the US anyway. They made the same mistake in the early '90s with the Corrado. Good car, wrong badge.
vw couldn't market the phaeton to save their lives. i tried to buy one. the sales people were 100% clueless. truly impressive. and not for lack of trying - they just didn't have brochures. they had one car that they were persnickety about people test driving. and so on and so forth. it was a vision mismatch. in addition to the steel vs. alum frame, the phaeton had fewer options standard, and some options were flat-out unavailable (at least around launch time when i looked at them). i ended up buying an MB S55, though in retrospect i wish i had bought an A8. doody.
I was looking hard at the S600 before I even knew anything about the A8. So the Phaeton is basically the A8 on a steel frame and body w/ potentially less options. What about support issues..... Can you go to Audi if VW stops supporting it?
Just an fyi, the S8 will have an FSI 5.2 V10 with around 450 hp. It will be slower than the W12 to 60 mph and will cost around 120k
Actually just read a report on the S8, motor is knocked down to 415hp. Nice car but I'll take a S600 ant day. It's all about the torque. Darrell.
which is teh same as the S6.... less hp then the Gallardo, use of FSI, and a longer stroke (hence 5.2 liters of air displaced) 450 hp
I think the Phaeton is a great buy at the prices they go for now but...... have fun finding one I'm sure you can get a great deal on a lease plan. Get the Phaeton!
