Test Drove some new VWs today and I still love my old Passat more and here's why

[B4 Slapshot]

So decided to start a thread a bit different than the standard "why is my car broken?" or "I lowered it" threads so here it goes. Feel free to share your similar experiences.

Test drove a 2012 Golf TDI and a 2012 GTI. (Not looking to buy them but my friend is, so I went along to help out) Also, I have never test drove anything, so it was a pretty neat opportunity.

Thoughts:

2012 GTI
- Good and I enjoyed it but it revved a bit too fast for my tastes and though I like it, its a little too "new" for my tastes. Just doesn't have the character our old cars have.<-- (this is really the only reason its not for me. Other than that, its a fantastic car.)

2012 Golf TDI
- Actually disappointed me. The engine was solid and good but at no point did I really think "wow, I could drive this every day" It just didn't have that something I was expecting. The interior was the same as the GTI besides the red trim (which I like) but without the red trim it kind of feels like "some car". I mean the TDI nowadays has a blue "I" maybe they could deck it out in blue trim and stitching and stuff to give it some character but right now its just kind of this grey and black collage of colors that doesn't really do anything for me.

Now a little more explanation. I am about to graduate college with an engineering degree finally after 5 years and commission into the USAF as a 2nd LT. For the longest time (as you can see I have been a member since 2008) I have wanted to really do some cool stuff to my car but have not had the time, money, or space. (I go to school in a different city than my home of residence) Now in order to really do anything I need those three things plus something else. That something else being a daily so if I start a project on my car I don't have to worry about rushing.
I was kind of hoping that car would be a TDI but after driving it, I am not sure.

Maybe thats because the VR6 and Passat have spoiled me. I don't know its just something about those boxier looks and that interior that I just enjoy. I like the quirkiness of things and the fact that I make all my friends faces contort when I tell them a glovebox does not exist in my car. I also love asking friends to open my trunk because they struggle to find it. Yes, I know these things are annoying and stupid sometimes, but they are different and its something the new GTI and TDI don't have. That strange quirkiness.

Lets get to the engine. The 2.0T is a peach of an engine. It loves to rev and produces a decent amount of power for its size and for $500 dollars, you can get almost 50 hp just by chipping. It even makes a nice pleasing sound. Probably pretty reliable as well, but it just doesn't have that glorious sound of the VR. It doesn't produce power like a VR does with just that roar and surge after 3k revs at FT. The VR might be an engineering craziness fest, (Cylinder offsets, small V-angle, intake manifolds going over the engine, incorrect runner lengths, 12Vs) (I have researched most of these things and have even written a 23 page paper on VR6 crank design, trust me its more complex than you would ever believe) but there is nothing else like it and I love that. Its a challenge and its unique which is something you don't get with a 4 banger.

The TDI was different that the 2.0T, it had a low rev limit. It had good linear power and a pretty smooth torque pull, but it didn't really do anything for me. Now before anyone says anything because I know there are plenty of those here that drive TDIs and love them. They are great engines, and I know you get 40+ MPG and I am sure there are plenty of ways to make it better, just wasn't overwhelmed or impressed with it stock, that's all. I won't repeat my statements on the VR6 in comparison just read what I said in comparison to the 2.0T.

Well, at the end of the day I still enjoy my '97 Passat GLX more than I enjoy the new ones out on the lot. Hope you have enjoyed my ramblings. (Also, sitting at dealerships for hours trying to get financial info takes for-freaking-ever, took us like 2.5 hours just to get to financing and discounts after getting done with test driving.)

Have a good one.

[ellocolindo]

i myself also love the older bodylines of any car per say.
nowadays the cars sharp lines are so far away form those buldgy robust looking theme from the 80's or 90's.
if functionality( drag coeficient) has dictated this; then i rather loose a bit of fuel milage to gain in the cosmetic appeal department....

[91B3DUB]

great read and i also agree, it's something about being able to run with the new and look better at it. good day gentlemen

[coolalex]

Im with you on the quirkiness of our cars, with the glovebox and such.

I love giving my friend a 20 to put in my tank while i go to the bathroom and I comeback to them trying to find a latch to release the gas door

[Bozwell]

youve got to be in the right mindset to own a diesel, last gas engine i had was a 16v. sometimes i miss screaming up to 7k but theres also nothing like having full available torque by 2k RPM and climbing big hills at 45mph still in 5th gear all while getting 45-48mpg! i love my TDI and wouldnt trade it for anything but like i said, youve gotta be ready for the tradeoffs

[B4 Slapshot]

youve got to be in the right mindset to own a diesel, last gas engine i had was a 16v. sometimes i miss screaming up to 7k but theres also nothing like having full available torque by 2k RPM and climbing big hills at 45mph still in 5th gear all while getting 45-48mpg! i love my TDI and wouldnt trade it for anything but like i said, youve gotta be ready for the tradeoffs

Oh, I fully agree and one day, I will probably own one as a daily. Diesels are fascinating to me. I love the no spark plug and the pure engineering of it. They run ridiculously lean and use heat to ignite. It's awesome. It just didn't overwhelm me. There is just something about power and the way the VR delivers it, its just something very special, but like I said in my original post and like you said, you have to be ready for the tradeoffs.

[vaults]

I like my old ride, i like working on it from time to time, but I dont wanna have it as my primary carr no more.