This'll be a good entry into the market. Passat has been stale for a long, long time. VW has always been the cheap & fun way into the german logos, but suddenly VWs aren't so cheap anymore. Great interiors and great road feel when it's running. I've got a feeling a VR6 with 4Motion will be much closer to 40K than 33K though.

When it's time to get a more cushy freeway cruising automatic, I'd probably look at the new passat, and I'd consider it a competitor to the Avalon and Maxima before the G35

 

At 3800 lbs, it will be kinda slow compared to the G35. I bet it won't handle as well just due to the weight. AWD doesn't necessarily mean better handling...case in point is the A4. Very different class car if you ask me and for that price, I'd look at an Acura TL for luxury over the Passat.

 

On another related topic:

ESP > VDC.

The VW/AG traction control system, ESP, in my opinion, is way better than Nissan's traction control system. It's more precise, less intrusive, and much more effective.

 

And another point - the AWD system on the Passat is front-biased...

From a handling standpoint, this would be a detriment.

 

A new car that has the same features or same performance will not beat what is already in the market. When G35 came out, it blow the competitors out of the water. It run circles around the IS300 and the old TL. BWM was smart to compare the G with the 330 and not 325. I will not buy the VW unless it has 300hp and 300lb torque and for the same prices as the G35.

 

ewwwwww gotta hate VW
except...phaeton

 

i am more worry about the new IS 350

 

amazing car, but a huge mistake by VW.
They need to focus on what they do best.

 

See my sig. for the reason why I would never buy another VW. $5,000 in the motor and the thing would hop start and the torque steer would put the thing in the trees.

 

I have a friend who owns a Passat and every now and then I ask her how her car is doing just to see her get completely bent out of shape and start ranting and raving about VW and the dealer. She's otherwise a really sweet, nice person. It's kind of fun to watch.

 

I am a huge VW fan and I have to tell you - I really considered waiting for this model to come out. However, when I drove the 2.0T (which blew me away - what a great motor!) I was really unimpressed with the styling. Very generic sedan and not cohesive at all. Front end is remeniscent of Audi with that gaping whale-mouth grille that looks like it is swallowing highway plankton and the rear of a Corolla.

Finally, a comparably equipped 3.6L (which I assume is going to be a monster of a motor!) with 4-Motion (AWD) is going to run about $3-4K more than a G35X. Dangeriously close to 3 territory for a VW.

My $.03 (couting for inflation)

 

Or an A4

 

Can't get an A4 with a 3.6L. And there are more toys on the 3.6. So it will be more car for less money than the A4 3.2, just not much less money.

 

Current car is a 98 VW Passat. It was a great car while it lasted. However, I'd like my cars to last beyond 5 years (the term I've owned it). In the last year I've had to put over $3000 worth of work into it just to get it to run. Lots of problems, coils, control arms, ELECTRICAL. Then some wear and tear parts, powersteering pump and rack, brakes, tires.

UGH... sorry to say, this will be my last VW/Audi. I just need an above average reliable car (or a good warranty). However, if you're leasing for 3-5 years on a new VW, they are really nice cars. Great power, fun drive, great interiors, good looks.

VW dealerships have been poor and overpriced for repairs. I've had to go out and find my own certified mechanics to do these repairs (whom quote at less than half the price of the dealerships).

So if reliability the major factor (and a fun car a close second), the 05 G35x will most likely be the replacement. Other cars factored in:
Subaru Legacy: Fun drive, fit and finish not quite that great, interior not as nice as 05 G35x. close second.
Volvo S60: Test drove, hated the engine (T5 model), interior was not close to even the VW... reliability issues?
Acura TL: bullet proof reliabilty. Pretty fun to drive. But everyone and their mom has one out here.

And of course the Accord/Camry...most sensible choices, but oh so boring.

 

I drove the loaded Subaru. Could not get past it's stark interior. Looked like it belonged on a car half it's cost.

Owned the Volvo S60R. Interior blows our G away (much nicer). Stronger engine. VERY problamatic car. Horrible customer service. Do not buy this car is reliability is important to you.