Used 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Consumer Reviews
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Better With Age
I believe the style is beautiful and timeless, although it will pass as a Passat 99% of the time. Powerful engine, although it has a little drag as a result of its weight. Tech is terribly outdated, although upgrading is simple. Suspension is second only to RR Phantom on long stretches, although bumpy roads and sharp turns prove an obstacle. Small electronic issues will be endless. Cockpit is wonderful but I cant find an absolute sweetspot with seat adjustment. Interior lighting is magnificent. Basic headlights are ok, but the high beams are amazing on dark roads. Trunk space is easily largest in its class. Climate control is as good as it gets. Blind spots are large & intrusive. No rear view camera. Sound system is 9/10. Maintenance cost through dealership is a nightmare, but now with the car over a decade old, mechanics are privy to dealing with this type of car, and parts are easily accessible at great prices via eBay. I just replaced my front two struts for $1100 total (with diagnosis & labor). VW quoted me $3200 just to purchase the struts (without diagnosis & labor).
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Bentley With VW Badges
I've always wondered what it would be like to own a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. However, the price of a decent used one, currently around $65K is out of my budget. I knew the VW Phaeton was basically the same car minus the turbochargers. After shopping for a few months, I won the bid on eBay for a low mileage V8 model Phaeton at $11,800. My previous daily driver was a 1993 Mercedes 300CE cabriolet. The Phaeton is equal in build quality, more comfortable, has better audio, and handles better despite weighing 1,000 pounds more. The only drawback is gas mileage, which is about 4 MPG less than the Benz. The only modification I've made is adding Bluetooth capability. Updated on 1 June 2016 """""""""""""""""""""""""""" We've been using this VW as a daily driver for a year and 16,000 miles. Total mileage is now about 84,000. The only thing that broke in that period was the driver side rear window regulator. One of the the front passenger side upper control arm bushings wore out. Both items were fixed under the extended warranty. The car was in the VW shop for 3 days, mainly waiting for the warranty company (Solace) to provide the new control arms. The TPMS put up a "Flat Tyre" warning due to a nail and a screw in a rear tire. Tire was repaired and the TPMS went back to normal. If the spare tire is not kept fully pumped up, TPMS becomes unhappy. Looks like the 20-inch, 40 Series tires will be worn out in another 8,000 miles. That will yield less than 30,000 miles on this set. We're still very happy with this Phaeton.
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- W12 SedanMSRP: $15,795299 mi away
- V8 SedanMSRP: $3,9951,107 mi away
- Premiere Edition W12 SedanMSRP: $18,9501,250 mi away
Best Kept Secret in the Used Car Market
I purchased a used, certified model with 60,000 miles from a VW dealer. The superb materials and build quality make it seem hardly used. The buttons, carpets, leather surfaces, chrome, liners, etc all look new. The paint deserves special mention. My silver reflex paint scheme is beautiful. The car is comfortable, with ample room inside, especially the back seat area. The air suspension is sublime. This is the car to have on long trips. This car is truly exclusive, as less than 3,500 Phaetons were imported into the US. Thankfully the Phaeton remains in production, and obtaining parts is not a problem. Servicing by VW is a must. Recommend purchasing an extended warranty.
Car as hobby
I craved this car for months, shopped for 6 months, and found a great deal, with remaining CPO warranty. The car is a dream to drive, and the ride unimaginably good. However, you learn that this is a finicky monster to maintain properly. The tires wore quickly because the alignment went out, and there are few places that no how to align it. Without a long term warranty? A transmission is 10K, and the wrong transmission fluid was spec'd when new. The speaker wires break. The regulators in the doors go bad starting at 60,000 miles. This is a car for people with money to burn, and two cars to drive. Oh yeah, the build quality is the burden of ownership, maintaining the dream.
Great Car, but Get a GOOD VW warranty
I've had the car for about a year now. Overall, this is a extremely competent luxury car. Good acceleration (not a burner, but fast enough), very smooth & quiet. The exterior is understated (which suits me just fine) & the interior is one of the best I've seen (especially on an 04 car). Good attention to detail all around. The only drawbacks I can mention is Service & some reliability issues (mostly electrical gremlins - which aren't uncommon in high end luxury cars). Combining the electrical issues w/ the fact VW technicians have little experience w/ the car can make service an exercise in trial & error & very costly if not covered under warranty(mine didn't cover much)
Very good car
This is my first super luxury car. Prior to the Phaeton, I owned a Lincoln LS. The LS is an excellent car, but is not in the same class as the Phaeton. I was able to purchase a 2004 with 51900 miles for $24500 with an all inclusive VW warranty. I consider myself a well informed consumer that does his research. I have to say this car is the BEST car that I have driven and that I made an excellent purchase. Rides like a dream. On a back road, I got it up to 120 mph, but took it down because I got scared.. Flawless ride even at 120 mph...
All in All Good
When I first saw the car I had the same reaction as most, why on earth would VW want to get in to the Luxury market. However, after getting in to the car and viewing the Top Gear review on it I was completely sold. The car is everything for people who like to wear their brand names on the inside rather than all over their clothing.
Perfect except for Tire Pressure Monitor
I love my Phaeton. It is great- looking, handles and drives beautifully, provides the ultimate in creature comforts, has the upgraded sound system, etc. My only problems have been two. The minor one: the fancy windshield wiper system had to be changed for a standard system, which works fine. The annoying one: after 4-5 times in the shop and two complete replacements of the tire pressure monitoring module, the system insists on flashing either a flat "tire" and/or a fault in the wheel -- this even when my hand-held digital pressure monitor shows equal pressures on the front tires and on the back tires. Still not right. MPG really is 22 if all highway, 16 in mixed driving.
Classic Bargain
I bought this car at a very substantial discount, because nobody wants to pay a price the car deserves, being afraid of telling their friends that they drive a VW. This car is beautifully finished and engineered and a pleasure to drive. HI have not had any issues during the first 20,000 miles. As long as the dealership will support service, this is a keeper for a long period. I am not longing back to my three BMW 740ILs, which had substantial more quality and repair problems.
Phaeton
This is the best handling car we've ever owned. Since our son is 6'4" the legroom is outstanding. this car's comfort and ride are far beyond our expectations. I cannot say enough about the options that are available on this model. I have not found any car that has close to the number of options that are available on the Phaeton. Sorry to say that the vehicle will no longer be available in the states, maybe if they would have sold it under the Phaeton name rather than Volkswagen. People just don't realize it's the same car as the the Audi - ONLY BETTER!
Mixed Bag
My first foray with a Volkswagen has been a mixed bag. From the first test drive, I knew I wanted this car. The handling, acceleration, and performance have been great. The car has more than lived up to its engineering reputation. Unfortunately, the electrical issues I have experienced have outweighed the joys of driving the car. When the weather is cold, the car's sensors indicate that the car is overheading, even though it isn't. The dealer tells me that they are aware of the problem, but they cannot fix it. On occasion, the dashboard electrical system freezes. Shutting off the car and restarting doesn't help. It eventually goes back on, but I never know when. This car has too many issues!
Bentley Car for VW Money
I have had everything there is to drive in a luxury car, and this is without a doubt the most bang for the buck anywhere! Sure, there are more expensive cars, but whatever those cars may offer over the VW doesn't come close to justifying it's price. The car is AWESOME. To quote Ferris Beuller "It is so choice, if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up"
2004 Phaeton V8
This car is an exceptional value in the used luxury car market. The fit and finish are impeccable. Elegance and refinement abound. This car is much heavier than other luxury cars in its class. Part of the reason is the quality of built as well as sturdiness of its frame. This car has one of the stiffest (if not the stiffest) frame of all cars in its class - a real safety feature. You may as well buy one with all the options as it costs significantly more to add them on later if you want it. Still, the standard feature list is extensive and more than enough for most people. Look for low mileage with complete warranty records. This is more luxurious and unique than my 12 cyl 7-series BMW.
Get this vehicle while you still can!
I happened to stumble upon this vehicle by chance and am very happy for the outcome. I am very impressed by the engine build, interior comfort and subdued exterior design - not into the 'prestige vehicle' badges. This car isn't prestige at all, and that's a good thing. Fuel economy could improve but compared to some 4cyl turbos out there it isn't much of a difference. In fact some V6s out there have the same fuel economy as the V8 Phaeton. Personally I would NOT recommend the W12 Phaeton with 12cyl.
Phaeton W12
Arguably the best car made. Unfortunately the brand is too inhibitive for its success. People, who do their research and are not stuck on brand image, would have a very difficult time to buy anything else. Workmanship, and attention to detail is better than Lexus, or S- Class. The exterior is the only weak element, as it is rather plain. But in my case I am glad to go anywhere "in cognito". Otherwise, the road manners are second to none. The car is glued to the road, the ride is comfortable and there is always plenty of smooth power. The interior is quite as can be, and the wood and dash with the "indirect" climate system is fantastic. You can literally hear the pin drop at 80 mph.
Beware
In the first 18 months my Phaeton was in the shope for repairs a total of 19 times. It left me stranded on the side of the road twice. I had an A8 prior to this and am now getting a Lexus LS 430 to replace it.
The Best Bargain in Used Cars. Period.
Let me state this clearly: The VW Phaeton is one of the best cars in the world. As a used car it is without peer. The very-high-quality interior is gorgeous, the attention to detail is astounding, the sound system is very impressive, comfort is second to none, and the number of micro-adjustments that can be made boggles the mind. The drivetrain reeks of German precision, and the design is thoroughly modern. My wife drives a 5-series BMW and looks every gift horse in the mouth. After riding in the Phaeton, she has been curiously silent. I think she's jealous. I have owned several luxury cars in the past (MB, BMW, Jaguar), and the Phaeton surpasses them all. It's simply a *great* car.
Wonderful Car, but It was a Lemon
The Phaeton has an amazing design inside and out. It is by far the nicest car I have ever owned (which includes BMW, Porsche, Mercedes). However, in slightly more than two years it was in the shop twelve times. The dealership was great, service people fantastic, but the car has just too many issues. The electronic stuff and programing just are not durable. VW hit a home run in design and struck out on reliability. This is the least reliable car I have ever owned.
VW Phaeton W12
The best car I have ever owned. Previous cars BMW 750il, Lexus LS 430.
Great Car
The Phaeton has an excellent drive and ride. I enjoy all of its bells and whistles. Due to the design by Bentley, this car will always be in vogue. Bentley has a way of determining styling that will last. I was a little concerned when I learned that they were no longer making this model...but it could help its value in the long run. I was most surprised by the acceleration and top speed. The 6 speed transmission and smooth ride enable you to cruise effortlessly had high speeds. Its fuel economy was another pleasant surprise. I have had Cadillacs, Jaguars, and Mercedes...this car surpasses all.
So Far So Good
Significantly depreciated value / price of this '04 car made it a great value. Solid feel with incredible performance in a "better than limo" luxury experience. So many bells and whistles that it takes days to train self on all functions. Three complaints: navigation system is antiquated, complex and only provides minimal information and tire pressure sensors are very sensitive and won't read correctly in very cold conditions and finally, cannot turn off seat-belt tone which is bothersome if you just want to sit and wait for someone without being buckled up.
Luxury Unsurpassed
I have seen websites list Phaeton competitors as the Infinity Q45 and other "luxury" vehicles (Lexus 400 series, etc).My advice, buy a W12, or at least go to your local VW dealer and test drive it.It will take you about 2 minutes to figure out that those "competitors" are not competitors of this machine at all.This vehicle is designed to compete with the S Class Mercedes and BMW 700, and it not only compares favorably to these, but blows them away (for specifics refer to comparison chart of the Phaeton/S Class Mercedes/700BMW in the Phaeton's brochure/manual).
Groundbreaking car from VW
This car has so many excellent features, I don't know where to begin! The car is a pleasure to drive, day or night. I understand they only sold 900 nationally, so it is very exclusive, almost rare. I am getting 23.3 mpg on the highway, which is not much worse than my Chrysler 300M Special I traded in. Dealer has been good, but not up to Lexus standards.
The Best Vehicle for Under $150,000
The Phaeton is a fantastic vehicle - really, it's the same as the new Bentley Continental Flying Spur. It is fun to drive and much nicer than the S-Class and 7-Series that I have driven in the past. Its fuel economy is not great, but it is a very heavy vehicle - approx. 5,300 lbs. In light of the weight and performance, its fuel economy could be much worse.
How do I feel about spending 70K on a Vw
I love the vehicle there is no question this car rides, performs and handles better than Bmw745Li and Mercedes-Benz S500 4matic hands down and therefore I just purchased one for 70k and you get a lot for your money. So go out and look at one if your in this price level it might be a Vw but this is a world class car and in my opinion the leader of the pack.
An incredible used car value
Coming from a BMW 7 series, I was concerned, but this is a fantastic car at a great value on the used market. Make sure to get a CPO or aftermarket warranty though just in case. They seem to be quite reliable, but no doubt quite costly once the warranty runs out. The interior is huge, the engine very powerful, and enough little touches that show they thought of everything. Only downside is that VW dealerships don't know how to service customers for a higher end vehicle like this. They are used to people buying $15k cars, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus are not and thus, do it right. Buy it!
Phaeton phenominal
It is a pleasure to drive the Volkswagen Phaeton V8. Every aspect of driving becomes enjoyable. The gauges and controls are logical, easy to read, and instinctive. The car handles amazingly well in the snow. I have driven an Infiniti Q45, BMW 740i, and Lincolns, but nothing compares to this car. There cannot be a greater value than the (reduced price) Phaeton.
New Car
Fun to drive, lot's of power and torque, great handling, great styling......better performance than Mercedez S Class and BMW i 740....identical to Audi A8.
Best Car Ever
I am the past and present owner of at least two V-12 Mercedes-Benz models (a sedan and convertible) and the Phaeton surpasses both in every respect including, but not limited to price.
Stealth Wealth
Picked up the car beginning of November and have had it for about two weeks. I had heard a lot about this car and once I got behind the wheel and drove it I was sold. The build quality is far greater and move "high priced" vehicals. The drivabilty of this luxury vehicle is not like those of it's competitors, though it's designed for luxury it does not over do the soft comfy feel, you still feel connected to the road and feel like driving more than being driven. The acceleration is moderate to good for a car which is just over 6000lbs, the exhaust soundtrack is like none other about the only thing you could hear while you drive this misunderstood hidden gem of a vehicle.
Nice Car
The Phaeton is a great car. I have had some electronic problems with sunroof and tire pressure sensors. I also had the rear end go out. All of these issues were covered under warranty. The steering needs a little better feel, it is a little light. I don't think you can beat this car for the price. As one would expect, this car's gas mileage is low because it is such a heavy car - it weighs 5,400 lbs. However, on freeway at high speeds this car gets about 20 mpg. In city driving it only gets around 14 mpg. The interior is beautifully finished.
Great car
I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes, Lincolns, Cadillacs, the vw w12 Phaeton is the best auto I have owned. It is a fun car to drive. It is extremely comfortable, especially on long trips. The technology is awsome. The service by VW for this vehicle is the best I have ever received for a luxury car. The w12 engine is very responsive and it is hard to believe but better mileage than one would expect from a 12 cylinder engine. After 5000 miles I am getting 20 mpg on highway driving. I am simply deighted with this vehicle.
VERY Expensive to keep..
Great car to drive long distances.. Extremely comfortable.
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I love it
I love this car, it has great features, performance, and comfort, and because it's from Volkswagen, you know it's reliable. I couldn't be happier
Built the way Mercedes used to build
15 yrs. ago Mercedes had the best built cars. Now VW creates "build quality" equal to Lexus, better than BMW, and way ahead of Mercedes. The ride, handling, fit and finish are phenomenal. Gas mileage is an acceptable 16 MPG in mixed driving. The W12 engine is smooth/responsive and the car so well insulated that it glides super quietly along the highway at 70 MPH with engine RPM @2200. I wanted understated elegance and excellent fit/finish and got what I paid for. I strongly recommend this car if you don't worry about "hood emblems" and just want fine quality, design, and function.
There's nothing better out there
I loved this car from the minute I saw it, it had great design and I knew it was reliable because of Volkswagens history. Also, I loved the features, most of wich were standard, they were easy to use, but attractive at the same time, this car is the best by far. I couldn't be happier with my new purchase.
Finest Car Ever Owned
The Volkswagen Phaeton is a high quality machine, drives like a dream, provides extraordinary comfort, is extremely powerful, and is a unique vehicle that gives the owner a sense of real value.
Great Car
Great Car, all 10's except fuel economy, but the MPG is comparable for this class of car. What a comfortable and luxurious car all in an understated package. Amazing power and capability. Outrageous fit and finish. I saved so much money-I was about to get an S500 4matic.
Amazing
This is quite shocking about a car with a vw on it,I had pretty much wrapped up a deal with Audi for an A8 then i figured ill test drive the Phaeton boy am i glad it knocked my socks off,without a doubt it will blow away Mercedes BMW and Audi and forget Lexus. Simply put this is the car before Maybach and Rolls
Move over BMW, Mercedes and Lexus
I have owned Audi's for 15 years, including the A8. Naturally, when I had a chance to test drive the Phaeton, it was love at first sight. The vehicle was an Audi A8 with more extras and wow, what a great lease deal. I have test driven Mercedes 500 series, BMW 745i, and Lexus 430. Sorry, but the competition will have to come back with VW designs to beat this gem. It truly is a hand-crafted vehicle, with room in the back seat for a King.
Volkswagen Phaeton V8
My Volkswagen Phaeton V8 is a great car. I considered a BMW and Mercedes but this car was love at first sight. It's uniqueness and rarity adds to the special feeling experienced driving it.
Best Car ive ever driven
this is by far the most spacious fastest nicest car ive ever driven in my life with the INtergrated ac with flip out vents massage chairs interrated hidden cup holders touch unlock doors fin a better car ill buy it
You gotta Believe!!!
My new Phaeton is a dream come true. The fit and finish exceeds all new car standards here or abroad. VW has thought of everything, and I mean everything. The car has a real solid feel. Everything is computer controlled and at your finger tips. It is extremely quiet and the rear compartment is like a limo. I have owned several Mercedes and Q45s and they dont even compare. The 4WD is awesome. The brakes are the best I've ever experence. The VW staff provided a two hour tour of the car before I could take it home. I dont think this will be my last Phaeton. I believe this car is making history.
phaeton
Best car on the road- incredible value for money compared to the boring BMW and Mercedes
Exceptional
I've had MB's, BMW's, Lexus and Jags. This is the best by far.
we love our phaeton
we were looking for a new mercedes s430 when we saw the phaeton we quit looking
awsome
BY FAR BEST CAR IN CLASS. I CAN'T GET OVER IT'S AWD.
The New Phaeton
Extraordinary value for Volkswagon's high-end entry. I have driven some fine Mercedes before, but this car is the best riding, most comfortable, gadget laden vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of driving. The interior is extremely luxurious and roomy. The sound system is peerless and the gadgetry, while numerous, is user friendly and easy to learn and master. This car is somet
Great Car
I also have an S500 and this blows it away. The nicest interior of any car I have ever owned.
WOW From VW
This is the most awsome car I have ever owned. I just replaced my BMW 740 with this Phaeton and it is such a joy to drive.