Volkswagens...

[t84]

Sat in my mate's 2000 Passat when he gave me a lift yesterday, was massively surprised at the quality of the interior compared to my Focus... Are all VAG cars like this? Are Audi's better? Because I've always thought they look horribly bland from the outside I have never considered them...

But yeah, Passats are a really surprisingly nice place to be...

[motoroller]

Yep, VAG cars are pretty good

[Adz The Rat]

Yes I find them to much better quality than Fords, Audi's are great inside.

[anonymous-user]

Of that Vintage, yes, much better. Compare a new Ford to a new VW and i do not think the difference is quite what some try & make them out to be.

[t84]

I don't know, I sat in an ST220 and absolutely loved it, I think I agree with you, I've sat in a newer Polo and wasn't massively impressed.

[Gareth350]

My neighbour just bought a new Golf & compared to my '09 Focus i would say the build quality is fractionally better in the VW but def not as much difference as there used to be.

[anonymous-user]

t84 said:

I don't know, I sat in an ST220 and absolutely loved it, I think I agree with you, I've sat in a newer Polo and wasn't massively impressed.

The 220 is pretty good but needs the colour screen sat nav to make it look modern( ), at the end of the day though that design is still very old(the dash was changed on the later facelift but still the basic layout). Looking at the latest Focus the dash seems very VAG to me (right down to the red backlighting). Maybe(probably!) dealer BS but i was told Ford poached their interior designers.

Edited by Dave_ST220 on Wednesday 31st March 11:15

[t84]

I was more impressed with the driving position really.

I've only really driven a MK1 Focus for any length of time and I've come to realise that you feel like you're sat on top of the car, whereas in the Passat you kind of feel surrounded by it?

[the-photographer]

Yes, the Mark 6 Golf is a nice place to sit, now on par with the equivalent A3

[frosted]

Gareth350 said:

My neighbour just bought a new Golf & compared to my '09 Focus i would say the build quality is fractionally better in the VW but def not as much difference as there used to be.

are you actually serious ?

In 3 years time it will be slot if difference between the 2 cars

[anonymous-user]

t84 said:

I was more impressed with the driving position really.

I've only really driven a MK1 Focus for any length of time and I've come to realise that you feel like you're sat on top of the car, whereas in the Passat you kind of feel surrounded by it?

Focus driving position has always been high i'm afraid.

[anonymous-user]

frosted said:

Gareth350 said:

My neighbour just bought a new Golf & compared to my '09 Focus i would say the build quality is fractionally better in the VW but def not as much difference as there used to be.

are you actually serious ?

In 3 years time it will be slot if difference between the 2 cars

Not sure what that means but at a guess you are saying the VW will feel like it was new while the Ford will feel tired?

[Vidal Baboon]

Dave_ST220 said:

Of that Vintage, yes, much better. Compare a new Ford to a new VW and i do not think the difference is quite what some try & make them out to be.

Sorry to disagree, I looked at the new shape Mondeo & was dissapointed, as it's a lovely looking car on the outside.

It looks like the finish could wear quite quickly.

As I understand it, you can get a sort of metallic finish (not painted plastic), but I didn't see one of those. And I canonly go on what I saw.

The finish inside all of the current Passats (including dreary base spec) is miles ahead of the Ford IMHO.

This is what I saw, it felt scratchy & flimsy. And I'm not keen on the design.


This is exactly what I've got.

Edited by Vidal Baboon on Wednesday 31st March 11:28

[t84]

Dave_ST220 said:

t84 said:

I was more impressed with the driving position really.

I've only really driven a MK1 Focus for any length of time and I've come to realise that you feel like you're sat on top of the car, whereas in the Passat you kind of feel surrounded by it?

Focus driving position has always been high i'm afraid.

It's alright, but I must prefer sitting 'in' the car, I'm considering an ST220 next, actually

[Gareth350]

frosted said:

Gareth350 said:

My neighbour just bought a new Golf & compared to my '09 Focus i would say the build quality is fractionally better in the VW but def not as much difference as there used to be.

are you actually serious ?

In 3 years time it will be slot if difference between the 2 cars

Don't understand what you mean by that to be honest!
Just my opinion.

[anonymous-user]

Vidal Baboon said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Of that Vintage, yes, much better. Compare a new Ford to a new VW and i do not think the difference is quite what some try & make them out to be.

Sorry to disagree, I looked at the new shape Mondeo & was dissapointed, as it's a lovely looking car on the outside.

It looks like the finish could wear quite quickly.

As I understand it, you can get a sort of metallic finish (not painted plastic), but I didn't see one of those. And I canonly go on what I saw.

The finish inside all of the current Passats (including dreary base spec) is miles ahead of the Ford IMHO.

Hmm, nice on the outside? Not so sure, i have only looked at the top model (Titanium X Sport) and that was nice to look at & be in. One thing i would say with Ford is the base specs feel it-cheap & horrible. Once you go up the range it all feels much better, the basic dash is the same but they change little bits here & there which seem to make it feel so much better.

ETA-yep-your picture shows the base spec by the looks of it(heater control knobs).

Edited by Dave_ST220 on Wednesday 31st March 11:31

[300bhp/ton]

t84 said:

Are all VAG cars like this?

not in my opinion.

Friend has a new SEAT Ibiza and its not really any better/nicer inside than the Kia's my bother sells, despite the SEAT costing more less performance and lower spec.

[WildCards]

I've always felt Audi's were overated inside. I test drove an S5 last year and was very dissapointed at the fit and finish of the dash and door cards, although I was comparing to a new BMW 335i Coupe not a Ford.

[frosted]

Gareth350 said:

frosted said:

Gareth350 said:

My neighbour just bought a new Golf & compared to my '09 Focus i would say the build quality is fractionally better in the VW but def not as much difference as there used to be.

sorry my iPhone has mind of it's own . What I'm trying to get at is that if compare a 05 focus to 05 golf , you will be able to see that the latter is miles ahead in every compartment
are you actually serious ?

In 3 years time it will be slot if difference between the 2 cars

Don't understand what you mean by that to be honest!
Just my opinion.

[clarkey318is]

300bhp/ton said:

t84 said:

Are all VAG cars like this?

not in my opinion.

Friend has a new SEAT Ibiza and its not really any better/nicer inside than the Kia's my bother sells, despite the SEAT costing more less performance and lower spec.

I had a W reg seat and it was pretty plasticky and had a few rattles, and a few of my friends had older polos which weren't that great with regards to interior trim. But then, they were better than the Fiestas etc at the same time, IMO of course.
I was VERY impressed with a new Mondeo rental my Dad had for a while though. Very solid indeed.