2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I bought my V8 Phaeton three years ago after looking at comparable Audi, Acura and Mercedes. I got it at a deep end-of-year discount that made it a steal compared to the competition. Even my MB salesman told me I should buy the Phaeton. The car has been flawless in operation and is an absolute pleasure to drive. The secret that no on wants you to know is that under the hood, the Phaeton is the same car as the Bentley Flying Spur minus the twin turbo W12. It has all the same mechanicals and the same interior features except the Connolly leather. The same double pane glass, the same motorized rear sun shade, the same motorized front air vents, the same motorized sunshade cover, the same TPMS... well, you get the picture. So Bentley accessories, such as the 19" wheels and Pirelli tires, readily available as takeoffs, fit. You will not find a smoother cruiser. The cabin is so quiet that at 80 you think you're doing 50 and at 120 you think you're doing 75. As another poster mentioned, I get over 24 mpg averaging 75 mph on the hiway and I average 18-19 overall. Not bad for a 5300 lb car with a 345 hp V8. The interior fit and finish exceeds the MBs I've had and is right up there with Lexus and Audi. The wood paneling and the many controls are about as good as it gets for a car of this complexity. The paint and panel alignment are perfect. The upgraded stereo system is by far the best I've ever heard in a car and exceeds most home systems. The console information display is miles ahead of anything else in its model year and puts iDrive and all the other user hostile system to shame. The rear seat is so roomy that the kids play hockey. The cons are few. The Nav system is CD based an does not display street names unless you have programmed a destination. The car is big and you cannot see any of the corners. By far the biggest concern is that only a few VW dealers can properly service the Phaeton. Even many of the Phaeton certified shops are clueless about how to treat a car of this complexity or a luxury car owner. Which leads to the real issue in owning a Phaeton. It is no longer sold in the US and its price as a used car is significantly lower than any comparable car. This makes it the best used luxury car value on the planet. Just remember that its maintenance expense is still that of a complex luxury car. VW inexplicably prices their extended warrantees the same for all models. So get the Platinum level VW real warrantee; your first covered repair on the Phaeton will more than pay for the cost. The bottom line is that if you want to drive a car as good as a Bentley but don't care that most people think it's a Passat, get a Phaeton. Just make sure you get a warranty and a dealer who can service it properly.
VS
Critical Review
Could have been the best car ever, but glitches with electronics components kept this car in the shop a lot. Poor dealership experience did not help. They could not fix recurring issues. I considered pursuing lemon law claim but it was too much hassle, plus I knew I would turn the car in soon. As far as ride and driving dynamics, it equals if not surpasses A8, S Class and 7 Series.
2004 Phaeton Reviews
Showing 8 of 36 reviews.
handling , comfort , performance
pricey upkeep ..pricey repairs
best highway traveler ever made ..smooth as silk ..very fast for a huge car ..drives like you are at home sitting on a leather couch playing a driving game..lol ..some pricey upkeep..120 dollar oil changes , dealer only .. but it's a great car to travel..lots of gadgets to mess with to keep you occupied
Power, Low Purchase Price, Comfortable, Smooth
Expensive to Maintain, Bad Gas Mileage, Very Heavy
This car is simply amazing. It is fast, the power deliver is so smooth, and cabin noise is virtually nonexistent. I chose the W12 for the extra oomph and the rarity. The purchase price may be low but it's repairs can be crippling if you aren't prepared. It also sucks gas like few other cars, but if you can appreciate that it is essentially a Flying Spur in Volkswagen clothing, you'll realize the gem in front of you.
for what you can buy one for it's a steal.
none
one of the best most comfortable car i have ever owned!!!!
Makes you feel like a million dollars
It's hard to find tires that go 200 KMH now.
If you want the luxury of a bespoke British marque, but with German engineering and reliability, this is your car. All the bells & whistles, all the creature comfort of the big names, without the nasty envy you would hear if you had the Spirit of Ecstasy on the radiator cap. VW have done themselves proud. It's too bad they dropped them from their North American lineup after 2006, I'd have loved to have an updated version (although I am aware that they pared the accoutrement down a bit.
comfort, speed, safety
uniqueness makes maint tricky
Owners should be able to afford the maintenance and upkeep on a unique vehicle, as not all VW dealers have trained mechanics for the Phaeton. Requires frequent tire maint due to weight of vehicle & cant of tires for performance driving. Unbelievably roomy rear seating and comfort.
Fit, finish, power and refinement
expensive to own if you replace parts w/ new ones
This car is magnificent in its quality and value. But, if something goes wrong, it can be very expensive. I just replaced the trunk module and that ran $125 to have it reprogrammed to the car. The module I found on line for $100 as opposed to paying over $500 for new. Now it needs a new transmission, which is a problem for this car. The cost to do this job, would be over 9k if I let VW do it, but I am getting it rebuilt for under 5k. Fit and finish on this car is spectacular. The handling and the power are also 2nd to none in this class. Make sure you local VW dealer can work on this car, as many have not seen one of the 3200 from 04 - 06 sold in the states. I wish that VW would bring this car back to the USA.
fun to dive
higher repair cost.
Truly a masterpiece in German engineering. Ample power, great comfort options. A true joy to own and drive!
Powerful, 0-60mph in 5.4 sec. its a real limo
Gaz guzzler
Elegant, reliable, extremely powerful. Uses the platform of the Bentley continental as well as the same W12 engine. I recommend this car to anyone. The sound system with real DSP is second to none, it's 18 way napa leather seats are truly top notch. The only bad thing is that it loves to drink a lot of premium gasoline.
