USED Volkswagen Phaeton Saloon (03 - )

My car

Bought 2.5 years ago, used with 10k on the clock. Very excited and delighted with the quality at first. However, dealer servicing costs are outrageous - over £400 for inspection service i.e oil change. I also have an Audi A8 and servicing costs are higher than that!!! I have had problems with the Xenon headlights, initially replaced under warranty, then one failed again when in extended warranty period and was told the extended warranty didn't cover 'bulbs'- charged £360 to replace one headlamp!! - the most expensive bulb I've ever bought. CD changer often fails, being unable to read cd's properly and sat nav is appallingly basic for such an expensive car. BIGGEST PROBLEM however is that the gearbox has failed after only 2.5 years of ownership, now out of warranty, and VW are quoting over £5000 saying it needs to be replaced. Outrageous on a luxury car like this. I won't buy VW again.

My car

If you appreciate quality and don't subscribe to badge snobbery then this is the car for you. Having said that, do NOT, whatever you do, buy a new one unless you (a) have money to burn or (b) have someone else's money to burn.

I picked up a late 06 plate in perfect condition with almost 10 months manufacturers warranty still to run for £15k.

Everything about the car exudes class. I absolutely love this car.

My car

I was interested to see the photograph of my car OVO3GHB on the Whatcar web page! It is a 6.0ltr W12 4motion tiptronic. Jeremy Clarkson rates this car very highly and he is absolutely right. Why buy a Bentley Continental GT when you can have all the same mechanics and luxury interior finish with the W12 for half the money This car has it all from a superb engine to double glazed windows and even a solar sunshine roof to keep the interior cool on a hot summers day. The car had only 9,000 miles on the clock and was 18 months old when I purchased it from a main dealer at almost half list price.It has now travelled 53,000 miles without fault.It may have a VW badge but the Phaeton W12 is a much rarer car than an S class Sadly it is now for sale

My car

I wanted a car that would be quiet, refined, able to cover long distances in complete comfort without costing silly money or being ostentatious. That ruled out the BMW 7 Series (too flash and I don't like the styling), Mercedes S-Class (expensive), but perhaps an Audi A8 which I like a lot. My excellent local dealer, Vindis Group, however, suggested I try a Phaeton and provided a 3.0 TDi for the weekend.

My wife's first reaction was she doesn't like saloons, but within five minutes of fiddling with the superb seats and being wafted along, she was waxing lyrical about the comfort, ride quality and quietness of the car. I subsequently bought the car and have since done a few thousand miles in it effortlessly!

It is beautifully built, very smooth and quiet, and is returning 36mpg on motorways - interestingly, more economical at 85mph than 75mph. It is a big lump and does not have sports-car handling, but still seems to be sufficiently agile and reassuring to hussle along twisties when necessary. It is cheap to insure, too, which makes a change.

Everyone who has been in it comments on how well it goes and how comfortable it is and arrives at their destination completely relaxed!

In summary, it is a very under-rated car, and I suspect this has much to do with having the wrong badge. I, for one, am glad I listened to my dealer and took a test drive. It isn't perfect, but you will be hard pushed to get much better, especially given the used prices that are about.