At $23,500 Canadian (About $16,131 U.S.), Would You Lap Up The Luxury Of This 2005 VW Phaeton W12? – Jalopnik

The vendor of right this moment’s Nice Price or No Dice Phaeton touts it as one in all 4 W12-powered four-seater editions delivered to North America. That makes it appreciably uncommon, however will its worth make it appreciably fascinating?

Whether it is a poppy tremendous bloom in California’s Central Valley, or the spectacular fireworks of fall foliage all throughout the Northeast’s arboreal forests, Mother Nature positive likes to placed on an excellent present. The factor is, to understand her handiwork, you usually want to leap within the automotive and drive. And what higher automotive is there to absorb the sights than a convertible with the highest down?

The 1991 Saab 900 Turbo that got here our manner yesterday would make for a positive traditional convertible viewing platform for nature’s knockouts. That is, so long as the Fall climate wasn’t too heat, since its A/C was damaged. That issue, together with considerations about elements sourcing and anything going flawed on the quirky outdated automotive, solid doubt on its $11,500 price ticket. In the top, that proved too wealthy for our collective blood, dropping the Saab in a 77% ‘No Dice’ loss.

You form of have handy it to Volkswagen for his or her honesty. The historical past web page on VW’s newsroom web site minces no phrases concerning the firm’s origins, noting that it was based as a “Nazi prestige project” in 1934. It additional states that on the onset of WWII, the corporate shifted to constructing armaments utilizing compelled labor in its manufacturing unit. Interestingly, the quick origin story omits any point out of Ferdinand Porsche, who designed the “People’s Car” for the Nazi social gathering’s Deutsche Arbeitsfront (Labor Front).

The 2005 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 we’re taking a look at right this moment additionally has a Porsche household connection: its market place and lots of of its design parameters had been set by then Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piëch, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson and namesake. The automotive was supposed as a no-expenses-spared grand touring limousine to tackle Mercedes-Benz and BMW range-toppers, transferring Volkswagen upmarket within the course of. This was a part of Piëch’s imaginative and prescient of shifting Volkswagen into greater market segments the place it may discover extra advantageous margins and bigger earnings. The Phaeton, and the technique as an entire, proved a failure, and VW retreated to its roots after Piëch’s retirement. Still, it left us with some spectacularly fascinating and decadent automobiles like this black-over-tan W12.

Volkswagen’s engineers had been tasked by Piëch with a number of standards: make the Phaeton not simply aggressive with BMW’s 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class, however in some ways, outdo the dynamic duo. As such, this Phaeton has not simply each bell and whistle one may discover on a automotive in the course of the Aughts, however a strong platform to help them, one which was ok for VW subsidiary Bentley to leverage for its fashionable Continental GT and for Audi to underpin its A8.

A comprehensively outfitted automotive could be too sophisticated and finicky—particularly one which speaks German—however this Phaeton’s 224,338 kilometers (round 140,000 freedom distances) proves that, with correct upkeep and a bit of excellent luck, it may well keep reliably on the street.

According to the vendor, this Phaeton’s two-seat rear compartment makes it an particularly uncommon beast, as solely 4 W12-powered four-seater automobiles had been shipped to North America throughout this mannequin’s run. Those again seats function electrical changes, together with simple entry and reminiscence, together with particular person local weather management. The whole cabin is awash in leather-based and actual burlwood trim, and appears to be in glorious situation. The solely odd observe is the large tablet-style display the vendor added, which should exchange not solely the stereo head unit but additionally all of the local weather controls. Hopefully it was plug-and-play, with no reducing or hammer blows required. The exterior is simply as clear as the inside and nonetheless appears spectacular.

Playing coy is not all the time the most effective technique in promoting any used (oops, excuse me, within the case of automobiles just like the Phaeton, I consider the time period is “pre-owned”) automotive or truck. That’s why we’d wish to name into query the vendor’s assertion that they’re “not going to list all the work that I’ve done to the car over the years.” They do observe that up instantly by assuring us that “you’ll be happy to know that all the stuff that wears out – brakes, rotors, tires – as well as a full oil change service were all done in the last month. Nothing left to do! Get in and drive.”

Driving the automotive ought to be fairly drama-free then. Volkswagen’s 6.0-liter W12 engine—mainly two VR6 mills caught collectively—makes a strong 444 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, each respectable numbers. That’s mated to a five-speed Tiptronic automated and 4motion all-the-time all-wheel-drive. As fitted, the Phaeton will get round 13 miles per gallon on premium, so plan accordingly.

As famous on the outset, this Phaeton is Canadian, and whereas governmental relations between the U.S. and the well mannered individuals to the north are strained at current, that should not cease us from persevering with to get alongside simply positive and doing enterprise. The query is whether or not it is price it for any Canadian or Phaeton fanatic within the U.S. to pay $23,500 for this exceedingly uncommon and arguably fascinating piece of current VW historical past. And earlier than you get your collective bloomers in a bunch, perceive that greenback quantity is in Canadian Loonies, that means it is round $16,131 U.S. at present alternate charges.

What do you assume? Is this well-presented four-seater Phaeton price that form of money, no matter which aspect of the border you sit on? Or is Piëch’s folly nonetheless a foul deal irrespective of how low cost?

You resolve!

Vancouver, BC, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.

Hat tip to Bill Rice for the hookup!

Help me out with Nice Price or No Dice. Hit me up at robemslie@gmail.com and ship a fixed-price tip. Remember to incorporate your commenter deal with.