Yannis

It was love at first sight even though Jacquelyn Koslowski could only see the back of an all-new '06 Volkswagen Passat. The rest of it was still wrapped in plastic, freshly delivered to Patrick Motors in Auburn, MA, west of Boston.

Koslowski, 52, went to the dealership in July intending to buy a previous-generation Passat on a friend's recommendation. When she expressed an interest in the newly delivered car, it was unwrapped, test driven, purchased and delivered the next day.

Turns out, it was the first new-generation Passat sold in North America.

“I knew it was an early model. So when I got a surprise call from Len Hunt (then VW of America executive vice president), I thought he was going to tell me I was the first person in New England to buy one,” says Koslowski, a country club caterer who traded in a Pontiac Bonneville. “But he said it's more than that.”

The launch of the redone Passat was officially planned for September.

But dealers sold down '05 models faster than anticipated and were anxious to get the replacements, says VWA spokesman Steve Keyes. “There was no reason to hold on to anything coming into port early. We ended up selling 4,000 of them in August, without any national advertising.”
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Mirage77

Sounds good. The demand for the Passat seems good.

Giannis

nice story. BTW, i was the first one to buy a facelifted Volvo S60 here in Patras. Maybe one of the first in Greece. I placed my order on 14 July 2004 and the car arrived on Oktober 25. I placed my order without even knowing anything about the facelift except of the little i was told from the dealer.

Snake Vargas

Normally I'd rather not be the first to buy any car, anywhere, especially a new model like the Passat. However, it's been on sale in Europe for a while now, and it doesn't seem to have any great quality issues, so it should be good.

The Passat seems like a good car for Americans. I think the most popular non-SUV/truck cars are the Camry and the US Accord V6, so this should be a good alternative, something with some European style and interior appointments. Costs more, of course.

Too bad I'm not a fan of the Passat's styling. It'd be a great car, I reckon. Maybe I'll check it out more when they arrive in Australia.

testdriver

As you had your experience, well I have mine as well. I was the first one to get a 2000 VW Golf 1.8T in July 1999 in Plantation Florida. After my car was delivered to me (after a couple of days) and I drove it out of the dealership, people couldn't stop looking at me and the car. What a nice feeling!!!!!!!
I was very pleased with that vehicle, after 10 years driving an RX7 SE, the 2 door VW Golf changed my mind about this type of cars. I know the new generation is up anytime.
But I will go for the Passat this time. Eventhough I am not the first one to get it.
Enjoy driving!!!!!!

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