Best looking Phaeton?

Deutsch · 12-18-2005, 09:31 PM

I guess, since it looks a lot like its better half.. the A8..

Hypersonic · 12-19-2005, 01:06 AM

Are those Audi rims?

What would it have taken for the VW Phaeton to have been a success in the US?

Top Secret · 12-19-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberto

What would it have taken for the VW Phaeton to have been a success in the US?

Not being a VW.

Hypersonic · 12-19-2005, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Secret

Not being a VW.

Yeah, yeah,.....I could have taken bets on somebody saying that.

.....But really, is the US market unable to judge a product on it's own merits?

Mirage77 · 12-19-2005, 03:53 AM

That picture is from the Phaeton forum at VW Vortex. One of the members have that car and he blacked out the VW badge at the back, and added A8 rims.

The US market is unconvinced because most people don't know about the car and VW wasn't doing anything to market the car. So maybe there were many people who know what good cars are about but they just didn't acquaint with the Phaeton quickly enough.

Snake Vargas · 12-19-2005, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberto

.....But really, is the US market unable to judge a product on it's own merits?

Is any market able to judge a product on its own merits?

Only real car enthusiasts would really care or know that the Phaeton is a decent car, and is more or less an A8 under the skin, for what that's worth. For most people, the badge is as integral a part of the car as anything else.

I came to a similar conclusion when trying to decide whether it's acceptable to like a car because of its looks, what is sort another 'shallow' or 'surface' property of the car, along with brand - it's a real part of the car itself. The function of the car isn't just to drive, provide transport, etc., but also to be aesthetically pleasing. It's like an artwork on wheels - the aesthetic aspect is very important to many people. Similarly, to some people, the badge and brand aspect is as much a part of the car as anything else. Why drive a VW when you can drive a Mercedes or BMW?

Maybe I can compare it with people who wear Nike, etc. brand t-shirts, or even 'designer' t-shirts - are they perceptibly any better than some cheaper, no-brand t-shirts? But people all do it. It's rarely ever about the product or value proposition in itself.

Alx · 12-19-2005, 09:10 AM

An expensive VW was not the way to do it. Hard to suceed with a high end car in a market where you are known for less expensive everyday little cars.

Hypersonic · 12-19-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Vargas

Is any market able to judge a product on its own merits?

Only real car enthusiasts would really care or know that the Phaeton is a decent car, and is more or less an A8 under the skin, for what that's worth. For most people, the badge is as integral a part of the car as anything else.

I came to a similar conclusion when trying to decide whether it's acceptable to like a car because of its looks, what is sort another 'shallow' or 'surface' property of the car, along with brand - it's a real part of the car itself. The function of the car isn't just to drive, provide transport, etc., but also to be aesthetically pleasing. It's like an artwork on wheels - the aesthetic aspect is very important to many people. Similarly, to some people, the badge and brand aspect is as much a part of the car as anything else. Why drive a VW when you can drive a Mercedes or BMW?

Maybe I can compare it with people who wear Nike, etc. brand t-shirts, or even 'designer' t-shirts - are they perceptibly any better than some cheaper, no-brand t-shirts? But people all do it. It's rarely ever about the product or value proposition in itself.

You have a good brain SV. You make some excellent, thought provoking points here.

12-18-2005, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Deutsch Aficionado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: L.A. Posts: 5,362 Thanks: 301 Thanked 468 Times in 240 Posts	Best looking Phaeton? I guess, since it looks a lot like its better half.. the A8..

12-19-2005, 01:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hypersonic Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,461 My Mood: Thanks: 941 Thanked 811 Times in 496 Posts	Re: Best looking Phaeton? Are those Audi rims? What would it have taken for the VW Phaeton to have been a success in the US?

12-19-2005, 03:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mirage77 The Doughnutman. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,438 Thanks: 1,473 Thanked 1,225 Times in 722 Posts	Re: Best looking Phaeton? That picture is from the Phaeton forum at VW Vortex. One of the members have that car and he blacked out the VW badge at the back, and added A8 rims. The US market is unconvinced because most people don't know about the car and VW wasn't doing anything to market the car. So maybe there were many people who know what good cars are about but they just didn't acquaint with the Phaeton quickly enough.

12-19-2005, 09:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Alx 007 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: -Poconos, PA.- 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Posts: 5,458 My Mood: Thanks: 886 Thanked 551 Times in 224 Posts	Re: Best looking Phaeton? An expensive VW was not the way to do it. Hard to suceed with a high end car in a market where you are known for less expensive everyday little cars.

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