New Passatt or Mondeo?

[DMB]

First of all hello everyone I have just joined your forum today! Happy New year to you all!!

I wondered if you could help? I have to replace my company car shortly and the choice this time round is Ford or VW. My current car is a Mondeo Titanium 20TDCI estate which in fairness has been good. However I do feel like a change and have been looking at the new Passat. Does anyone know if VW are going to make any spec changes for 2008? whilst I appreciate the car does look very well built it does seem to fall short in terms of specification.

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Darren

[Bloater]

I'd like to know the answer to any updates planned for the Passat. Mine is 3 years old this year, and due for change in September. As far as I can tell the car is exactly the same spec as it was when I bought it, nothing has changed.

I am looking at the new Mondeo, but the dealer wouldn't give me a 3 year residual value estimate, so I walked out. I have since found out its likely to be around 38% with the Passat at 41% and the A4 at 43%. (Important for us private buyers)

I don't understand you comment about spec levels. My 2.0TDI sport Passat is the equivalent of the Titanium, so one down from the top in both models.

I will await more comment with interest.

Bloater.

[wsurfdoug]

Hi, just got my new Passat yesterday, dead chuffed.

Anyway, when I ordered the car I was told that the DVD Sat Nav system was being updated from week 47. Luckily this effected me and the new system is absolutely brilliant. The update is now being shown on the VW UK web-site.

As to what to choose, I'm happy with my decision but the new Mondeo seems to be very highly rated.

[orangezorki]

For me, the high power diesel and DSG gearbox was the winner, along with the slightly more upmarket look of the interior.

David

[DSGboy]

I felt that looking for an automatic car, the Ford has nothing to compare to the 2.0 TDI SEL 170 with DSG.

This may change however when Ford bring out their version of a dual clutch gearbox.

I think if you are looking for a manual car, it is much less clear I think what is better. Arguably the Passat push button parking brake is a bit of a nuisance in the manual car, which doesn't have the auto hold as standard. There's a lot to be said for the name of VW which is a brand that holds value, however, that said the new Mondeo was car of the year and a pretty good buy.

[Phil Mcavity]

To be honest if your a private buyer and are keen on getting a reasonablable return on your cash, get the VW , if the cash thats buying the car ISNT yours then id get the Ford anyday. Residuals are terrible even with the new model and are expected to be as low as its predecessor.

[DMB]

Thanks for your replies chaps I appreciate your comments. It would be great to know however if there is going to be any additional spec fitted for 2008 cars?

Cheers

Darren

[angus]

Given a straight choice between the two my preference would be the Passat.
Not having driven the new Mondeo (although the steering on the old ones -petrol at least- was fabulous) I couldn`t get away from the fact I really don`t like the way it looks from any angle. In addition the dealers appear to be abysmal (my dad buys a new Mondeo from the same dealer every three years but if he takes it back for any reason you`d think he`d contracted leprosy).

In the same way as I`m sure the 3-series BMW is a brilliant car, I`d have to get someone to lead me blindfolded to it every morning so I wasn`t sick as I approached it.

All very subjective I know, but isn`t that what its all about? If not you may as well just buy What Car? and purchase whatever is newest as that seems to win their `in depth` Giant tests every month (credibility, what credibiity?).

Oh, and I got a Passat Sport Estate not because I needed an estate but I though the lardy @rse on the saloon was ugly.

Those were some of my reasons, but probably of little value to you.

[MalcQV]

Oh, and I got a Passat Sport Estate not because I needed an estate but I though the lardy @rse on the saloon was ugly.

I bought a Passat over a 3 series, Ford Cougar, Alfa Romeo 156, Mondeo, Subaru Legacy.. the list goes on as I looked at all sorts, because Mrs QV liked the VW the best and we could both agree on it

[angus]

I bought a Passat over a 3 series, Ford Cougar, Alfa Romeo 156, Mondeo, Subaru Legacy.. the list goes on as I looked at all sorts, because Mrs QV liked the VW the best and we could both agree on it

You`re cheating MalcQV, that ain`t a B6!

We also have a B5.5 TDI Sport, but thats a saloon because as I said, we don`t need an estate and the B5/5.5 DOESN`T (IMHO) have an oversized rear-end.

For my money (or usually my bosses!) I start with something I like the look of before moving onto VFM, technical spec and the rest.