The Volkswagen Phaeton W12 Was a $120,000 VW Ultra-Luxury Sedan

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The Volkswagen Phaeton W12 is one of the craziest Volkswagen models ever -- a 12-cylinder Volkswagen luxury sedan with a $100,000 price tag. Today I'm reviewing the Phaeton to show you why the Volkswagen Phaeton is one of the most interesting cars of our time.

FOLLOW ME!

[DougDeMuro]

Yes, I am saying "Phaeton" correctly. No, it is not "fay-tin." Yes, it has three syllables.


Click that link and there's a little voice that will even sound it out for you. You're welcome ;)

[catsguy]

“You don’t find these things in any other car!” Features: 6/10

[tyler]

HI, I'm Doug DeMuro and I'm 6'2, 6'3, and 6'4.
Depends how I'm feeling

[justintime]

As a Phaeton owner 10 years ago, I must point out you missed a few luxuries .
Adjustable ride suspension, heated steering wheel, adjustable ride height, etc.
I say one hell of a car, to bad it ended

[ErgoJoy]

Phaeton is one of the most underestimated luxury sedans on 2000's

[johnhancock]

Only seen a Phaeton ONCE over the years but I immediately knew it wasn't just a Passat because it was THE biggest Volkswagen I'd ever seen and could immediately tell it was a luxury car.

[mydsmber]

I’m surprised you’ve gone over this car without telling the story behind it. Namely that Ferdinand Piëch was getting ready to retire, and he wanted to create his idea of a perfect Car. It had to be able to 186 mph for 2 hours in 110 degree weather while the interior never got above 76 degrees. The head room you were impressed with is because Herr Piëch is also really tall and he did not want to bump his head. Lastly those trick vents were because he hates drafts.

[jinzoboy]

My uncle had a Phaeton and I was amazed on how good it was. I thought it was some special VW only offered in China, but the experience inside the car is nothing like an typical VW I find in the states. I really think it's for rich folks that does not want to show off their wealth, yet they want a car that's on par with the Bentley Flying Spur. I don't think any other car can present itself as understated wealth than a Phaeton. But most people in the states don't have that desire to do so.

My friend thought I was crazy when I random found one on the and street and yelled, "dude look at that VW phaeton"

[Taikamuna]

Doug the type of guy to buy a car just to get back massages

[ahoneyman]

This car has a certain Eastern European crime boss feel to it.

[willtardis]

7:02 Ah yes, the most important feature, the glovebox to store my copies of the Book of Mormon.

[Horvi]

Actually I rode in one when it was new. It was delivered as a wedding limo by a local Volkswagen dealership to a colleague who got married. I was invited and they picked me up in it on the way to the ceremony. It was like an airplane on wheels. :) Loved it! :)

[memesboiii]

Doug= but back to the glove box, you’ll find something interesting in there..
Me= THE BOOK OF MORMON
Doug= pulls out navigation cds
Me= :(

[ToolGT]

I bet Doug wore shorts at his wedding.

[WatchJRGo]

Honestly I've always wanted to scoop one of these up, but if it breaks I'd have to triple mortgage the house.

[JT-eeii]

I owned one these. I purchased it with about 28k showing. One the nicest most reliable vehicles I ever owned. Much better than the 7 Series BMW I had. Beautiful car and a pleasure to drive. Can you imagine what type person wouldn’t buy one because of the VW badge…”oh, nobody will be impressed with VW” what a world we live in… “please, please look at me”

[kasteman]

If I found one with low miles going for dirt cheap because of a few minor repairs that I could handle, I'd go for it.
If you have a car that most people have never even seen, with features that rival ultra-luxury brands, I can see the Phaeton becoming a collector's car if it isn't already. It's aged very gracefully.

[jxcobsolis]

This car was meant to be hotboxed if it has 4 separate ash trays

[MrDennywick]

The Book of Mormon in the glove box.  Does that come standard?

[boomcrash]

hands down THE BEST vehicle I've ever owned for highway travel in the best or worst conditions the upper Midwest can produce. Quiet, heavy, SO comfortable, dependable (mine was bulletproof), and the premium sound with DSP was amazing. 260k and I reluctantly sold it. Moved to a fully loaded Audi A8 D4. It was a little more nimble and the new cabin tech was fun, but it was no Phaeton. I've been in the S Class and for whatever reason, I don't care for them. Never drove Series 7. Either way, I get the horrible feeling that the value and quality of the Phaeton will never come around again.