Colorado Red TDI?

[fitzski]

Was there ever a Colorado Red option for a North American B5.5 TDI? Ideally, in a Variant. With beige leather. Trying to track down paint codes, and it looks like Colorado Red (LB3Y) was discontinued for Passats in '05, but not sure if it was an option for the '04 TDIs.

I don't think Canyon Red (LC3K) was available in '04 and '05, so no TDIs.

 

[sabaranski]

Being from Colorado, this is a sensitive topic for me.

The '04 TDIs were 2004.5 models, and Colorado Red was not an option. It was replaced by Samoa Red - not so good. I think they were going for a more maroonish shade, but in my opinion, it looked a lot like a scab on someone's knee.

I suppose others' opinions may vary, but Samoa Red was the available color for that year.

 

[Radman]

Hi Fitzski, Are you thinking of purchasing a Passat TDI? Trading the W8 or the Jetta TDI?

 

[brawnwgn]

But an older scab is black with some tan inside.

 

[fitzski]

hmm... unfortunate... I think that would have been my preferred combo, but TDI engine probably out-ranks exterior colour on the wish list. Here's a Colorado Red V6 (even thought it's clearly mis-labeled as Samoa Red in the text):
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...nal&paId=283914928&recnum=119&leadExists=true

I think I'd have to see the Samoa Red in person... it's very difficult to judge from photos - definitely tending toward brown, but I'm not sure if I see any red in it at all:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=79004

Steve... thinking about it... warranty is up on the W8 around June '09... my wife is leaning towards a TDI... I'd rather not give up 4mo and a stick... but keeping the W8 has certain risks... Did you end up getting rid of both the Jetta and W8? I hadn't noticed until seeing your sig that you're now in the Passat... right choice?

 

[brawnwgn]

You're right, Samoa Red does not photograph well. In person it is a complex chocolate brown with hints of red and purple(!).
Based on the tiny little color chip at the dealership I was not certain I
wanted it. But Passat TDIs were still months away and the wait list was
growing so I put down a deposit.
When I finally saw the color on the car I had no doubts. Still marvel at the color and of course, the car.

 

[sabaranski]

But an older scab is black with some tan inside.

Too funny! I do think that Samoa Red looks better in person, just not as nice as Colorado Red.

The whole thing is a sore subject because when I was looking for my Passat TDI, one dealership offered me a great price and said they were willing to let me order (I wanted the Northern Green or whatever it was called). Then they sort-of reneged and tried to convince me that the Samoa Red would be a "hot car".

I took my $ elsewhere and "settled" on Silverstone Gray.

 

[fitzski]

When I finally saw the color on the car I had no doubts. Still marvel at the color and of course, the car.

From what I've seen... I actually kind of like the colour. But is it definitely a "brown", or can you pick up some red in it - like a dark cherry colour, esp in direct sun? Do you have some pictures of yours that you can share? Do you have the beige interior - was that the only option with the Samoa paint?

My Passat is similarly odd, with the W8-specific Pacific Blue... in direct light, it's more of a green, but on overcast days, more blue...

 

[Radman]

Hi Scott, I did end up selling both my W8 and my Jetta TDI wagon. You asked if buying a Passat TDI was the right choice?? I have to say NO, Due to the problems with the oil pump shaft (see other multiple page post on it) mine has this problem and will require major overhaul. I also dislike the auto tranny and fuel economy is not so great.
In hindsight I wish I would have bought a 1.8T with the 5 speed. They were around $3000 less and plenty available. With Diesel prices being what they are the 1.8T would have been a better choice. You can also find (they are rare) 4 Motion 1.8T's. I had found one wagon with 5 speed and 4 motion but could not work out a trade.

If you can afford one I suggest you get the new 2.0T with 6 speed. There is member here who has both a Passat TDI and 2.0T Passat wagon. He is getting almost the same fuel economy with the 2.0T.

 

[fitzski]

Thanks for the honest response. I'm just checking things out right now... hadn't done any research into the 2.0 reliability - I figured they'd be pretty bulletproof! A new B6 would be nice... but, well... yeah... cha-ching.

I wonder if there are any 1.8t Variant 4mo 5-speeds in Canyon Red...?!
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=91032&adid=7173361

 

[Radman]

I thought the same thing having owned 2 TDI's already I did not bother reviewing the Passat TDI forum for issues. Figured it was pretty similiar to my Jetta PD engine just bigger. I was wrong, the design and layout is different.