Back on topic; I ordered a 6-speed TDI (SE) black on beige. I'd bet dollars to donuts that no on one will get an SE 6-speed on Wednesday Oct 5. I predict that any dealer promising this will have a lame excuse come delivery day. I'll bet they blame the other dealer.
Aug 1: My dealer gave no illusion that it would be a short wait. Back in August they said: "our rep says 6-speed models did NOT hit production yet, but if we order the car now, you SHOULD have it by November". $1000 down, $300 over invoice. They were pretty firm and acknowledged they usually sell production VW under invoice, but putting it on the books, and knowing it might be several months meant it somehow affected their access/allotment for other cars. This might be total BS, but i wanted my place in line and another dealer wanted $1000 over MSRP! A third would not provide price, but would gladly take my deposit. Keep in mind this all took place July 31-Aug1.
Sept 19:
Computer status showed my order was in factory order bank status, which supposedly means they have pulled the order for assembly so they're making progress on it. Dealer said likely 2 more months, which puts expected deliver ~ November 19th. They said the VIN was literally the last thing they get, usually given just before transport.
I had not intended to buy another VW, but I was drawn to the Passat for its 43MPG. My 2000 TDI golf had less then stellar reliability. I'll never forget it suddenly stalling 15 miles from Logan airport with Odometer=16K miles. I had lots of problems with that car. I kept it three more years and sold it with only 84K miles. Fun to drive, but the least reliable car i ever owned.
I test drove the DSG, and really liked the ride. I'm currently in a '04 Prius with 175K miles. I drive 92 miles/day, 70% highway. The DSG was sooo much better than my prius. The prius might be the most practical car on the planet (51MPG summer/ 47 winter), but it's really, really dull. Dull cheap plastic interior, and dull to drive. But Reliable. As mentioned, I had previously owned a 2000 golf TDI 5-speed, and i immediately longed for a manual again. After test driving the Passat SEL DSG, I tried a 2011 TDI Golf, using the same TDI manual shift gearing spec'd for the new SE passat. After stalling it on the first incline exiting the dealer, I found my sea legs. I drove it the exact same route noting the golf had much tighter suspension, and I felt much more of the roads imperfections. I suppose its a preference thing, but i really liked the softer Passat ride, Fewer rattles on long journeys. IMO, the passat was not loud as others have reported, but i drove it only over asphalt, no concrete. Highway passing with either the Passat DSG or Golf TDI was fun. I detected no stress from the engine. I came away convinced the Passat 6 speed manual was the way to go. I plan to buy an after market GPS (Garmin), and I am toying with an aftermarket Sun roof. I also have a list of VCDS tweaks i'm planning. It's a bummer they so severely limit the trim levels with the manual transmission. But considering only 6% of Americans drive manuals, I can see their logic. My logic is that the passat will use a tried and true 2.0L TDI engine, and assembled in a new state of the art billion dollar factory. I'm giving them one more try.
Bottom line: I expect delivery ~Nov 18, but will happily take it earlier.
This gives me hope!!! http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/aug/31/vw-shipping-passats-to-dealers-as-market-launch/?print
