Well, I picked up my 3.2lt V6 4Motion Passat SIlver Wagon DSG yesterday from MCM Sutherland, Sydney.

I used to own a Subaru 3.0R B spec 6 speed manual. Great car but lacked a bit of low end grunt that can make it a bit of a chore to drive in Sydney traffic. Great once you get going, but you need to keep the revs up to get the most out of it. Really, the Suby was characterless.

Delivery:
Arrived at the alotted time of 2:30pm and the car was ready! Surprise, surprise. The salesman went through all the functions and was very informative.

The little things:
These Germans certainly include lots of niceties that really make owning and driving the car that much better. Things like all the progammable functions like blinkers, lights on, the electric park brake, electric tail gate openning, the electronic "key", multi function steering wheel controls. etc.

The sound system is very good for a standard system.

Driving impressions:
Wow, this thing goes!! The DSG really makes it a joy to drive as it makes it easy to drive fast and to get the most out of it. There is just so much seemless power right from take off and when on the move and you kick down a couple of gears it really launches itself away. It is smooth and reasonably quiet, but the exhaust note under a boot full is beautiful to hear, a nice raspy burble.

Handing is good, with a little bit of understeer(as expected) but I hope to get the Haldex alteration done so as to make it more neutral handling. What I like about the Passat is that it is just so much fun to drive.

Overall, this is a much better car than the Subaru, IMO. The low down torque of the 3.2lt V6 makes it a much more driveable proposition in Sydney traffic and married to the DSG, it works like a dream. When you add in the other little nicities that the Germans do, there is really no contest. The carpet and the leather is also nicer in the Passat.

I am one VERY satisfied owner!!!