The Car That Got VW Fired From Being VW

The 2004 Phaeton wasn't just a luxury car - it was Volkswagen's declaration of war against the automotive hierarchy. Built in a glass factory where workers wore white gloves, this was Ferdinand Piëch's obsession with perfection made real. Think W12 engine shared with Bentley, wrapped in a body so conservatively styled it makes an Audi A8 look flashy.

The specs read like engineering overkill: four-zone climate control that could maintain 72 degrees at sustained speeds up to 186 mph, a draft-free ventilation system, and laminated glass so thick you could whisper at autobahn speeds. That chassis? Shared with the Bentley Continental GT, but with air suspension that made it ride better.

In W12 form, you got 420hp of silky-smooth power that moved this 5,400-pound vault with surprising urgency. The V8 wasn't exactly slow either, but let's be honest - if you're buying a Phaeton, go big or go home. The all-wheel-drive system could handle snow storms while passengers remained blissfully unaware in their 18-way adjustable heated/cooled/massaging seats.

The elephant in the room? Maintenance costs that'll make your mechanic's kids college fund look healthy. The air suspension components seem allergic to age, and when that infotainment system decides to quit, you'll understand why depreciation hit these cars like a hammer.

Pro tip: Find one with documented dealer service history - these aren't cars for shade-tree mechanics. The rare long-wheelbase versions are unicorns now, especially with the W12. And remember, that VW badge means parts prices are Bentley-lite, not Passat-plus.

Watch for: If the trunk release is working, buy a lottery ticket - they almost never do anymore.