Saying Goodbye... (and saying hello)

[Raza]

There are some things about which you just don?t want to write.  Today is the day I?ve been dreading for quite some time now.

Today is the day my Passat becomes no longer mine. 

I know it ought not to be such a big deal.  I?ve had the car for four years, which is a good run, and it?s not like I didn?t know that my lease would end at some point.  And after all, it is just a car.  A bunch of metal and plastic and glass and leatherette that all come together into shape.  It?s just a machine.

Or is it? 

This car has been with me for so many special moments.  It was there when I first discovered the joy of turbo boost.  It was the car that moved me into my first apartment.  It moved me out of my first apartment.  It was there when I got my first speeding ticket.  We?ve lived in three towns together.  We had wins.  We had losses.  We even had arguments (but not many). 

Sitting here, as my car sits miles away in the parking lot of a car dealership, I have a feeling that I?ll never drive it again.  I went through all my lasts with it today.  The last time I?ll get into the car.  The last time I?ll get out.  The last time I?ll change CDs.  The last time it will ever bring me home. 

We tore through back roads, we clipped apexes, we even flew a few times.  We forded rivers.  When the Delaware flooded, we drove up and down the banks, letting the front tires struggle for grip, spitting mud and clay all over the flanks, and loving every minute of it. 

This car was there for me when I was angry, sad, or when I needed comfort.  All it ever asked of me was a little bit of fuel and a wash every once in a while.  It was more than any car could be; it was my family. 

I understand that a Passat is not a car that kids doodle in their notebooks.  I know it will never really be an object of lust.  No one daydreams about a garage full of Passats.  But this little sport sedan, with its four cylinder engine, five speed automatic, and front wheel drive, was a blast every time I pushed it.  It always worked as hard as I wanted it to.  It was a sports car when I pushed.  It was a sedate cruiser when I didn?t. 

Thinking about the fact that it?s gone now, I feel a deep sense of loss.  This car wasn?t my first.  But it was the first car I truly loved.  I?ll never be as attached to any other car, or perhaps, any thing or person, as I am to this one. 

This car may not be everything to everyone.  But it really was everything to me. 

Passat, you will be truly and sorely missed.  I hope our paths cross again. 










(I have about 240 more pictures that I took today, so I'll gradually post them.)

[Raza]

Hello!

[the Teuton]

*Cues in James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover"*

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVyggTKDcOE

Sorry, Raz.  I hope you find another car that treats you as well, if not better.

[Raza]

Thanks, man.  Today was bittersweet.  I got to say hello to a brand new car, have the pride of paying for the whole thing all myself, but I also have to say goodbye to a car that's been there for me for 70% of my driving career, and nearly 20% of my life.

[NomisR]

You went from a VW to another VW?  

[Raza]

The Passat is slightly larger on the inside, and as I recall, a few inches longer, but for the most part, the interior dimensions are about the same (the Passat has a few tenths of an inch here and there).  The trunk of the Jetta is bigger (16 vs 15), though. 

The glovebox is larger, the center armrest storage is larger (and has an AUX input...I have to buy the right lead), and the seat is more upright.  It doesn't go as low as the Passat did, either, but the lumbar support is very good, and it's just as comfortable, really.

The car drives incredibly similarly to the Passat, just with more power. 

[Raza]

You went from a VW to another VW?   

Yeah...

[ifcar]

The Passat certainly was prettier, but enjoy it.

And you forgot to mention the main thing that makes that Jetta more fun than your Passat.

[Raza]

The Passat certainly was prettier, but enjoy it.

And you forgot to mention the main thing that makes that Jetta more fun than your Passat.

It is very nice to have a stickshift.  I enjoy it a lot. 

[CALL_911]

Congrats, Raza. It's not as much a looker as the Passat was, but it's probably more fun. Thumbs up from me. The 2.0T is awesome.

[the Teuton]

So what all did you testdrive before you came to the conclusion that the people's car was still where your heart belonged?

[Champ]

Congrats / sorry to hear it dude!

Not sure what will ever compel me to sell the Viggen...and what I will feel like if it's ever gone.  As of now the car is a 'lifer' for me.

[The Pirate]

I'm with ifcar, the Passat is an incredibly sharp looking car.  Very good photos too.  And I know exactly what you're experiencing, I miss my Civic terribly.

But the Jetta is certainly no downgrade - enjoy it.  I'd imagine the six-speed and the 2.0T have to help with any Passat misgivings.

[280Z Turbo]

I never considered myself to be a fan of the Mk V Jetta, but it sure looks nice in those pictures. I think the wheels and black paint make it look a lot better.

Looks like it will be a fun car.

[S204STi]

Oh man...the Mk V Jetta 2.0T is a screamer, I don't care what people say about it.

What is the difference between the Wolfsburg and the GLI?

[dazzleman]

Good luck with the new wheels, Raza.

I know how you feel about parting with the Passat.  It will always be a fond memory.

[280Z Turbo]

You're probably going to wish you never got rid of the Passat. Don't worry about that though, it's normal.

I still miss my Saab and the Ranger even though they were both terrible vehicles.

[Danish]

Congrats on the car.

In the first pic, is the cigarette smoke there intentionally? Its a nice effect

[Raza]

Oh man...the Mk V Jetta 2.0T is a screamer, I don't care what people say about it.

What is the difference between the Wolfsburg and the GLI?

The GTI has, obviously, the unique front fascia, and a unique steering wheel, as well as the slightly different interior.  The suspension is supposedly 20% firmer (the Wolfsburg and the GTI feel about the same, honestly).  GLI has available leather, but the Wolfsburg is leatherette only. 

[Raza]

I'm with ifcar, the Passat is an incredibly sharp looking car.  Very good photos too.  And I know exactly what you're experiencing, I miss my Civic terribly.

But the Jetta is certainly no downgrade - enjoy it.  I'd imagine the six-speed and the 2.0T have to help with any Passat misgivings.

Yeah, I know.  The Passat is a better looking car.  Classy, lean, taut.

Good luck with the new wheels, Raza.

I know how you feel about parting with the Passat.  It will always be a fond memory.

You're probably going to wish you never got rid of the Passat. Don't worry about that though, it's normal.

I still miss my Saab and the Ranger even though they were both terrible vehicles.

Thanks for the warm words guys.  Having the new car is making it easier to move on, but earlier I was really thinking about going back on the deal, buying the Passat, and just saving up to buy another sports car later. 

I think Sean is right.  I'll probably always regret my decision, always miss the car, no matter how good the Wolf is. 

 

[Raza]

Congrats on the car.

In the first pic, is the cigarette smoke there intentionally? Its a nice effect

Yes.

I took 260 pictures today.  I tried a bunch of different effects.  Including slipping my sunglasses over the lens of the camera.

I will be entering that into an Auto Photo Comp soon.

[BimmerM3]

If you don't mind me asking, what were the terms of purchase for the Jetta? As I remember, you were shopping for used cars in a significantly different price range... I didn't know that you were still considering a new car.

[Raza]

If you don't mind me asking, what were the terms of purchase for the Jetta? As I remember, you were shopping for used cars in a significantly different price range... I didn't know that you were still considering a new car.

I leased it for less than the Passat was.  I'm planning on buying it at the end of the lease, if all goes well.

[S204STi]

The GTI has, obviously, the unique front fascia, and a unique steering wheel, as well as the slightly different interior.  The suspension is supposedly 20% firmer (the Wolfsburg and the GTI feel about the same, honestly).  GLI has available leather, but the Wolfsburg is leatherette only. 

Ah, ok.  So it has the engine and transmission of the GLI minus a little suspension firmness and some trim/appointments.  Sounds like a deal, really.

[Raza]

Ah, ok.  So it has the engine and transmission of the GLI minus a little suspension firmness and some trim/appointments.  Sounds like a deal, really.

Last time I built a GLI with everything I wanted, it was 27K.  For the price differential, I could put in a killer suspension and still have enough change for a nice watch.  A really nice watch.

[NomisR]

With the miles you drive, wouldn't the lease be too expensive?

[Onslaught]

Hope you like the new one. I understand the pain of giving up an old friend. I still feel pain when I think of driving off from the Car Max lot after selling them my MX-3 GS all those years ago. I had a dream about her not to long ago. I felt like I betrayed it. Not that they are alive to know.

And you don't want your paths to cross again. I saw my car three years later and the person who owned it did not take care of her at all.

[JYODER240]

Congats, gutsy call going with black though.

[Raza]

Congats, gutsy call going with black though.

3/4ths of my cars have been black. 

[Raza]

With the miles you drive, wouldn't the lease be too expensive?

I don't plan on this kind of mileage for long.  I'll probably be moving soon.