CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

While its starting price of $19,990 is higher than its competitors, the base 2007 Rabbit (formerly Golf) is substantially better equipped, reports Paul Williams.  In particular, it offers "a formidable suite of traction and stability aids not found in any other vehicle in this class." A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine is standard, but there won't be a diesel-powered Rabbit until 2009, he says.    More...

[a4_tom]

Anyone knows what's the % of those special lease program for Rabbit 2.5? Does it apply to only base or fully loaded with options?

[rovermark]

Nice car, stupid name. The majority of people I see driving new Golfs are middle-age men and women. Can a name put people off?

[Demosthenes X]

Sounds like good value at first glance...  the options almost seem ridiculously inexpensive.  Good on VW for not making you buy a "package" that includes alloys and a sunroof if you only wanted heated seats...

[Wolfe]

Overall the Rabbit looks like a very nice package, a bit more expensive than some of its competitors but very good value considering all that equipment, and made in Germany to boot. If I were looking to buy a new car now this would be at the top of my list (but only because the GTI would be a bit too much of a stretch financially  )

Sounds like good value at first glance... the options almost seem ridiculously inexpensive. Good on VW for not making you buy a "package" that includes alloys and a sunroof if you only wanted heated seats...

  The options are priced to make them very attractive. I wonder what VW's sales projections are for fully loaded models.

Good for VW in not packaging the options together in one big take it or leave it bundle, especially the rear side airbags and stability control. (Shame on you Toyota )

[Bullet Blue]

Ah, a VW front end looks much better withouth that signature chrome bar under the grille 

[wing]

WOW!

$2k down $218 a month?  That's incredible. 

[JSCC]

How about $3000 down and $188.88/ month!

[JSCC]

Anyone knows what's the % of those special lease program for Rabbit 2.5? Does it apply to only base or fully loaded with options?

5.9% for finance and leasing accross the board.

With 55% residual for 25K km/yr!
With 57% residual for 20K km/yr!

[yhzdriver]

Is it the same 2.5 engine and six-speed auto transmission that the base Jetta has, as the engine is made in Mexico?
DSG would be a nice option.

[a4_tom]

This "Gallarado V10 divided by half" 2.5L I-5 is the same as one in Jetta and Beetle, even the 6-speed Tip is the same.

[Howswedeitis]

Aside from the throwback name a very very competitive entry.

Made in Germany good...hopefully the quality will be better than
the Mexican production.

This is definately a better car than any of the Japanese competitors
and certainly a much better ride than the new Civic or should
I say "the door stopper" with that sloped nose and fastback
windshield only a mother could love!

[safristi]

Man those are sweet deals......Hmmm ..maybe I should RE_UP....the lil "Bunny" was my HUNNY_MOON car
took me all the way to Calgary to tie the knot....damn she tied IT TIGHT ........Like the prodigal son ...I may return....?.....

[sirAQUAMAN64]

That Sage Green combo is what I would have gotten if I hadn't stretched for the GTI ... and yes, it was a stretch and a very hard decision because the new Golf/Rabbit is unbelievably value priced.

The article is bang-on. The rear seat leg and head room have grown into comfortable status, which should have been mentioned tho. I can sit back there, without slouching like I have to do in a Jetta. Way more legroom than the Gen-IV cars, but less trunk room.

After driving the new Civic, the I5 has tonnes more power too.

Man, I hope these sell like hotcakes because at that price, they ought to! Nissan Versa pricing is killer, but it's really still not the same.

[Giant Dwarf]

How about $3000 down and $188.88/ month!

What about $0 down.  What's it then?  Huh?

[safristi]

$0...Mr Obvious.................... ...and a speciall deal fer U...$1,000 Bi !!_WEAKLY !!!

[a4_tom]

What about $0 down. What's it then? Huh?

$0 down. $800 per month!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Jim Kenzie's article...
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1149803409441

[Beetlejuice]

Just sent an email to my personal VW sales representative at Georgetown VW (met him at the Toronto Auto Show) and asked him if this pricing was indeed true.  His response:

"If that is true, can I get you in to sign the paper work tomorrow?".  LOL...a true salesman!!!

[soj]

I wonder what Kerri Martin was smoking when the Rabbit name was being bandied about.  Perhaps more aptly, what was he smoking in 1984 when they dropped the Rabbit moniker if he was old enough to smoke that is.  Perhaps he forgot that much of the 80's model run consisted of the US built units which aside of being dumbed down for the NA driver, suffered from bad fit and finish.  The exception was the 83-84 GTI which at least was fun to drive albeit still a rattle box.  I know, I owned one which I promptly switched out for the 85 Golf GTI.

There's no doubt, however, that the new "Golf" represents good value if you negate the rather mediocre gas mileage of the 2.5 liter.  Come on boys, 38 mpg Imperial or 32 - 33 mpg in real life with gas at a buck a liter and then to add insult to injury, no diesel!!

Here's my take, demand for the diesel Jetta is strong so why sell a better looking and more practical car for $5K less.  Well I guess because you'd sell three times as many in the Canadian market.  Lets cheer the marketing geniuses in VW's NA head office for their marketing brilliance.