[randy]

This has been discussed before, but I just came back from driving around and came across two B5.5 Passats in traffic., and I have to comment.
I just don't understand the taillights. The 4 circles, mounted vertically in pairs, gives the Passat a "boat" look. That's with the lights on. With the lights not on, the white bow-tie look makes you wonder where Piech was on this (you know he approved everything).
Car and Driver- "The rear-end styling has, likewise, been complicated by fussy-looking new taillights."
Fussy seems to be the best word to describe them. I never had these strong feelings against the B5 taillights....... in fact, those taillights are very cool. Especially the way that they "hide" the amber turn lens ONLY until the blinkers are activated.
If you have the new B5.5 and like them, great. From a design perspective, it just doesn't flow as evenly as the previous ones.
I guess this is VW's intention to take the car to luxury. I'm just waiting for VW to come out with a "Gold" package Passat, where all the chrome is anodized gold. Don't laugh.......... if someone would have told you in 2000 that the Passat was going to be all chromed out soon, you wouldn't have believed that too!

[Modified by randy, 9:47 PM 12-2-2001]

 

[mauslick]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

when you own one you never see the taillights while driving anyway......
and they aren't as bad as some of the others (altima. lexus, impala.,etc.)

 

[randy]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (mauslick)

Heck, I even like the new taillights on the current 2 door Civic better. The kinda have this red "horseshoe" design. Elegant, yet simple. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

The new taillights do work better on the B5.5 wagon, than on the B5.5 sedan. I think because visually there is the vertical pillar just above the taillight, lending to vertical "flow", whereas the sedan just ends abruptly.


[Modified by randy, 7:45 PM 12-2-2001]

 

[sbachmeier]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

I, for one, like the new style tail lamps. They are also much brighter at night (especially with the dual brake lamps), which is an inherently good thing. You know, so the buffoon behind you aiming their SUV down the road whilst dialing their wireless phone can see that you're applying the brakes...

 

[glst0rm]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (sbachmeier)

I too like the direction VW is taking with the new lights. I would rather have more euro-style crystalized taillights (does an after-market mod exist??), but its a step in the right direction.
I hate to say it .. but from the rear, the pre-b5.5 models looked a tad plain. This adds a bit more bling-bling (to steal a phrase from the chrome posts .. hehe).
Is there any after-market clear taillights available for the pre-b5.5 models?

 

[Drake]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (glst0rm)

I for one really like the old taillight better. Not that I hate the new taillight, but I like the all red, square block, old style taillight better. Hella for some reason only made clear and smoked taillight for the B5 wagon and not the sedan, I still can't find the logic in that.
I really like the new front end though.

Well, I guess if all else fail, you can always do what I had done. It is probably the next best thing if you like the new front end and the old rear end.

 

[randy]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (sbachmeier)

quote:[HR][/HR]I, for one, like the new style tail lamps. They are also much brighter at night (especially with the dual brake lamps), which is an inherently good thing. You know, so the buffoon behind you aiming their SUV down the road whilst dialing their wireless phone can see that you're applying the brakes...[HR][/HR]​

You gotta good point there. They ARE bright. There was a post here about a guy in his B5.5, waiting at a light, when he noticed the guy in the car parked behind him had his hands over his face. So the B5.5 driver took his foot of the brake, and the guy lowered his hands. Stepped on the brake, and the guy covered his eyes.
If anything, the taillights can help amuse B5.5 drivers by playing with the drivers behind them!

 

[Orjan]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

I like'em!

 

[GTIXpress]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

quote:[HR][/HR]I guess this is VW's intention to take the car to luxury. I'm just waiting for VW to come out with a "Gold" package Passat, where all the chrome is anodized gold. Don't laugh.......... if someone would have told you in 2000 that the Passat was going to be all chromed out soon, you wouldn't have believed that too!

[Modified by randy, 9:47 PM 12-2-2001][HR][/HR]​

I've actually seen the "Gold" package done! A local dealer had one that had gold emblems, and pinstriping on a dark blue Passat. Yet still retained the chrome moldings. "Tacky" didn't do this car justice. Luckily it wasn't a factory package.

 

[VW Fanatic]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

All:
I think VW will modify the taillights in the near future. They are not a hit, yet the nature of the auto industry is change. You have to change to survive. I just hope the future changes for VW are more subtle. When will people realize that VW and other German auto makers don't need to go after the "bling-bling" crowd. There are plenty of us who prefer classic European styling over the "hey look at my car" crowd???
All in all, the Passats are great looking vehicles that will only get better with future models.
Regards,
The Fan

 

[ajchenmph]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

You could also tint them down a bit, which would reduce the bug-eyed effect someone else mentioned, as well as the whole bow-tie effect, etc. Talk to JonBoy about his rates, he does OUTSTANDING work. (And no, I was not paid for that endorsement!

)

 

[lip]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

I agree, I miss my old style tail lights. much better looking.
The new ones are garbage in my opinion. I like the headlights, but I hate the chrome.
The one negative about the old taillights is that they were not very bright and they only used that top portion for tail and brake
The new ones are so distintive that a cop can see you from a mile away.

 

[BLK9GEN]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (lip)

I love 'em. The old lights look so dull and flat, no dimension to them at all.


[Modified by jwaters943, 10:39 PM 12-3-2001]

 

[passaturge]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (jwaters943)

What I like about the new rear lamps is that they are flush with the end of the car, and don't wrap around like the B5s. However, I would like to do something about the clear "bow" in the center...just have to figure out what

 

[av_audi]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (randy)

quote:[HR][/HR]If you have the new B5.5 and like them, great. From a design perspective, it just doesn't flow as evenly as the previous ones.[HR][/HR]​

Nah, it flows much better than the old one. It has a little more snaz, yet it is still restrained. Zit iz beaudivul

 

[vwjedi-passat]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (av_audi)

I might tint mine.

 

[PhilHVW]

Re: B5.5 Taillights......... why did VW have to ruin a good thing? (vwjedi-passat)

They're actually not bad IMO. Not a great improvement, but it updates the look of the back end with minimal cost to VW. Compared to several new sedans (IS300 of course, plus the Altima, and new Mazda 6) the new taillights are downright restrained. On the other hand, I like my B5 grille much better than the B5.5, although I'd trade you guys for the new head and foglights.