I have something to add to this thread...
We just traded in my wife's cursed '98 Passat for a brand-spankin'-new '06 Audi A3 sportwagon. There's a pic of her driving off the dealer's lot in my gallery. Note the purdy silver VX in the background.
If anyone is interested in an A3 and wants some info, let me know. You can get yourself a $500-over-invoice deal EASY in the Northeast, where they are not selling as well as in other areas.