"Was your first car a volkswagen? Do you wish it had been? You can't turn back the clock. But you can help the first-time buyers in your life - your friends, your siblings, your kids - realize the dream. Because at Volkswagen Credit, we've designed a loan specifically to put first-time buyers into a Volkswagen. "

This is high 'n mighty talk coming from "the people's car" company. Owning a VW is a "dream" whose price is just that tiny bit out of your financial reach. The financial goal posts, of course, are totally mobile and are adjusted on a case by case basis - and always just past your financial comfort zone. It's all about maximizing the dollars VW can withdraw from your bank account.

Cynicism over dealer tricks aside, the VW plan does have its benefits. If you've graduated from college, have full-time employment, have no credit or fair credit (just so long as it isn't bad credit), and 10% of the vehicle's MSRP ready in cash, you can drive home a new V-dub.

Pas mal. Pas mal.