limuas22

Just wondering if anyone here owns or knows anyone that owns a VW Touareg. I've checked it out at the dealership and it's sweet...it's something you wouldn't expect from VW, but since it's a VW I'm kinda hesitant. Any input is welcome.

Dan

Drove the Porsche version at a driving clinic, thing was a pig!!! 4500lb vehicles do not impress me. The 450hp in the turbo version was kind of fun though.
Dan

CL P Diddy

My partner in Virginia has one. he absolutely loves it. It is a nice looking vehicle too. I believe it is the cousin to the Porsche Cayanne.

The only thing that would concern me about owning a Toureg is that I'm not too sure about the craftmenship of a VW. Jettas get pretty raggedy I know. But hey, do the research. It does seem to be a nice vehicle.

Beltfed

Awesome rig overall......just the Nav sucks.

V8 is like a must have.


For lots of info, check out the below forum (very active).


http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=39

Beltfed

The reason for that is the Jetta is built in Mexico.....the Touareg isn't.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

My neighbor has it, and while it's the V6, they absolutely love it.

GS Audio

The Touareg is a great SUV, in my opinion. The fact that VW collaborated with Porshce to build it makes it all the better.

Of course, its still too new to see what long-term problems it could have, but thus far, I'm very impressed. Craftmanship is top notch. The interior continues to maintain the new style VW is trying to acheive, upper class.

My only beef with this is the price and how options are broken down. $38,000 for a base V6 is not cool. :thumbdown:
And $8000 option price for the V8 is a bit extreme.

If you're considering buying this and have the money, get the V8 with navi.

OR, hold out for the TDi version. That should be a beast full of torque!!

Later!

CL P Diddy

Ooooh, I didn't know that. Interesting.

rickm

The one thing that really scares me about any VW product is the antiquated and poorly run delareships. We had a New Beetle for 4 years and there was always some little problem with it. All of the dealerships that we tried in CNJ (4 of them) were poorly run, crowded and never fixed it right the first time. One of the dealerships was actually part of one of the best run dealership networks in NJ, it was like they sent their VW people to "retarded school"

F23A4

Consumer Reports confirms your experience; its rated pretty bad there.

limuas22

Thanks for the input...we have a newborn son with us now and the CL isn't going to cut it with us, I hate departing with it but we need space now, and the CL isn't the roomiest with a baby.

The only turnoffs I found with the Touareg is that it's a VW, but from the looks of this vehicle it looks like they're turning things around; and the navi, it's a CD based, not DVD based navigation, other than that I think it's a great vehicle. I would love to get the TDi version when it comes out, but that's a little too much money.

Chaptorial

Saw one in black the other day. Its a real sharp looking car.

Beltfed

Puebla, Mexico

DISRUPTV

if u get the touareg, make sure u get the roof rack, looks naked w/o it

GS Audio

Yup.....good idea!

quikcls

all i have to say is lexus gx430!!!!

bigman

for the price, there a few better trucks on the road. If you want to be a little on the extreme side go for the fx/35/45.

GS Audio

With those HUGE wheels, yup......that would be sweet!!

CrockPot

errr...don't you mean gx470?

Black CL-S 4-Life

sundance_gold

As a VW Owner, I can give you some insider information.

I own a top-of-the line Passat Wagon (2001.5 GLX with 4 wheel drive). While the car was excellent for the first summer, once it got cold and the plastic started to contract and expand all sorts of squeeks and creeks presented themselves (I even have to wd-40 the plastic that holds on the glove box otherwise it creeks when it opens). I also have this annoying sound coming from my interior ventilation fan that I'd say sounds like crickets. I've read that there are already documented problems with the Toureg (mostly squeeks, creaks, and a fan phenomenon like mine). Apparently you can't drive the thing with the windows down (to a certain point) and the fan on without it chriping or creeking. VW is also known for problems with the seat frames breaking (had the driver's side seat replaced w/in the first year).

While, yes, you will have issues with just about any car you buy, what maked my VW experience so bad is the level of service you get. I bought my car in Virginia and went to three different dealers in search of decent service (never found it). I've already taken it to one dealer out here in Seattle and received the same level of service. My VW experience has been, "you take the car in with it doing something or making a noise, the dealer does NOT offer a loaner car, they keep the car twice as long as they say the will, and 95% of the time after keeping it (because they are backlogged and can't get to you) they call you to say they can't duplicate the problem. I took my car in for service on the vent fan here in Seattle. The dealer called me the next morning to say they couldn't duplicate the noise (even after I left detailed instructions on when and how it was making it). As soon as I drove off the lot the chirping started again and I took it back. I did this three times before giving up!

Personally, I think VW is insane for trying to sell a car above $30,000 with the level of service that comes along with it. Once you experience good service (I had a great Acura dealer in VA) and experience the typical VW dealership's service you will understand that.

If it were me, I'd buy a car from a manufacturer that's known for either better build quality or better customer service. I test drove the Porsche and would have considered it (if it included service, which it doesn't) but I won't go near the VW version.

Just my 0.2 cents.....

mantis23

I can't even recall seeing one on the road, I guess they blend in too much with the rest of the crowd.

GS Audio

Hey sundance_gold, very, very good points! As a VW fanatic (on my 6th one), I love to mod and drive these cars.

BUT, when it comes to service and dealer help......don't expect any! From the minute you walk into a dealership to make a new-car purchase, the dealer and staff are you new best friends.

Seconds after signing the papers and taking ownership, you can almost sense the negativity you will receive in the "near future" when you need to get warranty work done or anything else that breaks due to cheap craftsmanship, for that matter.

As much as I love these cars, I think my next NEW car purchase is going to be a MDX. I love the TL-S, but need 4 wheel drive. And for the money, Acura is offering quiet a bit of luxury and power, as opposed to the $50k VW wants for a comparibly equipped Touareg.

And after reading the article in European Car on the V10 TDi version, get this......VW plans to add $3k - 4k on to the already high V8 price for these models.

Good job VW.......you're getting much closer to losing my long-time loyalty.

QuestMGD

I traded in a 2001 Audi TT for a CL-S 6sp. I have to agree with everything sundance_gold said.

The only difference with Audi is you get a loaner car while they fail to duplicate problems.

Also, many on this forum seem to complain about resale values of the CL, but take a look at Audi trade-in values.