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Author Topic:   Volkswagens's 310 hp Touareg

ryanwhaler posted 10-27-2003 10:20 PM ET (US)
I recall some talk about this SUV a few weeks ago.
In this months issue of Trailer Boats they have three pages on this suv. Check it out.
Dick posted 10-29-2003 11:15 PM ET (US)
Ryan
Good post and am I am glad you brought it up.

Looks like an awsome vehicle, a bit out of my price range though. Getting 310 hp out of a 4.2L had to be an engineering challenge. Think I'll stick with my 97 4.6L F150 for now.
An other good article in the issue is the chart showing towing regulations for all states. If anyone tows from state to state this may be a good issue to pick up.
Dick
Tom2697 posted 10-30-2003 10:03 AM ET (US)
It is comical, depending upon which magazine that you pick up, VW either developed the best vehicle ever, or a complete failure.
whalersailer posted 10-30-2003 11:02 AM ET (US)
If the new Touareg's quality is anything like my '99 new Jetta TDI, I'd defintely steer clear! I've had WAY too many problems with this car in 4 years and 120K miles of ownership (I bought it brand new).
-WS
tchowes posted 11-01-2003 12:28 AM ET (US)
Damn nice interior on that machine, but what I don't understand is how VW managed to get a mid-size SUV to weigh 5,412lbs (see latest Car and Driver comparison test from Nov 2003). Any way you slice it, that's Full Size SUV heavy. It needs that V-8 just to move it out. I agree that the 7,700 lb tow rating is impressive, yet I was surprised to see that the V-6 is also rated for 7,700 lbs. Would you trust a midsize SUV with a 3.2L engine to tow your Outrage 25?
VW's reliability issues have worsened in the last couple of years, reversing an improving trend. Another scary trend among the german manufacturers is the overuse of electronics in their cars. Look at Mercedes COMMAND, BMW's i-drive. When those things die (and the do), you'll be shelling out $5k + to fix your car. While VW eschews those features, I'm sure there are some serious electronics in that beast.
Many of us love our classic whalers because they follow the K.I.S.S. principle and are relatively lightweight compared with most modern bloated boats out there. Is there a SUV that meets that principle too?
tchowes posted 11-01-2003 12:29 AM ET (US)
Damn nice interior on that machine, but what I don't understand is how VW managed to get a mid-size SUV to weigh 5,412lbs (see latest Car and Driver comparison test from Nov 2003). Any way you slice it, that's Full Size SUV heavy. It needs that V-8 just to move it out. I agree that the 7,700 lb tow rating is impressive, yet I was surprised to see that the V-6 is also rated for 7,700 lbs. Would you trust a midsize SUV with a 3.2L engine to tow your Outrage 25?
VW's reliability issues have worsened in the last couple of years, reversing an improving trend. Another scary trend among the german manufacturers is the overuse of electronics in their cars. Look at Mercedes COMMAND, BMW's i-drive. When those things die (and the do), you'll be shelling out $5k + to fix your car. While VW eschews those features, I'm sure there are some serious electronics in that beast.
Many of us love our classic whalers because they follow the K.I.S.S. principle and are relatively lightweight compared with most modern bloated boats out there. Is there a SUV that meets that principle too?
hooter posted 11-01-2003 09:56 AM ET (US)
But how do you SAY it? No way on earth Ah can figure it from the spellin' o' that car's name.
tchowes posted 11-01-2003 03:07 PM ET (US)
Funny you should mention that because the U.S. VW dealers begged headquarters to not use that name. And I mean they begged.
IMHO, they priced that vehicle too high. The V-8 starts at $46k and easily over $50k with a few options checked. Yes, it's got the best interior in the business, but there are lots of good alternatives, many of which come with a third row seat, greater cargo space, etc.
Even though the Toyota 4 Runner has less towing capacity at $5,000, it's got proven reliability, a V-8 and you can get one decently equipped for $35k and loaded for $40k. Plus a much stronger dealer network that can fix something that could go wrong.

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Author	Topic: Volkswagens's 310 hp Touareg
ryanwhaler	posted 10-27-2003 10:20 PM ET (US) I recall some talk about this SUV a few weeks ago. In this months issue of Trailer Boats they have three pages on this suv. Check it out.
Dick	posted 10-29-2003 11:15 PM ET (US) Ryan Good post and am I am glad you brought it up. Looks like an awsome vehicle, a bit out of my price range though. Getting 310 hp out of a 4.2L had to be an engineering challenge. Think I'll stick with my 97 4.6L F150 for now. An other good article in the issue is the chart showing towing regulations for all states. If anyone tows from state to state this may be a good issue to pick up. Dick
Tom2697	posted 10-30-2003 10:03 AM ET (US) It is comical, depending upon which magazine that you pick up, VW either developed the best vehicle ever, or a complete failure.
whalersailer	posted 10-30-2003 11:02 AM ET (US) If the new Touareg's quality is anything like my '99 new Jetta TDI, I'd defintely steer clear! I've had WAY too many problems with this car in 4 years and 120K miles of ownership (I bought it brand new). -WS
tchowes	posted 11-01-2003 12:28 AM ET (US) Damn nice interior on that machine, but what I don't understand is how VW managed to get a mid-size SUV to weigh 5,412lbs (see latest Car and Driver comparison test from Nov 2003). Any way you slice it, that's Full Size SUV heavy. It needs that V-8 just to move it out. I agree that the 7,700 lb tow rating is impressive, yet I was surprised to see that the V-6 is also rated for 7,700 lbs. Would you trust a midsize SUV with a 3.2L engine to tow your Outrage 25? VW's reliability issues have worsened in the last couple of years, reversing an improving trend. Another scary trend among the german manufacturers is the overuse of electronics in their cars. Look at Mercedes COMMAND, BMW's i-drive. When those things die (and the do), you'll be shelling out $5k + to fix your car. While VW eschews those features, I'm sure there are some serious electronics in that beast. Many of us love our classic whalers because they follow the K.I.S.S. principle and are relatively lightweight compared with most modern bloated boats out there. Is there a SUV that meets that principle too?
tchowes	posted 11-01-2003 12:29 AM ET (US) Damn nice interior on that machine, but what I don't understand is how VW managed to get a mid-size SUV to weigh 5,412lbs (see latest Car and Driver comparison test from Nov 2003). Any way you slice it, that's Full Size SUV heavy. It needs that V-8 just to move it out. I agree that the 7,700 lb tow rating is impressive, yet I was surprised to see that the V-6 is also rated for 7,700 lbs. Would you trust a midsize SUV with a 3.2L engine to tow your Outrage 25? VW's reliability issues have worsened in the last couple of years, reversing an improving trend. Another scary trend among the german manufacturers is the overuse of electronics in their cars. Look at Mercedes COMMAND, BMW's i-drive. When those things die (and the do), you'll be shelling out $5k + to fix your car. While VW eschews those features, I'm sure there are some serious electronics in that beast. Many of us love our classic whalers because they follow the K.I.S.S. principle and are relatively lightweight compared with most modern bloated boats out there. Is there a SUV that meets that principle too?
hooter	posted 11-01-2003 09:56 AM ET (US) But how do you SAY it? No way on earth Ah can figure it from the spellin' o' that car's name.
tchowes	posted 11-01-2003 03:07 PM ET (US) Funny you should mention that because the U.S. VW dealers begged headquarters to not use that name. And I mean they begged. IMHO, they priced that vehicle too high. The V-8 starts at $46k and easily over $50k with a few options checked. Yes, it's got the best interior in the business, but there are lots of good alternatives, many of which come with a third row seat, greater cargo space, etc. Even though the Toyota 4 Runner has less towing capacity at $5,000, it's got proven reliability, a V-8 and you can get one decently equipped for $35k and loaded for $40k. Plus a much stronger dealer network that can fix something that could go wrong.