Touareg2 - You gotta be kidding

[HoleshotHolset]

Used V10 TDI Touaregs go for ~$50k and they're very rare...



I've heard from quite a few people that the V8 Touaregs are rolling check engine lights and have various other electrical problems. They're a sweet rig, but they need to straighten them out a bit. Oddly, the Cayennes seem a lot less problematic.



In the meantime, one can buy a brandy new, loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Mercedes 3. 0L, common-rail diesel V6 and Mercedes 5-speed automatic for around $42k - some are going for around $38k on eBay from the high volume/low profit dealers.



I spent about 10 minutes drooling over one of these a while back and it was one of the sweetest rigs I've ever witnessed. They're 50-state emissions compliant and if you get the chance to get close to one - you'll see/hear/smell why. The exhaust doesn't smell like anything... it's unreal.



Beers,



Matt

 

[Bob4x4]

I would not be too quick touting the Grand Cherokees,they have always been D/C's testbed for the latest electronics. They are not what I would consider reliable in that department,too many issues too often.



Bob

 

[GHarman]

Spotted a couple of "regular" Touareg's while in town, yesterday. I am not so impressed with the size or the style. Comfort is very subjective. The VW legacy for reliability is entirely based on the old "Bug" and its simplicity. This new breed of high tech, overengineered German technology has only increased my cynicisim toward the VW brand. Give me a vehicle that will last for 20 years or 500,000 miles with only, fluid and filter, belt changes, tire and brake replacements, barring road hazards and my own abuse and we will talk. IMHO, there are other brands of automobile that I would love to see with a turbo diesel option that have a reliablity factor well above the VW, have 4X4 or AWD capability and have comfort levels that may not be at the level of a Mercedes, but adequate for this old man. GregH

 

[HoleshotHolset]

VW is not alone in their venture to produce a quality car loaded with features that meets the production cost goals set by their corporate bean counters. Everyone is trying to do this - quite a few of the auto manufacturers are failing miserably, however.



My wife's 2000 Jetta TDI has ~310,000 miles on it and it is tighter going down the road than my 1998 New Beetle TDI and my car has 1/2 the miles on it (it was rode hard and put up wet by the previous 4 or 5 owners... ouch!)!



Come to your own conclusions on those data points, but there's no doubt in my mind the A4 VW platform is capable of making it to 500,000 miles with normal upkeep. Without a doubt, VWs have had issues with window regulators, electrical systems, etc. - but without other choices, we're left taking what we can.



I'm constantly battling with trying to find what could be the 'perfect' daily driver car. It doesn't exist yet, but it would be an odd combination of parts in my eyes. Here's how I'd roll my own:



Mercedes 3. 0L, 24-valve, I6 common-rail diesel

Audi's early quattro driveline with locking differentials

BMW's suspension/chassis and possibly body

Lexus' interior, HVAC and NVH reduction techniques

"Big 3" parts availability/price/service support

Make "no frills" models all the way to decked out versions available



The perfect car doesn't exist - but the perfect parts to make your own certainly do. The problem is that it would likely cost HUGE money to roll your own... which is why most folks just buy something over the counter.



I love cars and I love making them better.



Matt