| uncming |
Wife and I are teetering between Toureg and MDX(which was wrecked...see other post I started)....
VW dealer offered 38,000 with Package 2 and Xi-non lights
The cheapst I've been able to get the MDX is a Touring model at 36,900 (no accessories)
I test drove both...felt the Toureg was kinda of heavy - but the interior fit and finish was a notch better than the MDX. It wasn't that much quiter and the engine felt like it was "struggling" - like a high whirrling noise
Any thoughts on reliability or cost of maintenance on the Toureg? |
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| Ceenit |
Couple of big differentiators that come to mind.
1) If you do any regular towing or need to tow very heavy items occasionally, the Toureg is a clear choice.
2) If you need the 3rd row seat, I don't think this is an option on the Toureg, so MDX would be the better choice.
I have not heard anything major as far as maintenance on the Toureg, but I've seen a few posts on VW in general that didn't give me the comfort on quality that I had expected. On big ticket items like these, I'd pay the extra $1500 or so to up the warranty to 100k if you plan on keeping the car for a while. |
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| uncming |
Hey Ceenit
1. Not sure we'll ever tow anything
2. We've used our 3rd row seat a total of 3 times in the year we had our 04 MDX...but none of those times was it really necessary only just conveinent
Good point about the warrranty/realiability. I've read too that people have been saying the service folks have been incompetent.... |
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| eurohazard |
quote:
1) If you do any regular towing or need to tow very heavy items occasionally, the Toureg is a clear choice.
I don't see how a V6 Touareg can be a better tow/hauling vehicle than an Acura MDX. The VW is carrying already too much of it's own weight let alone trailer weight with 240 HP.
The Touareg has had poor reliability, but the 2005 might be better. |
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| nightguy |
I liked the Touareg when I first saw it but when I went to the auto show I couldn't get past how busy the dash is. Call me stupid and behind the times but the European controls just don't help me get the job done.
My dad had a '78 Rabbit. I thought the problems that thing had were a freak occurence. But I know a few modern VW owners who are all too familiar with their service department. Parts are expensive too.
Despite the much talked about tranny problems, the MDX is pretty darn reliable. If you search 'problems' just like with any vehicle you'll find issues here and there. I'm convinced that some of the problems are caused by either 'glass ass' or buyer's remorse when people realize they spent $40k and didn't get features they didn't think to look for.
I'm picky and other than the 2000 rpm drone being loud in extremely cold weather, I have no complaints. |
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| eurohazard |
| http://forums.clubtouareg.com/ This site is all about the Touareg....kind of like the acuramdx.org. The VW has had way more problems than the Acura. |
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| Sinecure |
Between me and my ex-wife, we've owned 4 acura/honda cars and 3 VWs. All of the VWs have had problems. Rarely have the Acura/Hondas had problems. For this plus a host of other reasons, I'd choose the Acura over the VW. Plus the Nav in the Acura beats the VW Nav hands-down. I guarantee you that you'll have your Toureg in the shop at least once for non-scheduled maintenance/repair in the first year you have it.
I do like the sliding roof rails on the Toureg though. And you can get a V8 version which is cool. The Cayenne is a sweet ride. |
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| Ceenit |
quote:
Originally posted by eurohazard
I don't see how a V6 Tuareg can be a better tow/hauling vehicle than an Acura MDX. The VW is carrying already too much of it's own weight let alone trailer weight with 240 HP.
I don't recall all the specific spec's that related to towing and I could not find the max towing weight on either the VW or Acura websites, but on Tuareg's initial marketing campaign, VW was highlighting that the SUV could tow more than most other SUV's in it's class. I believe this was due in a large part to the weight of the SUV combined with the 8 cylinder engine. If anyone has the max towing weights please post. Sounds like towing would not be a relevant factor for Sinecure. |
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| pisay87 |
quote:
Originally posted by Ceenit
I don't recall all the specific spec's that related to towing and I could not find the max towing weight on either the VW or Acura websites, but on Tuareg's initial marketing campaign, VW was highlighting that the SUV could tow more than most other SUV's in it's class. I believe this was due in a large part to the weight of the SUV combined with the 8 cylinder engine. If anyone has the max towing weights please post. Sounds like towing would not be a relevant factor for Sinecure.
According to edmunds.com the MDX's max towing capacity is 4500 lbs. while the Toureg's is 7716 lbs. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by pisay87
According to edmunds.com the MDX's max towing capacity is 4500 lbs. while the Toureg's is 7716 lbs.
MDX 4500 lbs. is for a boat. Anything else is 3500 lbs. |
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| Copout221 |
| The VW is ugly !! That was the reason I did not even consider test driving one. The MDX is much better looking and IMO the tow rating on the MDX is very low. Also, you can easily add xenon lighting to the MDX like I am doing this week as soon as the H11 bulbs arrive. |
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| eurohazard |
The strange thing is MSN rates the V6, V8, and V10 models at 7716 lbs.
It would be dumb to tow 7716 lbs with a V6 Touareg. Call me crazy. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by eurohazard
The strange thing is MSN rates the V6, V8, and V10 models at 7716 lbs.
It would be dumb to tow 7716 lbs with a V6 Touareg. Call me crazy.
Agreed. Gotta be a mistake.
Copout: Are you saying you'd tow more ? |
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| Copout221 |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
Agreed. Gotta be a mistake.
Copout: Are you saying you'd tow more ?
I did last weekend. Picked up two yards of stone for landscaping at my home which was estimated to weigh at least 6,000 lbs. I pulled it with my MDX and it did not feel heavy at all. The trailer tracked fine and the acceleration was decent. The only problem was braking because the trailer did not have brakes. I towed a ton of things with my last vehicle (2003 Yukon Denali) and the MDX actually impressed me with it's performance. I would not have a problem towing a boat with the MDX. However, you still have to be careful not to overload the suspension with too much tongue weight. |
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| JeffK |
Just my $.02:
Looked at Toureg when it first came out:
Very small inside. In fact if you take the floor mat out of a VW Passat wagon, it will not fit in the Toureg.
Acceleration: Unless you go for the V8, it is quite a bit slower than the MDX.
Price: I believe that comparably equipped the MDX is several thousand cheaper.
Towing: This is a function of both engine and chassis.
Reliability: Check out Consumer Reports and other ratings. Reliability of Toureg (and VW products in general) is very, very poor.
Stying: Personal and no comment.
Dealer rebates: Almost out of the box, VW was giving substantial rebates on the Toureg: It just did not sell.
JeffK |
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| uncming |
My wife and I talked it over and decided that we're going to stay with the MDX afterall (space, styling, and overall value)
Thanks for the advice! |
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| Copout221 |
quote:
Originally posted by uncming
My wife and I talked it over and decided that we're going to stay with the MDX afterall (space, styling, and overall value)
Thanks for the advice!
Good Choice. The V.W is ugly. Now if you were asking about the Cayenne I would have to say GO PORSCHE !!!! |
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| sakai |
Touareg is excellent...the clear winner hands down if you intend to do any seriour towing or real off-road.
I consider the MDX more of a gentleman's SUV, not really suited for true off-road.
I too was teetering between the Touareg and the MDX, but I really needed the seven seats. The closest to off-roading I do is an occasional snow storm in the Sierras. Rumor has it that VW may be coming out with a 7-seat Touareg in '07.
Something between the two was the 4Runner, also an excellent car that is well engineered. But it certainly is not as comfortable as the other two, and is by no means luxury.
Also consider the Lexus GX if you have the bucks, although it's really stupid the way they designed the 6th and 7th seats as an afterthought. |
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