Touareg vs LC

[dnp]

When we were looking for a car for my wife, we SERIOUSLY looked at the 2reg. I had concerns about the reliability of the VW (after all, it IS German, which, in my observation almost always translates into unreliable AND expensive), but I thought the VW might be worth considering, nonetheless. Well, we looked at one of the first ones that came into our local VW dealership, and it was really cool. However, when I asked to look at the engine, the hood release malfunctioned and wouldn't let the hood open. I thought, no problem, let's keep looking at it....went to the rear to open the rear hatch.....no go. Wouldn't open. That's when it hit me: if two GERMAN non-automatic mechanical devices won't work on this brand new GERMAN truck, you can bet that other more sophisticated GERMAN systems on this truck are likely to be a nightmare...........so we went down the road and bought her a Lexus GX - talk about dodging a bullet!!!

Since that time, two of our friends have owned (past tense) 2regs and had NOTHING but trouble. One of those people had so many problems, he even had to resort to our State's lemon law to get the dealership to "take it back."..................it's a shame, too, because the 2regs look great and seem to have some pretty nice features (The Cayenne, to me, looks like crap.)

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention the trouble I had in my mind in getting over the idea of paying +/-$50,000 for a VOLKSWAGEN!

Man, am I glad we got the GX. MUCH nicer overall than the VW, and it cranks and runs perfectly EVERY day......all of you would agree that, when it's the wife's ride, that may be the most important feature of all (Matter of fact, I liked it so much, I bought myself an LX)

 

[spressomon]

So called "German Engineering"

We fell prey to the "German Engineered" marketing hype too almost 2-years ago when we leased (thank God we leased) our Audi A4 Sport 1.8T. Although it is a nice enough car it has not been without the little irratating rattles, steering unit whine, etc. that a vehicle of this hype should not possess. Additionally it barely gets 20mpg on the highway. Also the lack of ergonomics in the cockpit are pretty pathetic...again considering all the hoopola I have always heard about "German Engineering". Service from Lithia Motors has also not been what we were promised....

spressomon

 

[MiniPigg]

I like VW's.. but I dont want the Touareq.. I just want the 5.0 V10 TDI for a diesel conversion. I own a TDI now... it smogs out at 0.01%.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I like VW's.. but I dont want the Touareq.. I just want the 5.0 V10 TDI for a diesel conversion. I own a TDI now... it smogs out at 0.01%.

That is one interesting avatar DragonFly?

 

[T Y L E R]

Just curious , but how much crap flies up onto the inner surface of that shiny underbelly of the Expedition model turd rig ? Snow , debris , mud ?

Is it easy to power wash off ?

Cats will love it too ..


TY

 

[FirstToy]

In the class of a uber-lux suv, there are only a few requirements:
1. Offroad prowess/ on road civility
2. Lux amenities bar none
3. Heritage & bragging rights
4. Ultimate reliability& quality
5. Bling (LC's weakness)

In many countries, Land Cruiser is a noun not an adj. That is pretty impressive.
Nothing touches the LC.

 

[88CltLC]

Thanks for the all comments..........I can't begin to tell you how much mileage we got out of this today at work.

To sum it up, 2rag appears to be a mean on-road machine that's capable of light to moderate off-road duties, but can be prone to < top 10 JD Power quality problems. And in the long run, the LC is still the winner!

 

[MiniPigg]

If or when I have the funds for ultimate bling and heritage rights... I would go for the Gwagen and a 416 Crewcab.

They are both very capable rigs, and Mercedes had the first true 4x4 in 1905 and the first 4x4 with all wheel steering in 1906 (sorry GM wasnt you like in the commercials). Also mercedes has branging rights on the diesel developed by Ruddy Diesel.

Now still on the bling bling.... I would also have to buy my wife a Megecruiser and myself another FJ45LV, FJ45 short bed, FJ55, BJ70, BJ75, Troopie, HJ60 just to get me started on my TLC addictional fix.

 

[spressomon]

Ditto Unimog

Ditto on the Unimog Crewcab wish...

 

[expeditionswest]

I second the G-wagon... Hopefully next spring (If I can talk my wife out of an FX45...)

Since Mr. Toyoda won't give me a 105, the G-wagon is the next best thing (cant wait to hear the reply's to that one)

 

[dclee]

416 Doka Crewcab, ditto for me. Forget the G-wagon. It's nice, but for the money...

416 is also somewhat expensive right now, and not nearly as plush as even the 80 Series, which is the only reason I don't have one (plus, it won't fit on some of the local trails very easily). Thought about a Doka conversion on a Swiss 404, that would be more affordable, but couldn't handle no air-con and having to go 50 mph on the freeway. Of course, that might be conpensated by the bragging rights of an all-Daimler/Benz stable...

 

[firetruck41]

416 Doka Crewcab, ditto for me. Forget the G-wagon. It's nice, but for the money...

416 is also somewhat expensive right now, and not nearly as plush as even the 80 Series, which is the only reason I don't have one (plus, it won't fit on some of the local trails very easily). Thought about a Doka conversion on a Swiss 404, that would be more affordable, but couldn't handle no air-con and having to go 50 mph on the freeway. Of course, that might be conpensated by the bragging rights of an all-Daimler/Benz stable...

That reminds me, I saw a 404 w/top off driving down the freeway one night last week, suprised the heck out of me, especially since it was going over 60 and didn't seem to be having any problems doing it, I actually never caught up to it as it got off on the next exit after I saw it.

 

[Gold Finger]

If or when I have the funds for ultimate bling and heritage rights... I would go for the Gwagen and a 416 Crewcab.

They are both very capable rigs, and Mercedes had the first true 4x4 in 1905 and the first 4x4 with all wheel steering in 1906 (sorry GM wasnt you like in the commercials). Also mercedes has branging rights on the diesel developed by Ruddy Diesel.

I can go with that I had for a number of years a Mercedies Unimog 406 Crew Cab, short weel base brother an amazing vehicle Mega Disc (rotors)all round 6 speed manual coopled to a torque converter the easiest of vehicles to drive practicaly nothing stops it. Straight 6, 6 litre. g wagons dam fin as well.

 

[Tonym]

Diesel is definitely in our future in the new Tundra heavy duty trucks, but I'd be shocked to see one in the US LC or LX550. My understanding is they will have a 5.5L petrol v8.

The replacment LC / LX will also have the same 6 speed auto with the paddle shift that comes in the VW. They are a japanese made gearbox and have had a lot of development work done by Toyota who partly owns the company.
Tonym

 

[speyrod]

Ben, if it was red I have also seen it around. I think it the same guy who drives a Pinz around the Battle Ground area.

andre

 

[FirstToy]

Forget the G-wagon. It's nice, but for the money...

Agree there. I have no idea why people think it's so great. Totally unimpressed with it, shoddy build quality, cramped, clunky... I wouldn't be critical if the price was in line with the product but that is blatant "slap some bling on it and add $50K".

There is more engineering excellence in a Lexus center console than that entire G-wagen. You think I'm kidding but I'm not.

 

[rule303]

Buy a Toureg and watch the value plummet . And who'd want one when the warrranty runs out? At least Porsches have decent resale value. I've owned VWs in the past and the dealers are terrible. I considered buying a Eurovan a few years ago, but the empty showrooms and salesmen that looked like they were washing dishes the week before scared me off. There's a reason mostly college age kids are VWs main customer base. College kids don't know S*%t about cars, thats why. VW is fine to sell cute little Beetles and the like, but a high end SUV or luxury car, no way!

 

[uzj100]

The G-Wagen is a great vehicle. Buy an older one and you can get a pretty good deal. I like the SWB converts, they come with auto tranny, 3 diff locks, ac and heated seats.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The G-Wagen is a great vehicle. Buy an older one and you can get a pretty good deal. I like the SWB converts, they come with auto tranny, 3 diff locks, ac and heated seats.

Ya, buy that G-Wagen then bring it to a run with a 100. SLAP SLAP The G-Wagen gets left behind. No ground clearance, little tires, and 8-inches of travel at all ends.

 

[expeditionswest]

John,

You think a stock 2005 TLC would have better capability than a stock 2005 G-Class? In stock form, parked side by side it looks like a pretty fair fight.

I am not saying the G is better, but every indication (including the time I have spent on the trail with them) leads to them being very comparable if not equal in performance.

I think most compelling is the fact that the G includes factory lockers, which allow much better driver control and "finesse" than traction control.

Plus, I am one of probably 5 people on the earth that think they look cool as hell

And before everyone flames me, I am just talking capability, not reliability or durability