Taureg/Cayenne

[Houndoc]

I know, you are all probably wishing I would stop thinking about different vehicles and buy something so I stop asking questions. Well, If someone would buy my cherokee I would have to so I can get to work...

Anyway, on paper the VW Taureg looks pretty good- adjustable suspension with GC upto 11.5", low range, rear locking diff, high tow rating (7.7k), decent mialgei, nteresting stuff on a VW (or Porsche, but lets be real). Feature wise alot like the Rover LR3.

Anyone know how they really perform off-road?

 

[BlackSheep]

I know, you are all probably wishing I would stop thinking about different vehicles and buy something so I stop asking questions. Well, If someone would buy my cherokee I would have to so I can get to work...

Anyway, on paper the VW Taureg looks pretty good- adjustable suspension with GC upto 11.5", low range, rear locking diff, high tow rating (7.7k), decent mialgei, nteresting stuff on a VW (or Porsche, but lets be real). Feature wise alot like the Rover LR3.

Anyone know how they really perform off-road?

I don't really know for sure, but the Taureg was 4wd& off road's 4x4 of the year. I think it was 4wd&OR anyway. it was one of the mags 4x4 of the year.

how extreme are you planning to get with your $40K+ brand new vehicle? I would think that almost any SUV will handle typical off road duties reasonably well. I just can't see anyone buying a brand new taureg and taking it up a trail rated any higher than 3, whether it is capable of it or not. If this is your plan, you obviously have a lot more expendable cash than I do. Not trying to slam you, just trying to understand how extreme you really plan to get with this new vehicle.

My advice is to go drive all you are interested in, then choose. Base your choice on the realities of what you are wanting to do with it. I have a dodge 4x4 truck. It is capable, but the reality is I use the 4wd rarely, and when I do, the trails are generally very mild compared to what I take my TJ on. In fact, I end up using the 4wd on the truck mostly while I am backing my trailered jeep into my storage garage during the winter (the snow tends to be rather deep).

If your reality is that you will be using the new vehicle on the road 90% of the time, then buy a less expensive 'new' family SUV, and keep the cherokee (or sell it and buy an older rig) for heavy duty off roading.

 

[Rick B]

I read somewhere the VW uses rag joints in the axles instead of U joints. For me that would be a constant worry & would prevent me from even considering it.

 

[Houndoc]

As for my use, I know it is difficult to define since descriptive terms are subjective, and to be honest I do not know the trail rating system. Once I get the cherokee sold, I am looking mostly at a Discovery or 4Runner (03-04 on either), with those choices coming from what I have driven and alot of good info shared by others on the RME forum. I have considered the idea of buying an older rig for hunting/off-road but 1) a mechanic I am not and 2) one reason for the change is needing more room for the kids and dog then what the Jeep has.

So I am after the perfect commuter/tow vehicle/family car/off-road (I would use the term 'moderate' for what that is worth) SUV. A tall order but Detroit take note!

 

[Caleb]

how extreme are you planning to get with your $40K+ brand new vehicle?

$40K??? Last I heard (on Car and Driver TV...so it was before they were actually out), the Touareg was gonna be priced loser to $70K...

just checked their site and a stripped V6 model (they also offer a V8 and a TDI V10 ) base was $36K...add a few options and you'll get up there pretty quickly....

I agree with Blacksheep (didn't read his whole post though) too much $$$ for me to even consider taking it offroad.

 

[TigerStripe40]

$40K??? Last I heard (on Car and Driver TV...so it was before they were actually out), the Touareg was gonna be priced loser to $70K...

just checked their site and a stripped V6 model (they also offer a V8 and a TDI V10 ) base was $36K...add a few options and you'll get up there pretty quickly....

I agree with Blacksheep (didn't read his whole post though) too much $$$ for me to even consider taking it offroad.

All I can say abou thte Touareg is that the only one I would be interested in is the TDI with the V10 turbo diesel, even then I want to yank the motor out and put it in my Land Cruiser. Something just says GIMMIE like a 310 hp Turbo diesel that gets 22 mpg.. hehehehe..

=James

 

[TRD270]

All I can say abou thte Touareg is that the only one I would be interested in is the TDI with the V10 turbo diesel, even then I want to yank the motor out and put it in my Land Cruiser. Something just says GIMMIE like a 310 hp Turbo diesel that gets 22 mpg.. hehehehe..

=James

Ya but go to their site and build one with a V-10 TDI they start at 57k with that engine

I have a Jetta with a TDI I love it but it certainly didn't cost 57k, for that much you might as well buy a new Dodge with a CTD.