More newbie questions!

[defective]

I've been watching the board for a month or so. Considering the T-reg, but I've got a few questions for you all:

1. I head you can get rid of the annoying "alert" message that you see when you turn on the radio with VAG. What is VAG? Is that something the dealer has, or something I can do? I really dislike that message.

2. I'd like to tow a small, 18ft or so boat. Anyone had success with the V6? Think I should get the V8 or will the V6 upgraded version for 2005 handle it?

3. On V6 vs V8: Seems like the only differences I can see are: presence of keyless or not, teak seats/color combos. Course there's the MPG differences. Anything else really important?

4. Of all the concerns I've heard about, the one that bothers me the most is the idea of the dead battery at inopportune times. For those of you that have had a T-reg over a winter, are the battery problems worse when there is snow and cold, or is more of a "if you got a drain, it doesn't matter what time of year it is?"

I'm considering the T-reg, either silver, grey or red. I've also looked at the BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90. The 90 seems a little plain and utilitarian - a variation on "boxy but safe". The X5 seems very good, more of a sporting machine than a econo vehicle and has a larger moon roof available, but smaller cargo area and the V6 is about the same price as the T-reg V8. Anyone else look at the same vehicles and have toughts to share?

I am impressed about the forums for the T-reg here at clubtouareg and at vwvortex. I can tell there's quite a following of people that care about their vehicles. Even when people are having problems, they seem to really care about making the experience better for everyone.

Defective (just a computer nick name, not a reflection of the subject matter here )

[12johnny]

Hi!! I have a V6 and I'm really happy with it. I looked at the X5 and the XC90 and that's what I think:

* X5.- I like the Treg look much more than the BMW's, plus the difference in price doesn't mean that the X5 is better... but the X5 is a VERY GOOD SUV and if the Touareg didn't exist I would be driving the BMW.

* XC90.- I thought the same as you did when I saw it, and given that I'm tall, I don't feel comfortable in its seats, that have not the headrest with regulation in height. And I didn't need the 3rd. row of seats. The interior layout is inferior to the VW's and feels cheaper.

As you have said, the differences between V6 and V8 are basically engine and options available for them. I don't drive the car hard (and don't tow, but if you're not towing VERY BIG trailers I guess that you'll be ok) so I'm fine with the 3.2 engine.

Dead battery: Mine always shows about 14 volts, so it's perfect, and if you buy one I'm sure that it won't have battery problems. The ones with these problems have been very few and they have been addressed.

I, like you, visit both Treg forums and I like them very much. This is more "friendly" than the other, and is better structured but EVERYONE in both help as much as they can. All that I know of this car is from these forums (and Motortrend, where I read the first Treg drive test...).

Good luck with your decision... the three cars that you are interested in are very good cars, only that the Treg is better...

Edit: I forgot to tell you about the VAG. It's a diagnostic tool used by VW to change settings in the Touareg. If you want to do it by yourself there is a VAG COM tool that you can connect to your laptop and with the help of the "search" function you can find posts to know how to put some codes to accomplish it.

[defective]

Thanks 12johnny.

Took a look at your photos. One of them that says "Spanish Treg" has a wooden steering wheel. Is that an option in the states? Looks cool.

[wahoo99]

[quote="defective"]I've been watching the board for a month or so. Considering the T-reg, but I've got a few questions for you all:

1. I head you can get rid of the annoying "alert" message that you see when you turn on the radio with VAG. What is VAG? Is that something the dealer has, or something I can do? I really dislike that message.

nope, do a search. it is a diagnostic tool used to change default settings of the T-reg.

2. I'd like to tow a small, 18ft or so boat. Anyone had success with the V6? Think I should get the V8 or will the V6 upgraded version for 2005 handle it?

haven't done, but I can assure you the V8 pulls like a beast. do a search for the 'hitch' as there are issues with the weight it can withstand vs. the weight the vehicle is capable of towing.

3. On V6 vs V8: Seems like the only differences I can see are: presence of keyless or not, teak seats/color combos. Course there's the MPG differences. Anything else really important?

--> presence of major kick ass exhaust note, the ability to have a great deal more 'pick-up' and the gaggle of typical answers by men who lust after hp and torque...

4. Of all the concerns I've heard about, the one that bothers me the most is the idea of the dead battery at inopportune times. For those of you that have had a T-reg over a winter, are the battery problems worse when there is snow and cold, or is more of a "if you got a drain, it doesn't matter what time of year it is?"

---> 3 days old here, and live in the southeast..cross that bridge when I come to it. thing draws some major power though. do NOT leave the key in the ignition in your garage. truck senses that it is in 'start' mode and does all the pre-checks, starting of fuel pump etc., brain is activated and draws on power...bingo, dead battery.

I'm considering the T-reg, either silver, grey or red. I've also looked at the BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90. The 90 seems a little plain and utilitarian - a variation on "boxy but safe". The X5 seems very good, more of a sporting machine than a econo vehicle and has a larger moon roof available, but smaller cargo area and the V6 is about the same price as the T-reg V8. Anyone else look at the same vehicles and have toughts to share?

===> drove X5, RX330, GXsomething or another, FX45, XC90.
328i is my daily driver so I'm a bimmer guy, however, for the price, the Touareg gives everything the X5 does and a good bit cheaper. BMW labor rates are $$$. Flip side is oil changes on the T-reg are not part of the maintenance/warranty..120 every 5k miles for oil (9 quarts apparently). X5 is typical bmw interior, ride, excelleration. might be faster but the V8 T-reg 'feels' faster with all the torque.

RX330----this may be part of our stable in the near future. Wife traded GS400 for the T-reg. Can't beat their interiors, service, and quality of product. Their navi does not allow for recalculation of your route once you start driving. Have to pull off and reset Navi....a big minus for us. Slow and sluggish and built on a Camry frame. The interior is plush, plush, plush....I loved it, just too damn slow for 42k...getcha a V8 VW w/ Navi, PPS, 19s for invoice now-a days. GX, ugh. as in ugh-ly.( for me anyway)...7k premium over RX for uninspired design in my opinion.

XC90--slug with rakish nose and very weird center console. Huge storage, 3rd row seats are nice and convenient. Safe box with a very conservative exterior. Wait til Jan---> putting a V8 in it....still a Ford powerplant though. Ultimate soccer mommy ride.

FX45==> snug, responsive, and drives like a 350Z...suspension was stiff to harsh. Awesome deals, but in the end, the interior simply doesn't measure up and you can't adjust the ride quality. Lotsa fun to drive, just buy a kidney belt.

I am impressed about the forums for the T-reg here at clubtouareg and at vwvortex. I can tell there's quite a following of people that care about their vehicles. Even when people are having problems, they seem to really care about making the experience better for everyone.

3 days old and have homelink prob, condensation on windshield and some other minor probs....but once it gets ironed out it will be the best suv on the road. We love it...V8 grunt, german construction, fit, finish and style. VW price with the sophistication of an Audi/BNW...Feel free to email me. Hope my comment are useful. We've driven damn near every comparible vehicle.

Defective (just a computer nick name, not a reflection of the subject matter here )

getcha a V8 [/list]

[jquackenbush]

I have a 2004 V6 Touareg with Prem. II, SSI, Bi-Xenons, Park Assist, Phatbox, and factory towing package.

I very easily towed a 23' Malibu V-Drive ski boat full of gas that tops 5300 pounds. Works great, no problems at all, even on a steep boat ramp.

[jquackenbush]

I have a 2004 V6 Touareg with Prem. II, SSI, Bi-Xenons, Park Assist, Phatbox, and factory towing package.

I very easily towed a 23' Malibu V-Drive ski boat full of gas that tops 5300 pounds. Works great, no problems at all, even on a steep boat ramp.

[12johnny]

Originally Posted by defective

Took a look at your photos. One of them that says "Spanish Treg" has a wooden steering wheel. Is that an option in the states? Looks cool.

Hi!! This is an option that is available in Spain and I think that the rest of the world (the VW directives may think that here in the States customers would have too many troubles in deciding which steering wheel to choose... ) but not in USA. Looks cool but I have driven cars with this type of steering wheel and I prefer our Treg's one, as leather feels really comfy... \/

[Greek]

I test drove both of the cars you mentioned and for the money, the
T-Reg was the car for me. The Volvo felt cramped and hard, the BMW felt too 'rich' if that makes any sense at all, and the drive and setup of the T-Reg was just too good to give up. I test drove both the V6 and V8, and the $7k more for the lower gas mileage and the bit more of pickup was not worth it. I took my T-Reg out on the beach in North Carolina and it performed like a champ. You won't see either of those other cars out there, I can guarantee you that.