Well, my 39 month lease is almost up and it's time to say good-bye to my Black V6. In the past three years, it has proved to be a very worthwhile investment, comfortable ride, fine-looking vehicle, and unique vehicle on the road.
When I shopped the '06, I decided to lease based on the troubles in some '04s and '05s. My conclusion here is that they finally worked out the kinks by '06 as I didn't have the heartache that some have had. I also realize that the trouble vehicles always have owners who rightly want to expose the problems.
For me, I'm just exposing the positives and some observations (and a few issues)
Some notes:
- The V6 needed just a tad more horsepower. With more than two adults, it struggled
- The interior is impeccable IMO. I still am amazed at how well done VW does interiors, especially after having to rent a new Fusion. (someone aptly described the feel of Ford interiors as 'Fischer Price'... very accurate). It has held up very well.
- It's not a full-sized SUV. Go buy something else and don't bother whining about the size. It's very comfortable for 4 adults but you're not going to haul major stuff in the Treg.
- It is one of the best SUV's to drive. Hands down. (I've driven many)
- It's pricey to service at the dealer. No way around it. Oil, brakes, whatever... just a fact of life.
- REST is a great feature
- The cup holders are shallow. Skip the Big Gulp will ya? It's not the end of the world. It helped me cut down on coffee and kept my wife in fear every time she drove it with a drink.
- Love the mystery button on the steering wheel (yes, I know it's for heated models)
- Seat warmers can fry you on level 3 out of 5
- Phatnoise box was neat, cheap, and easy to install, but was buggy as it sometimes was recognized and sometimes not.
- I hit an average of 23mpg on one of my DC trips. Mostly it would be around 21 to 22 mpg on the highway once it was broken in.
- RTFM to figure out how to jump start it. A bit of adventure the first time for a VW newbie! (Kids would leave back lights on)
- The only one issue I really had was with some water that appeared to leak into the rear hatch when it rained. I think VW fixed the leak, but after that time, every time it rained, the Treg smelled, well, 'sour' is the best way I can describe it. Still does. I have to roll down the windows (even if it's raining) to air it out when I first get into the vehicle on a rainy day or after a heavy rain. No issue on dry days. VW service found no new leaks, so they couldn't help. My guess is that water sits in some area of the hatch/body, and it maybe is now moldy?
Anyways, the residual is around $22K and that's not worth buying for me. I also don't want to buy it because of the rainy day issue.
I've glanced at the Treg 2's, and it just appears to be almost the exact same vehicle, and I think it's time for something different. Since I'm looking at possibly hauling kayaks, I might try a passat wagon. Or a regular passat or CC. Could stay with VW, might leave.
In the end, the Treg is a worthwhile vehicle and it's a shame that first year reliability sank it (IMO) because I chose it over the last generation X5.
FYI - I also am looking at a Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Sequoia, and a few others for my next ride. SUV, wagon, or sedan.... Less than 60 days to decide!
FYI 2 - My silver roof rails will be for sale ('06s did not come with them) if I can get them off of the vehicle, along with the mud mats. I don't think I can sell the phatnoise box,
When I shopped the '06, I decided to lease based on the troubles in some '04s and '05s. My conclusion here is that they finally worked out the kinks by '06 as I didn't have the heartache that some have had. I also realize that the trouble vehicles always have owners who rightly want to expose the problems.
For me, I'm just exposing the positives and some observations (and a few issues)
Some notes:
- The V6 needed just a tad more horsepower. With more than two adults, it struggled
- The interior is impeccable IMO. I still am amazed at how well done VW does interiors, especially after having to rent a new Fusion. (someone aptly described the feel of Ford interiors as 'Fischer Price'... very accurate). It has held up very well.
- It's not a full-sized SUV. Go buy something else and don't bother whining about the size. It's very comfortable for 4 adults but you're not going to haul major stuff in the Treg.
- It is one of the best SUV's to drive. Hands down. (I've driven many)
- It's pricey to service at the dealer. No way around it. Oil, brakes, whatever... just a fact of life.
- REST is a great feature
- The cup holders are shallow. Skip the Big Gulp will ya? It's not the end of the world. It helped me cut down on coffee and kept my wife in fear every time she drove it with a drink.
- Love the mystery button on the steering wheel (yes, I know it's for heated models)
- Seat warmers can fry you on level 3 out of 5
- Phatnoise box was neat, cheap, and easy to install, but was buggy as it sometimes was recognized and sometimes not.
- I hit an average of 23mpg on one of my DC trips. Mostly it would be around 21 to 22 mpg on the highway once it was broken in.
- RTFM to figure out how to jump start it. A bit of adventure the first time for a VW newbie! (Kids would leave back lights on)
- The only one issue I really had was with some water that appeared to leak into the rear hatch when it rained. I think VW fixed the leak, but after that time, every time it rained, the Treg smelled, well, 'sour' is the best way I can describe it. Still does. I have to roll down the windows (even if it's raining) to air it out when I first get into the vehicle on a rainy day or after a heavy rain. No issue on dry days. VW service found no new leaks, so they couldn't help. My guess is that water sits in some area of the hatch/body, and it maybe is now moldy?
Anyways, the residual is around $22K and that's not worth buying for me. I also don't want to buy it because of the rainy day issue.
I've glanced at the Treg 2's, and it just appears to be almost the exact same vehicle, and I think it's time for something different. Since I'm looking at possibly hauling kayaks, I might try a passat wagon. Or a regular passat or CC. Could stay with VW, might leave.
In the end, the Treg is a worthwhile vehicle and it's a shame that first year reliability sank it (IMO) because I chose it over the last generation X5.
FYI - I also am looking at a Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Sequoia, and a few others for my next ride. SUV, wagon, or sedan.... Less than 60 days to decide!
FYI 2 - My silver roof rails will be for sale ('06s did not come with them) if I can get them off of the vehicle, along with the mud mats. I don't think I can sell the phatnoise box,
