[Chris Giakoumakos]

My primary vehicle is a 19 Honda Ridgeline and I bought the v8 air suspension Touareg in an impulse about a year and a half ago. I put new tires, changed all fluids from radiator to transfer case you name it. New brakes and brake fluids, air filters etc. Generally all the maintenance I could do. The previous owner was also taking very good care of it and had changed the driveshaft and support before I bought it.
It now has 130000 miles and is my wife's daily. I wonder if I should sell it and quit while I am ahead. The last few months, on and off the running gear fault icon is coming occasionally with flashing lights in the button as well. Also I am getting an airbag fault. Granted I haven't changed the battery and previous owner couldn't remember when he changed it so I am guessing it might have been a while. What says you? If I change the battery what big expenses might I come up ahead as the miles go up?
Just don't want to end up with a 2000 $ bill for something stupid like an airbag sensor or some crap like that. If am mostly dealing with 300-400$ fixes I guess I can live with that.
So sell it for a profit now or keep it and potentially dump thousands?

 

[TommiT]

Scan it so you know which airbag is the problem. The known issue is the yellow connector under the front seats gets pulled too taut as the seat squabs wear and sink a bit or some obese blighter sits on it, and that's an easy fix.

The battery change is a 10 minute job.

So keep.

 

[TurboABA]

If I read that correctly and you can still sell it for a "profit", dump it asap. You just had a free vehicle for 2 years and will still be making coin on it. That's typically unheard of.

 

[Chris Giakoumakos]

I think I can make a profit or at least make my money back. Spent roughly 10.500 with buy and maintenance and I see v8Touaregs with no air suspension go for at least that.
Thing is the v8 gives me a wonderful break from my v6 daily drive monotony and is really a pleasure to drive. Closing that heavy door feels just so luxurious. So if I knew that no major repairs are ahead I would keep it no doubt. I guess I can start with the battery and see how it goes the next few months

 

[TurboABA]

You gotta pay to play...
Pick your poison!

 

[nyfowler]

If you can break even, ditch it. 130K = time bomb.

 

[TommiT]

Nonsense. It's nicely run in.

 

[nyfowler]

Correct. Ditch while it’s run in, not run down.

 

[TurboABA]

Don't listen to Prius drivers out there. I'd much rather drive a high milage vehicle that has been looked after and that I know its history, than some newer unreliable junk.

As an interesting side note. My 2010 TDI Jetta got hit on my commute into work earlier this week, and I've been driving a 2020 Kia Forte Ex+ all week. My Jetta has 272k vs this new 10k, 10 year younger vehicle. I CAN'T STAND IT. If someone offered me a straight trade, I'd refuse it. I'm more upset about driving this junk than about my Jetta being under the knife!

Keep it and continue to take care of it..... they don't make them like they used to!

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

130k miles is a time bomb? Thats funny. I've owned handfuls of Volkswagen where I put double that mileage on them. It all comes down to how it was maintained or beaten.

 

[nyfowler]

Don't listen to Prius drivers out there. I'd much rather drive a high milage vehicle that has been looked after and that I know its history, than some newer unreliable junk.

As an interesting side note. My 2010 TDI Jetta got hit on my commute into work earlier this week, and I've been driving a 2020 Kia Forte Ex+ all week. My Jetta has 272k vs this new 10k, 10 year younger vehicle. I CAN'T STAND IT. If someone offered me a straight trade, I'd refuse it. I'm more upset about driving this junk than about my Jetta being under the knife!

Keep it and continue to take care of it..... they don't make them like they used to!

Your insurance company didn’t total a 10yo Jetta with 272K miles on it? Anyhow, 2020 Kia = complete POS to drive. And embarrassing to be seen in. But probably very reliable.

 

[nyfowler]

130k miles is a time bomb? Thats funny. I've owned handfuls of Volkswagen where I put double that mileage on them. It all comes down to how it was maintained or beaten.

You’re right. So am I. Based on the vintage fleet you listed in your signature, I’ll assume you own tools, diagnostics, know VAG products inside and out, and have garage space, and time to work on cars. And you’re probably good at it. So 130K Touareg for you is a new car. Or just “run in” as another poster said. Whatever that means. I am going to infer that the OP doesn’t share the aforementioned attributes. For him, his Touareg is an older 130K car that he just wants to get around in without headaches - and it’s served it’s purpose. He can get rid of it “break even.” 130K is a milestone at which cars have $$$ problems, regardless of make/model/cult following. So in the absence of tools/time/expertise/mechanic familiar with a Touareg (good luck), it make sense to sell. You should make him an offer. You’ll be a baller after rolling those yettas since Friends was prime time.

 

[Odessa]

Don't listen to Prius drivers out there. I'd much rather drive a high milage vehicle that has been looked after and that I know its history, than some newer unreliable junk.

As an interesting side note. My 2010 TDI Jetta got hit on my commute into work earlier this week, and I've been driving a 2020 Kia Forte Ex+ all week. My Jetta has 272k vs this new 10k, 10 year younger vehicle. I CAN'T STAND IT. If someone offered me a straight trade, I'd refuse it. I'm more upset about driving this junk than about my Jetta being under the knife!

Keep it and continue to take care of it..... they don't make them like they used to!

Agreed ... i go down to my Porsche mechanic ... look left ... look right and everywhere in between ...bloody serious !! And he points to me see this ... a carrera. its got 330,000kms !!!! And it looks bloody near new ..... How you drive it how you look after it and everything in-between !!

Like we see here often cars if you want to keep it you go through periodic mantainence and everything else involve otherwise sell it for scrap as your trashed it

My previous mech had a loaner which was a beautiful Bora V5 with 550,000kms and still running strong.

Look after it is got to be less than buying a whole new vehicle

am i stupid / VAG drunk / car drunk / or anythign else ? Cars are not like they were 30 years ago or more.

There is maintanience. Do you want to pay to play ?

 

[Odessa]

You’re right. So am I. Based on the vintage fleet you listed in your signature, I’ll assume you own tools, diagnostics, know VAG products inside and out, and have garage space, and time to work on cars. And you’re probably good at it. So 130K Touareg for you is a new car. Or just “run in” as another poster said. Whatever that means. I am going to infer that the OP doesn’t share the aforementioned attributes. For him, his Touareg is an older 130K car that he just wants to get around in without headaches - and it’s served it’s purpose. He can get rid of it “break even.” 130K is a milestone at which cars have $$$ problems, regardless of make/model/cult following. So in the absence of tools/time/expertise/mechanic familiar with a Touareg (good luck), it make sense to sell. You should make him an offer. You’ll be a baller after rolling those yettas since Friends was prime time.

Mate

im confused

the whole point of this forum is for people who want to keep their vehicles not ones who want to whinge and offload

This is why this forum is here and has been built up for more than 10 years. People like these vehicles and want to hang onto them. I know owners still holding on for more than 17 years and still going.

I myself do not have the garage i so dearly want so PAY FOR PLAY comes into it. Commit or step away ! No ?

And just to finish ... "you are right so am I" ...... YOU ARE !!!! Absolutely !.... but im wondering at what ... at offloading ... yup ..... we want to keep ours and we will help where we can becuase we love these vehicles not for the last 3 years but since inception !!!!!!

 

[TurboABA]

Your insurance company didn’t total a 10yo Jetta with 272K miles on it? Anyhow, 2020 Kia = complete POS to drive. And embarrassing to be seen in. But probably very reliable.

I don't know that yet, but it's a very possible scenario.... I'm also Canadian so those are kms not miles (lots of life left in it), but it's still going to be a close call that I'm not fond of.

 

[nyfowler]

Correct, it’s a forum for people who want to keep their cars. The OP is questioning whether or not he should keep his. There are good arguments either way.

 

[TommiT]

Funny - I haven't see a good argument for getting rid of a good, serviceable car.

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

You’re right. So am I. Based on the vintage fleet you listed in your signature, I’ll assume you own tools, diagnostics, know VAG products inside and out, and have garage space, and time to work on cars. And you’re probably good at it. So 130K Touareg for you is a new car. Or just “run in” as another poster said. Whatever that means. I am going to infer that the OP doesn’t share the aforementioned attributes. For him, his Touareg is an older 130K car that he just wants to get around in without headaches - and it’s served it’s purpose. He can get rid of it “break even.” 130K is a milestone at which cars have $$$ problems, regardless of make/model/cult following. So in the absence of tools/time/expertise/mechanic familiar with a Touareg (good luck), it make sense to sell. You should make him an offer. You’ll be a baller after rolling those yettas since Friends was prime time.

Yes, you are correct and that's a fair point. I do indeed conduct most of my work, though the older I get the more I just have the dealer take care of non warranty repairs. BUT, having said that, I've never had a volkswagen or Audi actually hang me out to dry and leave me stranded. I mean I've blown turbos in my modded cars but still made it half way across the country with the blown turbos. I did shear an all original half shaft with 260k miles on it because I did a hard left-hand launch from a red light, so I suppose I was stranded but it was 💯 my fault and it was legit a mile from my house.

My point is 130k on a well maintained volkswagen really is nothing.

And for the record I don't actually own most of those cars listed in my profile anymore, I owned them when they were nearly new but that is my full Volkswagen lineup.

 

[TurboABA]

This email is from an automated and unmonitored account. To protect the confidentiality of your personal information, please do not reply or attach any type of document to this email.

Dear owner,

The repair of your vehicle has been estimated at $3,493.97

Time to see what my Jetta is valued at...

 

[TRespect]

Canadian dollars so no worry there [emoji2957]that’s 10€ ! I’d pay right away [emoji23][emoji23]


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