[Matt McCauely]

I'm not new to VW. I've owned a jetta and 3 passats, one wagon and 2 sedans. Now I'm having a hard time deciding on wether to buy a VW Touareg or a Volvo XC90. I go back and forth. I also know that I want a 1st gen.

There are so many reviews and so many opinions I'm just struggling to come to any sort of conclusion.

The 4.2 is the good engine right? Some are better than others I'm sure. I know the TDI is what I'd like but about impossible to find.

2004s were the 1st year so I'm sure they had issues. Were the 05s better or when did they start getting better? I know with any new car there are bugs that need to be worked out.

2004 Vw Touareg 4.2 Clean Service Records

Can I please get some insight on which of the 1st gen Touaregs are the reliable ones?

 

[noobytoogy]

2004? You'll be buying an 11 year old car. None will be reliable now.

 

[Matt McCauely]

ok well I understand that any used car will have issues and all that which I'm fine with. I'm wondering which engine has proven to be better and which ones come with air ride?

I guess I'm just wanting some guidance and reassurance on what I am getting into if I grab an 04 touareg or an 05.

 

[Matt McCauely]

I mean I've never had a car newer than 2002 so I know there are issues with used cars that can come up. I am hoping to get insight on if it's worth it to buy an 04 / 05 touareg.

 

[USN-Reg]

Matt,

I have owned my 2005 V8 for 6 years and put 50k miles on it. No engine problems. I have had a couple leaks from the sunroof, a squeaky blower motor (fixed with WD40) and a couple other minor issues. Solid vehicle if you treat it right and do the maintenance.

But.....if I had to do it again I would probably go with the diesel. So much so that I am looking for a T1 V10 diesel.

My 2 cents.

 

[Matt McCauely]

Thanks for your input. I am a huge VW / Audi / VAG fan and that's where my heart lies. I feel like I have a good idea about VW and how they work. I've dealt with my fair share of issues but I've absolutely loved my 2002 passat GLX. Everything about it I love (minue the puney factory wheel and suspension setup). I've have / had 3 passats and I feel like the Touareg is like the big brother of the passat.

I honestly like both the Touareg and the XC90. The thing is I've only had to do very basic things to my passat (oil change, filter, a couple axles, hatch latch replacement, and a lock actuator) That's really it and it's 12 years old. So I'm trying to do as much research as I can on both. If my passat was AWD I most likely would keep it but that doesn't mean I want to go out and buy my 4th passat. I really want an SUV so Touareg seems like the obvious choice.

I have a question. Should I avoid the 2004s I'm guessing and at least get a 2005 or +

Again thanks for your input.


cheers!

 

[Mike N]

I have had a 2002 Golf TDI (109,000 miles) and 2007 Touareg TDI (94,000 miles) for many years and even ignoring reliability the cost of ownership is dramatically different between the Golf and the Touareg.

I reckon the Golf costs me a couple hundred a year in maintenance bits and pieces, this year I did front control arms, ball joints and tie rods and a couple of oil changes. Maybe $250 total. The Touareg costs that just for one oil change a fuel filter. To do brakes on the Golf might cost $250 for rotors and pads on all four corners. I just did the Touareg and it was closer to $1,000. That's just parts, no labor. The rear brakes on my Golf are still original. The Treg eats brakes in about 40,000 miles the way I use it. Same with tires. The Golf will go 60 to 70K on tires the Treg 35 to 40K

Hope that helps. Not trying to scare you off. I absolutely love my V10TDI but the cost of ownership will put you in the poor house if you aren't aware of the costs before you buy.

 

[Matt McCauely]

Thanks Mike for your input. I do realize the cost of maintenance goes up so I am ok with that especially with the added benefits of owning an SUV with AWD, spacious, and less headaches than my passat and the obsession that comes with modifying cars. I'm trying to get out of that lifestyle and grab an SUV that I can focus on making run great instead of having a bunch lowered cars and all that headache.

 

[Mike N]

Matt. When I got married my Wife made me promise to keep my daily driver stock, within reason. While we were dating she would often have to come pick me up to go out on a weekend because my car was in pieces in the driveway. So the DD gets rims and tires, perhaps an exhaust and that's it. It has worked well for me for many years. I still have cars that I fool with that spend a fair amount of down time while being upgraded or being fixed but there is no pressure to get them back together to get to work on Monday morning. Sounds like that's what you are looking for. The Touareg is a great vehicle but the parts are expensive.

 

[Matt McCauely]

Thanks for your input Mike N. I'm still not 100 percent on either the Volvo or Touareg. Still weighing my options.

The only mods that my next SUV will see is wheels, tires, roof rack and rack accessories

 

[Yeti]

04 and 05's should by now be brought up to 06 specs in the sense of all software updates and such. Still does not hurt to really dig into the service history of what ever you are looking to buy. I had an 04 I bought in 05 and was awesome up till I got rid of it in 09 for my 10. Main reasons for getting the new one was TDI and air suspension. There was nothing wrong with my 04 when I got rid of it.

 

[Matt McCauely]

Thanks for your input. So do I want to grab my 5th vw or do I grab a volvo. Hmm

 

[Yeti]

The Touareg is gonna have the low range transfer case where as the Volvo won't. If you never plan to go off road then the Volvo may be better suited for you.