[nickyt]

^^Ford has become world class in the last five years. They keep getting better and better.

 

[MtnPass]

I look forward to seeing the reviews of the new Ford F-150 with a 3.0 Diesel engine and a 10 speed transmission. Apparently, they are roomers of some impressive mileage.

 

[Stabone33]

I'm loving my new f150. ... *snip*

My father has a 2009 or 2010 F150 SuperCrew with the old Triton V8...it is a nice highway vehicle and it is enormous inside. He tows an ATV for trips to shoot sporting clays all over the southeast, so he's up and down Appalachian hills with it. It's a nice utility vehicle and very comfortable. The problem is, they've grown so big they barely fit in a standard garage, and I refuse to leave my cars in the driveway...that just encourages junk collection.

They also have an MB ML350 Bluetec as their "town car" - that's as quiet as the Treg and nicely equipped - the cup holders can hold a full-sized Nalgene water bottle, which I think is awesome, but must have driven ze Germans crazy in trying to fit them in the center console. I remember my 2001 Audi had one dash-mounted pop-out cup holder that could hold a small Red Bull can and that was about it. Ah, progress....

That said, I like a little performance in my cars, and over the last 24 hours or so I've really started to lust after the F-Pace, but the RR Sport still tugs at my inner Livingstone.

 

[2blueyam]

I have seen a few examples of the F Pace running around the area. Very nice looking vehicle. 5300lb towing would be enough for me. Not sure if I would go with the 4-cyl diesel or the Supercharged gas motor. I would want to drive an example of each first. I like the fact that it has the trailer specific stability like the Treg. My biggest concern would be wiring up my Tekonsha P3. There doesn't seem to be any information on setting up a brake controller on the F Pace. If the VW / court proceedings and buy back take long enough, maybe there will be more information out there by then.

Ridgeline / Pilot / MDX might all be workable as well, although the Ridgeline will be a squeeze to fit in my garage.
Used Cayanne S or new gas Treg would be on the list. The Treg might be a good way to go to avoid the tax on the trade in value.
Colorado / Canyon might be OK, but would want to drive one first. Sounds like the ride and NVH might not make for a very nice vehicle to take trips in. Also pretty much too big for the garage.

Too bad the Q5 is only rated for 4400lb. That is a little light and frankly I despise the local Audi stealer-ship.

Best case for me is still keeping the Treg TDI. Nothing else is everything I want in a vehicle, although the F-Pace may be very close.

 

[fincher]

Interior of F-Pace is very good.

 

[mpm T2 TDI]

I'm loving my new f150. Shockingly good levels of ride quality and refinement. The doors close like a German vehicles do, the window motors are absolutely silent and ride quality is unreal. If you are a detail oriented person, then you owe yourself some time in a top trim f150. There are numerous details that would impress most treg owners...rear locking differential is available with the fx4 package, has both electronic lock and manual lock. All aluminum body keeps things a bit exotic.

I still prefer an SUV as a daily driver (a sedan makes no sense at all to me) so if VW doesn't offer up diesels I sure hope they will send us a nice "oops" check so I can get into a RRS td6. I had a q7 tdi on a deposit, but there is no end in sight so I just got my money back.

Congrats on the new F150. I need a 3rd row option, and would consider the Q7, but on TDI - for who know when and if ever again - its a no go. Maybe a GLS.

 

[samotreg]

There is very little on the market that provides the all-around capability and driving dynamics with the level of luxury that the Touareg provides at the same price point. My VW dealer is also a Mazda dealer, and I have absolutely no interest in a Mazda CX -- the engines are boring, the interiors are bland and cheap-feeling - suitable for a suburban soccer mom on a budget, perhaps. An MDX is an overpriced, badge-engineered CRV. The 4Runner is a capable body-on-frame SUV but the engine choices and option packaging from Toyota are befuddlingly bass-ackwards and the fuel economy and on-road performance are terrible - that's a vehicle that needs the diesel of its overseas Hilux cousin for sure. And it's pug-f'ugly.

The Touareg was always an upmarket SUV, but had much broader market coverage. If the T3 TDI was on the market today, it would be over $60K loaded after tax. The level of luxury in a RR Sport is the same as a much higher-priced competitors from Porsche or Lexus, or even Toyota Land Cruiser - which *starts* at $83K, and the RR is far more capable off-road than any of them. The Jag has awesome style and tech for less than a comparable Q5, with better on-road performance. It does offer a selectable drive mode that would make soft-roading possible, but it's not really a true off-roader like the T2 or the RR.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit diesel comparatively equipped is around $60K, but I don't think I'd buy an FCA product right now.

Correction the MDX is an overpriced, badge engineered Pilot. :wink2:

 

[rmeyer]

This thread is depressing and wish we weren't even thinking about this. VW just had to go and ruin a great thing that so many of us love due to their lack of hubris. Unfortunately if the diesel settlement for the 3.0 does go down in a similar way as the 2.0 I think the deal may be too good to not take (pre scandal buyback and cash which I assume would be $10k+ considering the significantly higher 3.0 vehicle values in comparison to 2.0) and it'll be a hard decision to make for many of us.

 

[rmeyer]

Congrats on the new F150. I need a 3rd row option, and would consider the Q7, but on TDI - for who know when and if ever again - its a no go. Maybe a GLS.

I'm interested to see the new Expedition based on the latest F150. For those looking for a 3rd row, off road ability, towing and good interior it would probably be a good option. Unfortunately for this of us who don't need the 3rd row, something midsized, and a more sporting demeanor it doesn't fit the bill.

 

[nblanton]

Well, I'm glad I kept my two old cars. I'll take the money and drive my 1995 XJ 2-door 4.0L 5 speed or my 1985 190D 5-speed.

All these options suck.

 

[E55AMG]

I'm loving my new f150. Shockingly good levels of ride quality and refinement. The doors close like a German vehicles do, the window motors are absolutely silent and ride quality is unreal. If you are a detail oriented person, then you owe yourself some time in a top trim f150. There are numerous details that would impress most treg owners...rear locking differential is available with the fx4 package, has both electronic lock and manual lock. All aluminum body keeps things a bit exotic.

I still prefer an SUV as a daily driver (a sedan makes no sense at all to me) so if VW doesn't offer up diesels I sure hope they will send us a nice "oops" check so I can get into a RRS td6. I had a q7 tdi on a deposit, but there is no end in sight so I just got my money back.

glad you're enjoying the F150. ecoboost? i had looked at ford's webpage a while back and unless i was misreading, it looked like the tow capacity was less at the hitch than the treg, unless you used a WDH (the only way to get the big tow capacities). i tow an aluminum trailex race car trailer and WDH is a no no.

agree with others, VW really screwed this up. when thinking about it, there's little that competes with the treg. i would consider Q7, and RR sport is nice but scares the hell out of me, reliability wise.

 

[BenTDI]

This thread is depressing and wish we weren't even thinking about this. VW just had to go and ruin a great thing that so many of us love due to their lack of hubris. Unfortunately if the diesel settlement for the 3.0 does go down in a similar way as the 2.0 I think the deal may be too good to not take (pre scandal buyback and cash which I assume would be $10k+ considering the significantly higher 3.0 vehicle values in comparison to 2.0) and it'll be a hard decision to make for many of us.

I agree, it is sort of depressing, but only if there is a scenario where we have to give up our TDI's although the likelihood of it happening is slim.

The only way I'll give up my TDI is if the possible buyback deal is too good to pass up, it is why I started the thread.

In all the posts, there is nothing that is as good as the T3 TDI. The only comparable is the Range Rover diesel that starts at like $85,000. Nothing else can tow the 7,000+ lbs that I need to tow.

The Canyon Duramax is a lot slower than the T3 TDI and I'm not all that much a fan of the GJCherokee with the EcoDiesel and don't want or need the size of the Ram 1500. Funny, now that I have the TDI, the only other vehicle I will consider is another diesel.

 

[nickm]

M

glad you're enjoying the F150. ecoboost? i had looked at ford's webpage a while back and unless i was misreading, it looked like the tow capacity was less at the hitch than the treg, unless you used a WDH (the only way to get the big tow capacities). i tow an aluminum trailex race car trailer and WDH is a no no.

agree with others, VW really screwed this up. when thinking about it, there's little that competes with the treg. i would consider Q7, and RR sport is nice but scares the hell out of me, reliability wise.

I bought the 5.0 litre with 3.73 gears. Tow capacity is 10,800 and max tongue weight is 1,220 lbs. it also has a backup knob on the dash which guides the trailer backwards for you with no hands on steering wheel, the camera has integrated trailer ball guide which helps you back up directly below the tongue every time, has an integrated brake controller from the factory, also has specialized stability control modes and electronic auto rear locking differential (which can be locked manually from the dash) The hitch is integrated as a cross member in the frame hence the high tongue weight capacity. The rear cam can be manually turned on to view your hitch setup at any speed, and there are built in 4 and 7 pin electrical connections. Finally it also has low range transfer box in case you need to get up a very steep ramp. Payload is in excess of 2200 lbs.

The Touareg is a fine tow machine. but this is a completely different league of towing ability and capabilities. Not comparable in any way.

If VW is going mass market with the cross blue and really does intend on keeping the Touareg alive, I really hope it's a version with air suspension and proper 4x bits underneath to make it a genuine Land Rover competitor again.

 

[cmflossin]

i've been searching autotrader/craigslist like crazy to see if there's anything out there. not having much luck. i'll probably just make it a 2 for 1 and pick up an older truck and then a gti to drive daily. but it'll still be a hard decision to give up the treg. i think knowing they'll head to the crusher makes it even worse.

 

[samotreg]

I had the chance to drive my sisters new Volvo XC90 T6 yesterday. Really nice vehicle inside and out.
PROS - Handled better then my touareg tdi. Not as much body roll through turns. Really really good suspension, made me think she got the air suspension but she didn't. Much nicer navigation system/entertainment system, but this is to be expected due to the touaregs outdated system.

CONS - torque, or lack there of. Really have to hit the gas and get the RPMs up to move it, but felt reasonably fast when prompted. MADE IN CHINA!

 

[MtnPass]

My sisters XC90 does the same thing. I road with her on a recent trip. On a rolling hills it would down shift on every single hill, engine screaming the whole way! Annoying.

 

[HotRodW]

I had the chance to drive my sisters new Volvo XC90 T6 yesterday. Really nice vehicle inside and out.
PROS - Handled better then my touareg tdi. Not as much body roll through turns. Really really good suspension, made me think she got the air suspension but she didn't. Much nicer navigation system/entertainment system, but this is to be expected due to the touaregs outdated system.

CONS - torque, or lack there of. Really have to hit the gas and get the RPMs up to move it, but felt reasonably fast when prompted. MADE IN CHINA!

Thankfully, it's not made in China. It's still manufactured in Sweden. The only Chinese-built Volvo you can currently buy here in the US is the S60L. Of course XC90 profits still go to Chinese parent Geely, so feel free to rant about that as much as you'd like. I certainly have.

I do like the XC90 quite a bit. I'd like it even more if they would have paired the turbo I-6 with the 8-speed and put more physical controls in the center stack. Considering the level of luxury, it's an incredible bargain compared to the Germans.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

I intend to keep my Touareg TDI for another 7 years, minimum. Hell, I might even park it after purchasing another vehicle. I really would only need the Touareg for towing duties at that point. My hope is that during this 7 year wait, the vehicle manufacturers will improve and/or perfect hybrid and electric technology. I simply don't want or need a pure electric car unless it's convenient to own. RANGE (towing?), charging time, and price need to be significantly improved before I would bite.

A diesel/electric hybrid seems like the best combination. Good mileage, power, and possibly low emissions (if they can DEF and filter it correctly). I would definitely purchase a similar SUV to the Touareg if it could still tow 7700+ pounds, AWD, and get over 30mpg. Except for the Touareg and the other VW cousins, no other SUV does that yet and has the towing performance. (The EcoDiesel Jeep is never going to get a chance to be in my garage, Chrysler has low interior quality, and terrible reliability, and I never venture off road so what's the point.)

I guess I may have had a different criteria than most buyers when I purchased my Touareg TDI, but I was primarily interested in an AWD SUV that could tow effortlessly, and deliver much better fuel economy than my previous gas powered SUV. And the Touareg TDI was that vehicle choice.

SO far, the out of pocket repairs have not been altogether bad for 3 years of ownership. But this is because I purchased an extended warranty, which is probably needed for any vehicle approaching $50K or more. They are just too expensive to repair. I'll be closely watching the repair $$$ through the years, and much of the regular maintenance I will start performing myself (brakes, fluid changes and the like).

My perfect SUV would be a 6 cylinder diesel-hybrid, 40+mpg highway, AWD, and tow rating 8000+ and 1200 tongue. That would make many different toy hauler bumper pull trailers a possibility.

 

[E55AMG]

Thankfully, it's not made in China. It's still manufactured in Sweden. The only Chinese-built Volvo you can currently buy here in the US is the S60L. Of course XC90 profits still go to Chinese parent Geely, so feel free to rant about that as much as you'd like. I certainly have.

I do like the XC90 quite a bit. I'd like it even more if they would have paired the turbo I-6 with the 8-speed and put more physical controls in the center stack. Considering the level of luxury, it's an incredible bargain compared to the Germans.

Read recently that Geely has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into their engine factory alone. i also like it but it does appear to be underpowered. on the other hand you are correct - for the level of luxury and what you get it seems quite the bargain compared to others in its class.

like the RR but price is into the 80's. went on to one of the RR forums and seemed as if every other thread had to do with issues - some minor some not. i know you see that here but it seemed worse on the RR site. No one is more of a porsche fan than me (own a porsche race car) but a cayenne S will be into the 90's!! that's crazy. if had to replace today would probably go with Q7. i don't tow as much anymore (maybe 6-8 times a year now) so not as much of an issue. at some point i'm sure that will go down to zero when i get rid of the car. if that were to happen the XC-90 would get a look.

i know folks have mentioned the engine in the volvo but if i'm not mistaken it's 315 HP vs Audi's 333 but the volvo weighs about 400 lbs less than the Q. i know the audi has more torque but don't recall the exact numbers.

 

[x10003q]

The turbo 4 engines certainly have decent HP/TQ numbers, but the gas mileage difference is barely worth it. The manufacturers might be able to fool the EPA numbers, but in the real world, the savings are minimal. Running a gas turbo 4 in an SUV that is going to be loaded up with people and luggage is not on our target list.