Well, the Germans finally got me. Being of German heritage, I'm amazed it took this long.
Bought a VW Tiguan S this weekend to replace the '07 Jeep Compass that takes the major brunt of the mundane errands, grocery getting, beer running, and hauling the vast array of smaller (non-pickup) cargo required to support Chez Speedbag. A small car with less ground clearance doesn't work where I live (learned that the hard way) since the roads I drive tend to get ignored for quite a while after a good snowfall, so some sort of SUV/crossover was required.
I looked at and drove a wide variety of stuff, including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, etc. Nothing made me grin like a mental patient quite like the Tiguan. Mine's got the 2.0 turbo, 4-Motion, and DSG trans with Tiptronic.
Whee!!! Not only does it fit the bill in terms of utility, it handles remarkably well, goes like stink, and gets pretty damn good mileage to boot.
;D
Ich verstehen.
Herzlich Glückwunsch [thumbsup]
We have not driven anything but German cars for 25+ years.
Wo sind die Bilder?? pictures
I can smell the new car smell from here. ;D
Congrats.
As new car smells go, this one is a little bizarre. [laugh] They must use some different materials.
Yay, GTI on stilts. [laugh]
Quote from: Speedbag on October 17, 2010, 05:33:43 PM
As new car smells go, this one is a little bizarre. [laugh] They must use some different materials.
You're talking to a painter.
Nothing smells like anything. :-\
congrats on the new ride! [thumbsup]
Been driving German cars since '78 except for a few sad years with a Honda. The Honda was one of the few cars that earned a name. "That Stupid Little Red Car".
Congrats!
My GF is looking at a Tiguan to replace her Cooper S. I'm interested in learning what you think of the car after 30 days, particularly how the ride is on the highway, which is her biggest complaint about the Cooper.
Congrats on the new ride.
Quote from: sugarcrook on October 17, 2010, 08:20:35 PM
My GF is looking at a Tiguan to replace her Cooper S. I'm interested in learning what you think of the car after 30 days, particularly how the ride is on the highway, which is her biggest complaint about the Cooper.
Congrats on the new ride.
It's not German cars, it's our sh*tty roads.
The down side is when driving on German roads the next constuction zone is only 50 kilometers away. (about the time you get it wound out and into the groove....80 kph construction zone next 40 km [bang] )
I was just out to visit my son in Albuquerque. They let us borrow their Jetta TDI to go up to Santa Fe. It's a little boggy off the line, but once you're up around 2000 rpm, it's just torque city: good midrange power. Also, the posted limit is 75 mph, so we had fun. Smooth ride, very quiet, well laid-out interior- all that good stuff. Made me miss my good old first-gen Scirocco. Parts and service can be pricy on the German stuff though.
Hey Dave, I have been considering the same as my track day hauler...mind if I come up and take her for a test drive? ;)
Um, sure. ;)
A couple pics:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/2010_1018Image0001.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/2010_1018Image0002.jpg)
I've put about 300 miles on it so far, of which almost 200 was highway. Very quiet on the road, nice and tight. Build quality is very good, and the interior is light years better than the Jeep was.
I tend to break things in like I plan to drive them (;)), and still got 24 MPG on the first tank of gas....
I kept saying I would trade in my workhorse beater for a Tiguan if they brought the damn variation over here I wanted...they build it for Europe...a diplomat even had one here for service one day...
Tiguan TDI 4-Motion with a 6 speed manual trans...
then I saw the Amorok...even better for my needs but still it ain't coming here.....YET!
damnit! [bang] [bang] [bang]
I probably would have bought the TDI as well....
Quote from: Speedbag on October 18, 2010, 09:12:03 AM
I probably would have bought the TDI as well....
all the VW reps I have seen say that the deamnd for Tiguan TDi's in EU is much higher than the US and therefore they are filling on that demand...which sucks IMHO...
Amorok? VW is building a pick up? The Apocalypse is at hand!
Yeah, yeah, I know...they used to build a combi with a bed and that ridiculous Rabbit pick up...should be real big in OZ.
Quote from: orangelion03 on October 18, 2010, 01:00:56 PM
Amorok? VW is building a pick up? The Apocalypse is at hand!
Yeah, yeah, I know...they used to build a combi with a bed and that ridiculous Rabbit pick up...should be real big in OZ.
The Rabbit P/U wasn't that ridiculous.
I have to agree.
Remember the Dodge Rampage? Pretty much the same deal.
One would think there would be a market for a little AWD uni-body pickup again. The vast majority of folks driving gas-swilling full-size trucks these days don't really need (or use) their full capability....
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 04:10:40 AM
One would think there would be a market for a little AWD uni-body pickup again. The vast majority of folks driving gas-swilling full-size trucks these days don't really need (or use) their full capability....
there is one
(http://www.truck-reviews.com/Subaru_Baja.jpg)
not saying it couldn't be better though
mitt
Mitt...I have one of those....an '05 Turbo Baja with M/T...it replaced my old 83 Rabbit Pick-Up which had to be replaced due to structural strut tower rust...
http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShowTN.php?GalleryId=405 (http://www.mad-ducati.com/GalleryShowTN.php?GalleryId=405)
and speedbag and orangelion....in South America for the last bunch of years, there has been a great lil unibody utility pick-up by VW...look up a Pointer Pick-Up....they have been selling for years now with good success...but the Amorok was developed as a support vehicle for the Touareg race trucks in Baja and Dakar...it runs the 2.0 TDI motor and is apparently a very hearty and well built package...it apparently won't make it to the US market right now because of the exchange rate from where it is produced and what it should sell for in projection in comparo to what is here competition wise...same reason why the Touran and the T5 Eurovan will never make it here and we instead get the Routan in it's place for an up and coming family 7 passenger vehicle...
I think you'll love your tiguan. My parents have had one for a year now, and are still in love with it (they call it juan [laugh])
I had never seen a Amorok before. I'd buy one in a heartbeat!
Quote from: humorless dp on October 18, 2010, 01:02:33 PM
The Rabbit P/U wasn't that ridiculous.
Quite good for transporting motorcycles.
Quote from: howie on October 19, 2010, 10:03:27 AM
Quite good for transporting motorcycles.
yup...see my pics...there's one with 2 Monster's in the bed...
Volkswagen Commercial 2010 (lol) :o)) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D37sAI1nYts&feature=player_embedded#normal)
(hopefully not a derby)
Quote from: mitt on October 19, 2010, 05:52:21 AM
there is one
(http://www.truck-reviews.com/Subaru_Baja.jpg)
not saying it couldn't be better though
mitt
Bed's too short to be truly usable. Ford Explorer Sport Trac, same thing.
The old Rabbit pickup and Dodge Rampage were the shit. [thumbsup]
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 05:06:21 PM
Bed's too short to be truly usable.
you sure about that?...I have hauled dirtbikes, a Suzuki GS500E, tons of Ikea furniture boxes, and all kinds of things in mine....
In the Subie? They always seemed too short to me....
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 05:23:30 PM
In the Subie? They always seemed too short to me....
yeah...with tailgate folded down and bike on bed and tailgate...
I haven't tried a Monster........yet.....
That's cool, wonder how road bikes would fit.
Quote from: Le Pirate on October 19, 2010, 08:39:09 AM
I think you'll love your tiguan. My parents have had one for a year now, and are still in love with it (they call it juan [laugh])
I have a feeling it will end up nicknamed. :) Had a recent death in the family and had to attend the funeral today, which entailed a 200-mile round trip, and I have to admit that it's a hoot to pass with.
It really is a GTI on stilts....
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 05:33:16 PM
That's cool, wonder how road bikes would fit.
I have a feeling it will end up nicknamed. :) Had a recent death in the family and had to attend the funeral today, which entailed a 200-mile round trip, and I have to admit that it's a hoot to pass with.
It really is a GTI on stilts....
That's why I said it. ;)
Heehee.
I just noticed in the owner's manual that there's a procedure for "launch control". It seems I have something new to try tomorrow.
[evil]
Instructions:
1. Switch off anti-slip regulation.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
3. Move the selector lever into Tiptronic position.
4. With your right foot, depress the accelerator pedal until the engine reaches about 3200 RPM.
5. Remove your left foot from the brake. The vehicle will accelerate from a stop at the maximum rate.
The best is the warning below the instructions:
"Only use the launch control program when road and traffic conditions allow it and other drivers will not be endangered or annoyed by your driving and the vehicle's acceleration."
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 06:05:47 PM
Heehee.
I just noticed in the owner's manual that there's a procedure for "launch control". It seems I have something new to try tomorrow.
[evil]
[evil] indeed [laugh]
See edit above. ;D
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 06:19:17 PM
See edit above. ;D
launching my TDI hard is a bit tougher with me rather than the computer controlling the clutch [laugh]
Quote from: Speedbag on October 19, 2010, 06:05:47 PM
Heehee.
I just noticed in the owner's manual that there's a procedure for "launch control". It seems I have something new to try tomorrow.
[evil]
Instructions:
1. Switch off anti-slip regulation.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
3. Move the selector lever into Tiptronic position.
4. With your right foot, depress the accelerator pedal until the engine reaches about 3200 RPM.
5. Remove your left foot from the brake. The vehicle will accelerate from a stop at the maximum rate.
The best is the warning below the instructions:
"Only use the launch control program when road and traffic conditions allow it and other drivers will not be endangered or annoyed by your driving and the vehicle's acceleration."
awesome.
I might have to take my mom's car to the store next time I'm down there [evil]
Quote from: humorless dp on October 17, 2010, 05:16:40 PM
I can smell the new car smell from here. ;D
Congrats.
Sauerkraut.
Quote from: Le Pirate on October 20, 2010, 10:00:06 AM
awesome.
I might have to take my mom's car to the store next time I'm down there [evil]
Yeah, give it a whirl - it's entertaining. :)
Not quite what I imagine the same feature to be like in, say, a 911 Turbo, but still.....