We test drove two of these on the same day; having been impressed with the possible towing ability and weights.
The 2.5 was an SE at a VW main dealer and was a beautiful car and incredibly clean and almost like new (a 2006 for 15K), but the engine gearbox combination was truly awful!! it was hunting around for gears throught the test drive.
We then tried a 3.0 Altitude from an independant, a much, much better car; smooth powerful and not ruined by the gearbox. We fell in love and I'd say it is probably one of the nicest cars I've ever driven, unfortunately it was one of those 'pushy - let me speak to my manager' type dealers that wanted us to sign there and then so we walked.
We really wanted a 3.0 Altitude, but then reality struck home; £400+ a year to tax, poor mpg, and if you can't find one with a towbar already fitted; a hugely expensive VW bar to get fitted.
It is a lot of car for the money, but they lose money and cost a fortune to run; still feel a pang when I see one on the road but there are cheaper cars that will tow just as well and they might just fit through my gates; which the Touareg couldn't so we would have needed some DIY to get it in the drive!
The new one is nicer apparently, 38mpg, lower tax and a much much better drive train; my lottery win car no doubt, but a second hand one would lose out to a similar aged Sorento for me; the KIA would cost me a lot less to run and buy.
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Topic: Volkswagon Touareg
