[Watchman]

I had a discussion with my VW dealer, actually the new car sales manager. I asked about the arrival of the Arteon in October to see if I could get pricing info and get on the buy list.

He informed me and showed me a letter he received from the head of VW USA. The US Arteon is delayed until at least March or April next year. The reason given for the delay was VW has yet to get US EPA approval on emissions.

So the new estimate on arrival is a best guess estimate. It is all up to EPA regulators.

So, I have to find a plan B to replace my Passat TDi the VW is buying back by the end of 2018.

I just picked up a new Tiguan SEL Premium today to replace my wife’s Golf Sportwagen TDi. I got it for $35,500 USD. It listed for $39,000 on the sticker.

 

[fastback]

Still disappoints me that we haven't heard too much yet about a higher performing Arteon because seeing all the components that VW has its well within VW's reach.

 

[Watchman]

I had a discussion with my VW dealer, actually the new car sales manager. I asked about the arrival of the Arteon in October to see if I could get pricing info and get on the buy list.

He informed me and showed me a letter he received from the head of VW USA. The US Arteon is delayed until at least March or April next year. The reason given for the delay was VW has yet to get US EPA approval on emissions.

So the new estimate on arrival is a best guess estimate. It is all up to EPA regulators.

So, I have to find a plan B to replace my Passat TDi the VW is buying back by the end of 2018.

I just picked up a new Tiguan SEL Premium today to replace my wife's Golf Sportwagen TDi. I got it for $35,500 USD. It listed for $39,000 on the sticker.

I had to execute Plan B. I have to turn in my 2013 Passat TDI to Volkswagen by the end of December. With the US Arteon officially unavailable until Q2-2019 I made my decision.

My dealer has a never before sold 2016 Touareg Sport w/ Technology TDi that has the diesel modification and can now be sold as a new car. They are throwing in an extended warranty to make it for 7 more years on top of the original 3 years. The net is My Touareg will have a total warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. I got it for about $11,000 off the original sticker price and the extended VW warranty is worth another $3100. It was all about timing. The dealer was highly motivated to sell the Touareg and finally get it off their books.

I close on my Passat and the Touareg on October 9.

 

[Lucien]

Wow would be hard to pass up on a deal like that. At least VW is finally around to retrofitting the affected diesel models. Does this mean you'll no longer be picking up a Arteon?

 

[Watchman]

Wow would be hard to pass up on a deal like that. At least VW is finally around to retrofitting the affected diesel models. Does this mean you'll no
longer be picking up a Arteon?

In all likelihood, unless the Touareg doesn't work for me, there will not be an Arteon in my immediate future. By the time I would replace the Touareg, the automobile world should be well on its way to electric or hybrid. Unless something changes, VW has killed diesel as an alternative in the US. For economy I like the diesel.

The Touareg had 74 actual miles on it when I picked it up. It is a 2016 Sport with Technology package and TDI. It has a 26 US gallon fuel tank. So, with 2 eeeks on it I'm still on the first tank. The computer is saying I'm getting about 25 MPG in city driving. My daughter picked up a TDI Touareg this summer. She lives in rural WIsconsin so traffic is nothing like Minneapolis. She averages around 33 MPG. That is excellent for such a heavy vehicle.

The Sport w/Tech didn't include a sunroof, so I I added a dealer installed sunroof, plus splash guards. The dealer included a VW Platinum extended warranty so I have a 10 year, 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warrenty.

It has excellent ride quality and is very quiet inside while driving. The seats are very good. My wife has a brand new Tiguan and my Touareg rides better, is more quiet and more comfortable seats. However, the Tiguan has more bells and whistles in the area of driver assistance, infotainment and digital cockpit. The Touareg was state-of the-art in 2016 but these features have vastly improved over 2 years.

I had one thing go wrong in the first week. The diesel particulate sensor failed and the had to replace it. Of course it was covered and they gave me a 2018 Passat as a loaner. They had to order a new sensor. I'm guessing the combination of the diesel fix and sitting around for a couple of years contributed to the failure.

 

[Arne]

I have had both a Tiguan and a Touareg (both R- lines) in the past, and I must say the Touareg is one of the best and most comfortable cars I have ever driven (with air suspension).
Just test drove the new (2019) model Touareg, and it has gotten even better! A fantastic car, but it is just a bit too expensive.
Glad I am very happy with our 2.0 tsi Arteon, as if I was not, the test drive in the new Touareg could have been a very expensive one 😉

 

[goes2fast]

I was in the same situation, ended up getting a Golf R, the more I drive it, the more I love it!