Guess What I Looked At Today (4x4)

[Manxrav]

Had a day off today, and went up Ramsey to buy some Maguires polishes. The garage I went to is the main VW-Mazda-Suzuki-Seat dealer for the island.Guess what was in his car-park at the back of his showrooms.Two unpreped just delivered VW Tiguan,s straight of the Ferry from Douglas.Well when I,d calmed down I took a closer inspection, the one I took most interest in was the metallic gold 2ltr TDI S, Imust admit nice but now I,ve seen one in the "flesh" I am not as impressed as I was looking at them in the 4x4 mags. Build quality looked ok I couldn,t get inside so can,t pass comment (it did have leather seats-an opticnal xtra) I have arranged a test day when it is prepped so I,ll add to my comments later.As it stands on first impressions I think the Rav is the far better of the two, and I had them side by side

Clare

[dave.m]

I think the Rav is the far better of the two, and I had them side by side

Clare

[nest]

After you will take the test drive, you will become more convinced by the fact that TDI really sucks compared to D-4D: noise, power, smog, you name it. The other day I was standing in the back of a TDI Passat at a zebra, and when it moved, I saw a big black cloud behind it...

OK, it looks nice, but, if you give me back my moneyand put me in front of a RAV and a Tiguan, I will choose the first. My opinion. ;)

[bothwell_buyer]

Anyone for a 1968 Landy?? Excellent condition for its age. Mature and graceful like a heavy smoker with COPD.......

[Hoggydo]

Had a day off today, and went up Ramsey to buy some Maguires polishes. The garage I went to is the main VW-Mazda-Suzuki-Seat dealer for the island.Guess what was in his car-park at the back of his showrooms.Two unpreped just delivered VW Tiguan,s straight of the Ferry from Douglas.Well when I,d calmed down I took a closer inspection, the one I took most interest in was the metallic gold 2ltr TDI S, Imust admit nice but now I,ve seen one in the "flesh" I am not as impressed as I was looking at them in the 4x4 mags. Build quality looked ok I couldn,t get inside so can,t pass comment (it did have leather seats-an opticnal xtra) I have arranged a test day when it is prepped so I,ll add to my comments later.As it stands on first impressions I think the Rav is the far better of the two, and I had them side by side

Clare

Hi Clare

I still think that you will be getting 'more bang to your buck' with the Rav's. I have only had my XTR since Mid December but I cannot fault it. I know some purists will say it's a 'sheep in wolf's' clothing and not up to par with the T180 but I have to say I love it. As for the Tiguan.........i'm sure it will sell by the ton but I think I will stick with what Mr. T has provided me with for now.

Incidently........have any of you guys seen or heard much about this Ford Kuga yet?? I saw a video preview of it on whatcar.com and I have to say that although they were all totally effusive about it I am really not sure. Once again I think the Rav will be safe and live to fight another day.

Cheers

Paul.

[sywy]

After you will take the test drive, you will become more convinced by the fact that TDI really sucks compared to D-4D: noise, power, smog, you name it. The other day I was standing in the back of a TDI Passat at a zebra, and when it moved, I saw a big black cloud behind it...

OK, it looks nice, but, if you give me back my moneyand put me in front of a RAV and a Tiguan, I will choose the first. My opinion. ;)

I find your comments about the VW diesel engines very dubious. VW/Audi etc are renowned for their diesels.

My wife runs a VW Touran TDi, which i drive regularly. IMO the VW engine is quieter and smoother!! But at only 110bhp, lacks the power of my T180. However, you can now get the 2.0 TDi with 170bhp, so it's not really down on power now either. I would also say that the VW feels more solid, buildwise, and this may contribute to it's quietness on the road. I'm not saying the Tiguan is a better car than the RAV, as I've never been anywhere near one, but I will certainly have a nosey when I have chance.

[bothwell_buyer]

After you will take the test drive, you will become more convinced by the fact that TDI really sucks compared to D-4D: noise, power, smog, you name it. The other day I was standing in the back of a TDI Passat at a zebra, and when it moved, I saw a big black cloud behind it...

OK, it looks nice, but, if you give me back my moneyand put me in front of a RAV and a Tiguan, I will choose the first. My opinion. ;)

I find your comments about the VW diesel engines very dubious. VW/Audi etc are renowned for their diesels.

My wife runs a VW Touran TDi, which i drive regularly. IMO the VW engine is quieter and smoother!! But at only 110bhp, lacks the power of my T180. However, you can now get the 2.0 TDi with 170bhp, so it's not really down on power now either. I would also say that the VW feels more solid, buildwise, and this may contribute to it's quietness on the road. I'm not saying the Tiguan is a better car than the RAV, as I've never been anywhere near one, but I will certainly have a nosey when I have chance.

Driven a 17 seater diesel VW minibus.....quieter than an LDV certainly, but slower!! Never noticed any smoke but then it wasn't exactly motoring....anchorman - ye'll ken whether the VW dieselly engine is noisy as ye run oe'r them at level crossings...???

[anchorman]

I'm not a big lover of VWs altogether, I think they overrated in many ways and hide behind this "German engineering" thing. With regard to engine noise I think you probably have to be careful as they may offer different levels of tuning and refinement depending on what standard of fuel is available and the further east you go then the more they are going to expect poor quality fuel (nest please don't take that as an insult, I'm talking further east than you but within that general direction).

I firmly believe that the !Removed! are the masters of mass production and you can apply that to most consumer goods. I have worked with both and know who are the most exacting and demanding. I think a Lexus is probably better than a BMW or Merc but doesn't carry the same status or esteem.

Bothy

Its surprising, they all make a similar noise when you stuff them with a train and they can have the very annoying effect of knocking your brew over.

[shcm]

I firmly believe that the japs are the masters of mass production and you can apply that to most consumer goods. I have worked with both and know who are the most exacting and demanding. I think a Lexus is probably better than a BMW or Merc but doesn't carry the same status or esteem.

I just have to confirm, he's spot on as usual and while there's probably not much between the Jap car makers, Toyota is probably still just about the most demanding as a customer of an auto component supplier. All of the car makers however, still have very high requirements.

Where the Japs are not so good IMHO is innovation. My possibly biased opinion and experience there is that Europe leads. I say Europe, not Germany because increasingly it is a multi-European or even Global effort to design and build new auto stuff. The Japs will then of course adopt the new stuff and make it more reliable in huge volumes, than the Earth going round the Sun.

[nest]

Anchorman, no offense taken! That's the reality. Because of that fact, Toyota Romania doesn't bring here the D-CAT engine. :(

Yes, many people go to Germany (especially) and buy a D-CAT RAV from there; the only gas station that says they bring euro 5 diesel being OMV, if you miss an OMV gas sation (there are many, but not as many as it should be to consider yourself lucky), you are oficially dead.

I read somewere that the new TDI diesel that's on Tiguan is a common rail type, so much more quieter. So, I guess just from the formulation, that they also considered the past TDI a little bit noisy...Or I'm just too sensible in an auditorial way!

No, leaving the joke away, I'm sure that Tiguan will make a big sale, especially in Europe. Thay had a very good strategy. Two kinds of design, challenging the "true off roaders" like Freelander and X -trail, and one more "stradal" to compete with RAV, CR-V, or even X3. And to be sure that they will not pass unnoticed, the price to pay fore a Tiguan isn't too much.

I've seen two of them, one white (I understand that this is the new cooliest car colour) and one dark red. To quote Shania Twain, that don't impress me much. And I say it again, if I would have to reconsider all again, there is one answer: RAV. ;)

[Manxrav]

Being half-term this next week, I,ve booked a test drive for Thursday of the new Tiguan. Will let you know if it does come anywhere as good as the T180

Clare

[Fujisan]

Being half-term this next week, I,ve booked a test drive for Thursday of the new Tiguan. Will let you know if it does come anywhere as good as the T180

Clare

Now that will be an interesting read Look forward to it ;)

[nest]

Yep man, and be honest! If it's the case, tell us the truth in the face! :)

[Manxrav]

Well better late than never. I had a test drive last Thursday of the new Tiguan, the model was the 2 ltr TDI-140bhp,SE model in silver leaf(gold colour).

OUTSIDE- second time I,d seen it, it is a lot more compact than the Rav4, it literally looks like a Golf on stilts. Build quality is very good and it does have a lift up rear door. It also does carry a spare- space saver wheel and tyre.

INSIDE- this version had leather interior with heated seats but at a price £1400 add on. Iwas diappointed with the interior it noway comes near to the Rav4 interior the plastics are cheap and it is very bland looking.Sat nav was not on this model it,s an extra. The leather seats even as an extra were very poor,they were like 2 leather covered benches.

DRIVE- The 2ltr TDI is a very good engine it has plenty of poke and was lovely to drive. The best bit is the MPG it averaged 39mpg on a drive from Ramsey to Kirk Michael (about 12 miles there and back). I found the brakes very grabby.

Overall- I,ve raved about this one for ages but I must admit I don,t think it is in the same class as the Rav4.The thing that puts me off most is the cost of the "add-ons" that come as standard on even the XT3, they sure know what to charge for them.

One that I did look and sit in was the Mazda CX7, shame it has only a petrol engine at the moment. It is getting a diesel engine in later this year,that will really start to sell it, it is a quality motor Nissan Murano watch out

Good Day alround it proved to me that the Rav4 is still the one to beat, and what a clever bit of marketing Toyota are doing with the XTR at the price it is it will murder the Tiguan purely with value for money!!!

Clare

[chatman]

Nice one Clare

VAG group are famed for adding bits on then charging an arm and leg for them....Lucky you get a CD player in there cars....

Wait until the Ford Kuga joins the party...Having seen one in the metal, it's a fine looking car...and you wont pay over the odds for one either....

[bothwell_buyer]

Uuuummmm

my Humber hawk has nice red leather seats - came as standard!!

[Fujisan]

Well better late than never. I had a test drive last Thursday of the new Tiguan, the model was the 2 ltr TDI-140bhp,SE model in silver leaf(gold colour).

OUTSIDE- second time I,d seen it, it is a lot more compact than the Rav4, it literally looks like a Golf on stilts. Build quality is very good and it does have a lift up rear door. It also does carry a spare- space saver wheel and tyre.

INSIDE- this version had leather interior with heated seats but at a price £1400 add on. Iwas diappointed with the interior it noway comes near to the Rav4 interior the plastics are cheap and it is very bland looking.Sat nav was not on this model it,s an extra. The leather seats even as an extra were very poor,they were like 2 leather covered benches.

DRIVE- The 2ltr TDI is a very good engine it has plenty of poke and was lovely to drive. The best bit is the MPG it averaged 39mpg on a drive from Ramsey to Kirk Michael (about 12 miles there and back). I found the brakes very grabby.

Overall- I,ve raved about this one for ages but I must admit I don,t think it is in the same class as the Rav4.The thing that puts me off most is the cost of the "add-ons" that come as standard on even the XT3, they sure know what to charge for them.

One that I did look and sit in was the Mazda CX7, shame it has only a petrol engine at the moment. It is getting a diesel engine in later this year,that will really start to sell it, it is a quality motor Nissan Murano watch out

Good Day alround it proved to me that the Rav4 is still the one to beat, and what a clever bit of marketing Toyota are doing with the XTR at the price it is it will murder the Tiguan purely with value for money!!!

Clare

Thank you Clare A very interesting read