Touareg Owner thinking of H3

[Spuds]

I have a V-6 Touareg that the lease is rapidly approaching the end. Thinking about an H3 to replace it. I am a former CJ, Grand Wagoneer, and Subaru owner and have always had a 4x4 of some sort. Now days I usually use 4WD to access remote areas of the coast to launch my kayaks.


I have looked at '07 Wrangler unLimited but was more impressed with the fit and finish on the H3 and the ample offroad equipment it offered.

My concern is the tiny windows that would seem to limit visibility. Is this something that everyone just gets used to?

Another is going from fully independent to a live axle in the rear. How is the ride quality overall?

Thanks

http://i17.tinypic.com/2r5svma.jpg

[Desert Dan]

You get used to the windows. The mirrors are big enough.

The sun roof is a must.

If you are planning to use it off road spring for the Adventure Package (33" tires, Rear locker and 4:1 T-case)

Get the roof rack cross bows and you can mount all your Kyak gear to them or add a roof rack.

You may think it is underpowered at first but take a good test drive and see. Not fast on acceleration but mine cruises along just fine.

I have looked at the 4 -door JK Rubicon. It is really nice but still a Jeep (the way it should be) in fit and finish and probably not a comfortable and quite as the H3.


I have hear the Tourags reliablity is an issue?

[DRTYFN]

The H3 will be getting a V8 this summer. Be patient.

[Spuds]

The VW 50K bumper to bumper warranty pretty much cleared up all issues and since the warranty has run out, have not had any problems. At about 5700# and 240 hp, the Touareg is no screamer.....but the 6 speed Triptonic helps. I easily get 20 mpg on a 30 mile round trip commute, if the traffic is not stop and go.

I got to thinking about a 4 door Rubicon and decided to see how an H3 compared.

Frankly, I was more impressed with the H3 for a daily driver.

Any info on what V-8 it will be getting?

[Steve - SanJose]

The older V6 Touareg is also very slow, so the transition to the H3 should be easy. Side windows are not a problem, but rear vision is terrible. Plan to have a rear camera or Hitchcam installed for safety when backing up.

[DRTYFN]

The older V6 Touareg is also very slow, so the transition to the H3 should be easy. Side windows are not a problem, but rear vision is terrible. Plan to have a rear camera or Hitchcam installed for safety when backing up.
Not sure what you're comparing rearward vision to, but the H3 has pretty decent views to the rear. Maybe adjust your mirrors better.

[stagger_lee]

I actually was quite pleased with the ride on and off the road. It is very smooth and not bouncy. Rides more like a car then a truck. Definatley go test drive one and see for yourself. I just think overall you are looking at a much more quality vehicle overall in the H3. :beerchug:

[DennisAJC]

Buckeye???? Jason, is that you?

[Steve - SanJose]

Not sure what you're comparing rearward vision to, but the H3 has pretty decent views to the rear. Maybe adjust your mirrors better.

Noting the number of expensive backup accidents with H3's on this forum, rear vision is not good compared to many SUV's (such as Highlander, Explorer, Murano, Trailblazer, Liberty, etc.). There is a very large blind spot directly behind spare tire where small cars and small people are completely hidden from view. Even with the rear and side mirrors adjusted properly, they do not help to see in the blind area. A rear camera or Hitchcam can be very helpful when backing up in tight quarters. I have a Hitchcam on my H3 and it helps a lot.

[stagger_lee]

Noting the number of expensive backup accidents with H3's on this forum, rear vision is not good compared to many SUV's (such as Highlander, Explorer, Murano, Trailblazer, Liberty, etc.). There is a very large blind spot directly behind spare tire where small cars and small people are completely hidden from view. Even with the rear and side mirrors adjusted properly, they do not help to see in the blind area. A rear camera or Hitchcam can be very helpful when backing up in tight quarters. I have a Hitchcam on my H3 and it helps a lot.

Yeah well I just have my kid stand on the center consel with with his head out the sunroof. He is the backup buzzer. "beep, beep, beep"! No accidents yet. :beerchug:

[Huck BB62]

The small windows are GREAT for sun protection!!! We had a rental though that didn't have a sunroof and it felt sort of claustrophobic compared to ours. In the winter when it's dank and rainy, our sunshade is always open. It goes a long long way towards giving the H3 an airy open feel. But in the summer, it's awesome to have all the shade that the big square roof gives you when it's brutally hot and when it's nice, that big open sunroof is awesome.

The Touareg is a poor performer offroad compared to the Adventure H3. BUT, if you want to wait for a year for a genuine hot rod, the diesel TDI V10 might be back out. But then you're looking at Denali territory. We looked at the VW when we bought our Denali. For our purposes, the Denali was what we needed. It only gets 16mpg but it's a lot more vehicle too.

I'd rent the H3 and drive it for a week, if you like it then, you always will.

[Steve - SanJose]

I read VW Toureg sales are dropping rapidly in the US, it's boring....

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Go with the H3. If you are an outdoorsy person, and like to travel into the back country, there is no better vehicle.

[hummer74]

I read VW Toureg sales are dropping rapidly in the US, it's boring....

i like the toureg??? especially the v10 tdi. nice truck, i saw the inside and was pretty impressed. now, dont get me wrong, i like the hummer brand better, but the vw was much better than i thought it would be.

[Steve - SanJose]

i like the toureg??? especially the v10 tdi. nice truck, i saw the inside and was pretty impressed. now, dont get me wrong, i like the hummer brand better, but the vw was much better than i thought it would be.

VW is in trouble with Toureg, sales have really slowed over the last year. I can't figure out why it's so heavy with unibody construction, way over 5000 pounds.

[hummer74]

pretty f-ing nice interior though

[hummer74]

VW is in trouble with Toureg, sales have really slowed over the last year. I can't figure out why it's so heavy with unibody construction, way over 5000 pounds.

but with the twin turbo diesel it should have plenty of horsepower and torque to move 5000+ pounds easily

[Steve - SanJose]

pretty f-ing nice interior though

Excellent interior, very tutonic.

[hummer74]

Excellent interior, very tutonic.
thats what i was thinking.....ummmm what does tutonic mean again? lol i cant find it on websters dictionary site?

[Steve - SanJose]

thats what i was thinking.....ummmm what does tutonic mean again? lol i cant find it on websters dictionary site?

slang for Germany style, business-like, although I thinks spelling is teutonic.

I'm a fan/owner of Porsche's etc.

[hummer74]

oh, well, then yes it is very teutoniclike. :beerchug:

[Sewie]

pretty f-ing nice interior though

:iagree: Rode in one today for the first time. I was very impressed with the interior. Can't stand the exterior styling though.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

:iagree: Rode in one today for the first time. I was very impressed with the interior. Can't stand the exterior styling though.
There is a refresh on the way, but I didn't think it made that much of a difference.

[gc2488]

I like the VW Touareg a lot, especially loaded with options such as the adjustable air suspension. But, it can get expensive. I'd say the Hummer H3 has some important qualities of both the Touareg and Wranger -- a great blend of the two. Like:

- very quiet and smooth ride (as with Touareg), thanks to things like triple rubber door seals.

- great off-road capability and suspension clearance, stock, like the Wranger. The H3 may have even better clearance in stock configuration than the Wranger, what do you think?

[MaxH3]

As a previous owner of the Touareg, I feel qualified to lend my input to this subject...

Everyone has different needs and desires and it sounds like you may be the perfect H3 owner. Your love of the outdoors and your need to be out in the wild with your kayaks makes the 3 your SUV.

But lets get real about one thing. For on-road use there is no, and I mean no comparison between these two SUV's. I just had an '06 T-reg as a loaner for four days and it was a rude reminder of the mistake I made getting into the H3 last May...I know its not going to be a popular opinion here but the Reg was so much nicer to drive, so much more comfortable and way more responsive. The H3 turns heads, looks really cool, but is an on-road under performer. The 5 cyl. with slow throttle response is brutal. The V6 Reg has a pepper feel and seems to get up and go alot faster...esp when you use tip-tronic shifting. Imagine an Audi A6 on 'roids. The Reg comes in V8 and V10 options...beasts.

As far as issues with the cars, both have had issues...as I wait for my dealer to get the parts in to do my cyl. head replacement, thankfully still under warranty...I had no major issues in the first 20k on the Reg before I traded her in.

The technology and creature comforts in the Reg are awesome...climate control, onboard computers, you get the idea.

That said...the Hummer is a fun car to own, drive, and go off road with...it has plenty of positive attributes of its own...but it really comes down to what your needs and wants are...and in this case, go gor the H3. Just be prepared for some really stark differences in ride comfort and creature comforts.

Enjoy!

[frenzy1]

I drive and H2 and tought that the "small" windows would be a problem. but, it's not true at all. You have plenty of visibility. But, indeed, go for the sunroof. It gives alot of extra light.

Frenzy
Belgium, Europe

[usetosellhummer]

had a beetle, that was enough German cars. Service, Parts, Break Factor, Off Road Hummer
ride, style, metrosexual = VW
You decide

[blindzebra]

slang for Germany style, business-like, although I thinks spelling is teutonic.

I'm a fan/owner of Porsche's etc.

you mean templar?

[Viet Nam Vette]

There is no such thing as the perfect Automobile....Buy what fits your needs....And Buy American...Buy GM :D

[Hummer Aficionado_VT]

Some plagues are beubonic.

...Sorry, couldn't resist rhyming the two words...

BTW: The Taureg is nothing more than VW's version of the Porsche Cayenne (Carrera? Whichever the SUV is...). They look SOOO much alike!

[Steve - SanJose]

Some plagues are beubonic.

...Sorry, couldn't resist rhyming the two words...

BTW: The Taureg is nothing more than VW's version of the Porsche Cayenne (Carrera? Whichever the SUV is...). They look SOOO much alike!

Other way around, Cayenne is a version of VW Tourag. In fact Porsche took a ownership positon (%) in VW to maintain some control of VW.

[Hummer Aficionado_VT]

Oh. Pardon me then! :D

[K9sH3]

Oh. Pardon me then! :D


HAHAHAHA!!

:jump:

[MajorGeek]

There is no such thing as the perfect Automobile....Buy what fits your needs....And Buy American...Buy GM :D
There is nothing American made anymore. Seen Detroit lately? Fords and GM, etc are often built in Mexico and Canada where companies like Hyundai and Toyota are building plants and employing Americans. We dont make anything here anymore.

[Huck BB62]

Okee dokey, you say so. http://www.technology.gov/Reports/autos/auto.pdf

[Alan06SUT]

Hummers= Wheel real trails in comfort! The only thing that comes close is a range rover.

[Steve - SanJose]

Hummers= Wheel real trails in comfort! The only thing that comes close is a range rover.

I agree, and I like that new Range Rover Sport. But it has more of a onroad slant.

[XM DUDE]

I agree, and I like that new Range Rover Sport. But it has more of a onroad slant.




A Range Rover is most likely to leave you stranded on the trail due to some failure, I would go Hummer any day.
VW's I never again will buy one, as we have poured way too much money into the 2 jettas, I just have had a bad experience with VW's, we right now have a 2007 Tahoe and couldn't be happier with it, an H3 Alpha will be next as the V8 option will make the H3 a desirable jeep killer to have.

[Steve - SanJose]

A Range Rover is most likely to leave you stranded on the trail due to some failure, I would go Hummer any day.
VW's I never again will buy one, as we have poured way too much money into the 2 jettas, I just have had a bad experience with VW's, we right now have a 2007 Tahoe and couldn't be happier with it, an H3 Alpha will be next as the V8 option will make the H3 a desirable jeep killer to have.

On the trail, I like Hummer's more straight ahead/lower tech solution to the hardware also. I see the Range Rover as more of street-oriented SUV.

[XM DUDE]

What I don't get is on the LR3 you are flying down the trail when all of the sudden you are reaching for that knob selector thing saying dam where is volcano mode!!???:eek: The knob settings for different terrain,:lame: