This 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI Is a Nice Reminder That Low cost Does Not Imply Reasonably priced

Man, the Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI was cool. It was understated and splendid but in addition made sufficient torque to tug stumps out of the bottom. And 99.999 % of people that noticed it will by no means discover it was particular. It was an SUV you got to flex how a lot you didn’t must flex.

I imply, what number of different automobiles with a V10 can fly fully beneath the radar? The outdated Audi S8 that had a V10 got here shut, however it was nonetheless a flagship luxurious sedan. That’s going to face out in a approach the Touareg by no means did. Even higher, due to the magic of depreciation, this V10 TDI simply bought for lower than $10,000. That’s low cost!

However because the itemizing makes clear, cheap and inexpensive usually are not the identical factor. Under no circumstances. As cool because the Touareg V10 TDI is, particularly in inexperienced, the record of issues improper with it’s lengthy and sure very costly to repair. It’s a virtually 20-year-old automobile, so it’s important to anticipate some scratches, chips, and dings. That’s simply what occurs when automobiles get pushed. However the remainder of the Identified Flaws record consists of some scary stuff.

Listed here are some highlights:

• Clear coat failure on the hood and roof; hood has been moist sanded
• Wrap on hood is a barely completely different coloration
• Sunroof is inoperative
• Exterior door handles are unfastened and buttons are inoperative
• Energy-folding mirrors are inoperative
• Parking sensors operate intermittently
• Rust on underbody and engine bay elements
• Rear hatch spring now not holds the hatch open.
• The vendor states that height-adjustable suspension system doesn’t keep on the highest setting and reveals an error.

Yeah, that’s going to take some actual cash to repair. And whilst you may ignore loads of it and nonetheless drive the automobile, the vendor mentioned the rear air suspension has a leak that’s finally going to need to be mounted.

Oh, after which there’s the road, “The vendor bought this Touareg in June 2022 and has added roughly 600 miles since.” Allegedly that’s as a result of the vendor is a automobile fanatic who doesn’t want a giant SUV, however 100 miles a month is suspiciously low. Perhaps they actually did have their enjoyable over the course of 600 miles, however that’s one dangerous purchase should you ask me.

And as we’ve beforehand written, the Touareg V10 TDI is usually a upkeep nightmare. When issues break, they’re very costly to repair. And that’s if you’ll find somebody to really do the fixing appropriately. One proprietor who was fortunate sufficient to get an prolonged guarantee racked up round $10,000 in repairs over simply three years. Yikes.

So keep in mind, because the saying goes, with the ability to purchase a automobile doesn’t imply you may afford to personal it.