Short test drive opinion discussion...

[Frogasaursas]

I test drove the Tiguan today - 132TSI Comfortline with DAP. It wasn't particularly long, but it didn't need to be because I found the car to be outstanding, especially when compared to the other cars I've test driven/been looking at. (CX5, Subaru Outback).

I was surprised at how punchy the engine was, it was like chalk and cheese compared to those other cars I mentioned. It seriously has some guts!

Love the active info display - I'm sure this kind-of dash will become standard in every car. The customisation for it is great and the look of it is really, well, classy tech if that makes sense.

The only thing I disliked was the stop-start function, and would prob turn this off, but then again I hated that on the CX5 and Outback so it's more just me.

Anyway, it convinced me to pull the trigger and order the 162TSI Highline with DAP. Only thing I'm a bit pissed about is having the build date as 2016 and not even driving the car till 2017! I was tossing up waiting till Jan/Feb and then doing a custom order to have a 2017 build date but by the time I'd get the car it'd be June, so might just bite the bullet.

[Frogasaursas]

Interesting feedback. I've had two VW's and was thinking it was time for a change. I always liked the styling of the CX-5 and when the revised model came out last year I got excited and my wife and I took one for a drive. I was really disappointed. We took the highest spec petrol and diesel for a drive and they really lacked power IMO. Visibility seemed poor and the overdue upgraded infotainment system was underwhelming. I did the same thing with a Tucson, with similar results. That's when we thought we'd hold out and see how the new Tiguan goes. I was paranoid that I'd be disappointed when I saw it and drove one, but I was really happy. My only disappointment is that it's another VW, and I was really keen to change for whatever reason. Oh well!

the CX-5s are very popular, so I imagine resale value would be quite decent - every cloud and all...

+1. I couldn't believe how gutless the CX5 GT was. I think it's a great looking car from the exterior, but that's where the love ended for me.

[Fridgie877]

What is the eta on the 162 if you ordered it today?

[Frogasaursas]

What is the eta on the 162 if you ordered it today?

Jan in theory.

[Gladbach]

Jan in theory.

I see you're in Balgowlah. Did you test drive at Bill Buckle Brookvale? I'm in Dee Why, so I test drove a comfortline there last weekend. They have two, I drove the one without DAP but checked out the DAP one that was in the showroom (spent about 30 mins connecting my phone and playing around with all of the options). I was also really impressed with the 132tsi performance when I drove it.

In regards to the build date, when I ordered mine it was MY17, even though theoretically it would be built in Dec. ETA at the moment is Jan, maybe Feb. I didn't order through the Brookvale dealer though, they didn't seem willing to provide any sort of discount.

[Frogasaursas]

Hey mate, no, I trekked over to Northshore VW in Artarmon.

Yeah they're all MY17 but most buyers look at build date when judging worth on used car sites.

No, no one seems to be discounting. Northshore VW even verbally quoted an inflated figure of 57.5, just for Highline with DAP. I'll be looking elsewhere to order.

[tigger73]

Yes the CX-5 AWD models with the 2.5l petrol runs 0-100 in 8.7sec (although Mazda don't advertise this fact in their brochure). Also according to the motoring journalists, it is quite a bit thirstier than advertised - especially if you're pushing it.

Even the 132TSI Tig is 1 second quicker at 7.7sec and 162TSI is more than 2 sec quicker at 6.5sec for the 0-100. This will be very noticeable on the road.

It's probably one of the weaker points for the CX-5. I'll be interested to see the comparison reviews between the 2 cars. Though not sure what cars they'll line up against each other as the CX-5 certainly has a more attractive price-point.

[Arkanoid007]

In regards to the build date, when I ordered mine it was MY17, even though theoretically it would be built in Dec. ETA at the moment is Jan, maybe Feb.

I was also given this time frame for a 162TSI; Jan to March.

Regarding build vs MY year...MY17 refers to compliance date (i.e. when the car is approved to drive on Australian soil). Build date is when it leaves the factory. The first batch of 162TSI's will be build closer to end of 2016 and by the time they arrive to AUS shores they will go through compliance and thus become MY17. With regards to resale value - its always the build date, NOT compliance date (i.e. MY year) that is important for second hand buyer, so if any dealer says MY is more important they are full of it.

As for the power output of the 132TSI, I was left bit disappointed. Maybe because we drive a Golf R so were not comparing apples with apples lol. Either way it did feel more powerful than the CX5 and CRV, although the Forester XT has got grunt due to the turbo boxer engine - but I hate the CVT transmission.

I am also keen on the 162TSI with DAP, MP and towbar. Not sure on the R-Line pack though. Apparently the ride becomes noticeably harsher with those 20" rims so not sure how the adaptive suspension will work. I really want to test a 162TSI before committing and even then I am not intending to pay 2.5-3K for dealer delivery...What a joke! So I hope I can do the above for 54K drive away.

[Brizzypom]

Nice one. Would be great to hear your thoughts after the drives.

Well, here's the abridged version


CX-5 transmission drove me crazy, never seemed to be in the right gear and was always hunting up and down. Pleasant enough car and is still an option just because of the price.


Tucson - was let down by poor rear visibility, heavy steering and cheap plastics. Brakes didn't give me much confidence too - was impressed with the maps though!


Tiguan - never driven a turbo before so never experienced turbo lag before or was it the DSG gearbox?? but it was noticeable. Drove the 132 but will probably go for the 162 because of the extras over and above the Comfortline luxury pack. Didn't want to spend nearly 60k but to get the options I want I may have to.

[Fridgie877]

I am also keen on the 162TSI with DAP, MP and towbar. Not sure on the R-Line pack though. Apparently the ride becomes noticeably harsher with those 20" rims so not sure how the adaptive suspension will work. I really want to test a 162TSI before committing and even then I am not intending to pay 2.5-3K for dealer delivery...What a joke! So I hope I can do the above for 54K drive away.

What is MP? Metallic paint?

I highly doubt you will get it for 54k. My brother is selling the 140tdi with r line and everything you said for 67k.... minus the 4k for r line and the rough 1.5k for the 140tdi so around 61.5k... might be able to talk them down a little bit they will prob laugh because they don't need to haggle to sell them. Same as ford with the ranger wildtrak, they don't need to drop their price to sell them

[Arkanoid007]

What is MP? Metallic paint?

I highly doubt you will get it for 54k. My brother is selling the 140tdi with r line and everything you said for 67k.... minus the 4k for r line and the rough 1.5k for the 140tdi so around 61.5k... might be able to talk them down a little bit they will prob laugh because they don't need to haggle to sell them. Same as ford with the ranger wildtrak, they don't need to drop their price to sell them

Yes, MP, is metallic paint. I just went to VW car configurator and the 140TDI with bells and whistles is $63,118 for Melbourne postcode (MP extra $700)...but your brother wants to sell it for $67K?

Anyways, if we remove the R-line ($4000), Sunroof ($2000) and swap for the TSI ($1500), that's $7500 less than the $63000, so I would need to pay a recommended drive-away price of $55,000. Now add the tow-bar (roughly $1300-1700 from asking dealers) and MP ($700), which would equate to about $2000 on top, so the price becomes $57,000. Now, I'm asking $54,000 so basically wanting to NOT pay the bulls**t dealer delivery, which VW wants about $3500 for the new Tiguan range. I think its fair to ask this, but yes, I agree it goes back to supply and demand. But hey, if one dealer doesn't want my money then I'll take my business elsewhere...or wait a bit.

[Fridgie877]

Yes, MP, is metallic paint. I just went to VW car configurator and the 140TDI with bells and whistles is $63,118 for Melbourne postcode (MP extra $700)...but your brother wants to sell it for $67K?

Anyways, if we remove the R-line ($4000), Sunroof ($2000) and swap for the TSI ($1500), that's $7500 less than the $63000, so I would need to pay a recommended drive-away price of $55,000. Now add the tow-bar (roughly $1300-1700 from asking dealers) and MP ($700), which would equate to about $2000 on top, so the price becomes $57,000. Now, I'm asking $54,000 so basically wanting to NOT pay the bulls**t dealer delivery, which VW wants about $3500 for the new Tiguan range. I think its fair to ask this, but yes, I agree it goes back to supply and demand. But hey, if one dealer doesn't want my money then I'll take my business elsewhere...or wait a bit.

Ah i forgot about the sunroof. Yep he called me when he sold one so he could tell me how much he said he could get me into one for. He wants me to wait for the new amarok but i like all the tech features in the tiguan.

Im thinking that maybe the build and price doesn't add the dealer delivery into consideration? Thats the only reason i can explain the extra 3k...... unless he aimed high and got a sucker of a customer...
There is a white 132 comfortline on car sales gor 58k, looks like it has the luxury pack but no dap... has 1500 ks too. I wouldnt pay 58k for a comfortline lol, wayy too much

[Fridgie877]

Melbourne must be cheaper than western sydney, in got about 44.4k with metallic paint

[Arkanoid007]

Im thinking that maybe the build and price doesn't add the dealer delivery into consideration? Thats the only reason i can explain the extra 3k...... unless he aimed high and got a sucker of a customer...

I think he did get a sucker lol. The final price (ie MRDP - Manufacturer Recommended Driveaway Price) in VW website includes, stamp duty, CTP and rego for 12 months and dealer delivery. The MRRP (Manufacturer Recommended Retail Price) is price of car only. The way I worked out the dealer delivery estimate is by looking at the difference between MRRP and MRDP, which is roughly $5500. Then subtract CTP and rego, which is roughly $700-800 and you can roughly work out stamp duty to be around $1700. Hence why $3000 leftover is dealer delivery which a magic number markup which I will never pay for any car I buy. So asking 7-12% off the MRDP is always reasonable. Basically the dealer wants to pass all of those costs to you. The dealer doesn't even pay the manufacturer a price equivalent to MRRP. A base price of the car would be 20-30% less that of. Then they get incentives, bonuses, hold back (which usually is 3-5% of car). So they make a s**t load of money lol. Anyways sorry about the wall of text lol.

There is a white 132 comfortline on car sales gor 58k, looks like it has the luxury pack but no dap... has 1500 ks too. I wouldnt pay 58k for a comfortline lol, wayy too much

Yeah I seen it. What a joke to ask 58k... Unless it's a typo and should be 48k but even then it's done 1500km lol!!!

[Fridgie877]

Yeah i get what you are saying, and i agree, i wouldn't pay any dealer delivery crap. I will let everyone know what i get mine for which should be at dealer cost or close too so that should give everyone a bit of bargaining knowledge