Tig v's Forrester? (Also TDI vs TSI pro's and con's)

[whoistheg]

I don't want to start a war or anything just genuine answers

Looking at a new car for mum and having an 09 EOS i told her to
check out the Tiguan range. She did but the dealers did not give her any good
pricing. Basically RRP with a few hundred off.

Tiguan 103TDI 6 Speed Automatic
Accessory Description
Metallic Paint
Comfort Package - 103TDI & 125TSI
Front Fog Lights - 103TDI & 125TSI
Leather Upholstery with Front Sports Seats and Electric Driver's Seat - 103TDI & 125TSI

$50,275 drive away

Then she had a look at the Subaru Forrester XT Premium 169kw auto,

Almost everything STD including BT and Satnav, leather,ipod and Xenon
$50,200 drive away

BT and Satnav, leather,ipod and Xenon on the VW is another 7k !!

Did anyone who just bought their Tiguan look hard at the Subaru?

If so what were the reasons with going with VW?

[Transporter]

Read through the Tiguan section there is definitely post similar to this one.

[team_v]

If its just a daily drive and she doesn't care about it much, the forrester is probably a good option.

However the VW is more refined, less plastic-y, and more comforatable imho.
It also has a better gearbox (the forrester feels very laggy) and has german build quality

I managed to get 1k off RRP and metallic paint+floor mats thrown in.
They are willing to deal but not too much since demand still exceeds supply.
That has to count for something.

[whoistheg]

Yeah daily drive to shops etc

I think she drove the 103 diesel auto and she said it felt laggy.

I might get her in a 147 DSG to see how that goes.

Then we will take the Subaru

Another -ve she had against the Tiguan is the turn indicator is on the wrong side

[team_v]

Tig's don't run DSG so they will all be sluxbox auto's.
I highly doubt she will prefer the 147 over the 103 as it is more a performance/fuel guzzler.

The turn indicator got me 2 times on my test drive but it would be easy enough to adapt.

It really depends on what she wants and how long she wants to be driving to the shops and back.
Test-driving all of the available options is the only real way to get what she is after.



The softroader test said the subi had a laggy 4speed auto, bland interior, poor radio range and 6 monthly services. It was good for handling capabilities and offroad however she wouldn't be using it for that.

the tig was down on the e-park brake, space saver spare and larger turning circle. It was good on interior quality and frugal economy, with good performance.



I never really noticed the lag from the 103TDI however i never really floored it and i have come from a 60kw corolla.

Why not look into a golf wagon tdi?

[Sharkie]

Wrong comparison to make between the TDI and the XT. Different target markets as the 1 has performance and the other does not comparitively.

I suggest a 147TSI (Tiptronic not DSG) and 6 speed not 4 speed like to Subaru, is the 1 to look at. Should get that with leather and satnav for around $50K drive-away.

The Tiguan is a much nicer quality car, both from the feel of the plastics and the drive. It is more prestigous and classy and the 1 I'd pick between the brands.

Make sure you show the park-assist as that is a great plus for elderly ladies.

[whoistheg]

Ahh yeah.. the park assist i must have a look at that when we take it
for a drive..

In the end she will get what i say and im leaning towards
the Tiguan and i know the VW is built like a rock where Subaru
is a little tinny

I briefly looked at the Auid Q5 and then i looked at the price and
i almost fell off the chair !! Damn they are nice but not that nice !

[team_v]

Ahh yeah.. the park assist i must have a look at that when we take it
for a drive..

In the end she will get what i say and im leaning towards
the Tiguan and i know the VW is built like a rock where Subaru
is a little tinny

I briefly looked at the Auid Q5 and then i looked at the price and
i almost fell off the chair !! Damn they are nice but not that nice !

Also note the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Seat someting (seat version of the tiguan) are all due out this year as well.

[Pullstarter]

Friend of mine has the XT, my 125 with the chip worked out about the same price. The XT has a NASTY auto, very rough, old fashioned and just plain HORRIBLE. The engine on kick down is vastly noisy, fairly quick yes but nowhere near the 125 with a chip for speed or torque.

Build quality is chalk and cheese, the XT has a cheap, hollow, plasticky feel which is just yuck. Mechanically it is fairly bullet proof however.

Drive both and you will easily see the difference. No contest as far as I'm concerned.

[jimbomort]

Then she had a look at the Subaru Forrester XT Premium 169kw auto,

Almost everything STD including BT and Satnav, leather,ipod and Xenon
$50,200 drive away

why is your mum looking at a forester turbo? If the go is important, as some others have suggested, she should try a 125 6 speed auto with the chip.

else if not important then a rethink all round, but no fair to compare the tdi Tig wit ha forester turbo.

If just a bit of go is important, then the 125 Auto should have plenty

The dash and feel of the Sube is well behind the Tig IMO and I've been a big fan of Subarus over the years, have owned nothing but subes for the last 10 years, until the Tig. The petrol motor too in the Tig, is far better than any Sube I have owned.

It is a bit smaller on space in the rear than the new Forester though.

[clip]

Just tell her to buy the forester. Last thing we need is more grannies driving Tigs!

I wonder if they are still including a litre of oil with the spares kit?

[Sanman]

The Forester went off my "must drive" list because of the motor + auto.
Everything else about it is Ok, esp. price
I understand MY2011 comes with a CVT auto, which would put it back on the list. Diesel auto, if they release one, would be an interesting option, too

[Spook]

Wrong comparison to make between the TDI and the XT. Different target markets as the 1 has performance and the other does not comparitively.

Agree on that, but I think a lot of people cross shop based on budget/price, and both cars listed are at a similar price point.

If space is not a priority, then definitely the Tig. Then again, what would you expect asking that question on a VW forum?

[Achtung Tiggy]

I was also in the same predicament. Besides the Tig and Forester, I also looked at the CX7 and Q5.

In the end, I chose the 147 because it handles better than the XT; and the XT has only a 4 speed auto gearbox. The XT has a more powerful engine but if you want power just get a 125 with a chip. As for the lack of boot space, I'm getting a roof pod.

The Tig looks and feels great with quality German engineering; and it's a steal when compared to other German SUVs

[whoistheg]

Like everything it was based on price.

Subaru can do a fully kitted car for 6k less than the Tiguan 103 based on
the quote the dealer gave us.

I guess the thing is we have around $55k to spend and just thought it
might be better value.