2008 Volkswagen Multivan First Steer
14 Sep, 2007
55 Comments 
“The coolest Kombi Van on the planet – Volkswagen’s Multivan Sport TDI is also a super luxo ride for seven people”
Test Model: 2008 Volkswagen Multivan Sport 2.5 TDI, Tiptronic.
Options Fitted: None – although you can get a glass sunroof for $2000 – which for this kind of freight, should be standard kit along with roof racks, no ifs or buts.
Recommended Retail Price: $76,990
Where it sits: It’s a proper Limited Edition – Volkswagen has only produced 50 of these – so you are guaranteed exclusivity. You have a choice of just two colours, Samoan Red (as you can see) and Reflex Silver M – which we haven’t seen.
The Multivan range starts at $56,990 for the Comfortline 2.5L TDI 128kW six-speed auto, and goes all the way up to this special edition.
You can also get a 3.2L V6 173kW petrol engine, and if you choose the six-speed manual version – you can opt for Volkswagen’s All Wheel Drive system, known as 4MOTION.
I should have been writing this review about the base model Touareg R5 TDI but when I arrived at Volkswagen Australia to collect it – a funny thing happened. I was given the keys and was wondering around the compound trying to locate this sizeable SUV when this Multivan T5 flashed its lights at me.
Someone had made a wrong entry in the schedule and until Volkswagen could arrange the Touareg – I decided to see what a Multivan was all about.
I’ve never owned a van but as far as vans go, this is the business. The Samoa Red metallic paint job looks particularly sweet as does the 235/50 Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubber all round, on some very unique 18-inch alloys.
It sits low to the ground and all bumpers and outside trim is colour-coded as well as “Sport Edition” badges located on each front panel.There’s also some tasteful metal step inserts with lighting, which make entry and exit for passengers a breeze.
Adding to the looks are the dark tinted windows all round. Side windows slide open, albeit manually.
It’s big, very tall and very long! Overall length is 4890mm and that’s 100mm longer than a Toyota Tarago but surprisingly, shorter than a Chrysler Voyager by around 20mm.
At 1954mm though, it leads the class in the height department. You can literally walk around inside this thing without stooping, it’s that tall.
All seven seats are trimmed in beautifully soft, two-tone leather they call Grenadine, and it definitely gives the interior an upmarket David Jones quality look.
Given the high levels of luxury kit aboard the Multivan, I’m surprised by the omission of a power driver’s seat at least, given you need to reach down quite low to find the manual slide mechanism. There’s also a lack of side bolster support on both front seats despite their comfort in straight line cruising.
The seating configuration is hugely versatile. There’s a three-seater rear bench along with two middle row swivel seats with dual armrests. All seats, including the rear bench, are on a track so that you can move them into almost any position possible. You can also remove all rear seats, which will free up a massive 4.3 square metres of load space.
Although there’s no centre console – there are endless compartments for all your bits and pieces and the side door pockets are enormous. You’ll also find sliding drawers under all of the rear seats.
Let’s talk about access – this is half the fun. Both sliding side doors are electrically operated from either the remote fob, or via buttons on the dash. Perfect for school picks ups and drop offs although, hotels and their guests would also find this feature useful.
The rear tailgate is enormous and is a perfect rain shelter if you happen to be suiting up for surf, on one of those stormy but perfect days!
Whether your transporting hotel guests, kids or grommets – they’ll all be blown away by the 23.5cm LCD screen with an “easy to use” DVD player and eight speakers in total.
Also standard is a six-disc CD changer, Sat Nav – which is not touch screen but quite simple to work out without resorting to the tortuous task of reading the manual.
Passengers can also kick back and have a few drinks on the way to diner, as there is a very handy bar table in the rear, which can not only move forward and aft but also raise and lower its height.
An inventory of interior functions is too extensive to list suffice to say, this thing has everything you could ever need for any purpose in life.
Front and rear parking sensors, 3 zone climate control, Sports leather steering wheel, rain sensors are just a few of the goodies.
The headlights, although Halogen not Xenon, are superior to any previous halogens I have experienced.
Powered by Volkswagen’s 2.5L TDI with 128kW and a serious 400Nm at 2,905rpm, this van can accelerate up one of the steepest roads in Sydney’s Balmoral – and that’s no mean feat.
Highway cruising is effortless, regardless of a full load or not although, the engine drone is a little on the noisy side under revs, but it’s not that nasty diesel clatter that affects some auto species. That said, it could be quieter.
The six-speed Tiptronic does a fine job with smooth gearshifts making the Multivan Sport a piece of cake to drive, as does the rack and pinion power steering delivering a respectable turning circle of 11.9m and that’s not far off your average SUV.
Handling for such a large and tall vehicle is surprisingly good with minimal body roll through corners. Poor road surfaces are not much bother either, with McPherson Struts and anti-roll bars handling suspension at both ends.
If you’ve never driven a large van like this before, don’t panic, you’ll be able to drive a Multivan, no experience necessary.
If you’re a petrol miser – you’ll like VW even more. Even with a decent load aboard the Multivan, your 80-litre tank of diesel will probably get you close to the official figure 8.7L/100km. I was driving around for a day or two before the fuel needle finally moved off the “full” mark.
As a people mover – you would expect plenty of airbags and electronic safety aids, and that’s exactly what you get.
Passive safety includes; dual front airbags, front side airbags with curtain airbags front and rear.
Electronic Stability Program – a must for any large people mover and SUV is of course standard, as are Anti Lock Brakes with Electronic Diff-Lock (EDL) and Anti Spin Regulation with Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC) which all assist with traction in various conditions.
“Enormously versatile, enormously well appointed, Volkswagen’s Multivan Sport is a unique vehicle and in a class of its own”
By Anthony Crawford
Location: Home / Volkswagen, Behind the Wheel / ...
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(16 votes, average: 4.19 out of 5)
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September 14th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
*****PRIMO****!
LOL, $76,990 do they think that enough wood-ducks are in Australia!!
Cheers
F-0
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September 14th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
with three kids this weekend - I miss it already!
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September 14th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Lol rather optimisitc I think on the part of VW… it doesnt look all that great (especially that dash) and when considering its prity much the same price as a top of range Terrago with less features, less powerful engine and worse ergonomics among all other things, I know where my money would go.
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September 14th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Is this the van Clarkson picks on TopGear for the van challenge?
If it is Aust’s been short changed Clarkson’s one looked a lot sportier.
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September 14th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Chaps - its a lot more versatile that a Tarago and of course is powered by a frugal but stump pulling 400Nm TDI, as apposed to a less frugal V6. I’m also a fan of the Tarago, but it just doesn’t have the load space dimensions of the Multivan.
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September 14th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
In reply to Frugal One prices start @ the more resonable $56,990 not the 76,990 of this Limited Edition model ;)
In reply to Nik no this Sport Edition Multivan is not the van tested by JC that van was the T5 Transporter Sportline which is based on the Panel Van version of the Transporter range.
Sportline Website http://www.volkswagen-vans.co......lSportline
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September 14th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Perhaps, but personally I think the Tarago looks sportier then the Multivan!!! And Im not saying its sporty, more discrediting the VW… if it wasnt for the Sport badge and the glass on the side you’d mistake it for a trademens van. But each unto their own.
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September 14th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
oh my god dont tell me we are using sport and people mover in the one sentence
obviously VW has gone for space and versatility here.
design would prob suit the “surfy” guys a bit more as the tarago is a bit more “4 kids nothing else could fit them” image
and then that space thing again. also you could probably live in this thing too
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September 14th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Well VW obviously have, in fact they have put a badge onto it to that effect lol!
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September 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
It’s not unique, the Mercedes Vito is a very similar proposition.
They make great taxis admittedly!
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September 15th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I’ll have to check that Foggy, as I didn’t know that Merc did a fit out on the Vito like this?
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September 15th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Geepers PAUL your on here plugging the love of Mr Laws’s beloved Toyota. You are not comparing the same vehicle here. This VW is versatile, roomy as and could easily live in it. It offers more then just lugging the horde of kids around like the Tarago, whilst the Tarago looks real nice it is a different design inside as less volume, not as great motor as VW and economy not worth rating compared to VW. Tarago looks great nevertheless. VW has clever gizmos in it and as for dash being bad me thinks not so. Looks like Dr Who designed the outside as up against Tarago it looks second rate on looks.
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September 16th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Mate you can compared a Tarago with this, they are very similar. Nothing wrong in doing so.
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September 20th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Hi All,
I drive a Vito converted to people mover (and love it) and if I had the money I would definately buy the real Merc people mover. The only complaint is the really noisey diesel engine, but as far as power brakes room etc the Vito has it al over the VW.
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September 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
LIKE TO HAVE THE VAN I HPE SOMBODY WOULD BUY IT FOR ME SO THAT MY FAMILY CAN TRAVEL ANYWHER
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October 9th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Bought a silver one! They are fantastic!
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October 14th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I was loaned a crewvan transporter (125kw/400nm diesel, 6 speed automatic) overnight, by a VW dealer and the more I drove it, the more I liked it. Plenty of room , great vision, powerful and smooth. Handling was surprising for such a tall vehicle. I have ordered one with just about every option ticked, which means it has same motor, gearbox,windows, 5 doors, seats, suspension etc, as the Multivan, but not the fancy interior, for about $25,000 less. Not sure how a diesel VW compares with a V6 Tarago running on premium unleaded either. The 400nm torque at low revs on the VW really pulls, the gearbox is sensational. I also think the VW looks way tougher than the futuristic Tarago look, which will quickly date. My van was made on the 11th of October which means it should arrive about the end of November and I cannot wait. Is everyone supposed to know what LOL means?
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October 19th, 2007 at 10:57 am
I’m in a electric wheelchair and I sit pretty tall 150cm. I ordered a T5 which is due around Nov/Dec 2007. It’s a mid roof but plenty of options 128kw, 6 speed auto, rear windows, rear a\c, 17″ wheels n of all the vans around that can be converted for a in wheelchair passenger the T5 ticked all the boxes and when received the $55,000 T5 will be sent for a $36,000 wheelchair conversion, cant wait.
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October 19th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Hello Ramrooster,
Your van sounds great, I understand that only recently you can build the T5 up with options like we have. I would have loved to tick the 17 inch wheel option but could not justify the cost, they make the outside looks so good. I settled for hubcaps and will consider different wheels once I take possession. What colour did you order? I chose the silver, well my wife did. Sometimes you have to let them have some influence.
By the way I wanted to say that a Tarago looks like something from The Thunderbirds, and just as dated, but felt it was a bit insulting to do so!!!
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November 1st, 2007 at 10:25 am
Yeah mate sounds like ours might be coming same time. I choose silver smart woman your wife lol so i got driving lights, colour coded bumpers, tinted windows n seperate front n rear a\c. I was granted $86,000 I had $101 left over lol.
With the mid roof it’ll look sick!
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November 1st, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Yeah the option I missed as I didnt realise until after ordering is the 20mm lowered running gear as it’d sat lower but u cant have everything guess.
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November 2nd, 2007 at 2:16 am
Check out these genuine accessories n the nice silver T5
http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.....110506.pdf
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November 8th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Hey guys, I’m a tradey, and I bought one….(albeit the white version)…. brilliant, takes my 400 kilos of gear around sydney at at average of 750-800kms to the tank and it flies, relaxing to drive, kids love the rear room, tried the Vito 120, not even close to the satisfaction the T5 gives me. Recommend to all, Now I have to convince the real boss to get the Sportline for home use… wish me luck
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November 10th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Cannot even believe everybody is comparing the Multivan with a Tarago. I have had experience with both - and the multivan is in a totally different class.
A high quality very capable Automobile. The tarago is fine in it’s own right, but it is not a real people mover - fill it up with people and you need another car to follow you with their baggage, WTF? And although it is reasonable quality, it’s just not in the same league - just feel the weight and quality of a multivan tailgate… you are really getting what you pay for here.
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November 24th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Folks I am buying a multivan comfortline I was looking forward to the Tarago, however toyota have clearly moved away from the family towards the commercial with its new toyota. The middle seat in the middle row of three is a rock and no one in their right mind would want to sit there, extremely uncomfortable, and in the third row the middle seat seatblet comes out of the ceiling and would take your head off at the neck in an accident if your under about 175cms.
Quite simply the tarago is not in the same class as the vw people mover and is a long way short. I am sick of cars putting in space saver tyres in Australia, get a flat ont he highway after 5.00pm and you might as well stop and camp rather than risk the old spacesaver tyre.
The only reason you see so many taragos on the road is that all the familys bought them second hand fromcar rental places. You don’t see vw’s like that becasue they don’t give fleet discount prices anywhere near as large as toyota so the car hire companies tend towards toyota, can’t blame them for that though.
Man there are so many possibilities with the vw I can’t waite to get in mine.
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December 4th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
As an owner, for one year of a, 2006 VW highline have to say I love it and never thought a van could be so cruisy!
Having 4 children lead us to this car. The diesel, manual configuration was the seller in the end, of course right along side the comfort, road handling, power and the look :)
A great car….you’ll be stoked once you get it.
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December 22nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
We’ve also had the VW multivan since 2006. We chose the seven seater option and can’t imagine putting the 4 kids in anything safer/roomier/more functional or better looking! It feels as classy as driving in a limo but roomier.
All you need to do to compare the quality of the VW to the Vito or the Torago is - shut the door! This car is built solid! The mercedes and the toyota sound like an empty egg shell when you close the door. We did our research and guess what came out the best?
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January 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I like the interior, but the exterior is too boxy!
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January 12th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Great to read these reviews - my husband has been trying to convince me about the VW multivan for a few months now.
With 4th kid on the way we need a bigger car. He is convinced diesel is the only way to go, and I want the extra seats, although I’m not sure how I’ll go driving the massive size of it!!!
Does anyone know anything about the Caravelle supposed to be coming out in March/April? We saw it at the motor show and are tossing up between 7-seater Multivan or waiting for new 8-seater Caravelle?
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February 7th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Kate, I have 5 children and naturally enough a couple of months ago I bought the only option which was the 7 seater. Ultimately depends upon what you want the vehicle for and how often you might want to carry the relatives with you etc. You will love the car. Diesel will save you a lot of money on ‘petrol’
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February 18th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
The biggest mistake was when i took home a multivan for my wife to try and she loved it,i must say we did have a fault with this one which never was solved by VW so i got rid of it big mistake even my kids are upset and i wont say what my wife called me so now i am looking at another multivan to put me back in the good books after test driving every other 7 seater car avaliable you just cant come close to the vw
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February 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
The multivan is on my shortlist for the next car. You name the seating configuration “hugely versatile”.
If I want to make room for my surf board I need to fold the rear bench. The rear bench folded, you lose the 3 seats all together.
So, how do I fit my surfboard (say a 10′ longboard) AND the 3 kids? Do you know a seat option that would not imply making such compromise?
Such a big nice car, the offspring of the surfer’s icon and yet… German engineers don’t surf I guess. Or is sport something you watch on TV when you are a family man. Maybe surfers are supposed to be broke and will never have the money for a multivan?
Thanks if you know a solution.
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March 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Picked up a multivan in Jan 08 for my wife. I now want another one for myself. Best vehicle ever!
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March 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I got a Transporter 2.5lt turbo diesel 6sp auto in Jan08 & it goes great. I’ve fitted after market quick release 60/40 seats in the back. I want to fit some speakers in the rear. Does anyone know where they are normally fitted in the people mover versions? Do they go in the sliding doors?
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March 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
how can anyone compare a VW to a tarago?? i mean the VW is ok but the toyota is crap! I tossed up between a transporter and the merc viano / vito wagon for ages and bought the viano! i would not look back, if you are considering a transporter, pay the little extra (thats all it is) and enjoy a real car!
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March 15th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Has anyone managed to locate seat covers for these Multivans yet? I have enquired at a few places but no-one seems to have patterns. Also, do you know if the side airbags come out of the seats? if so, obviously, can’t get seat covers. Any ideas to protect the car from 4 young kids would be greatly appreciated!!
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April 6th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Reply to Peter Hadfield about speakers.
I fitted 6×9 4way speakers to the rear quarter panels of my transporter and they spectactularly transformed the sound in my van. Mind you I also replaced the head unit and the original speakers, but the rear speakers made the biggest improvement. It is pretty easy to fit them and run the wires. I used MDF to hold them in place, under the original trim.
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April 11th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
multivanes guzeel emme velakin bahalli du yalnuzun ben arabanun hatasiyum gardaşum biraz daha ucuzkadun oni yaw temek işteyirum anaymisun eba patsıı…
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April 26th, 2008 at 1:09 am
that van is from the movie the fast and the furious Tokeyo drift.
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April 29th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Parents own a 2005 TDi Highline model (one of the earliest on Victorian roads). Awesome people mover for the current market …has everything you would want as mentioned in the article, even some ooommph under the foot!
Merc and VW co-developed the current (and previous) van platform. Merc’s layout is similar to VW T4 Caravelle (that’s the reason we bought the T5). Merc’s pricing also reflects that.
I’ve been inside a tarago…its really a vehicle suited to 4-kids out the back! The rear floor-pan is very high, and hence the seats are very sedan-like (in refernce to back seat passengers). The base engine is a bit under-powering for a ~2tonne vehicle (2.4l, 4-cylinder). Just an observation, it seems most owners of Toyota’s don’t appreciate the engineering behind a well built Euro car.
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April 29th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
I was blown away by the enthusiastic comments for this vehicle, but shouldn’t be surprised.
My Perth VW dealer uses one of these in base-model form as a courtesy bus, so I get a ride back to the city whenever my Golf’s being serviced. Like all Vee Wees, it has the capacity to surprise. How can a diesel go this well? How can it be so spacious? Why does it ride like a car? How can it be so comfortable when the seating looks so plain?
And so on and so on. Its right to enjoy them.
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April 30th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Problem is Golfie and Co is the price, they are getting rather expensive topped up with the goodies. They have a strong following here with the Diver brigade favouring them. In fact wonder hat they are like second hand!!
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April 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I agree with Kay. We had the money to buy a mercedes but we chose a vw multivan because it ‘felt’ stronger than the merc. More solid… AND at the time, the merc didn’t have curtain airbags for the kiddies at the back… and Kate, by the way… we had custom made seat covers and now it’s kid proof. Those guys that make sheep-skin covers custom-made usually have non sheep-skin options. That’s who we used and they even sewed VW logos on the single seat covers for us - nice
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May 18th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
And with the oz dollar racing up over the last year im sure we can all expect a 10 - 15 % price reduction soon on all these imported vehicles. Yer right. The importers are making 20% more than they were a cupla years back.
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July 13th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I live in Europe and have owned a T5 TDI for a while now. It’s a great bus but the front wheel drive is useless in mud and snow. If you need to drive off the beaten track, get a 4-motion.
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July 20th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I just picked up my multivan Saturday. Comfortline upgraded with 17″, tint windows, fog lights, sports suspension, roof racks in Black Metallic Pearl. Order 4 months ago. Worth the wait. I can’t believe how well it drives. Our 4 kids love it - I too need seat covers - Jenny, Can you post a link to where you got those seat covers or a phone number?
Has anyone used the paint protection system - glare infinity plus?
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August 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 am
No vehicle manufacturer will be able to beat VW with regards to Vans, when you think of good times in Vans you think VW, when you think of surfing you think VW, when you think campervan you think VW! This all because its a, Victorinox of a van! I own the Splitty, Baywindow, skipped Vanagon and now Caravelle/Multivan V6 3.2L Auto. The goodtime feel you get is built into that VW van which always will be lacking in any other make. Yes its damn expensive but you also get what you pay for.. still damn expensive echo…..:-)
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August 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
MANOJ -
Tarago would destroy it.
Better built, better backed, better FULL STOP.
If you want the *best* might as well get one with TheBadge, go for the Benz Viano
Cheers
F-0
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August 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I don’t think Tarago does destroy it, Frugal One. It may be more mainstream and superficially fashionable - much like Corolla over Golf - but that doesn’t mean it’s better.
Have a look at the comments from new and past owners above. The Tarago doesn’t generate the same LOVE, man!
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August 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
I just wish they would import it to America!
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August 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
Hi Frugal One,
The Tarago is not available here in South Africa and although the engine is 202kw I dont think it has the Torque of the VW. VW has always maintained torqe superiority above kw.
The Tarago does look somewhat comfortable I personally like the middle row seat foot rest but compromises in seating and stowage space.
The Tarago just does not cut it for me in the Fun and out going factor with the family. Not high enough and the luggage space is too small in the Tarago and will definately take passanger space away. Loading luggage will also be a problem due to the high tailgate of the Tarago. The front looks like the Honda and the rear angle looks something like Huyndai..Kia or something like that.
The Viano is a good challenger but is still too formal! Too Business type rather then family orientated.
Thanks for you valuable advice.
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August 14th, 2008 at 12:01 am
abooo one laa böle bi arabaya modifiye sart ;)hehe vip olmassa olmaz
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August 16th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
the new TOYOTA HIACE is way better
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October 18th, 2008 at 4:02 am
I don’t get it. The complaints that is. I thought Australia is a big place, so why complain about the height of the van? It’s not as if you’re going to knock koala bears out of the trees when you pass underneath. Think positively, all the more space inside.
And as for losing traction when the going gets slippy because it’s front wheel drive, just lift off the gas ever so slightly. I didn’t have a probem when I took one to the Island of Mull off the west coast of Scotland for two weeks. It coped with farm tracks and forest tracks, wet roads and dry, although it loved the dry! For a van, you can certainly horse the big rascal along. On the twisty bits it’s easy to get the van out of shape and retain control, all you have to do is brace the left knee against the gearshift housing.
If you want a car, stick to a car, but if you want to carry stuff whether it’s alive or inanimate, then you need a van with seats, and this is about the best of the bunch that’s out there at the moment.
Price? Ok, a moot point. But think of the badge, it should offer some assurance that it will keep going long after others have given up the ghost.
In the end I didn’t buy one, but it was close.
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November 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Never heard such a lot of poeple talking such rubbish
Vw invented this concept about 60yrs ago and are the best at it and will continue to be the best for a very long time to come, merc vitos are rust buckets, unreliable questionable build qaulity and toyota are japanese no character at all, nowhere near the build qaulity and will not hold its money.
No comparison, just look at the pedigree!
VW all the way life too short to drive 5h1te!
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