Realize the VW Touareg is engineered/built on the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne.  As such they have similar parts and technology, and anything that breaks on those will cost a small fortune to fix.  With all the electronics on board and out of warranty, this is not a vehicle we can recommend to buy.

The 1st Gen Touareg was built on the VW PL71 platform, shared with the Porsche Cayenne and the Audi Q7.

All of these cars have a horrible longevity and reliability record. If you are looking for a money pit, this is the one to get!

In Europe these tend to last more than in the US for reasons that are beyond me. what I'm saying here applies mainly to the US, my experience with VWs and from what owners have told me.

First of all, you are talking about a car that's at least 13 years old - some of these soon will be turning 20. VWs tend to age poorly, especially incredibly complex ones that share their platform and engine with high-spec Audis.

With the Audi petrol 4.2L V8 you are looking at issues with oil consumption (and on this engine that usually not an issue with the piston rings, it actually tends to be the cylinder liners - so repair costs are just insane), poor quality timing chains that require replacement at higher millages ($450 in parts alone, can't even imagine how much labor would cost on that), The Fuel Stratified Injection system also known as FSI is a total mess on these early VW V8 (Preparing it requires someone who really knows how to work on these, and from my personal experience, injector issues tend to be a nightmare on any car and especially luxury over engineered German goods), and this being a VW - plastics break, seals leak and this also can end up costing a fortune. Most importantly, Although it probably could if your'e are willing to spend the money - I wouldn't rely on it lasting anything over 130 or 140 thousand miles.

Also, I don't think this needs to be said but - some were equipped with air suspension, and those tend to be unreliable and cost fortunes to repair. Even on a mountain bike, even the best air suspension, costs hundreds yearly just in maintenance - on a car it rends to cost $$,$$$ in repairs, especially when it gets old.

I just can't recommend this vehicle, it's old, it's complex, it's not that well built... As an owner of an aging complex European car, I can tell you - after a few months, of maybe even a year, the "fun factor" wears off and you're just left with a huge financial liability. Just because you got it for cheap doesn't change the fact it was a $62,000 car ($48k in 2008 adjusted for inflation), and doesn't change the fact that parts, maintenance and everything is still of an expensive luxury car.

Anyway, if it has a reasonable milage and if your'e lucky - it may not end up a total disaster. But I really wouldn't advise you to get one unless you are ready to deal with plenty of very expensive issues.

Much like every other VW, they are poor quality vehicles. When they first came out there were tons of complaints about them and the not-so-cheap repairs required.

I wouldn't recommend one.

Probably one of the most gigantic money pit VWs on the planet, which is not surprising because it's literally based on the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne all of which are endless money pits as well. The V6 models are not very good, the V8s are known for oil consumption as Dan mentioned above, and the V10 TDI will make you go to the bank for $10-20k loans just to repair it and keep it on the road.

If you want to go broke it’s a lot easier to just stay home and drink than work a job to pay for repairs on VW crap.