Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI

<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kMsZZSLwel0lpXGSU167SwJFP_YwDyjx_U5nQoNr1V1cI2MNeshEU4NsUuYdzh9hSy_34FzqvYuiQOPWkgbNWtbT_ejXjq959ZXJulhEQ2k24JpSvEmfidag79BE4PS9VFuV7PKbR9FF/s1600/Tiguan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kMsZZSLwel0lpXGSU167SwJFP_YwDyjx_U5nQoNr1V1cI2MNeshEU4NsUuYdzh9hSy_34FzqvYuiQOPWkgbNWtbT_ejXjq959ZXJulhEQ2k24JpSvEmfidag79BE4PS9VFuV7PKbR9FF/s1600/Tiguan.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The Volkswagen Tiguan was launched in late 2007 and has been very popular with the world of motoring, selling over 700,000 cars worldwide to date. I had one of these cars for a short period of time, and although it was a good car, there were some things that didn't quite float my boat.</div><div><br /></div><div>The model i had was the 2.0 TDI with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. Yes it was economical, averaging about 43 mpg (if you're careful) and the driving position was very good, the steering was light and the space inside was more than adequate. That is, apart from the boot. The boot isn't small, but if you're in a wheelchair, you will really struggle getting it in. This is because the lower lip on the boot is so high, you would need a crane to get your chair in.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uW-ux2bRUgI3Jt2NSwzbSP2hO9cuWsCW1Zjf3-1LfwhIHboeiwUYz6jdvddB3B-LIeN66wKrK2szOAY4zfmNABO84_GfB07YLyTpNXgDxc443bqizXDaixLi3sdwFB0CRcpqBdTN4Vy-/s1600/sheet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uW-ux2bRUgI3Jt2NSwzbSP2hO9cuWsCW1Zjf3-1LfwhIHboeiwUYz6jdvddB3B-LIeN66wKrK2szOAY4zfmNABO84_GfB07YLyTpNXgDxc443bqizXDaixLi3sdwFB0CRcpqBdTN4Vy-/s320/sheet.JPG" width="207" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is the ride and comfort. The car i had was so unbelievably firm, you could ride over marshmallow and have a jolt to the spine. Now before i continue on this, i must point out that there are 3 different specifications for the Tiguan: Trend and Fun, Sport and Style and Track and Field. So which to chose from? Well, unless you live in the middle of a swamp, the Track and Field spec is out of the picture, although this has "comfort seats" with adjustable lumbar support. Sport and Style comes with 17inch alloy wheels and lower profile tyres, so the ride is stiffer than the Track and Field spec, although this option does come with a load of goodies such as tinted windows, under-seat draws and a folding table in the back.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that just leaves Trend and Fun. This is known as the "entry level" in Tiguan specifications. It comes with traction control, electric windows and an electronic handbrake (which i never trusted!) Yes the light came on, but im suppose to park my car on a hill and trust that it will be safe, because the light it on? But all round, this would be the spec i would go for. Easy to drive, easy to park and easy to live with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaL0FxAjcqiBAhEgFIposzDOdS0OoZU9Pr5H-ek9vkuKJQY93_2MGIzp9zsBiO3c2yymfAX5kCP7EKnLX3o8LBAC5Pzah3ucpUkUtounWfQUGzSCpdPrf5qc28R_Z7VBE2KgbGdUmXl3V/s1600/tiguaninside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaL0FxAjcqiBAhEgFIposzDOdS0OoZU9Pr5H-ek9vkuKJQY93_2MGIzp9zsBiO3c2yymfAX5kCP7EKnLX3o8LBAC5Pzah3ucpUkUtounWfQUGzSCpdPrf5qc28R_Z7VBE2KgbGdUmXl3V/s1600/tiguaninside.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div></div>

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI

The Volkswagen Tiguan was launched in late 2007 and has been very popular with the world of motoring, selling over 700,000 cars worldwide to...

Read more »

The Volkswagen Tiguan was launched in late 2007 and has been very popular with the world of motoring, selling over 700,000 cars worldwide to date. I had one of these cars for a short period of time, and although it was a good car, there were some things that didn't quite float my boat.

The model i had was the 2.0 TDI with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. Yes it was economical, averaging about 43 mpg (if you're careful) and the driving position was very good, the steering was light and the space inside was more than adequate. That is, apart from the boot. The boot isn't small, but if you're in a wheelchair, you will really struggle getting it in. This is because the lower lip on the boot is so high, you would need a crane to get your chair in.

Then there is the ride and comfort. The car i had was so unbelievably firm, you could ride over marshmallow and have a jolt to the spine. Now before i continue on this, i must point out that there are 3 different specifications for the Tiguan: Trend and Fun, Sport and Style and Track and Field. So which to chose from? Well, unless you live in the middle of a swamp, the Track and Field spec is out of the picture, although this has "comfort seats" with adjustable lumbar support. Sport and Style comes with 17inch alloy wheels and lower profile tyres, so the ride is stiffer than the Track and Field spec, although this option does come with a load of goodies such as tinted windows, under-seat draws and a folding table in the back.

So that just leaves Trend and Fun. This is known as the "entry level" in Tiguan specifications. It comes with traction control, electric windows and an electronic handbrake (which i never trusted!) Yes the light came on, but im suppose to park my car on a hill and trust that it will be safe, because the light it on? But all round, this would be the spec i would go for. Easy to drive, easy to park and easy to live with.

Car Choice: Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI
Written By: Ava Olivia 10:01 AM
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews

Ford Maverick XLT/Escape

<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1KgRiHFz_Kg8CRL-tFXBlxlNbFCoDp0GDKUB7wskTaZj4l8Tc3o7-K4TyrBdZ8N3K9lShUV7c-oLjSYuBZ4M3r6cBiLGrZz5_OS225tIyq05E_M_4MgE2OZny6Vz_pTbbem225mHSJC3/s1600/maverick4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1KgRiHFz_Kg8CRL-tFXBlxlNbFCoDp0GDKUB7wskTaZj4l8Tc3o7-K4TyrBdZ8N3K9lShUV7c-oLjSYuBZ4M3r6cBiLGrZz5_OS225tIyq05E_M_4MgE2OZny6Vz_pTbbem225mHSJC3/s1600/maverick4.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The Ford Maverick XLT, or the Escape in America, was first launched in the UK in 2001 and was a collaboration between Ford and Mazda, with Mazda launching the Tribute at the same time.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The Maverick was intended to replace the previous UK Maverick and Nissan Terrano II with two engines available to chose from. A 2 litre Zetec manual and a 3 litre V6 automatic. Both cars are All Wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, and while most of the power from the engine is sent to the front wheels, if traction is lost, more power is automatically sent to the rear.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">While the 3 litre V6 is certainly more of a gas-guzzler, it is by far the best engine out of the two available, although the gear ratios are something to be desired, having only 4 normal gears, and 2 low range.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrfyvjI-sWBwyQJiHJyj3Kanpffivvig_tVcoSj0iLzmwLUhs2DhUGOD550H4iTPSIxTCV0hqixj3qubtWoi7V_R_7KsX96-_X_J5wO2ANtPZ-bQXVZcrYev6QrJbVPUdXuRSgcCEuj84/s1600/maverickstats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrfyvjI-sWBwyQJiHJyj3Kanpffivvig_tVcoSj0iLzmwLUhs2DhUGOD550H4iTPSIxTCV0hqixj3qubtWoi7V_R_7KsX96-_X_J5wO2ANtPZ-bQXVZcrYev6QrJbVPUdXuRSgcCEuj84/s320/maverickstats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">As for off-roading? Well it would seem that Ford had decided for us that we didn't want to drive this car on anything beyond lose gravel, and even though it does handle reasonably well in our "Arctic" winters, i wouldn't want to tow a caravan with it over a frozen lake!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">So why, you ask, do i own one? Well, i am a wheelchair user, and for me, power and off-road ability is not that important for me. What is important for me, is space and comfort. All of which this car has in abundance. And although it has solid rear axles  designed for carrying heavy loads, it is still remarkably comfortable and the boot is more than big enough for a wheelchair.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Safety equipment features are driver, </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">passenger </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">(and optional, but recommended)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> side impact ai</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">r bags. Stiff anti-roll bars, allowing some lean</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">when going round corners, but no risk of rolling,</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">unless going round a hair-pin at 80mph! </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">ignition key has a chip inbedded into it, which the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">car reads when the key is inserted. If the car fails </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">to read this chip, the car will not start, even if the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">key has been cut to exactly match the original. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Due to this, the Maverick/Escape has some of the</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">lowest reported thefts in its class.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">For those of you who are looking for a car to take to the top of Snowdon, then i might suggest going for a Range Rover. But if the only off-roading you will ever be doing is parking on the beach, then this will do the trick just nicely.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NAx27_84pEYfMFABrsKq00NuBCWX9ASsB7Fpkeq3nyeOi3wprGXqJInt5pH_5WnKNJ8ZF3MfyrZ1y1bt8_ZCDIjYjQlPOF_sXtR7I4SRjWwSHqlzuZTGArJVEPKaLPUzDeff115-9st1/s1600/maverickinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NAx27_84pEYfMFABrsKq00NuBCWX9ASsB7Fpkeq3nyeOi3wprGXqJInt5pH_5WnKNJ8ZF3MfyrZ1y1bt8_ZCDIjYjQlPOF_sXtR7I4SRjWwSHqlzuZTGArJVEPKaLPUzDeff115-9st1/s1600/maverickinside.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Ford Maverick XLT/Escape

The Ford Maverick XLT, or the Escape in America, was first launched in the UK in 2001 and was a collaboration between Ford and Mazda, with M...

Read more »

The Ford Maverick XLT, or the Escape in America, was first launched in the UK in 2001 and was a collaboration between Ford and Mazda, with Mazda launching the Tribute at the same time.

The Maverick was intended to replace the previous UK Maverick and Nissan Terrano II with two engines available to chose from. A 2 litre Zetec manual and a 3 litre V6 automatic. Both cars are All Wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, and while most of the power from the engine is sent to the front wheels, if traction is lost, more power is automatically sent to the rear.

While the 3 litre V6 is certainly more of a gas-guzzler, it is by far the best engine out of the two available, although the gear ratios are something to be desired, having only 4 normal gears, and 2 low range.

As for off-roading? Well it would seem that Ford had decided for us that we didn't want to drive this car on anything beyond lose gravel, and even though it does handle reasonably well in our "Arctic" winters, i wouldn't want to tow a caravan with it over a frozen lake!

So why, you ask, do i own one? Well, i am a wheelchair user, and for me, power and off-road ability is not that important for me. What is important for me, is space and comfort. All of which this car has in abundance. And although it has solid rear axles  designed for carrying heavy loads, it is still remarkably comfortable and the boot is more than big enough for a wheelchair.

Safety equipment features are driver, passenger (and optional, but recommended)
 side impact air bags. Stiff anti-roll bars, allowing some lean
when going round corners, but no risk of rolling,
unless going round a hair-pin at 80mph! 

The ignition key has a chip inbedded into it, which the car reads when the key is inserted. If the car fails to read this chip, the car will not start, even if the key has been cut to exactly match the original. Due to this, the Maverick/Escape has some of the
lowest reported thefts in its class.

For those of you who are looking for a car to take to the top of Snowdon, then i might suggest going for a Range Rover. But if the only off-roading you will ever be doing is parking on the beach, then this will do the trick just nicely.

Car Choice: Ford Maverick XLT/Escape
Written By: Ava Olivia 9:24 AM
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews