I agree with Nuru. I have owned a VW, Jetta Wagon, and it was in the shop quite a bit. The price for the car initially, and what VW threatened to charge me everytime I went in to the service dept if the cost was not covered by maintenance, was steep . When the warranty ran out I ditched it. Here is a list of what was replaced: The catalytic converters, two mass airflow sensors (2 diff times), one coolant sensor, a solenoid that controled a valve to open/close depending on engine temp (lots of valve noise), two sensors for transmission engagement from park to drive (2 diff times) (could not get the auto trans into gear), passenger door open/light sensor module, an oil pan gasket, and three interior pieces that broke. Granted it was a 2001 that I off-loaded in 2007, but it only had 58,520 miles on it. I looked at a Toureg in Ann Arbor MI years ago and the dealer was so proud of the vehicle and price that he was not wiling to negotiate the used sticker price on the window. My 9 has been in the shop much less than the VW was and cost much less.
Dont get me wrong. I loved the VWs for drive-ability and handling. They are swift and meant for European roads, but are maintenance ****** like BMW and Mercedes. The 9 might not have the same aspects, but is a real trooper and takes a beating. I have had it in the US from Virginia to Upper Michigan and down to Cocoa beach, FL. It has been from Naples to Abruzzo and down to Sicily (italy). I plan on taking it up to Tuscany and Umbria soon and it has been into the shop 80% less than the VW. I respect VW craftmanship as the little details are covered like ruber bumpers in between deash panels, cockpit material feeling, and wire harness wrapping, are superb, but durability it questionable.