Uhh, I only mention the VW because of the great deals currently on them, but it turned into a VW bashing thread, so excuuuse me. Just trying to save the guy the embarrassment of buying a diaper mobile.
From what I know about the Tiguan, it's a steal for what you get. Like I said, I could have paid twice as much for the same platform and technology in an Audi, so yes, I'm thinking of the VW as a "budget mobile", but on the other hand, the engineering is high-end.
I think longevity is the one other issue to inject into the discussion. That is the single most obvious paradox that isn't answered in all the threads that bash VW is reliability. Hey, I know there are 1001 quirks on these cars, but if you master a few of them, like something such as the coilpacks, you have a vehicle that is patently better than the others. No doubt in my mind.
I take the example of B5.5 Passat buyers. People flocked to those car from "more reliable" models that were lower maintenance, but lower technology too. My female cousin even got burned, she came from a lifetime of VWs: Rabitt, Fox, Jetta that all went almost 300k under horrid Maine conditions and minimal service.Then she got a B5.% and sludged it, broke timing belts and likely had CPs go bad on her, along with the other chassis issues, they car sucked for her, no way could she pop out a bad CP and place her spare into place, that's about has hard as opening a door lock. Plus, she beat it and put a lot of miles on it w/o maintenace and dino oil. Does that make Passat a bad car, I dunno, but it's easy to say she was a BAD OWNER.
I think I was reacting to the OP's two choices was the perception that he was REALLY limiting himself in vehicle choices and indeed not done his homework. Pointing out the VWs strong points and resale vs price was meant to shock him out of his fog, it was as far across the scale as you can get. I have no "reliability" issues I'm worrying about. New engine update, no timing belt, turbo oil afterpump, heavy duty off road suspension, free service and maintenance from VW too. No complaints at under $22k.