ok, last real car consideration. VW TDI

[Die Ford V8]

i test drove a 99 jetta and they are really nice to drive, comfortable, sporty, fun, somewhat stylish to me. I was thinking about a 2002 VW Jetta TDI.(Turbo Diesel Injection) THey get 40 to 50 mpg. the 1.9 has been made for about 20 years.

the thing is is that the 98 and older ones werent very reliable. the 2000 models had a few problems but so far the 2001+ are getting good ratings or so i hear.

i would love to get some feedback form people that have owned jettas 99 or newer or know someone that has it and how do they like it.

im being really skeptical and practical in my decision because this will be the next car I have for quite a while. i will get one maybe with around 50,000 miles or less.

the TDIs are rare though. I want a light colored, automatic, diesel jetta but they are few and far between.


any and all feedback will be appreciated.

[ July 11, 2005, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Die Ford V8 ]

[ChrisV6]

I just can tell you that TDIs sell here in Germany like crazy, you see nearly more Diesel than "normal" cars out there (thanks to the gas prices). If a car passes you on the Autobahn, it´s for sure a TDi.

I test drove a Golf TDI, it´s really a pleasure to drive (with 6speed manual), torque even at low rpms is great, just a very little Turbo lag, top end power isn´t that good, Diesel are physically not able to rev very high.

It´s very well built, too. And you can jump on it all the time and get still very decent gas mileage. With a conversion kit you can even run vegetable oil :D

I just don´t like VWs at all (that´s why i drive a Firebird) and the prices are plain crazy, even though -most- Diesel engines last very long.

Now they also found out that the exhaust fumes of high pressure injection diesel cause cancer, it isn´t really a problem, as long as you don´t have diesels everywhere like we do... ;)

[Die Ford V8]

hmm i just found out that the passat comes with a tdi but that might throw me from my price range.

[95Batmobile]

You might want to join a more femenine board and ask, because Jettas are chick cars :D

[V8 Killer]

Originally posted by 95Batmobile:
You might want to join a more femenine board and ask, because Jettas are chick cars :D

[img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img]

[terminaldegree]

One possible negative thing could be the size of the oil sump. VW/Audi is getting a lot of negative press about having too small an oil capacity, leading to sludge problems when the 1.8t starts cooking the oil; I can't remember whether the TDI has the same problem as well. Knowing if the oil was changed frequently could save an expensive problem down the road.

[black98V6]

I haven't messed with a TDI but a friend of mine has a 2000 VR6, it's a pretty cool car. He wanted a tdi but just couldn't find one. He also wanted automatic which makes it harder. At 68k miles his tranny went kablooey due to a tranny controller that was bad. It was fixed under warranty because the car was certified. Overall they are some really nice cars. Yeah they kinda are chick cars but alot of car guys say that about v6 f-bodies too. :D

[Die Ford V8]

45+ mpg doesnt sound too chickish to me but i dont care if its chickish or not i want a reliable, practible car with 4 doors and a real trunk, no hatch back. i cant stand my hatchback.

again open to "mature" opinions on the car and wondering if the price of a passat is worth the extra size.

[foff667]

i would think getting twice the gas mileage as most v6 fbodies would be reason enough to get one...If I were in the market for a new small car for daily commuting I'd probably get either the gasser 1.8t or the TDI version with a manual...they arent bad looking cars and the TDI is rated at like 60mpg highway...you really cant beat that right now.

[Nicklz]

Let me quote my mother "he finally bought a sensible car" little did she know what a wrx was [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]


I'd highly recommend one, or at least test drive one. I've had mine 2 months and 9000 miles later no complaints, except 92/93 octane although if driven easy I can get 28ish on the interstate. In town I get into the turbo waaayyy to much :D 17ish for mpg in town. Plus the grip the wrx has is amazing. Not to mention stuff I've read up on them says the are really good reliability.

Check out the one below about same price range your looking at I believe???
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...s=&cardist=368

edit --- sorry about messing up sizing on your thread, how do people change a link to a one word link??

[black98V6]

honestly if you really do like the jettas and can find a tdi without costing too much I'd say go for it man, I really don't think you'll regret it, only problem is gong to be finding a decent one that the dealer doesn't want an arm and a leg for. First thing they are gonna say is "oah well it gets great gas mileage and is in high demand so we want $xx,xxx and that amound proably won't be cheap!

[kristen]

find a priv. seller.

[HokieBird]

When I think reliable VW doesn't seem to spring into my head. I know some people who have had them a few years with no problems and I know other people who have been plagued with problem after problem. If you don't have your heart set on one try looking at some other japanese imports.

[ChrisV6]

Originally posted by foff667:
they arent bad looking cars and the TDI is rated at like 60mpg highway...you really cant beat that right now.

VWs smallest car, the Lupo (i guess they don´t offer it over there in the states) was built in a special "3L" Version. It gets up to 78mpg, but it´s not really a pleasure to drive [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

[Die Ford V8]

If only they made a Deisel Subaru Baja. i would buy one in a heartbeat. anyone know if they are made? to think, a horizontally opposed deisel subaru awd 4door car truck. the most practical thing you could buy. if anyone knows anything comparable, throw down your post asap