Tdi?

[JaMan]

I am looking for a Volkswagon Jetta TDI for a commuter car/daily driver. Are all years about the same or are some better than others. We are looking for a 2000> thanks



Jared

 

[GOLIATHGMC]

A good place to go to educate yourself (like I did before buying my '00 Golf TDI) is TDIClub . I believe (this is my opinion) the best years are 1999. 5-2003. I might be mistaken about the 2003 - but what you want is a TDI and not the newer Pump Duse - the above site has all that info on it. The 5 speed cars are supposed to have a slight fuel mileage advantage, and I bought mine specifically for commuting. I have seen almost 53mpg on summer fuel so far. I could not be happier with this car.

Hope this helps!

GOLIATHGMC

 

[Katman]

I wouldn't steer clear of the pumpe duse. Works fine as long as the proper oil and clean fuel have been used. My 99 manual was a real sweet car that typically got about 55 mpg; my 2002 wagon (auto) does about 40. My '06 with DSG (auto) has only got about 15,000 miles on it but seems to be doing about 50 mpg.

 

[BILLVO]

I just bought an 03 jetta with 33k miles and 5spd and I researched on TDI forum also. I would suggest trying to find an 03 because the earlier ones had trouble with the egr valve causing intake carbon problems. they fixed this in 03. another reason for 03 was timing belt is upgraded with better parts and only has to be done every 105k miles versus 80k miles on 02 and earlier has to be done at around 60k I think. this is around a $900 bill to do as the water pump has to be replaced at this time as it is driven by timing belt and is cheap insurance. 03 was the last year of TDI 04 is pump deuce. I test drove an 02 for a couple of days that had 78k miles and it started a bit hard and smoked more than normal at start up. I call the VW dealer and they said it sounded like intake was carbonedup a normal thing for 02 and earlier according to the dealer. They are not to be let idleing at all that is what causes this. theser engines are to be treated like a gasser start and go they only need to do a slight cool down idle for turbo seals. still on first tank of fuel 14 gallon tank have 600 miles on it I will fill today to see what my first tank did for milage.



Hope some of this info helps.