Think about a new Volkswagen TDI

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I have heard of plugged manifolds and brake problems. Will this a be a good car? Do I have install gauges and worry about lift pumps and injector pumps?

Anybody have any experiences with these on here? Any feedback is deeply appreciated. I will be using this car for highway use. If I wait until after the first of the year will I get the tax break for it under the new energy bill?



Gary

 

[GerryDrake]

We've only had ours 10 months and just shy of 10k miles, but get from 42 to 46 mpg around town and love it. We got the 5 speed, and understand the auto costs you several mpg. It does roll a bit of smoke out underneath when you are headed down a gentle slope and take your foot off the throttle. Noticed this at night in the headlights of the car behind us. Also you can get a similar bit of smoke when traffic slows you a bit, then clears, and you don't bother to downshift, hovering on the line of lugging it. We are about to have the 10K oil change done at the dealer, and will ask them about the smoke, but I suspect 'it is normal' will be the response. I don't care for having to use the 'special' oil that is available only at the dealer, at $6 a quart, but with oil changes at 5k, 10k, 20k, 30k, 40k..... it isn't that bad. Ours has used about 1/2 quart of oil thus far. Lots of power, even with 4 large people in the car. Don't know of/about the problems you mentioned so can't comment there. I really like it since the price of fuel has gone out of reason...

 

[Artickid]

Check out www.tdiclub.com, this site is dedicated to VW TDI's.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

My wife and I are taking delivery of an 06 Jetta TDI in a few days... Oo. Oo.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I like the Beetle, but it looks a little girly for me. I wonder if this car qualifies for the tax credit under the new energy bill.

Gary

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Been talking to the dealer daily about the credit, when I first mentioned it last week, they didn't know anything about it.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

If anyone finds out the answer to that, post it here so I can make my mind up.



Gary

 

[tkerrigan]

We just got a 2005. 5 new style Jetta TDI last week. It has the six speed autoshift manual transmission. It's a blast to drive, very zippy. We haven't had to put fuel in it yet for hand calc. , but the computer shows 49mpg running average. I understand that it displays about 5 mpg high, but we're still happy.

 

[fbaurley]

I see they list for about 22K . What can you buy one for? Can you get the dealers down much , since they are in high demand?

 

[Rescue Ram]

We have had two new TDI's; a '98 Jetta GL 5sp and the current '01 Jetta GLS auto.



With the '98, I had two real problems. I lost the IP at 48k due to bad fuel. Around the 65k, the manifold became carboned to the point that it starting going into limp mode. IMO, the manifold cleaning is a real PITA. Over all, it was a very good car that was totaled way before it's time. My low mileage was 39mpg, high was 55mpg, and a lifetime average of 50. 1mpg over 120k.



Which leads to the love-hate relationship of the '01. When the '98 was totaled, all the available new Jetta TDI's were automatic. We really needed to replace the '98, so we bit. I really HATE it. The auto seems to rob the car of an ungodly amount of power, and never knows what gear to be in. The shifts are sloppy and harsh at times. For us, it was a mistake. I'm sure there are many who like the auto in this application. The rubbery coating on many of the interior surfaces started peeling soon after we got it... that was irritating. This car has also had several recals on it, though I have never had any trouble with any of them. The most expensive is the MAF. It, too, is beginning to suffer from the carboned manifold. I understand there is a way to evolve the EGR settings with VAGCOM, but I have never gotten around to it. It is worth looking into I suppose. Current low is 34mpg and high of 47mpg. I haven't calculated the average.



Overall, we have been happy with our TDI's. The next time around, if there is one, I will avoid the automatic and the GLS trim. I prefer the non-power options, though the seat warmers are nice. The cars have held up well despite their quirks.



My opinions and observations. Flame away. :-laf

 

[KBennett]

I picked up a used 2001 TDI Beetle 5-speed from a friend in May. It is going to be my daily driver when I get finished moving to my new position in outside sales.



My first thoughts were that it would be kinda girly, especially next to the Ram but I see a lot of other guys driving them and it's black... not pink.

It is really not a rocket but it holds it's own on the highway at 75 MPH with the AC on. My first tank of fuel was 40, second 48, so it depends on how you drive.



Anyway, I like the car but I am concerned with the electrical. So far I have had to fix the fuse for the air conditioning, repair the third brake light LED panel, and the check engine light is on because of a glow plug harness fault. I am an electronics engineer so the electrical doesn't bother me and maybe they have improved this on the newer models.

 

[FATCAT]

Don't think too long ... just get one and make sure its A 5-SPEED manual.



You'll won't regreat it.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I wouldn't imagine one any other way without a stick.



Gary

 

[tkerrigan]

The six speed auto in the jetta tdi is actually two 3 spd manuals working in tandem. Each has an oil bath clutch. One trans has 1st 3rd and 5th, the other has 2nd 4th and 6th. If you are accererating or decellerating, the other trans has the next gear ready to go, the clutches just switch back and forth. The engine computer manages engine speed for shifts. No torque converter. It has drive, sport, and manual modes. With 247 ft lbs of torque, it really rips around tight corners. It also has automatic stability control and locking differential to make things sweeter. The power steering is electric so it doesn't have the drag of a power steering pump running all the time.

 

[JLEONARD]

Wife drives a 99. 5. Has about 85 K on it... we bought it used with 70 + on it.

Gets 45 mpg when I drive it on the highway, most of the time at 75/80 mph. I'm sure it would do much better at 65 or 70.

I did the intake manifold cleaning (2 hour job)..... yes it was clogged some. Made a huge power difference though.

I also have been struggling to get the CEL (check engine light) to stay off. Too many electronic controls IMO. Very touchy.

But starts right up in the winter no problem, handles well, has plenty of power (wife won't let me chip it. . darn).

Jay

 

[JimBeck]

We have owned 81 rabbit d, 84 jetta td, 85 jetta td, 85 volvo with vw diesel, and a 96 passat tdi. The 80's were good ones. The passat has been a money pit- head , injection pump, and exhaust system including cat. Vws have bad repair records these days if you look at consumer reports. Milage is great-passat gets 44mpg at 75-80 with airconditions on and 50 at 55-65 with summer fuel. I'd buy another if they had a better repair record. Jim

 

[rivercat]

due to a biased government none of the new diesels get the credit because they didn't meet a impossible emmision standard and of course the hybrids did... sorry I saw it on paper somewhere but cant find it

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Those of you with plugged up intakes, why aren't you decommissioning the EGR system?

 

[tractorface]

I was going down this road to until I actually drove one and was not happy at all with the fit and finish compared to the Honda Accord I also test drove. Too bad the Honda diesel is still stuck in Europe and not available here. Read too many bad things about the Volkswagon to plunk down 20K for a car that is smaller than what I really wanted. My Accord only gets 30mpg and runs on gas but I am very happy with it. This thing is on another level from any 20K car I ever drove. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable. Just another diesel heads opinion

 

[GFritsch]

The 98 TDI Jetta my wife drove was the best car purchase we have ever made. The car went 120k with no problems delivering an average of over 40 mpg. We should have never sold that car. Unfortunately we can't buy a new one here in CA. That Jetta had less rattles at 120k than her new Acura with 35k.



What I wan't to buy is a Passat TDI..... Sure is great in CA :{