Think about a new Volkswagen TDI

[bkroupa]

The manifold plugging is an easy fix, reroute the crank case vent & the epsilonian mod (see Freds TDI site) I cleaned my '98 once & did the mods at the same time & it never needed anything else. It was the most fun commuter I've ever owned. Just a chip & a little tuning make a nice improvement. I alway got better than 40 even when I drove it like I was mad at it

 

[AKDrifter]

I was checking out a TDI last Oct. The dealer here in Portland told me the '06 Jetta was unavailable even if I ordered one the stock was very limited.



So we talked price and he shook his head instantly when I asked what kind of $ break or insentives could be given if I ordered one..... no such luck, sticker if not beyond or nothing.



Then he tried to talk me into a used auto TDI it was an '02 with 90k or so on it and the $ was just a few hundred shy of a NEW Toyota Corrola. These forks are high as a kite... ... I know they are good motors and all but come on!!



My sis had a mid Toy Tercel that got high 30's for MPG, and went 290k without any major probs.



My final eye opener was when I asked the salesman about the new '06s electrical system being improved over the recent years and he looked at me as if I were a complete idiot and had the guts to say " I'm not aware of the electrical problem that any of the past models" for real!!



That was my cue to leave. I'm waiting for other alternatives in the diesel market to come along... ... eyeing the Liberty and waiting for thier 6 speed stick to come out next year I hope.



Nothing against VW, or thier owners, but between thier sticker price or nothing attitude and salesmen who can look at you in the eye and lie without a blink... ..... they lost me.



Paul

 

[JLEONARD]

but between thier sticker price or nothing attitude and salesmen who can look at you in the eye and lie without a blink... ..... they lost me.

That is dealership and saleman dependant not automaker dependant.

But it would have ****** me off as well.

When we bought a new Jetta a few years ago our local dealer was very willing to negotiate. . I wouldn't have bought otherwise.

 

[KBennett]

Then he tried to talk me into a used auto TDI it was an '02 with 90k or so on it and the $ was just a few hundred shy of a NEW Toyota Corrola. These forks are high as a kite... ... I know they are good motors and all but come on!!

You have to shop around.

I purchased both of my TDI's from private parties and saved substantially. When I bought the Jetta I looked at Ebay and Blue Book to compare prices. The people bidding on Ebay are crazy, I saved $3K under Ebay prices.

 

[TowPro]

I had a 98 TDI jetta. Yes I had some window motors go bad, but that was it. Is that electrical? 131K miles when it got totaled in October



In june we bougth an 05. 5 jetta (the new one). No problems in 15K miles.



I bougth them for the engine, but have grown to love the VW part also. People still come up to my wife in her 5. 5 and ask her how she likes it.



Almost forgot. On Freds TDI club under cars for sale, there is a dealer in Wis selling cars for cost. Last I read he had 26tdi's in stock.

 

[KERMA]

Is there a "golden year" for the VW's, like the Dodge '98 QC 12V's ?



Thanks,

Merrick

I think the 2001 are the best bet. Out long enough to have fixed all the gremlins, but before they went to the newer Immobilizer in the engine computer.

 

[MCummings]

Thanks. This is exactly the info I was looking for, from guys I trust.



I think an '00 - '01 2-door Golf TDI 5-speed is in our future... .



Merrick

 

[jmtandem]

Tdi

If you are buying a TDI for mileage you might check into the very expensive 60,000 mile timing belt replacement, about $700 with labor at the dealer. It neutralizes a lot of the TDI fuel savings. Otherwise the TDI's are fun to drive, peppy and reliable.

 

[bkroupa]

Actually that's been extended to 80k & it's no big deal to do yourself. Took me under 4 hours including cleaning the intake & re routing the CCV & modifying the EGR.

I had a '98 & updated it to the newer belt ~$200 in parts & $200 in tools including the computer software/cable to set the timing. The software is nice to have anyway.

 

[jmtandem]

the newer VW diesel engine might be different. The dealer told me that the engine needs to be lifted so the motor mounts are loosened to get the belt changed. I am seriously looking at purchasing a TDI for the mileage as we have a gasser Jetta that rides and handles very well. I recently drove from Coure d'Alene Idaho to Carson City (830 miles) in one day and the seats and driving position are so good in the car that I was not sore or stiff after the mileage. They handle better than most cars in their class. New TDI's today are over $24,000 in the Reno area also making it a little hard to justify on the mileage issue alone.