VW diesel question

[Bartlett]

I am considering buying a vw jetta diesel for my wife to drive. Does anyone have any experience with these? I know the new models have a 1. 9 turbo diesel engine and thats about all i know. Will either buy new or one a couple of years old. Are there any things to stay away from or look out for on any used units?We are looking at a jetta with an automatic transmission. Any info would be helpful.

mike

 

[JHerr]

How old is this TDI? Is the automatic transmission a standard automatic, or VW's new DSG-gearbox (Dual Sequential Gearbox)?



The older automatics I would stay away from. My parents have a '00 TDI with the auto. Lousy mileage (for a TDI) and it is constantly throwing codes.



The new DSG is getting rave reviews. It essentially uses two clutches and two gearboxes which produce smooth shifts with the efficiency of a manual transmission. It is a great idea and seems to work well... but I haven't driven one.



Take a look at www.tdiclub.com. This page is the Volkswagen equivelent to the Turbo Diesel Register. Tremendous amounts of info on that page. Superb.



VW TDI engines are great, by the way. I had two TDIs which were great to drive and I had very good success with them. 50+ mpg on the highway and I would consistently achieve 47 mpg on my commute.



I vowed that my next vehicle would be a diesel with 4WD. I envisioned a VW Golf TDI with AWD in my future at the time, but my TDI was totalled prematurely and I chose a Ram instead.

 

[JFaughn]

I've been driving VWs gas & -[{diesel}]- for 35-40 yrs and like anything they all have there good & bad parts yr to yr , for a diesel , the VW is the only choise , nobody els is making a diesel passenger car that is regularly avalible in us , that means getting parts & service easly , and were lucky that its been a very good engine for a long time , but I'm happy with filling a simple eng. with uneeded electronics and reducing the life and relayability , so its the same way with the trans choise , get the wife to like the manual , I've talked to customers that bought used off the dealer lot and had A. T. problums and paid $ 6,000 to get back on the road , and if you do have a problum with a M. T. then you could fix it on the side of the road .

 

[Turbo1Ton]

A guy here at work has an '05 with the DSG transmission and he likes it a lot. He has put about 9000 miles on it and hasn't had any big problems. He had to have one of his airbags in the seat replaced and there was a recall for the oil dipstick. He gets 40+mpg on the highway and with a mix city/highway driving about 35 mpg or so.



He definitely has me thinking about one.



Jeff

 

[Todd T]

They are very well built cars in general. (two thumbs up) the only thing I've ever heard of was the intake track getting clogged with sludge and nasty stuff when just used for putting around the city streets with.

 

[Bartlett]

Thanks for the info. If she is stuck on the auto i guess we will go look at new ones saturday

 

[FATCAT]

I don't think there are any '06 VW diesels in the US at all.



I think VW has stoped shipping any diesels to the US till the '07 emissions and new ULSD is available.



If you want a VW diesel, you'll be looking for a used one ... and they ain't cheap.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

We have an 06 Jetta, and LOVE IT!!!!! (5 speed)

The auto is a bit laggy compared to the stick. Installed a VA box. Gets about 42 mpg.

It is white with tan leather, Sirius radio, 6 disk in-dash, all the bells and whistles!
Got it for 25,500 out the door.

 

[Rescue Ram]

We have been very happy with both of ours (98 and 01). I definantly don't recomend the auto in the 01, however. That is the only dissatisfaction I have had.

 

[Bartlett]

Well after a few phone calls to NH Vw dealers ( they cant sell the tdi in maine ) i was informed that NH VW dealers are not allowed to sell new VW diesel powered vehicles to persons living in states that have adopted california's emmissions standards. Will have to go another route.

mike

 

[Sleepy Creek]

I have an '06 Jetta TDI that I picked up on November 1, 2005. Great car so far although the clutch is somewhat suspect. They have a dual mass flywheel design that has been problematic for some folks. Time will tell and they have a 1yr/12K on the clutch jf it fails.



I'm getting about 39mpg around town and 43 on the highway.

 

[FATCAT]

Well after a few phone calls to NH Vw dealers ( they cant sell the tdi in maine ) i was informed that NH VW dealers are not allowed to sell new VW diesel powered vehicles to persons living in states that have adopted california's emmissions standards. Will have to go another route.

mike

Hey, I live in NH ... I'll buy it for ya ... (you give me the money) and reg. it in NH. The in 6 months I'll "sell" it to you.



Contact Beranger VW in Rochester/Farmington (where I got my car from) they help folks out all the time.

 

[rono]

We bought an '03 in 2004 with 15k on it and now have just over 73k on it and really like it.

So far, no problems. I just found the tdiclub from another TDR member and it seems like a brother site to the TDR. Lots of good information there.

Ron

 

[Bartlett]

FatCat i am now getting conflicting stories from the dealers over your way. Manchester, Seacoast and Beringer said they can sell but Lakes Region says they cant. I am going to see Phil @ Beringer as well as going to seacoast tommorrow. Do you know anything about any of these dealers?Appreciate all the help.

mike

 

[FATCAT]

FatCat i am now getting conflicting stories from the dealers over your way. Manchester, Seacoast and Beringer said they can sell but Lakes Region says they cant. I am going to see Phil @ Beringer as well as going to seacoast tommorrow. Do you know anything about any of these dealers?Appreciate all the help.

mike

I PM'ed ya. Take a look. Good Luck.

 

[Jefff929]

we love the tdi

 

[Champane Flight]

The Bug

The wifes 02 Bug is getting around 42-50 mpg, we do not baby it, on the back roads she runs 80+ all the time. Plenty of power up there, actually pulls the same at 80, as it does at 30... . Running AC and 80, she gets around 40. .

 

[kshimizu]

My parents have a new VW Jetta TDI. I think it's considered 2005. 5 model year. They've put over 20k miles on it and haven't had any problems with it. I think the auto works great and provides smooth shifts and great braking ability. That would probably be my only complaint, it brakes too well at slow speeds, in parking lots, etc. As far as mileage, it consistently gets around 40 with mixed driving and mid to upper 40s on the highway.



The new Jetta has many improvements and standard features that the older Jettas didn't have. It came standard with dual climate control and heated leather seats. A ton more room throughout compared to the 2002 that I had.



A great choice for anyone that needs an economical car.

 

[Todd G]

I have a 2004 Jetta TDI with 5 speed. The wife averages 47mpg in city driving, stop and go. It's been a great car and we have 37,000 miles on it. The really sad part is it beats my truck to 40mph almost every time. Amazing torque Oo.

 

[JohnCarr]

Is there any difference in the Beetle version TDI and what are advantages between the two?