VW Jetta Diesel

[reoraider00]

Looking at having to buy a new car for the better half. I have narrowed it down to two, the Toyota Camry and the VW Jetta turbo diesel (The collision ratings just aren't where they need to be for a new Mopar sedan). My question; has anyone had any experience with the VW diesels, how do you like them and what kind of milage do you get, any problems getting the large fuel nozzle into them, acceleration?

thanks, John

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93 D350 LE CC, Auto, 65,000 miles, Stock, 94 11Z Elkhorn Camper

 

[LSMITH]

I don't have one (VW diesel) but there are a couple at work. One is an 86 naturally aspirated with over 400K miles on it, some repairs but nothing major. The other two are 99's and have turbos. Both get 45 MPG or better in town and well over 50 MPG on the highway. Acceleration is surprisingly good. Cars seem well made and solid. They are very quiet too. One thing to keep in mind is the timing belt needs to be changed every 50K miles at a cost of $4-600, but that is the only downside I have seen. I am also looking for one to save some money in fuel bills and keep some miles off my truck, but it seems they are hard to find used. There is a website for the TDI a lot like this one, check it out. www.tdiclub.com

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Rancho 9000's Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[BCFAST]

REO, the motors are indestructable! There are gobs of hot-rod products for both motor and car... from experience, go for the automatic! here's why: with the manual, the tendency is to over-rev the VW motor with each shift... that is, letting the engine rev beyond it's useful power band. This wastes fuel and 0-60 times. The automatic shifts earlier and keeps it in the torque range of the motor. Jettas for the US are built in Mexico, and the build-quality is superb. Compare like this: pull the headliner and doorpanels out of the Toyota, Honda, Nissan and VW and look what's underneath each. The Jap/American cars have primer and some overspray behind, the VW is fully painted and clear-coated EVERYWHERE. Now, crash data aside, which would you prefer to spend your money on?

 

[lschultz]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Jetta. I just bought a NB TDI. Until you drive one you don't know what your missing. No complaints from me. I only have aroung 5500 best mileage so far has 52. + Theres lot of info on Freds TDI and VWvortex. After reading about them on those sites I went and got one.
I had a 92 Honda Civic before I got this & the VW is built better.

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2000 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab SWB 5-SP
2001 VW NB TDI
AMSOIL(#504865) DEALER & USER

 

[lschultz]

The large nozzle will go in there too.

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2000 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab SWB 5-SP
2001 VW NB TDI
AMSOIL(#504865) DEALER & USER

 

[Skydiver]

V. W s diesels are lifetime vehicles. Had one love and miss it #ad
. You won't EVER have to put fuel in it. Well almost!
Timing belts are very important.
Tim

 

[The patriot]

I was pretty serious about a VW just before I got my CTD.
I test drove the Jetta with the 5 speed. Very snappy acceleration for having 5 adults in the car. They appear to be built very well.
I waited for months for VW to come out with a Passat with TDI and 5 speed. Never happened, so I bought the truck.

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Michelin 265 75 16 lr-E. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 63,000 Mi as of 1/27/01.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

[Leon R]

I bought a new y2k jetta tdi and have 30K klms on it with no problems. This has been my 4th VW diesel product and it is the best. You will love the torque and the mileage. Just an all round great vehicle. The only fault would be the frequent timing belt change which is at 60,000 klms for the automatic version. If you can do that service yourself you can save a bunch. They can also be BOMBED!!

 

[FD5]

We had a 97 VW Passat TDI, 5 speed averaged 43 city and 51 hwy. Wife got tired of shifting so we bought an automatic Camry. Sold it and bought an automatic Celica. She wants the Passat back. Awesome power and handling, we keep checking the internet for a TDI with an automatic. Some day soon.

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1995 2500, SLT Laramie, Xcab, auto, 3. 54, stock plate forward, 240K, Amsoiled throughout, dual by-pass filter, muffler and cat fell off, if you find them, there yours!!
1989 250, Cummins, auto, stock, work truck, 190K, soon to be Amsoiled
1967 Coronet 440, Steve Thomas built 360, auto, 2. 94, factory A/C, am radio, FAST!!!and is FOR SALE $4,500
1987 Celica GT convertible, auto, 67K
1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite travel trailer
Amsoil Dealer
"Kick the habit, pay CASH" www.daveramsey.com

 

[radixr]

I'm assuming these engines are not the same as the ones (converted gas engines) in the early 80's Rabbits. I had a 1981 diesel Rabbit and although I liked it, the use of an aluminum head caused frequent head gasket failures. It was non-turbo.

 

[John_P]

reoraider:

My brother had a Jetta Diesel that he
kept until it reached 100,000 miles.
At that point he started having some
minor problems with it. He said there
are heater probes in the cooling system
that work to heat up the coolant in cold
weather. Two of these apparently went
bad and the cost to replace them was
going to be over $600. 00. Before that
he had an injector go bad too. But... .
he lives in northern Minnesota so that
may have "aggravated" the problems.

-------
John_P

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit,Psychotty Air Filter, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[mikepvg]

I have been looking at these also, for the wife who does long commuting. The mpg #'s are great.

Seems they are totally BOMBABLE & reliable. Only thing is, they have an Achilles heel w/ the frequent timing belt changes required on this interference motor. Very expensive if one snaps. But it appears to be a DIY job w/ the right tools. Also, from what I've read, cold starting is not a problem w/ these little guys. So much so, in fact, they do not even have a coolant block heater! Just like the Cummins though don't excessive idle them etc. Otherwise maintenance seems very similiar to the 5. 9
The more I read about them, the more interest is generated.

#ad

Mike

 

[JyRO]

BCFast - I'm not sure about what year model Toyotas your looking at but for about the past 5 years (at least) all the Camrys, Avalons, Siennas, Solaras, and Corollas are painted inside and out. Even in the engine bay and under dash, door trim, and under carpet. Of course those areas aren't the important areas so the paint quality I'm sure isn't so important. I'm not sure about the Toyotas from Japan though.

Now about that belt. Say it costs you $500 every 50,000 miles. I did some math to see if the belt cost offset the fuel savings over a Camry.

TDI - 100,000 miles / 47 mpg (avg) = 2,128 gallons. ---> 2,128 gallons X $1. 40/gal (diesel, GA) = $2,978. 72 + (2 belt changes) $1,000 = $3,978. 72

Camry - 100,000 miles / 32 mpg (avg) = 3,125 gallons. ---> 3,125 gallons X $1. 55/gal (gas, GA) = $4,843. 75

The TDI still saves $865 considering the belt and fuel costs. I'd have to replace that belt myself, then the fuel savings of the TDI really kicks a$$. Next, I'd have to consider the purchase price, I don't have a good feel for either one. Just thought I'd pass on this info.

- JyRO

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. (20. 8 mpg @ 70 mph) Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 4L V6 (25. 5 mpg @ 65 mph)
1990 Toyota Celica STX, FWD, 5-speed, 1. 6L I4 (36+ mpg @ 65 mph)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL Limited Edition RWD, 5-speed, 1. 1L Wankel (For sale)
No auto trannies in my home! Just say, "No!" to auto trannies.

 

[weber1048]

I brought a 2001 Jetta TDi in November so I have one winter of commuting in it. I commute a hundred miles each way each shift plus the 20 miles a day for 260 miles per shift. I get 47. 5 mpg for the shift and on two trips to Utah 50. 4 mpg. The first 20,000 miles of servive is free and the car comes from the factory with synthetic oil. I don't know the cost of the 1st four services are but they do do everything and even wash the car. i don't know about the paint under everything, but the general fit and finish is excellent. I would recommand the Jetta to anyone who in looking for a peppy high mileage car. i traded in a 99 Honda Civic 33 mpg no compairson

Doug

 

[Ninearrow]

Been looking at these, also. What kind of warranty do they have?

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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver, Rancho 9000's

 

[lschultz]

If I remember right VW has 2yr/24000 and 10yr/10000 on engine,drivetrain,etc. Lots of info on Freds TDI page and VWvortex.

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2000 Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab SWB 5-SP
2001 VW NB TDI
AMSOIL(#504865) DEALER & USER

 

[wxman]

I have a 1998 Jetta TDI (i. e. , A3, the previous generation of TDIs), have almost 100,000 miles on it, and it's still going as good as new. The mileage is phenomonal; I'm currently getting 55 mpg consistently and got 60 mpg on one tank recently (703 miles on 11. 7 gallons of diesel fuel). Adding propane makes it downright quick. #ad


I would highly recommend the TDIs but it's my understanding that the demand currently exceeds the supply, so they may be hard to come by.

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1989 D250, 727 auto trans, 16 cm^2 turbo housing, Banks Powerpack, Turbo Shop Intercooler

1998 VW Jetta TDI, Powershot 2000 Propane System

 

[Skydiver]

Regarding Timing belt cost?
I did see where the belt cost $41 retail. What is the book giving for the number of Hours on labor?
In 1986 I paid around $80 for a belt replacement on my 1981 Rabbit Diesel.
Thanks Tim