Any VW TDI owners here?

[not2shabby]

I've got a car that's going to be replaced in the not too distant future and was looking hard at getting a TDI, either a Jetta or a Passat for, obviously, the fuel mileage and being a diesel it'll tow a small trailer much easier than a gasser. I've been lurking on Tdiforum for a while now and from what I've read, the earlier models (2000-03) get the best mileage and seem to be the most reliable and it's a good idea to get a manual tranny since the auto's don't last as long as the diesel motors do.

Any words of wisdom from all you fart smellers...i mean smart fellers?!

Oh, I am looking at used...don't want to spend 25K or more on a cage right now.

 

[SkooterG]

I've got a 2001 Golf Tdi. I've been pretty happy with it. I don't drive it much, as I am on the bike most of the time. I only put 1800 miles on it in 2011. It's 12 years old and has 66,000 miles. Good car.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I don't have one but I read about them a good deal in the diesel magazines. My understanding is that they are a bit hard to find used and that the resale value is pretty high. Supposed to be a very desirable little car.

 

[THE919]

We have 06 and 09 in the family, both with DSG tranny. No complaints. Go for a manual tranny to eliminate additional maintenance. 06 has a smaller engine vs. 09, and there are some minor changes thru years. 2010 low mile TDI wagon has the most content and would be my choice.

I'm very skeptical of 45-50mpg reports. Normal driving conditions 35-40mpg.

If you go for a used one, make a checklist to check functionality of all lights, doors, door handles, locks, remote, cruise, interior lights, windows, alarm, radio,etc. Electrical gremlins are part of VW ownership.

 

[not2shabby]

We have 06 and 09 in the family, both with DSG tranny. No complaints. Go for a manual tranny to eliminate additional maintenance. 06 has a smaller engine vs. 09, and there are some minor changes thru years. 2010 low mile TDI wagon has the most content and would be my choice.I'm very skeptical of 45-50mpg reports. Normal driving conditions 35-40mpg.

If you go for a used one, make a checklist to check functionality of all lights, doors, door handles, locks, remote, cruise, interior lights, windows, alarm, radio,etc. Electrical gremlins are part of VW ownership.

Ohhh...did you know the 06's have a chain driven balance shaft that tends to fail at around 120k miles IIRC? There's a delete kit for them and and it's under $500 to do. Just sayin'...I don't remember if the 09's have them or not.

 

[not2shabby]

I've got a 2001 Golf Tdi. I've been pretty happy with it. I don't drive it much, as I am on the bike most of the time. I only put 1800 miles on it in 2011. It's 12 years old and has 66,000 miles. Good car.

Dayum! If it was a Passat or Jetta I'd ask if ya wanted to sell it! At the rate you're going, it'll last another 30 years!

 

[not2shabby]

I don't have one but I read about them a good deal in the diesel magazines. My understanding is that they are a bit hard to find used and that the resale value is pretty high. Supposed to be a very desirable little car.

Yep! looking on Craigslist and fleabay, the owners are quite proud of them.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I have owned VW's since the 80's (Golf x 2, Fox, Passat) and currently own a 2002 Beetle Turbo. None of them have been TDI's. VW makes decent cars, although parts/repairs can be on the expensive side (as with any German vehicle) unless you are going to do the work yourself. It is true about the electrical gremlins...seems some cars are more prone to them than others.

Good luck with your search

 

[Bokerfork]

I have owned VW's since the 80's (Golf x 2, Fox, Passat) and currently own a 2002 Beetle Turbo. None of them have been TDI's. VW makes decent cars, although parts/repairs can be on the expensive side (as with any German vehicle) unless you are going to do the work yourself. It is true about the electrical gremlins...seems some cars are more prone to them than others.
Good luck with your search

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

 

[RedPorscheKilla]

I've grown up with VW, owned me a few Jetta's (I GLI and II GLS) Golf II before I jumped ship to Audi. The early 2000 to 2005 models are very reliable, good on the to and all what you want from a car such. Sure you ain't breaking a land speed record, but we won't need that right?

Gearbox is key, the Diesel has a high compression, subsequently lots of torque on the force coupler.. Germans don't really believe in automatic shifting, at least not Joe Blow (which by the way I'm, I was born there and lived there for 33 years) as it is too expensive to buy and to repair and not as reliable as manual gear shifting.

All in all, whether Jetta or Passat, you make a good choice, from a technical perspective. I? What I drive today? Well I turned GM and own me a Hummer, frankly because I don't like to pay the import premium for every shity part from Germany.... had me here a Merc, okay a fancy one, without warranty I would have gone broke......

V

RPK

PS:

I forgot something, VW's are reliable all is good, yet the 60K miles service is usually the ***** while expensive, timing belt, glim candles all the stuff which can and likely will add up to the bill! A good thing would be, if you could see a diagram over the compression ratio per cylinder,

 

[Bustanut joker]

I have/ had VD.. I got a few of the letters mentioned so I felt compelled to but in..

 

[littlefish]

I owned a TDI Golf and then a gasser GTI. Life is too short to be messing with diesel fuel in a passenger car AND I agree with THE919 on the exaggerated MPG claims. I would get a Japanese gasser for an economy car if'n it were my money.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I have owned VW's since the 80's (Golf x 2, Fox, Passat) and currently own a 2002 Beetle Turbo. None of them have been TDI's. VW makes decent cars, although parts/repairs can be on the expensive side (as with any German vehicle) unless you are going to do the work yourself. It is true about the electrical gremlins...seems some cars are more prone to them than others.
Good luck with your search

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

Really???...damn...I guess I better get myself a big 4 wheel drive pickup truck, so I can get back in touch with my manly side...FYYFF!

 

[Bustanut joker]

I have owned VW's since the 80's (Golf x 2, Fox, Passat) and currently own a 2002 Beetle Turbo. None of them have been TDI's. VW makes decent cars, although parts/repairs can be on the expensive side (as with any German vehicle) unless you are going to do the work yourself. It is true about the electrical gremlins...seems some cars are more prone to them than others.
Good luck with your search

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

Really???...damn...I guess I better get myself a big 4 wheel drive pickup truck, so I can get back in touch with my manly side...FYYFF!

So, because Scooter owns one everyone else gets grouped in the same category??? Wait till airboss sees this

 

[gixxerjasen]

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

Even the guy driving the MINI Cooper points and laughs.

 

[not2shabby]

I owned a TDI Golf and then a gasser GTI. Life is too short to be messing with diesel fuel in a passenger car AND I agree with THE919 on the exaggerated MPG claims. I would get a Japanese gasser for an economy car if'n it were my money.

What year was your Golf? What were the drawbacks of diesel for you?

And Bust....TMI!

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

Even the guy driving the MINI Cooper points and laughs.

Where does the guy in the Miata fit in?

 

[majicmaker]

Where does the guy in the Miata fit in?

Uhhhhh You really don't want to know unless you've had at least 6 Barbie dolls in your life. On the bright side, Major Chick Magnet and they're always going to ask if its for sale! JSNS

 

[not2shabby]

Where does the guy in the Miata fit in?

Uhhhhh You really don't want to know unless you've had at least 6 Barbie dolls in your life. On the bright side, Major Chick Magnet and they're always going to ask if its for sale! JSNS

My G.I. Joes were always bangin' my cousin's Barbies....does that count?

I actually kinda like Miatas....

 

[airboss]

I have owned VW's since the 80's (Golf x 2, Fox, Passat) and currently own a 2002 Beetle Turbo. None of them have been TDI's. VW makes decent cars, although parts/repairs can be on the expensive side (as with any German vehicle) unless you are going to do the work yourself. It is true about the electrical gremlins...seems some cars are more prone to them than others.
Good luck with your search

Admitting to owning a new generation Beetle? Now that's getting in touch with your feminine side. JSNS.

Really???...damn...I guess I better get myself a big 4 wheel drive pickup truck, so I can get back in touch with my manly side...FYYFF!

So, because Scooter owns one everyone else gets grouped in the same category??? Wait till airboss sees this

2012 Turbo Bug, 200hp, DSG trans, no flower vase, and no problem passing traffic. I'm good with it.