Looking at a new two or four door Golf TDI in Red with manual transmission. No sunroof, no nav package.
Test drove it twice and like the manual transmission. Dealer giving 300K warranty with serviceing Q10K at dealership. Your thoughts.
I consider FR my husband without the belching or dirty socks on the floor.
What’s the point? YOu’d only get to drive it for another
9 days.
Series, sounds like a good deal can you afford the payements
easily??
I signed up on “Fred’s TDI” page at “tdiclub.com” many years ago, just to get information on the TDI Passat. I think you should at least visit there to learn more. The users even have a big in-person shindig every so often, not too unlike what Saturn or Harley owners do, minus the factory.
Fred’s own goal was to get a TDI Golf when they eventually came out. He also expected to marry his girlfriend, it appeared, at the time.
I think he only successfully got his Golf. :-)
TDIs are a solid choice, but beware the loss of oil between changes that seems to happen for some.
If you drive a great deal over longer distances, that is the argument in favor of it. Even with the higher price per gallon it pays out.
You'll want to research reliability as well as repair costs. Look very closely at the warranty to make sure you understand exactly what is covered and what expectations are upon you as far as maintaining warranty coverage. Keep records of all routine maintenance and don't blow past the recommended service intervals, if you want to be sure a costly repair will be covered with no arguments.
They're fairly expensive to repair, is my impression. The urea in the emission control system has to be replaced periodically and can be expensive too, I understand. At least it was when I last looked into it, I was interested in a Jetta TDI wagon a little over two years ago.
Not trying to scare you off, just want to make certain you go into it knowing what's what.
What sort of deal are you getting on price, If I might ask?
I have an Audi TDI and love it. You can’t go wrong with diesel.
If they are giving a 300K warranty - it's a no brainer.
Per the poster with the failed timing belt - make sure the warranty covers that and the engine.
VW/Audi has won the 24 Hours of LeMans almost every time in the last ten years, usually with TDI technology.
In Europe about 50% of new passenger vehicles are diesels.
That ain’t the case for Chebby Volt American technology.
I would look at a Prius in comparison to the diesel VWs.
I bought a 2dr 2012 Golf TDI a few months ago. I’ve owned diesels for the past thirty years and this is my fifth VW diesel.
They hold their value very well so I think it makes much more sense to buy a new one, especially if you plan on holding on to it for a while.
Mine is also a manual which I would much rather have over the DSG transmission.
I enjoy it. Drives nice. Great torque. Best mpg so far is 44. I’m sure I can get near 50 if I would only drive 55 but just can’t do that :)
FOUR DOOR ONLY! Don't make that mistake! LOL
The TDI (turbocharged direct injection) is a very good choice. It isn't as 'quick off the line' as the gas version, but it's more thrifty!
Yes, get an auto-transmission, if they really have one to offer.
I think they offer a DSG 'automatic' transmission (Direct Shift Gearbox) - that is NOT fully automatic, but it adds more fuel economy. Make sure that you drive that 'DSG' equipped buggy all over town, highway, hills, to make sure it doesn't drive you absolutely crazy!
Good luck and happy driving! 8^)
But I still wonder if the DSG (really a manual tranny) isn't something you should check out. Yeah, it adds price though.
I have a 2002 Jetta TDI I bought used for my commute. It’s now got 160k on it still getting 52 mpg. Runs great will definitely get another one when the wheels fall off this one....
“Dealer giving 300K warranty with serviceing Q10K at dealership”
I’m not sure what you mean by “servicing Q10K”.
Also, I have never heard of a dealer giving a 300K warranty.
Are you talking about a 2013 Golf?
The new TDI’s are very complex, but nice. Thought I think they are making them a lot cheaper then they use to.
I have a 2003 Jetta 5-speed TDI with just under 300K and love the little thing.
But I think for what they want for the new cars you could almost by 2 Hyundais.
A manual tranny is a MUST ... period.
I plan on getting 400K from my guy before its time for a new car, but I might go with a Civic, Elantra, or Corolla next time.
The gas cars have almost the same millage and gas is a lot cheaper, plus the gas cars are about $10K less expensive.
Our son just bought a used 2010 Jetta TDI with 6 speed manual and our whole family loves it....they test drove a new 2012 Jetta, gas, and were not impressed with the handling or the get up and go.....
He wanted the basic car but this one was loaded and got it for $19,000....it had 40, 000 on it but with a diesel engine, that is just starting to break in....
I thought of a VW TDI especailly with gas prices but I would consider a different color besides red though. I owned a red car one time but the color was a real pain to take care of especailly when it started to oxidize after a few years. If I buy new, I go with white since it won’t show oxidation and it stays cool in the Summer.
300k mile warranty???
Free service every 10k?
Even I’d buy that.
Depending on how you are with a wrench, you can do a lot of stuff yourself. Newer models have a lot of sound insulation that makes working on them more difficult, but you where given a link somewhere back there to the TDI forum.. they are a wealth of help. Don't know about the reliability of the newer autos. Back when I bought mine about a half mil miles ago, the auto version wouldn't make 450k miles w/o major repair/replace.
If you have a good mechanic around (remembering that dealer pricing is premium) and you keep the timing belt replaced, you should be able to wring many 100thou's of miles out of one of these. If you like to tinker, you can get the VAG-Com software from Ross Tech and do your own computer diagnostics.
Only thoughts on the two door thing - I had a '91 Jetta diesel 2 door. Was ok for driving to work, but when we would pack it with family for vacations the two door thing became a pain (but at 47 mpg on that one, of course we drove it for vacations ;)
In the end, it's still your call, but from experience as a VW Diesel owner (going back to a 1980 Dasher) you can't go wrong especially if you intend to keep it until it rusts away. (Every one of my VW diesels had over 300k on them before I sold them and got a newer one. Gave one of them to my son when I got the '91 mentioned above - it had 350000 on it. He drove it at least another 100k and would be driving it today if some drunk hadn't run a stop sign and T-boned him in the passenger door..)
Had a 2001 TDI...sold with 104,000 miles....car was OK, but every time I had to take it to the dealer I felt as though I needed a shower when I got home....reason not to buy another VW
VW is on the verge of introducing the next generation (MK VII) Golf. It’s already on sale in Europe (or will be very shortly), but there always seems to be a lag for the US.
There are said to be significant improvements in the new version.
Word is that the current generation will go out of production early in 2013.
With the caveat that buying an early version of a new model can be risky, unless you have to buy right now, it might be worth waiting a while to see if you like the new one.
I am biased but I love VW’s. I have owned six but never a diesel. You pay more up front for a VW but it is fun to drive and built well. When you dump it at the end you can ask more for it so you get some back. You defiantly want to check out VWVortex it is a VW enthusiast site. (Don’t like to promote other sites on FR but it is car related)They have a forum for TDI’s. Just be forewarned people post their problems looking for answers. But on the whole you will see what owners think about the car. Save the link once you purchase the car it is a great resource for problems.
( http://forums.vwvortex.com/forumdisplay.php?22-TDI-and-Diesel-Forum)
If you read some of the online TDI forums, many have 800-900 miles per tank clubs. Sure is tempting.