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Jetta and Golf TDIs - Farfegnugen Cancelled!
Topic Started: Jan 18 2011, 07:12 AM (2,594 Views)
c140flyer


Hi Folks,
I've been experiencing a case of "car fever" lately. I'm looking at TDI Jettas and Golfs. :hmm I've always had a soft spot for the diesel VWs. :wub: The TDI versions sound appealing but possibly complicated/troublsome. They get about the same mileage we get albeit the diesel fuel is more expensive. Being newer cars, they are naturally safer and have more ammenities (like A/C!) I know that the parts for VWs tend to run much higher than what we are used to paying.
I've talked to owners of these cars and most shear by them. A few swear at them!
What do you folks think?
Regards,
Larry
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3tech
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I liked my diesel Rabbit, and it was great on fuel. Parts were really inexpensive (really). In the 21 years that I have been commuting, I have broken down 5 times. All were in that car. I liked it, but in retrospect, it was probably the most unreliable vehicle I've ever owned. I would not touch a TDI under any circumstances.
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superduty5.9
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Metro Defender

I had a Rabbit pick-up (Caddy)it had the 1.6 diesel and 5 speed. It was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. Parts is more expensive, it's German and we live in the USA. Germans are some of the best engineers in the world and car makers too. The wife wants a TDI Jetta. I may get her one soon. If you find one with a good price I wouldn't think twice about it, jump in with both feet. VW is a symbol of quality world wide. I never heard of reliability problems with a TDI in the Jetta or Golf. Also fuel mileage will be more than a gasser. Diesel is more expensive but you will still come out on top with the fuel mileage. I looked recently at a 2000 Beetle with a TDI and 5 speed. It gets 58 mpg. Not bad, huh?

As a side note diesels are cheaper to operate. During a tune-up filters are the only thing needed changing. They have no ignition system or any of it's related parts.
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944door
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3tech
Jan 18 2011, 07:16 AM
I liked my diesel Rabbit, and it was great on fuel. Parts were really inexpensive (really). In the 21 years that I have been commuting, I have broken down 5 times. All were in that car. I liked it, but in retrospect, it was probably the most unreliable vehicle I've ever owned. I would not touch a TDI under any circumstances.
:gp
I too have had my issues with vw. A corrado I purchased randomly burst into flames on the highway.
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Jim-Bob
Junkyard Engineer

The big problem with VWs is that their basic systems tend to be unreliable. Things like the A/C, electrical accessories and interior trim parts were not very well made. This is especially true of the Jetta/ Golf IV from the early 2000's. The TDI drivetrain though tends to be very reliable if it is properly maintained. That is the big if though and you will want to see the service records before committing to buy.
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Coche Blanco
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Troll Certified

My sister's Beetle isn't exactly "unreliable" but it's just not a good car either.

I'd stay away from VW...unless it was for the Veyron.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

Jim-Bob
Jan 18 2011, 11:50 AM
The big problem with VWs is that their basic systems tend to be unreliable. Things like the A/C, electrical accessories and interior trim parts were not very well made. This is especially true of the Jetta/ Golf IV from the early 2000's. The TDI drivetrain though tends to be very reliable if it is properly maintained. That is the big if though and you will want to see the service records before committing to buy.
This is very true. Also the engine is very reliable until it breaks, then it costs $$$ to fix (even if you do the labor, TDI parts are made of platinum). My buddy has a early 2000's TDI, and yes the A/C doesn't work. Even after a new compressor was installed. I wanted a TDI really badly for a while, I'm glad I never acted on it. Get an old VW diesel and you won't be sorry.

Think of a TDI just like a Cummins powered Dodge truck: The engine is an amazing and reliable hunk of metal, the rest of the truck is junk.
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jcooper24
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MetroCoop
[ *  * ]
I have a history with 2 2006 Jetta TDI's One is my wife's the other our daughter.
Ours has 75,000 (auto 6 speed) No problems. The daughter's original tranny (auto 6 speed) was replaced by VW at 20,000 and failed again at 100,000. Estimate was 4700 to replace.... She traded for another car.
There were a lot of problems with some of the trannys search for that and you will find lots of complaints.
Careful it seems to be a crap shoot.

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Alpine
1020cc G10 GOML

most auto trannys fail from vw.

get a STANDARD :D

CityConnection
Jan 18 2011, 05:11 PM
just like a Cummins powered Dodge truck: The engine is an amazing and reliable hunk of metal, the rest of the truck is junk.
my dads 1500 ram has 450k on it. has not replaced anything not even the turbo
ill take a odo pic soon :D
Edited by bogs, Jan 19 2011, 12:37 PM.
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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

a 1500 with a diesel? I doubt that.

Also exceptions to the rule DON'T make the rule. I've seen many (and two that I experienced) Dodge's die from a manufacturing defect that caused a catastrophic failure. The gas engines were junk and the diesels outlived the trucks they were in. Dodge used to make great trucks but around the mid 90's it all came apart.

I will never, ever, buy a mopar again.
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Alpine
1020cc G10 GOML

CityConnection
Jan 18 2011, 07:30 PM
a 1500 with a diesel? I doubt that.

Also exceptions to the rule DON'T make the rule. I've seen many (and two that I experienced) Dodge's die from a manufacturing defect that caused a catastrophic failure. The gas engines were junk and the diesels outlived the trucks they were in. Dodge used to make great trucks but around the mid 90's it all came apart.

I will never, ever, buy a mopar again.
my dads ram 2500 is a cummmings turbo diesel. my bad :D

i knew 1500 cummings looked weird typed out

its a 1999.

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CityConnection
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Sir, yes sir!

99? Isn't that when they were owned by Daimler-Benz? If so that might explain the longevity.
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Alpine
1020cc G10 GOML

CityConnection
Jan 18 2011, 08:09 PM
99? Isn't that when they were owned by Daimler-Benz? If so that might explain the longevity.
mhmm it was.
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Car Nut
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Alpine
Jan 18 2011, 06:23 PM
CityConnection
Jan 18 2011, 05:11 PM
just like a Cummins powered Dodge truck: The engine is an amazing and reliable hunk of metal, the rest of the truck is junk.
Not uncommon at all for the automatic transmission to fail when mounted behind the Cummins. I'd been told it's a torque thing. Don't know if that's true, but know it's an issue. Neighbor bought a new one a couple years back with a stick trans but because of the issues with the auto.

VW makes some cool looking cars with some neat features, but God help ya when it's repair time. BIG $$$$$ Alarm system problems, electrical issues, auto trans rebuild costs like crazy. Change the fluid & filter on one & got to take it to the dealer afterwards to get the light out. Can't reset with normal OBD2 scan tools. Radio knobs break easily. $15 ea & takes 5. Open the hood & look at the box sitting on top of the battery. Who the hell needs a setup like that? Totally over engineered if you ask me.
Edited by bogs, Jan 19 2011, 12:40 PM.
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Jim-Bob
Junkyard Engineer

Car Nut
Jan 18 2011, 09:09 PM
VW makes some cool looking cars with some neat features, but God help ya when it's repair time. BIG $$$$$ Alarm system problems, electrical issues, auto trans rebuild costs like crazy. Change the fluid & filter on one & got to take it to the dealer afterwards to get the light out. Can't reset with normal OBD2 scan tools. Radio knobs break easily. $15 ea & takes 5. Open the hood & look at the box sitting on top of the battery. Who the hell needs a setup like that? Totally over engineered if you ask me.
If anything they are over-featured but under-engineered. Good engineering doesn't fail all of the time like the small stuff does in a VW. If you want gimmicks, you get a VW. If you want solid engineering you get Japanese.
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