drove an '05 Jetta TDI- AWESOME!!

speeder · speeder's Garage

Let's start this off by saying that I love diesels, but I drove a new Jetta TDI wagon at the dealer the other day, (5-speed), and once I got the hang of the 2-4000rpm only powerband, the thing is quick and a hoot to drive, IMO! I'm sure that the automatic is just about as good, considering where all of the torque is. It has a *table top flat* torque band that drops off @ approx. 4000 rpm, but I'm telling you, the thing scoots just fine! And according to owners that I've talked to, 45mpg city and ~50mpg highway are not unrealistic.

This is the daily driver that I want, makes a lot more sense than a hybrid, IMO. Any owners of TDIs here? I seem to remember someone; anyone have experience w/ the (more powerful) Passat TDI?

TIA.

chuckw951 · 01-01-2005, 01:13 PM

I had a 2000 VW GTI a while back as a daily driver and was very close to trading it in on a TDI Jetta. I test drove the car and agree with your road report. I basically walked when the dealer wouldn't give me 1 nickel off MSRP and lowballed my trade in. Of course this has nothing to do with the Jetta, but I ended up buying an older Mercedes diesel instead. Later I found out that dealers can get close to MSRP for the TDIs so there isn't much room to negotiate. Good news is that the cars hold their value better than the "gassers." Great mileage and range. In my car I get 32-35 mpg which is good but the best part is that I only have to fill up every 650 miles. I think the TDIs get about that range.

Here is a forum for TDI fans:
http://www.tdiclub.com

From what I understand you can change the computer chip and crank up the boost for big HP and torque gains if you are into that sort of thing.

5axis · 01-01-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckw951
I ended up buying an older Mercedes diesel instead.

How is the E working out? I am "sort of" looking for a daily driver to relieve my F350 from daily driver duty.
Any good MB diesel forums?

chuckw951 · 01-01-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5axis
How is the E working out? I am "sort of" looking for a daily driver to relieve my F350 from daily driver duty.
Any good MB diesel forums?

Don't want to hijack this thread....but check out MercedesShop.com, specifically the Diesel discussion forum.

Actually if you search that forum for "TDI" you'll see that they have thoughts on the VW diesel.

As for the E300D, I think it's great. You can get one with 100K miles for $8K-10K. If you'd like to know more shoot me a PM.

Rufblackbird · 01-01-2005, 02:31 PM

We just bought a '04 Golf TDi with the Tiptronic. Since we bought it in December the dealer was able to go down a bit...then since we already had a VW there was a $1000 rebate. The car is fun to drive, even with the Tip. We've only had it for a while, so I can't report on mileage yet. A buddy of mine in the local PCA also has a 5 speed Jetta TDi wagon. He loves that thing, which is what prompted us to consider it as well.

I can't wait until the new Mk5 TDi's come out...it's got 140hp and 236 lb-ft torque!

notfarnow · 01-01-2005, 03:46 PM

I was VERY tempted by a 2003 TDI this past summer. However, my girlfriend wanted me to buy an older car and save for a 911 instead. She's now my fiancee

In the end, we bought a 96 Jetta diesel. It has a 1.9 indirect injection engine that is not nearly as refined as the TDI, but still a huge leap from the '87 1.6 NA it replaces. That beast has *cough*, 596 000 km's.

I am also a diesel freak. My dad just bought an '81 Mercedes 300sd. One owner car, 130 000 kms. I have never, ever, seen a car that clean.

Rufblackbird · 01-01-2005, 04:34 PM

Isn't the Mk3 diesel a TDi as well? Or is it just a diesel?

Rob Channell · 01-01-2005, 05:27 PM

OK. somebaody has to say it:

Fahrfughnugen.........

Rufblackbird · 01-01-2005, 09:10 PM

Actually it's "Fahrvernugen" which translates to "pleasure driving." Guess a few semesters of German paid off! Whoo!

notfarnow · 01-02-2005, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rufblackbird
Isn't the Mk3 diesel a TDi as well? Or is it just a diesel?

Maybe it was in the US, but in Canada we got a 1.9 indirect injection engine. I was under the impression VW wasn't selling diesels in the US for a few years in the 90's because they couldn't get this engine to meet emission standards. It's essentially a larger version of the old 1.6 engine, but seems much more refined.

rhk109 · 01-02-2005, 06:09 AM

I almost bought a 2004 TDI Passat, but it only comes with a slush box. It would have been my third diesel car, but I couldn't put up with an automatic for every day use. If I could have got it with a 5-spd I would have bought it on the spot. I ended up with a 4-Motion 1.8T.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by rhk109
I almost bought a 2004 TDI Passat, but it only comes with a slush box. It would have been my third diesel car, but I couldn't put up with an automatic for every day use. If I could have got it with a 5-spd I would have bought it on the spot. I ended up with a 4-Motion 1.8T.

I understand what you're saying, but w/ their bucketloads of low-end torque they probably drive well in an automatic. I drove a manual and it was fun.

makaio · 01-02-2005, 07:03 AM

I have a buddy with a 03 Jetta TDI. He gets 49-51 mpg on his 130 mile commute each week on the freeway, and around 39-42 around town. I would seriously consider one if I was in the market for a new car.

osidak · 01-02-2005, 08:34 PM

I drive a 00 TDI Jetta with an Upsolute chip. gives an additional 25 to 35 hp and about the same in torque.

My all time high was 68 mpg for a 400 mile trip and my worst has been 43 mpg and that tank included 2 autocrosses.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. Remember the Jetta mk5 is due out mid year and the TDI will not appear again until the 2006 model year.