Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Volkswagen Jetta VW Jetta TDI
3716 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 12:04 PM
You are in the Volkswagen Jetta Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
|
Another article on the TDI.... http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/OPINION03/810150318
|
|
|
Replying to: bottgers (Oct 17, 2008 5:56 am) Now if you said reliable as a battery operated quartz watch either Swiss or Japanese, I would jump in and say go for it. HOWEVER.... A swiss watch really needs a lot of maintenance. (your statement could imply you never had a swiss watch/s or you have had "a" to nothing but swiss watches and are USED to that level of maintenance and repair) How cold is the weather you will encounter? I have started the car in 20 degree weather and  altitude (INXS of 6,400 feet) INSTANTLY and with no additives other than the location specific ULSD fuel. If the weather is colder than that, I would say you may want to look at additives such as Power Service (anti gel in this case) Do not buy a diesel for the "fantastic" heaters. You will be highly disappointed. Diesels do not generate NEAR the heat that a gasser does. If you are remotely interested, longer term this is a GOOD thing - shorter term wear a parka..  The newer TDI's have OCI's as high as 30,000 miles vs a normal Corolla 3,000/5,000 miles. At the worst 10,000 miles. At 100,000 miles my TDI needed a TB/WP (aka parts R/R and computer tune up). In comparison the Civic needs a TB/WP change (aka parts R/R and computer tune up). 105,000 miles. I think by the prices you are encountering, the question of longevity is being answered. I think there is a 60/40 chance you will be disappointed, so I would stay with a Corolla/Civic. I say this even as I have a TDI 110,000 miles/Civic 71,000 miles side by side. While both have been highly reliable, the Civic's consumeable items wear much faster. One thing that does NOT show up in the cost equation: do you want a commute car that can handle highway (Civic) or do you want a highway car than can handle commutes (TDI). Obviously if your commute is on highways.... I have been more than satisfied with both. Under the same daily commute, TDI does 48-52 vs Civic 38-42 mpg. SAME driver. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: bottgers (Oct 17, 2008 5:56 am) I would say that if your main concern is cost of ownership the Toyota would be the way to go. If you factor in the "fun to drive" issue you'll like the TDI. |
|
|
Replying to: driverbern (Oct 17, 2008 6:34 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: altair4 (Oct 17, 2008 7:11 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: altair4 (Oct 17, 2008 7:11 am) The waste heat output of a diesel engine is much less than the waste heat output of a conventional gasoline engine of the same power, especially at idle. In fact, some diesels are not supposed to be run indefinitely at normal idle, even in warm weather. The engine temp will drift down and down to a level at which excess engine wear occurs. The diesel engined Mercedes Sprinter vans have a so called "high idle" option so that the engine can be run above normal idle for extended periods while stopped in heavy traffic or holding passengers while stopped. This high idle keeps the engine temp in the correct operating range at the expense of higher fuel consumption. The waste heat from the engine is what is used to heat the passenger compartment. So diesels will not heat the passenger compartment as rapidly as a gasser. |
|
|
Replying to: cosmo (Oct 17, 2008 7:32 am) |
|
|
Replying to: olive4 (Oct 17, 2008 6:19 am) you're not getting a car fresh out of the drawing table. In case you wonder diesel is readily available i believe 42% of stations carry diesel in the USA specially stations along the freeways, just make sure to keep paper towels in your trunk the truck drivers are very careless when handling pump nousals, they're mostly slimy, but this car is well worth it. if you end up buying the car know you're not gonna be driving just another basic car as this cars come with lots of features as standard equipment. Good luck.
|
|
|
Replying to: noa1 (Oct 17, 2008 10:36 am) 42%. In 03 when I bought the TDI, it was pegged 25% aka 1 in 4 fuel stations. At the time I had absolutely NO issues getting fuel. Being as how the passenger diesel fleet has contracted 33% from less than 3% to 2%, my swag is new TDI owners will have even less issues.
|
|
|
Replying to: bottgers (Oct 17, 2008 5:56 am) "How reliable are they" Using the design life-expectancy of the engine (given in hours) and some math (assuming 50MPH average speed)....the TDI engine is rated for at least 300,000 miles. Keep in mind this same basic engine is used in marine applications to move boats over the ocean. "How hard are they to start in cold weather?" Not hard at all... STARTING is not an issue at all. (My TDI starts just fine at -15F) "how long does the engine have to run before they start producing heat from the heater?" Depends on many variables. On a cold morning, (-15F) it may take 10-20 miles of driving. HOWEVER, if you turn the heat all the way up... the engine will NEVER EVER come up to temp. because the heater-core can pull more heat out of the engine than it can create. Never owning a diesel, or a VW before, is there anything else I need to consider? Consider adding diesel-fuel additive at EVERY fillup. There are many benefets including 2-4 more MPG, longer fuelpump life and quieter running. Also, do not assume the dealership knows how to effectively maintain diesel engines beyond basic stuff. You MUST use special oil which is not readilly available in North America. (I order all my supplies from tdiparts.com) Unlike Asian automobiles which can be pretty much ignored... VWs are better off when meticulusly maintained per the reccomended schedule. Best of all.... it is WONDERFUL to be able to travel 700+ miles per tank of fuel!!!! |
|
You are here:
Forums
Sedans Volkswagen Jetta VW Jetta TDI
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
