- #2592 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [johngmiller75]
by ruking1
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Dec 04, 2008 (9:09 am)
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Replying to: johngmiller75 (Dec 04, 2008 8:49 am)
At 26,400/20,800 yearly miles both are candidates for TDI's. I run side by side a Civic. The cleanest way to compare: (total) cost per mile driven.
So for example, tire cost: Civic, I got 74,300 miles. Oem tires cost $256/74,300 miles =.0034454. per mile driven
Jetta, so far still going at 111,000 miles. Oem tires cost $360/111,000=.0032432 per mile driven
Commute mileage (same commute for comparison purposes) is 38-42 mpg/48-52 mpg. Just plug in your current and projected fuel prices. If most of your mileage is highway and you are fine with a manual, that would be my choice for the TDI (has been actually). Mine is a literal baby  111,000 miles. But on the other hand, so is the Civic at 76,000 miles. Hands down there is literally no comparison on which I would RATHER drive. However this is not very quantifiable on the (total) cost per mile driven metric.
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- #2593 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [ruking1]
by johngmiller75
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Dec 04, 2008 (9:45 am)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Dec 04, 2008 9:09 am)
I take it that the VW TDI is the one you would RATHER drive? They do look fun. Hondas are great cars, but would a diesal Jetta last even longer in terms of miles?
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- #2594 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [johngmiller75]
by ruking1
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Dec 04, 2008 (9:52 am)
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Replying to: johngmiller75 (Dec 04, 2008 9:45 am)
Absolutely !!! Absolutely, for a sedan anyway! And absolutely!!! In addition, on NON commute (we have rolling parking lots for a commute) I cruise the VW TDI at much higher avg speed. At a steady 75 mpg with bursts to 80-85 mph (3 states highway patrols 5 car wolf packs servicing customers) I got 59 mpg. Same speed trips with the Civic, tickled pink with 40 mpg.
Well look at the PERCENTAGE on the (tire) metric I used as an example. What I should have included, I have HAD to have three CIVIC alignments vs NONE needed for the Jetta TDI. We are NOT curb feelers. Now obviously that is NOT DIESEL related, but I hope that addresses what can be a common Civic misconception. So one mitigation would be to get a lifetime alignment package. (if anyone still offers that)
The reality as it is working out for me is: Civic consumable parts wear anywhere from 2 to 4 times FASTER than the Jetta. I have EVERYTHING to gain (aka SAVE) by telling you it is the SAME as for the Jetta, it obviously has NOT been (to me anyway) . It might also be obvious, I am paying MORE !!??
This is further WEIRD, as the Jetta is APP 436 # 's HEAVIER (2950 #-2514 # ). So a more valid comparison would be one driver vs 3 MORE folks in the (CIVIC) car (assuming 152#'s per person). Now would you project tires would wear same/faster/slower with one person in the vehicle or 4?
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- #2595 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [ruking1]
by ruking1
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Dec 04, 2008 (11:47 am)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Dec 04, 2008 9:52 am)
The interesting thing that gets lost (PLUS 10% advantage currently over the Civic) is that the Civic uses 32% MORE fuel (38/50) !!!! Said the other way, the TDI uses 24% less. So really the logistical system as reflected in the operative behavior is NOT interested in folks like you and me using less fuel AND cutting our costs.
YET using less fuel is PRECISELY what the hot air is all about !!! Seems to me the real effect IS inverse. Indeed even as we are ACTUALLY using less fuel, there is wide spread talk of increasing the fuel tax. One local pundit suggests a 1 dollar increase per gal. So your real reward for saving all that fuel? Why higher prices of course !!!   
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- #2596 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [johngmiller75]
by sebring95
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Dec 04, 2008 (1:03 pm)
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Replying to: johngmiller75 (Dec 04, 2008 8:49 am)
Here's what I tell people that ask the question concerning longevity and problems: It depends on YOU. If you're the type that doesn't keep their vehicle in tip-top shape, doesn't really like to deal with cars, and generally just drive and do the absolute minimum to keep your car on the road, then most any gas car will likely be less of a headache. The TDI is a more sophisticated machine than your average gas vehicle. That being said, it doesn't automatically mean the TDI is more problematic. Someone that doesn't really care properly for ANY vehicle will likely see more problems. However, the TDI is more picky and will be more suseptible to owner abuse. There are general maintenance and driving habits that can be the difference between a mediocre vehicle, and a vehicle that lasts a very long time.
I'm also not very bullish on VW dealer service, as I've seen some really bad stuff going on there. They're usually not as well trained as they should be and TDI's are a relatively rare breed, so they're learning on your car. If you can do the maintenance yourself and are willing to do the research, buy a few tool/books, the TDI can be extremely rewarding. If I were to require all service from a dealership, I'd buy something else.
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- #2597 of 3713
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Re: best car for high mileage drivers [johngmiller75]
by vwinva
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Dec 04, 2008 (6:46 pm)
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Replying to: johngmiller75 (Dec 04, 2008 8:49 am)
I am driving a 2002 Jetta TDI wagon w/ automatic. Bought it used in 2003, now have 207K on it. Mostly highway, do 85 miles daily round trip. Have done the maintainance by the book. If you can find a hobby shop you can do the filters, fluids and tire rotations yourself. The only major maintainance that requires a mechanic is changing the timing belt. Book says every 80K, I ran mine past 110K. Have replaced a water pump as a precautionary measure when the belt was done. Wagon is still running strong, expect to get 300K out it. Only complaint is the sun roof which leaks. Not just a VW issue, every sun roof I have had leaked. I'll agree that VW dealers don't know much about TDIs. Which is why I do my own maintainance. Suggest reading the FAQ file on tdiclub.com. Will give you a drivers-eye view of what to expect.
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- #2598 of 3713
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Re: Diesel Additive necessary with ULSD for 2009 TDI? [ruking1]
by elias
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Dec 05, 2008 (1:34 pm)
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Replying to: ruking1 (Dec 04, 2008 7:50 am)
the ~300k miles has been on *four* TDIs, and with my ex driving the NB.
so no significant maintenance yet on any of them, except the NB DSG had the transmission service at 40k.
2003 jetta TDI wagon 5-spd, traded for:
2005 passat TDI, sold to pal after it got dimpled-in-hailstorm
2006 NB TDI DSG "hers"
2006 jetta TDI.
the 06 jetta is the only one "remaining", the other 3 and the ex are no longer with me. jetta is set up with blizzaks for skiing/etc, and
lately i'm driving my GTO when the roads are dry or warm - 87 octane fuel is sooooo inexpensive lately! 
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- #2599 of 3713
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Re: Diesel Additive necessary with ULSD for 2009 TDI? [elias]
by ruking1
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Dec 05, 2008 (3:28 pm)
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Replying to: elias (Dec 05, 2008 1:34 pm)
Yup, ya got to hedge your bets ! We use RUG and PUG also. If the prices keep going as they are, RUG will be like .74 cents a gal !!! Of course it would be way cool if D2 were like .70 cents. I still would like a gasser VW that gets 50 plus mpg AND has the torque of the TDI.
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- #2600 of 3713
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Re: Diesel Additive necessary with ULSD for 2009 TDI? [elias]
by c280
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Dec 06, 2008 (8:44 am)
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Replying to: elias (Dec 05, 2008 1:34 pm)
What state do you live in? What's your mileage on the 2006 TDI? I don't get the feeling that you use any additives? I'm planning to go to New York for Christmas and the car ('09 TDI) will be parked outside.
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- #2601 of 3713
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Re: Diesel Additive necessary with ULSD for 2009 TDI? [c280]
by shrifty
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Dec 06, 2008 (7:37 pm)
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Replying to: c280 (Dec 06, 2008 8:44 am)
Hi C280, I also have an 09 TDI that is always parked outside. I live in Western PA and have not used any additives in my fuel, and the temperatures have been below freezing off and on over the past month. I have not has any issues so far with starting or running the car, just wait for the glow plug light to go out and it starts right up with no trouble. I don't think you will have any issues at all with your car if you don't use any additives, so enjoy your Christmas trip!
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