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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Toyota Prius vs VW Golf TDI
519 messages, Last post on Nov 08, 2009 at 11:34 PM
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From the Fuel Sipper Smackdown The Conclusion The big news is that the 2010 Toyota Prius (base price $22,000) secures a straight sweep by achieving essentially the same fuel economy regardless of driving environment. Conventional wisdom used to be that the Prius was good for city dwellers and that frequent road trippers should look elsewhere. These results would prove otherwise, and the new Prius proved to be a better long-distance car than before, with a bit more power and a more comfortable cabin. The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI ($22,270) proved the promise of clean diesel technology. While not delivering the best gas mileage or the lowest price, the Jetta is better equipped than the hybrids' base models and feels the most like a normal car. With fewer costly technologies onboard, there are also fewer costly technologies to fix or replace in the long term. Of course, the fluctuating cost of diesel fuel is something to consider This was the Jetta that was tested, the Golf TDI will arrive on your shores in the near future and it is next generation platform compared to 2009 Jetta. |
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 13, 2009 7:29 am) I never said all BMWs were unreliable? Those were my own personal experiences with my very own car I guess you were a bit confused.  So here's the colorless facts: The Prius has stronger reliability ratings than a VW TDI. "Better than average VW TDI results" does not equate to Prius reliability. In fact there is not a single VW that has the reliability of a Prius. Not one! Overall VWs are ranked among the last in most reliability surveys.Those are the facts. Oh and by the way if you find everybody's experiences with their own cars useless than why are you here? My suggestion is that you focus on CR and JD Power surveys and then who knows by next week you will have a Prius in your garage.  Anyways you do sound like a very happy person and I salute you for your love of diesels. My car love is directed towards my amazing 2010 Prius and I am incredibly ecstatic(pardon my colorful language). At least we are two happy people. What's there to argue about.  And please pardon those colorful icons above.
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Replying to: dewey (Aug 13, 2009 10:12 am) Will the Prius have 1 problem per 100 vehicles and the TDI have 1.00000000000001 problem per 100 vehicles? I'm not a CR subscriber and circles that are half full or half empty don't mean much to me in terms of data. Buick (Buick and Jaguar tied for No. 1 in 2009 JD Power vehicle dependability) is rated higher in reliability than Toyota, yet that would not be sufficient reason to buy a Buick or Jaguar. My point is this, the gap between 1st and last for reliability has diminished so greatly in recent years that there is a statistically small difference in reliability. Buy the vehicle that meets your needs and makes you happy. VW has higher predicted residual value than Toyota as a brand. Both TDI and Prius are among the highest predicted retained values as individual models. Prius obtains better mpg than TDI. That is understood. TDI is much more comfortable and fun to drive than Prius IMO.
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 13, 2009 10:55 am)  $18,000. Till that time the only thing that is close and might be off topic is the 2009 Jetta TDI. While we get 39-45 mpg, that has been in break in mode . In some respects the engines (Prius/TDI) are not in the ball park. As such, the reality is more like comparing mpg. That being true a more apples to apples comparison is a Camry/Accord V6 # ft 254 19/29/22 against the 2009 Jetta TDI 2.0, # ft of torque 236 29/40/ 37. When I got the 2003 Jetta TDI, I actually looked at both the 2003 Prius and 2004 Civic hybrid. Fuel mileage was better 35/44/42 03 TDI, although my ranges have been 48-52 vs 03 Prius of 42/41/41. I got neither hybrid as they would NOT deal at all. In fact in terms of price the real competition is the Toyota Corolla/Honda Civic. Looking forward the anomalies continue to exist in the the 2010/2010 Golf TDI will be the sports version (GTI) vs the 2010 Prius which is not even in the same league as the Camry V6. I am glad to see however that Prius after many years of good advertising about 50 mpg is actually getting 50 mpg. Seems there were a fair number of very dissatisfied Prius owners. But with the new "cooked" EPA numbers which favor the Prius and improvements to the current model Prius there is less rancor within the Prius ranks. Incidently the 2009 (less than 9k) , 2003 (121k) Jetta TDI's have been literally flawless as has been the 2004 (90k) Honda Civic, we got in lieu of either the Prius, Civic hybrid. However I am guessing that will not go unvilified.
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Well... I for one do not have a "chip" on my shoulder because of the issues if had with VWs and Audis. It is a shame the such a nicely made vehicle (their interiors are among the best in the business) can have so many issues. I certainly would consider one down the road when I have seen that their reliability has improved. For now, I'll keep away. On a lighter note, I just passed the 70,000 mile mark on my 2004 Prius and I just averaged 51.3 on the most recent tankful of gas. I can't think too far ahead but it looks as though a new Prius (2015 model) may be in my driveway Dewey.. so sorry to hear that you've had problems with your Bimmer. I know they can be quite expensive to repair. That is why you can get a 3 yr old 7 series for less than half of what it was priced when new. My friend recently sold his six year old 3 series because of the thousands in maintenance he was spending on a low mileage out of warranty vehicle. He ended up buying a Camry.  I still love the fact that I can glide in traffic without my engine idling. These days I seem to be doing lots of city driving and the TDI would never get the type of mileage I get in the city. Oh.. anyone hear that there is only a 13 day supply of the new 2010 Prius? They can't keep 'em on the ground... talk about selling like hotcakes!!! Whew!!
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Aug 16, 2009 1:33 pm) Seems like a lot to me with the C4C program emptying the Ford lots of Escapes, Focus and Fusions. There are a lot more 2010 Prius available in San Diego than VW TDIs. The TDIs pretty much sell off of the truck. Can't wait to test drive the Golf TDI. If there is any clunker cash left I may trade in my Ranger on one. Only car I would consider at this time. Don't need it, just be handy for running errands. Diesel still cheaper here than RUG. RUG $2.99 D2 $2.89.
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 16, 2009 3:48 pm) RE: Running errands in a brand new diesel? Makes no sense. Keep the Ranger or buy a Ford Focus. Cheaper in the long run.
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Aug 16, 2009 11:27 pm) The reliability failures of the VW does not ring true to me. I owned a VW Passat Wagon TDI for over a year and the only warranty work was a broken gas cover. That was done by a gas station attendant in Oregon the day I bought it. And the San Diego VW dealer replaced it under warranty. In 13 months the only other trips to the dealer was for oil change. That was less on the TDI than for my Toyota. I really liked driving that Passat. If it had a couple more inches of ground clearance I would have kept it. Of course it helped that I made $3000 over what I paid the year before selling it. I could have sold a dozen of them at that price. I am glad you like your Prius. It is probably ok for in town driving. Just not what I would enjoy. And the Focus even less. If you ever get a chance to drive a Golf TDI out in the country on a winding road, you will understand what I am saying. Cars should be more than just an appliance. Sadly that is about all I see on the dealers lots anymore. |
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Replying to: jpeters1970 (Aug 16, 2009 11:27 pm) First service is at 10,000 miles and maintenance is free for 3/36. TDI vs. Prius quote- While the hybrid won the fuel efficiency stakes, the diesel was the drivers' favorite for its abundant torque and sportier handling. The Prius has never been remotely sporty, whereas the Jetta is known as a sort of junior BMW 3-Series. The Jetta zipped up twisty hills that the Prius's Hybrid Synergy Drive struggled with, while drivers behind the Prius seethed as its pilot struggled to keep her car out of "Power Mode," which sucks more fuel. So there you have it: Sometimes higher fuel economy comes at the expense of driving quality-end quote I prefer a "drivers favorite" TDI and will let someone else drive the "never been remotely sporty" Prius. Golf TDI is evern more fun to drive than the Jetta. Very excited for it to arrive.
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