* Server response code: 500 We've had a minor breakdown.






We've had a minor breakdown.
The page you were looking for didn't load. Try refreshing the page, or check out our Site Map.







Toyota Prius vs VW Golf TDI - READ ONLY

791 messages,  Last post on Feb 28, 2010 at 9:19 AM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 66 of 80

#646 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [gagrice] by backy

Feb 14, 2010 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Feb 14, 2010 5:53 pm)
There's a fix for the 2010 Prius brake software, so don't let that stop you from a test drive.
 
I am not going to test drive a car that I have little chance of buying. I don't have the time, and I don't want to waste time of the VW salesperson. If my local dealer ever offered an open house to test drive the new Golf, I might take advantage of that. Sometimes dealers do that, e.g. when the Fit and 2008 Accord came out, my local Honda dealer had open houses, and my local Hyundai dealer is having an open house for the 2011 Sonata. Great ways to check out a car even if you're not serious about buying one in the foreseeable future.
 
As for my buying/leasing a Prius, I think there is actually a decent chance of that happening in the next 2-3 years, or maybe sooner. My local dealer is offering a really good lease with no money down on the Prius now. (That's why I stopped in to talk to my sales rep buddy the other day.) I have a feeling that kind of deal will be around awhile as Toyota rebuilds its reputation. The lease payment plus gas savings would be about the same money per month as my Sonata... and I could sell that and pocket some cash. If that doesn't work, I will be looking at the Prius when the warranty runs out on the Sonata. But who knows what else will be out there in 2-3 years? The Prius will be pretty much the same then (as will the TDI), but some new, interesting models are due out in that timeframe.
 
Kind of funny, though, that you are so passionate about two cars that you have no intention of owning.

#647 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [backy] by gagrice

Feb 14, 2010 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 14, 2010 7:29 pm)
Kind of funny, though, that you are so passionate about two cars that you have no intention of owning
 
I like the VW TDI with DSG. If they offer it in the Tiguan or Amarok it will be very tempting. I don't like low slung cars too hard on my back getting out. That is what I hate about the Lexus. Trucks and SUVs are just more comfortable getting in and out of. I did sit in the GTI while at the VW dealer and really liked the seats. Very Comfy. So maybe the Golf TDI will have the same ones. They are up a bit higher than the Jetta which is too low for my liking. I seriously doubt that I will buy another gas vehicle in this life time. I was not going to when I bought the Sequoia. Nothing with diesel was to my liking and I had just sold my 05 GMC. I regret buying it. Though it is not a bad vehicle just a gutless gas hog. Not enough torque to carry the rig up the highway I drive in high gear. I do not like to hear an engine screaming to keep up with traffic. A vehicle that will not pull the Interstate hills in high gear at 70+ MPH is not something I want. Our Passat TDI would do it and our Mercedes Sprinter would do it. The LS400 will not, same as the Sequoia. NO TORQUE, NO WANT.
 
My neighbor has a 99 VW Beetle TDI with 150K and has never had any major work done. He does all his own service. His wife does not like to drive their Sienna. She loves that Beetle.

#648 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [gagrice] by bwilson4web

Feb 15, 2010 (7:07 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Feb 14, 2010 8:35 pm)
Funny you should mention:
 
"A vehicle that will not pull the Interstate hills in high gear at 70+ MPH is not something I want."
 
The 1.8L Prius climbs a +8% grade very nicely:
http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_2010_810.jpg
 
The 2010 Prius works a little better with 89 octane if hill climbing at +80 mph is going to be part of regular driving.
 
Bob Wilson

#649 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [bwilson4web] by gagrice

Feb 15, 2010 (8:41 am)

Replying to: bwilson4web (Feb 15, 2010 7:07 am)
I have heard the scream of the little Prius engine on just a slight slope. No Thanks. You can have it. If it has to go above 2000 RPM at 70 MPH up hill it has too little torque.

#650 of 791 reliability data / all-talk & no car-buying action by elias

Feb 15, 2010 (8:48 am)

from my viewpoint VWs are super reliable, but the JD-powers/etc data used for reliability shows that other/non-euro brands have the edge. So that part's old hat.
 
Bob W thanks for posting actually detailed comparisons, however slanted towards the darling Prius. Maybe i'll compare highway dB/etc figures for the Prius. Also it seems like it's worth a testdrive/comparison after another 100k on my current TDI.
 
Seems like non of us posters are shopping for new cars, so we're all talk and no action - not about to spend $ on any new car!
 
It sure would be interesting to read comments from someone who had recently cross-shopped any TDI vs a Prius !

#651 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [gagrice] by backy

Feb 15, 2010 (10:40 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Feb 15, 2010 8:41 am)
You heard the old Prius engine from the Echo, right? You haven't driven the larger and more powerful 2010 Prius on a slope, have you?

#652 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [backy] by bwilson4web

Feb 15, 2010 (11:37 am)

Replying to: backy (Feb 15, 2010 10:40 am)
Funny you should mention:
 
"You heard the old Prius engine from the Echo, right? You haven't driven the larger and more powerful 2010 Prius on a slope, have you? "
 
We sold our 1.5L 2001 Echo to make room for our 1.8L 2010 Prius. However, I still drive our 1.5L 2003 Prius and I have climb data for both Prius:
 
http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_hill_climb.JPG
http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_2010_810.jpg
 
Notice the 2010 Prius weights more yet uses less fuel at the same speeds up until 65 mph. Above 65 mph, the 2003 Prius begins drawing battery power, a false economy because the battery power has to be replaced after the climb.
 
Bob Wilson

#653 of 791 Re: reliability data / all-talk & no car-buying action [elias] by bwilson4web

Feb 15, 2010 (11:53 am)

Replying to: elias (Feb 15, 2010 8:48 am)
You posted, "Bob W thanks for posting actually detailed comparisons, . . ."
 
Thanks are really due to the TDI advocates who post in this Prius area tread. The TDI postings give the leads, the reasons, for posting empirical Prius data. Now when it comes to "likes," I'm good with folks having a personal preference. For example, I like grits but understand some folks prefer hash browns.
 
So as long as TDI advocate posts something for which we have empirical Prius data, well it is only fair to share the facts and data. After all, ignorance can be cured.
 
Bob Wilson

#654 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [backy] by winter2

Feb 15, 2010 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 14, 2010 5:22 pm)
Many of the toxicities associated with diesel fuel are also found with exposure to gasoline. What is worse is that since gasoline has a lower vapor pressure, the toxic effects occur sooner and at lower temps.
 
Explosive mixtures of gasoline and air occur at temperatures far below 52 degrees C.
 
Gasoline goes through skin more easily than diesel fuel does.
 
If you were to read the OSHA report for gasoline, it is just as bad if not worse than diesel.

#655 of 791 Re: rehashing reliability is old-hat [winter2] by backy

Feb 15, 2010 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: winter2 (Feb 15, 2010 1:12 pm)
I don't disagree that gasoline is a hazardous and unhealthy substance. But I don't think diesel fuel is very healthy either. And I don't see that it is pertinent to the discussion of these two cars, since both forms of fuel will exist even if these two vehicles did not exist.

Messages Page 66 of 80

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement