Volkswagen TDI- I like it

[Dually]

I was at a Volkswagen dealership and I wanted to see their TDI diesel.I must say I was impressed.The Jetta/Golf with a manual transmission gets 31/41 miles to the gallon.We here in the US should build a car that can get that milage and be a diesel.I was watching how VW builds there cars in Germany and it is by far better than we do.everyone wears a work jacket and people really work together to build a well made car.i hope the VW's that are built in Mexico are built just as well.
I have a 06 Jeep and I myself would not buy another american made car.The Golf/Jetta diesel might be my next car.Joe

 

[Popinski]

The ones made in Mexico are garbage compared to German built. However, I heard people were having good reliability with Diesels.

 

[The Critic]

The Golf TDI is built in Germany.

 

[getnpsi]

I'm thinking of trading my ranger in on one. What are the key differences with the 2010 vs a used 2006? 24k is out of my range if I jump on a new car before tax refund time. Being in California TDI are much harder to find in the package and trims i want as well. Cant bring them in from other states either. Oh well it was almost 80F today. Must pay to play...

I don't like most VW because of constant engine lights and electric issues from several people i know. It seems the VWs are everywhere and after about 6 years you dont see as many on the road. I see more 1995 dodge neons than jettas for example.

The golf is a new platform and the jetta is the older number 5 platform but the body pieces bolt on the same. So bodykit friendly for the aftermarket kids i guess

 

[crw]

You can get a lot better than 31/41 if you drive it right.

IMHO, we need to get beyond the populist rhetoric about where it's built. It's built to VW standards, no matter who is screwing it together. Now, has VW fixed the problems with vacuum hoses that melt, wiring that is biodegradable, or coil packs that last more than a few years? Those are questions you need to ask. To me, where it's built is very low on the list of things to worry about.

I suppose that a diesel has no coils, so that's one in your favor! lol

 

[JHZR2]

My wife has a German-made 08 rabbit. It has been great. We wanted a diesel bad, but she had to trade her car because of a numbr of reasons... we may be in the market for a TDI wagon before too long... I am bummed that they are made in Mexico, as without a price break vs the pricing structure for first-world made cars, I feel that I am getting ripped off.

I do not know that there are any quality issues per se with Mexican cars vs. German cars though... older VWs had a slew of problems, but m not sure they were due to Mexican-made reasons.

I do wish the Jetta/wagon were made in the US or Germany though... Even if it meant a few dollars more cost. They are still very reasonably priced.

 

[Familyguy]

With my '96 MK3 Jetta 2.0L GAS engine and 5sp manual, I routinely get 35-38mpg.

But I do like the TDI turbodiesel. It's a real stump puller off the line.

Best,

 

[Mr Nice]

I thought the TDI approaches 50 MPG on the highway ?

 

[rjundi]

Is there really any proof that VW built in Mexico is better or worse than Germany?

Previous generation Passat's are pretty troublesome and german built.

 

[ls1mike]

I had an 02 Jetta TDI for new to 80,000 miles, lets just say I will take my chances with Dex-cool. While it would touch 50 mpg on the highway. It had to be out of the shop to do it.
I do hear the new ones are good, but I feel they haven't been out long enough to see how they will do long term.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
The ones made in Mexico are garbage compared to German built. However, I heard people were having good reliability with Diesels.


The diesel cars used to be made in Germany while the gassers were made in Mexico. My 2005 TDI is a full blooded German.

 

[jmsjags]

i love the little vokswagen diesels and wish more diesels were offered here, but the new california emissions regulations are said to be impossible for any diesel on the market right now to pass. it's a [censored] shame too because turbo diesels are the most efficient engines we have right now

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Is there really any proof that VW built in Mexico is better or worse than Germany?

Previous generation Passat's are pretty troublesome and german built.


IMO, it is different than that. It is the third-world manufacture. I can buy a German-made golf/rabbit for a certain pricing structure. THe Jetta, built not in Germany, but instead by low-cost labor in Mexico, is priced in the same structure. I do not see that the savings are passed along.

The golf./jetta/wagon are all good values, and perhaps the mexican made jetta subsidizes the golf's pricing, but I dont know that for certain, nor does anybody else. What we do know is that for VERY similar vehicles, the third-world made unit is the same price as the first-world unit. The Mexican-made one should be priced competitively with a Kia, IMO.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: jmsjags
i love the little vokswagen diesels and wish more diesels were offered here, but the new california emissions regulations are said to be impossible for any diesel on the market right now to pass. it's a [censored] shame too because turbo diesels are the most efficient engines we have right now


You can buy a new VW diesel in any state this year.

 

[jmsjags]

Originally Posted By: XS650
You can buy a new VW diesel in any state this year.


sry i guess i should've specified, but i thought i read somewhere that california is supposed to be passing new CARB regulations in a few years that are even tougher than the current ones

 

[Audi Junkie]

fwiw, Mom has a 1996 Passat from the Fatherland that is still like new.

Let's just say you don't see many 1995-6 Mexi-Jettas on the road.

 

[Familyguy]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
fwiw, Mom has a 1996 Passat from the Fatherland that is still like new.

Let's just say you don't see many 1995-6 Mexi-Jettas on the road.


I've got one with a 2.0L gasser + 5sp. Haven't had any major issues with it (it is, after all, 14 years old). I get 35-38mpg on the highway and about 31mpg around town. It's got about 110k on it.

Best,

 

[tangojetta]

Our 2003 TDI Jetta wagon was made in Germany. With any VW product one should buy a VAG-COM.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Is there really any proof that VW built in Mexico is better or worse than Germany?

Previous generation Passat's are pretty troublesome and german built.

I rarely ever have to work on a Passat, but I get plenty of Jettas and Cabrios to work on.

That experience made me decide that if I buy a VW, it will not come from Mexico.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: Familyguy
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
fwiw, Mom has a 1996 Passat from the Fatherland that is still like new.

Let's just say you don't see many 1995-6 Mexi-Jettas on the road.


I've got one with a 2.0L gasser + 5sp. Haven't had any major issues with it (it is, after all, 14 years old). I get 35-38mpg on the highway and about 31mpg around town. It's got about 110k on it.

Best,


My cousin bought a 2nd hand one that was in exceptional shape. However, I still think the numbers run against them. VW sold a ton of those cars, and now...