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Well, las vegas drunk, my experience with my Mexican GTI has been excellent.
20 years, 200,000 + miles, an alternator, a muffler and a cat later and it is still very reliable and a hoot to drive.
The VW diesel owners that I know have me drooling for a Jetta TDI Sportwagon. They report great mileage, tons of torque, and a hoot to drive.
There have been niggling problems, electrical as noted earlier, but I would rather have something fun and efficient than most in the OP list. (I do have a thing for the Mini, but would rather have the original.
Well, las vegas drunk, my experience with my Mexican GTI has been excellent.
20 years, 200,000 + miles, an alternator, a muffler and a cat later and it is still very reliable and a hoot to drive.
The VW diesel owners that I know have me drooling for a Jetta TDI Sportwagon. They report great mileage, tons of torque, and a hoot to drive.
There have been niggling problems, electrical as noted earlier, but I would rather have something fun and efficient than most in the OP list. (I do have a thing for the Mini, but would rather have the original.
What year of GTI is it? Not all are bad, just most. I would like to look it up though.
I wouldn't hesitate at all to get the TDI. I have an 06 GLI with now 37k miles on it, and it has been trouble-free. I have the 18" wheel option and I was expecting lots of rattles at this point, but there isn't one. The stereo quality isn't that hot, but it's a hoot to drive, and the interior materials cannot be matched in this price range. I still complain about the cost of service, but mine has the 50k mile warranty and routine service isn't included. If I recall correctly, you will have the 36k mile warranty with service included.
Location: Sometimes Maryland, sometimes NoVA. Depends on the day of the week
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I'm in the same boat right now. I was leaning toward a MINI, until I sat it in. It felt very form over function. I couldn't figure anything out and it didn't even have an arm rest. Drove a Jetta, and I loved it. I hate sedans, but am considering a TDI sedan. Probably would have bought one today except the dealers in MD, PA, DE, and NJ are closed on Sundays
You can order an armrest for a MINI. I owned an 04 Cooper S and 06 Coopers S convertible. Completely reliable. The Clubman is larger.. I'd look at it. Don't know much about the new engines but people on northamericanmotoring seem to like it.
If you are keeping the car for short term, I'd look at reseal. It seems the VW TurboDiesels have good resale, and MINIs are on top or close to the top in holding its value.. at least of late. If you drive a car until it dies this will be a non-issue.
Bought my first VW TDI , last year. It's a '00, and it had 85k miles. Since I'm a modding freak I've added a larger turbo, larger injectors , reprogrammed ECU, heavier clutch, suspension kit , and several other things. It's an awesome car , very fun to drive , and for what it is it's kind of fast. It comfortable fits 4 adults and the best part... 48mpg... and that's driving it hard. I know I could break the 50mpg barrier if I just slowed down some. The car now has 117k miles and I couldn't be happier with it. Haven't touched my '01 Dodge/Cummins since I bought it.
I've been in the new Jetta and it was nice, a little quieter than the last generation but I did notice the interior quality was a little cheaper. More plastic and less skin & foam covered panels.
I would not hesitate on buying a TDI...expecially over a hybrid. If you do purchase one learn everything you can about it, maintain it and it will last for a long time.
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