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I bought a 2009 TDI 6 speed manual in June when the prices were still low $21,009.
I love driving the car. So much that my 2003 Mustang GT convert, pretty much stayed in the garage all summer.
I'm currently getting 38.4 mpg, but was told by a number of people that it can take up to 15,000 for the diesel to break in. Mileage should only go up from there and most of my driving is back roads. I do notice that it runs high 40's low 50's mpg when doing 70 on the highway.
Being a 4cyl the car really kicks once the turbo kicks in. I also love filling it up every 7-10 days depending on my driving. Mind you I turned 7000 miles today, so I'm driving it alot.
I can honesty say that I'm hooked on diesels. Will never buy a gasser again as a commuting car.
BTW....Here's a great freebie with the car. Diesel engines do take longer to heat up for heat in the cabin. The Jetta comes with electric heaters in the vents. Pretty much soon as you turn the car on, instant heat.
Come over to the dark (diesel) side. There are some people on the TDI group that are getting high 50's mpg.
You are unique. It is unfortunately true that very few women can drive a stick shift, let alone work on a car. I think it is awesome that you can do that.
Looks pretty good to me all the way around but am wondering what the actual fuel mileage is and how it works for you.
I would love to have something that gets over 40 mpg on the highway.
I've noticed the new EPA mileage estimates tend to underestimate highway mileage, and I've noticed this is particularly true of diesels. Motorweek recently did a roundup of diesels and hybrids to see what their "real-world" mileage would be in mixed driving. Both the VW diesel products (Jetta, Audi A3) returned mid-high 30s in mixed driving. You should see actual highway mileage well into the 40s.
My "real world" mileage in a 2003 Jetta TDI 5spd was 43.6mpg summer, 46.6mpg winter city/hwy and 48 hwy @ 75mph. Who knows what I could have done if I kept it at 65 or below, I never tried it.
I now have a 2005 Passat TDI wagon. A bit bigger and heaver than the Jetta and a completely different motor and it only comes in automatic. Mileage is low to mid 30's. At some point I will trade it in on a new Jetta TDI or I will get another used Jetta TDI.
Once you own one you understand why TDI owners have a certain smile when they pass a Prius or one of those "smart" cars. They know the real answer to good fuel mileage isn't complicated hi-tech gadgetry, or a four wheel motorcycle. The old tried and true diesel beats them all.
As I see it, there are two main problems with the TDIs.
First of all, they cost too much more than the gassers. I bought my wife a 2001 New Beetle for our 20th Anniversary. I really wanted to get a TDI, but when doing the math, I figured that we would have had to drive it over 65,000 miles before the fuel savings paid for the extra cost of the vehicle. And that was back when diesel was 50-75 cents per gallon cheaper than gas.
Second, most people have no idea how to drive a diesel - especially in cold climates. I lived in Minnesota for nearly 20 years, and have no idea how many times I ran across people who hated their diesels. But they were the problem. They were running heavy oil and/or #2 fuel and/or did not have their glow plugs or batteries up to snuff.
I would love to see diesels become so commonplace that they come back down in price. Unfortunately, GM - in the late 70s & early 80s - ruined that scenario for a lot of people!
As I see it, there are two main problems with the TDIs.
First of all, they cost too much more than the gassers. I bought my wife a 2001 New Beetle for our 20th Anniversary. I really wanted to get a TDI, but when doing the math, I figured that we would have had to drive it over 65,000 miles before the fuel savings paid for the extra cost of the vehicle. And that was back when diesel was 50-75 cents per gallon cheaper than gas.
Second, most people have no idea how to drive a diesel - especially in cold climates. I lived in Minnesota for nearly 20 years, and have no idea how many times I ran across people who hated their diesels. But they were the problem. They were running heavy oil and/or #2 fuel and/or did not have their glow plugs or batteries up to snuff.
I would love to see diesels become so commonplace that they come back down in price. Unfortunately, GM - in the late 70s & early 80s - ruined that scenario for a lot of people!
You can buy a TDI for under $25,000. How is that more money than a gasser?
You can buy a TDI for under $25,000. How is that more money than a gasser?
The new Jetta gasser starts at about $17,500. The TDI starts at about $22,500. That's about $5,000 difference.
I realize there are individual dealer specials, and trim packages that will affect that. But for the most part, the TDI is going to be considerably more expensive.
The new Jetta gasser starts at about $17,500. The TDI starts at about $22,500. That's about $5,000 difference.
I realize there are individual dealer specials, and trim packages that will affect that. But for the most part, the TDI is going to be considerably more expensive.
Actually the TDI is an upgrade to the SE which starts at $20395, but with the additional options that the TDI comes with the price would be $22631 for a comparable SE. The TDI starts at $23660, with the sunroof. That's a $1029, not $5000 difference and not what I would call "considerably more expensive", and the TDI comes with a six-speed instead of the five-speed transmission that's not available on the SE, but makes considerable difference in the drivability of the TDI.
Last edited by RedNC; 11-06-2009 at 06:20 PM..
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