DSG is the name of their new automatic that is realy a manual transmission with 2 automatic clutches. One clutch is for 1,3,5 and one is for 2,4,6. The advantage is that as one is engaging the other is releasing and there is no torque converter to waste energy. The companies that have these say they can gain 6% over a regular auto. They also shift very fast and can downshift with perfectly timed, and RPM matched shifts since its all computer controled.

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Karl B
95 E300 D
2006 Mazdaspeed 6
2001 GMC Yukon XL
1997 Contour SVT
Mazda RX-7 SCCA race car

Hopefully quality will improve when they start building them in the US. I'd love a diesel Jetta for a daily driver if they weren't known for problems....

I walked into a VW dealer to look at the new Jetta TDI, not to purchase just look. The engine and transmission was made in Germany, the car assembled in Mexico.

Otto
'79 240D 4spd

Are new Jettas really only $22,000? I was looking on e-bay and that's what 2006s were selling for. What gives?

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

bash the VW's all you want but for the money my '05 Passat TDI with the autotrans has been flawless. Typically 40 mpg highway, zero failures of any type at 73,000 miles so far. Not my '99 E300td, but a quick and nimble car to date. All I've had to do is change oil and replace tires and a timing belt at 70 k just in case. Worth the hassle since nothing else has failed and I want to keep it that way. Different cars, different market segments and price points but both quality vehicles in their respective classes.

Sounds like a great car. I have a 2000 VW Passat that I totally LOVE!!!

Well, we traded our 06 for an 09. It is the exact same. The 2.0 has quite a bit more horespower and you can really feel it. It idles a little smoother, pulls a little harder through the first 3 than the 06 did but pulls alot harder in high gears at highway speeds. This one can pass a car NO problem. I put 1000 miles on it this weekend and one thing is for sure, it doesn't get the mileage that the old one did. I could routinely get 45mpg on the highway with the 06 1.9 at 80mph with cruise. This one got 38mph with cruise set to 70mph.

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I would hope the MPG's will increase as she breaks in.

American v8's also don't last 500,000 miles.


A timing chain is usually replaced at 300,000 miles in our engines. American engines are lucky to make 200k.

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

they make vw's in mexico? Wow

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

I rode along in an autocross in a jetta. Guy had it set up for a good neutral steer (more air in rear tires), could put the front end where he wanted w/ the throttle, no probs.

Only for the past 30-40 years. Punch bugs were made under license there until a few years ago, much longer than anyplace else. I think it's the national car.

I never want a car with front wheel drive, I hate the feel of it torque steering...you can feel it compared to a rwd car....though in some cars its worse than others....in my wife's Rav4 you don't notice it as much as in my sister's minivan, but it also has bigger tires and a manual, so you're probably more distracted from it too....either way, I don't like them.

I still need to go and test drive one of those VW's......I think the newest car I've ever been (that was running/driving) in is a 2002...... Auto show doesn't count.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Audi Quattro. Audi still uses the name Quattro for all it's AWD cars.

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1992 Mercedes 190D 2.5 turbo 5sp manual. EGT+boost gauges. Boost controller set to ~14.5 psi. 1 1/4 turns on full load adjustment. LPG injection. Next in the list is water injection.

It's funny to see most of the VW bashing coming from people who've never owned one. I have both an MB diesel and a TDI, the best of both worlds. The TDI has been the most trouble-free car I've ever owned, though to be fair, it's also newer than most of the cars I've owned. The ride is very smooth and nothing beats the combination of torque and economy that this car has. My only complaint would be the interior rattles but those can be fixed by stuffing strips of electrical tape or pool noodle in the appropriate places as I've done.

I also test drove the '09 TDI and I was blown away by how clean & quiet it was. It sounded almost like a gas engine, even at idle and the exhaust had no odor whatsoever (my '04 has a little bit of a chemical smell). Power was great too, but similar to my already broken-in '04. The only thing I didn't like was the dashboard curvature right below the windshield. It just doesn't look right but I'm sure I could get used to it.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL