2009 Jetta TDI test drive

[Racekar]

Next door to a store my wife was shopping at was a VW dealer, and right in front was the new Jetta TDI with green leafy decals and an invitation to come in and drive it, so I did. Wow, it had the DSG transmission, it was quick, quiet, and comfortable. It comes loaded with the only real options being the sunroof and the DSG, and navagation. The best part, $21990. If they can get people in it to drive it, they could sell a bunch of them. The interior looked almost like the last generation Audi A4, same driver information center and computer digital readouts. I would have to try the 6 speed but this could make me dump the benz. It also is so clean it does not need the urea injection that MB's need for CA and northeast emisions. The sticker said 40mpg highway but the salesman said that the car is better on the road, I checked a TDI site and some owners are already getting close to 48 with the DSG. My plan was to update to a 98-99 E300, but they are selling for $15000 with 100,000 miles. For a few thousand more you can have 3 years free service, 4 year warrantry on the car and 5 year warranty on the powertrain. I dont think you can beat it, I just wonder what Audi, Honda, BMW and the others will have comming next year. A new BMW 1 series with a diesel would be a winnner. Unfortunately I dont think MB wants to compete in the lower priced diesel market.

[Oracle12345]

Meh VWs are cheap compared mercedes in many areas so I would never buy a VW. I would rather spend more money on a car thats built much better.

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by Oracle12345

Meh VWs are cheap compared mercedes in many areas so I would never buy a VW.

That's why they're $20,000 cars instead of $50,000 cars new. What do you expect?

Go ahead and buy it. You could do alot worse.

[pawoSD]

I may try and test drive the one at our local dealer too......I am curious to how it drives......though I'd probably never buy one. (I don't want a VW)

Front wheel drive is the work of Satan.

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Front wheel drive is the work of Satan.

[notfarnow]

After 10+ years of driving nothing but VWs, I'll never, ever buy another one.

My last A4 Jetta made me long for the quality and reliability of my old Renault LeCar.

My mother in law bought an 07 TDI. I am shocked by the poor fit & finish in that car... chintzy, rattly and already coming loose after only a year. It's appalling. It's an automatic, and the shifter feels like it's hooked up with twine and clothesline pulleys. Plus, it already has a host of electrical gremlins.

No kidding, I would lease a Kia before I touched another VW. At least with the KIA, you're getting what you paid for.

[equipmentjunkie]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Front wheel drive is the work of Satan.

So true. So true.

Now on to my '09 TDI driving experience... My brother said it best, "I expected to be blown away by the new TDI engine and to find the DSG transmission acceptable. The reverse was true."

VW is definitely on to something with the DSG. It is a phenominal transmission. The DSG offers lightning-fast shifts and the behaviour is perfectly acceptable in stop-and-go driving.

VW cars are not at Mercedes build quality and engineering levels. However, my entire family's VW TDI experiences have been stellar. I would not hesitate to buy a new VW TDI...if I wasn't doing the service work. Modern cars are extremely complicated which makes them unwrenchable for the average guy and that is true for any brand.

I am anxiously awaiting the new diesel BMW 3-series. A test drive in that car will be interesting. ForcedInduction, what is your analysis on this car?

[Hatterasguy]

What exactly is this DSG box that everyone is talking about?

So far my favorite auto trans are the 722.6, and the Allison in my friends Chevy.

I find the new 722.9 or whatever they call the 7spd to be to busy. It needs one or two less gears.

[777funk]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Front wheel drive is the work of Satan.

I agree with Forced on this one. What happens if you have to work on the car?

If you say you don't plan on working on the car because you'll sell it in 2-3 years and get a different car, my suggestion is to not buy a Diesel.

Of course the smell, the sound, the concept is all appealing (to us). But with the economics/longevity of buying a diesel, it'd make more sense to spend less on a gas vehicle. It may not last as long, but in 2-3 years, I wouldn't worry about it.


Of course... if you plan on keeping the car a LONG time and putting miles on it, then buy a diesel. But again, what Forced said, working on the VW will be a Pain in the Rear! Working on the E300D Turbo will be a pain but not nearly as much of a pain.

And...

instead of the TDI having expensive turbos and injection pumps breaking every 100k miles and the occasional blown head gasket, with the Mercedes you'll just have to worry about replacing old fuel lines and other small stuff (electronic parts etc) and maybe spring perches but I believe the dealer covers that.

I'd take a 10 yr old E300D over a TDI any day. And I'd work on it myself and save the money, but that's just me. It'll be MUCH easier to work on and with Rear Wheel Drive, you can reach most things that will break without tearing too much off.

[argus445]

actually my A2 jetta diesel has had alot less problems than this 300D i have. Tho u don't have the rubber timing belt to deal with on MB but the newer ones will go 100K i'd say? For the money really vw jetta diesels are best cars on market having owned 3 i can attest tho. they don't look as classy ride new 25 years later but they do get 40mpg are pretty cheap and the parts aren't overly inflated. The dealer's i'd rank equal they both suck i wouldnt trust anything they say or do honestly. But the new plant is in tennessee not sure what they'll build i think jetta's and rabbits? If they can import enough i think they'll edge the market alot places have done sold there share of diesel cars for the year which is pretty amazing.

[Eric Eliel]

I had to read through 30 posts before someone indicated the meaning of DSG.

[moon161]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Front wheel drive is the work of Satan.

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.

[Matt L]

There's nothing wrong with front-wheel drive for most drivers, myself included. Unless you're really pushing the car, you will never notice the difference.

The latest TDI is undoubtedly more powerful than the wimpy 100 HP model in mine, but it still probably lacks the power to make RWD helpful or even nice to have.

My biggest complaint is the ride quality. The car handles so nicely that you don't notice it until you get into the right-hand seat, but from there it's hard to read my newspaper in the morning.

[compu_85]

They really changed the power delivery on the CR engines. Unlike my ole 99.5 there's no big lump of torque at 2000 RPM. Actually drove a lot like the 2.0 gas motor. Was nice and quick tho.

-Jason