Jetta TDI

[SGaynor]

Since I now have a 45-50 mile commute (each way), I'm looking for a VW Jetta with a diesel engine. I want something less than $10K, and less than 150K miles, so that's putting me in the 2000-2004 range.

Anyone have any experience with these? I've found a few forums on the 'net, but would like to know if anyone here had any experience with them (good and bad).

Thanks.

 

[leeawalden]

Since I now have a 45-50 mile commute (each way), I'm looking for a VW Jetta with a diesel engine. I want something less than $10K, and less than 150K miles, so that's putting me in the 2000-2004 range.

Anyone have any experience with these? I've found a few forums on the 'net, but would like to know if anyone here had any experience with them (good and bad).

Thanks.

Funny...I am looking into the exact same car. According to fueleconomy.gov the you would save roughly $700 a year on the tdi, but they are a little more pricey. I have come to the conclusion that it will really just depend on what deal I can find and which is the better deal (a gas or diesel). I am really wanting the tdi though.

I had a friend who drove a 94 through high school and his second little brother is still driving the car with 250k+ on it with regular maintenance.

Everyone I have talked to about them seem to really like them.

 

[SGaynor]

Since you are looking for the same car, I'll pass along this tidbit that I found:

Stay way from the automatic trannies in the '99-'03s - they apparently just give up the ghost for no real apparent reason, and are rediculously expensive to replace, or rebuild. They may go 50K or 200K. Sort of like the 4.6 in our D2s....

The manuals don't have any issues. The '04 and up autos, seem to be holding up.

 

[bmohan55]

I had a '97, BEST car I ever owned, averaged 46 mpg over four years and a blast to drive! Gave it to my daughter and she got T-boned in it but walked away unhurt. Don't know about the newer ones but on mine the timing belt had to be replaced every 60K as the valves were the interference design. I found this site to be most helpful.
http://www.tdiclub.com/

 

[p m]

just wanted to mention the same thing about transmission - do your homework about the transmission. It applies to all Golf/Jetta models, and probably some others as well. They are indeed ridiculously expensive to replace, including junkyard deals, because of high demand.

 

[leeawalden]

Thanks, I believe I remember reading that about the auto trans. I'm really looking for something newer...probably 07 would be the oldest I'd look into, something real low miles. I sold one car and gotta sell another then I'll have the cash for the jetta. Its going to be nice getting 40+ mpg

 

[teledan]

My Brother (cbass) and my dad both have one (I think '02 or '03) they seem to like them, my brother gets around 50mpg in his. I have driven them quite a bit and I really like them.

 

[ColoRover]

Since I now have a 45-50 mile commute (each way), I'm looking for a VW Jetta with a diesel engine. I want something less than $10K, and less than 150K miles, so that's putting me in the 2000-2004 range.

Anyone have any experience with these? I've found a few forums on the 'net, but would like to know if anyone here had any experience with them (good and bad).

Thanks.

I had an '02 5-speed that I bought new. One of the best cars I've owned. Very fun to drive, build quality was excellent, and the fuel mileage got better with age until about 65K miles. Best tank was 55 MPG on a trip to Montana. Never had one problem with it and the service was cheap (compared to my Rovers) The thing drove like a much more expensive German car. Did I mention I liked it? Good luck finding one, make sure you get the manual transmission.
~Art

 

[Roving Beetle]

I have had several, have several customers with them - GREAT cars. The 99.5 and up are more solid, quieter and better handling stock. The automatics DO SUCK and like mentioned are hit/miss. Avoid them like AIDs. That said I have done one conversion to manual shift as it was a bunch cheaper to do that for the customer then replace the auto trans. ($2800 ish including labor vs $4K plus for a "new" auto)

I love the little cars and the 1.9L TDI is a brilliant motor. I am currently stuffing a rather "healthy" pumped-up one into a 1995 Audi 90 Quattro. And there will be another "healthy" one in my D90 hybrid build.

Did I mention I like the 1.9L TDI motor? Ha ha.

 

[teledan]

I have had several, have several customers with them - GREAT cars. The 99.5 and up are more solid, quieter and better handling stock. The automatics DO SUCK and like mentioned are hit/miss. Avoid them like AIDs. That said I have done one conversion to manual shift as it was a bunch cheaper to do that for the customer then replace the auto trans. ($2800 ish including labor vs $4K plus for a "new" auto)

I love the little cars and the 1.9L TDI is a brilliant motor. I am currently stuffing a rather "healthy" pumped-up one into a 1995 Audi 90 Quattro. And there will be another "healthy" one in my D90 hybrid build.

Did I mention I like the 1.9L TDI motor? Ha ha.

Wait, you're putting a VW 1.9L TDI in a D90? Interesting, I would like to see that.

 

[leeawalden]

Scott, sorry to hijack the thread...

What do yall think about the Audi A3 tdi vs the Jetta tdi. These are really the two I am looking at.

I am not a fan of the manual trans for a DD but I would get it if I decided on the jetta.

 

[adriatic04]

I want one but would only get a manual. I had a 98 manual trans jet, bought it new. Had a shit ton of electrical issues.

Manual trans for a dd really isn't bad, before long you don't even know it.

 

[jhmover]

VW can build some good shit. My last Jetta was an 88 GLI. Would get 33 MPG all day at 70-75, I sold it at 230,000 miles and when I last saw it, it had about 450,000 miles on it. It was in the shop because the guy that had it didn't replace the timing belt when he should have and had some rather bent valves.

I had a friend who bought the same one for his son and it was a POS. But I suspicion having a 16 year old leadfoot driving it had more to do with it than any VW quality issues.

With the gas increases I've been eying a TDI myself. As I often haul boxes out to clients a station wagon would be the shit. I could only imagine how many miles one would run if you took real good care of it.

 

[Roving Beetle]

A3 vs Jetta is the same car more or less.... depends which one you can get a better deal on. I like the A3 looks and function better, but I am an Audi fan. To me an Audi without Quattro is like a rear wheel drive lowered Land Rover. But Audi vs VW in a FWD vs FWD I'd go with either almost equally depending on deal. 6 one half dozen the other.

Some of the early "PD" turbo diesels had issues - make sure it's not one of those that had cam wear issues among other things.

The newer auto's are better for sure - but you will NEVER get the super high MPG of the manual cars. Get a manual shift - the TDI is such a grunty little motor that they are VERY easy to drive in stop/go traffic as they are almost impossible to stall and loaf along well in traffic jams.

And to answer the question on the 1.9l TDI in a D90 - yes I am planning on it. Over 200 HP and 320 TQ reliably and a nice long power band with a VNT turbo = plenty of power for a D90 and excellent economy. Should be very smooth and powerful for what i want.

Doug

 

[jhmover]

And to answer the question on the 1.9l TDI in a D90 - yes I am planning on it. Over 200 HP and 320 TQ reliably and a nice long power band with a VNT turbo = plenty of power for a D90 and excellent economy. Should be very smooth and powerful for what i want.

Doug

Too bad I can't get away with that in California - that would be the shit I bet.

 

[leeawalden]

A3 vs Jetta is the same car more or less.... depends which one you can get a better deal on. I like the A3 looks and function better, but I am an Audi fan. To me an Audi without Quattro is like a rear wheel drive lowered Land Rover. But Audi vs VW in a FWD vs FWD I'd go with either almost equally depending on deal. 6 one half dozen the other.

Some of the early "PD" turbo diesels had issues - make sure it's not one of those that had cam wear issues among other things.

The newer auto's are better for sure - but you will NEVER get the super high MPG of the manual cars. Get a manual shift - the TDI is such a grunty little motor that they are VERY easy to drive in stop/go traffic as they are almost impossible to stall and loaf along well in traffic jams.


Doug

Thats kind of what I figured. Just wasn't sure if the audi was a good of a motor as the v dub. I like the looks of both of the cars, but like the wagon since you could carry more crap. I wish the A3 was awd in the tdi, oh well. I know the manual trans will get better mileage, I just am not a fan of driving one everday in traffic. Its not that I can't drive it, I guess I'm just lazy. I might see if I can find one to test drive and see how it goes.

 

[SGaynor]

RB -

You're the diesel/weird config guru on this site, so I'll ask you these questions:

1) how difficult would it be to swap out a bad auto for a manual? Is that something a shadetree mechanic could do or would that require special fab skills? If it's relatively easy, that might be the route for me.

2) How hard is it to replace the turbo on an '04? I found on up the road for $5500 with a bad turbo (apparently it is sitting at the mechanic, because the owner couldn't pay to have a new turbo put in). He also claims all recent maintance (timing belt/water pump, etc.) are new. Edit: 172k miles

I'm seeing $1000K in parts (turbo), but I think I could install myself. Assuming I can bring down to $4000-4500, I think this might a great deal. Thoughts?

 

[Roving Beetle]

RB -

You're the diesel/weird config guru on this site, so I'll ask you these questions:

1) how difficult would it be to swap out a bad auto for a manual? Is that something a shadetree mechanic could do or would that require special fab skills? If it's relatively easy, that might be the route for me.

2) How hard is it to replace the turbo on an '04? I found on up the road for $5500 with a bad turbo (apparently it is sitting at the mechanic, because the owner couldn't pay to have a new turbo put in). He also claims all recent maintance (timing belt/water pump, etc.) are new. Edit: 172k miles

I'm seeing $1000K in parts (turbo), but I think I could install myself. Assuming I can bring down to $4000-4500, I think this might a great deal. Thoughts?

1: bolt in with a bunch of parts at least in the older ones, can't recall the year cut off for the "new" style - easiest to find a whole parts car in a salvage yard/pick a part with manual so you can get ALL the little parts. Easy shade tree with the right tools - a LOT of work though. By the way if you need the little parts I have all you need for a 99.5 up to ? less the actual trans.

2: Not bad at all, many bolts hard to get at though. A VERY common problem with the turbos is clogging with soot/carbon in the VNT vanes. Very good chance of it just needing a good cleaning and free up. That said, it often does need to be replaced if it's been neglected at all.

To jhmover: It has nothing to do with Cali - pre-OBD2 only. OBD2 follows all States.

My D90 build is using a 1970 something bulkhead, a 1994 frame (customized) and will have a 100% NEW Maine State applied VIN number and title and be 100% legit.

Cheers, Doug

 

[p m]

My D90 build is using a 1970 something bulkhead, a 1994 frame (customized) and will have a 100% NEW Maine State applied VIN number and title and be 100% legit.

In all fairness... Maine title does not mean 100% legitimacy. I've seen two russian 4x4s in San Diego that had no chance to be registered in most of the U.S. (because of federal restrictions on import of vehicles from Russia, nothing else), but with Maine title and plates.
The dude was selling them on eBay, hinting on the possible registration issues but not saying anything explicitly.

 

[Roving Beetle]

In all fairness... Maine title does not mean 100% legitimacy. I've seen two russian 4x4s in San Diego that had no chance to be registered in most of the U.S. (because of federal restrictions on import of vehicles from Russia, nothing else), but with Maine title and plates.
The dude was selling them on eBay, hinting on the possible registration issues but not saying anything explicitly.

No - no, this is different. I fully understand a title means almost nothing on a grey market or conversion truck. A rep from the State actually comes and verifies the source of the parts (need receipts) verifies the "apparent year/model" of the vehicle and then issues a completely new VIN number and title. The same as building a true kit car/street rod. Not a half-ass old Series VIN bulkhead on a new chassis type thing. atriot: