Volkswagen Diesels...anybody own one?

[Sirius]

I looked at a VW Golf Diesel and a Jetta Diesel today. I'm interested in them but was looking for some owner experience.

Any thoughts or insights?

Thanks!

 

[CarolA]

I don't own own, but drove a Jetta in Italy a few years ago and a Golf in France last month.

I was happy with both of them. The pick up was a little slow, but both of the one's I drove were manual transmissions so I could overcome that. Miles per gallon were great.

Diesels are very popular in Europe so Volkswagon has sold a lot of these.

 

[Goofyish]

I don't own a diesel, but often drive the VW Passat turbo diesel pool car from work - it's a lovely car. So much power! Even in 5th gear doing 80 it will still pull away when you put you foot down. It also gives over 40 mpg!

Diesels are very popular in the UK - due to our very high gas prices

 

[sharbear]

I don't but my FIL has the TDI Jetta. He loves it. It's a turbo and has pretty good pick up. My IL's travel now that they are retired and the diesel helps. I think that he get about 46 mpg hwy. He has had VW diesel's before and likes the Jetta best, mostly because of the turbo. He had a Quantom (sp is wrong, sorry) diesel that we later bought, finally went to the junkyard with 240,000 miles on it. The only problem with diesel's is finding a gas station. If you have a diesel pumb near your house, it's better, but you'll only see that gas station every 500 miles.

One more thing, if you want max. gas milege, go the the standard transmission.

 

[campinggal]

I had heard good things about both and I was intriegued with them from the gas milage perspective and that they just seemed like they would be fun to drive. However after some research I learned that from an environmental perspective, Diesel still emits toxins that are worse than a regular engine. VW can't sell their diesels in some states because of this-like Vermont and Massachusetts.

So it becomes a trade off- less gas consumption because of the better gas milage which is good but the diesel emissions are worse than a regular car which is bad.

Happy test driving!!

 

[Pig Pen]

My daughter has a diesel Jetta and loves it. She is so smug right now because diesel is more than 20 cents per gallon cheaper than unleaded.

It still sounds like a diesel to me.

 

[Crankyshank]

I used to have a diesel rabbit and loved it. the thing drove like a charm.

a friend of mine has a diesel jetta and she says it's the best car she's ever had and her gas mileage is insane!

 

[Az Pirates]

We have a beetle tdi.

Can't give you long term info as we just got it about 7 - 8 months ago. We have been really pleased so far though!

We also did quite a bit of research and then it took awhile to find just what we were looking for.

We're averaging right around 47-48 mpg.

I think there are several TDI owner sites around - they are a wealth of info if you have questions. Don't expect to get objective opinions though - they are, as a whole, incredibly loyal to their diesels!

 

[JuliaEeyore]

Originally posted by Az Pirates
...they are, as a whole, incredibly loyal to their diesels!

So true! I'm a Beetle TDI owner as well, and when I first bought it in '98, I became a member of EVERY TDI, New Beetle, diesel, VW website out there. There is SO much info to be had.

I will NEVER go back. Price of gasoline aside, diesel is just so efficient. I go over 500 miles to a tank. I feel like I never have to stop and get fuel!

Back in '98, I was concerned about being able to FIND fuel, but I can honestly say, I've never ever run into a problem. Diesel is everywhere.

My particular bug hasn't given me ANY problems (knock on wood) and I know we're just going to drive the car into the ground. It's at 105K right now and we fully expect it to go over 300K as diesel engines can.

Now, if only they'd make the New Beetle convertible in a TDI - I know, I know, it's counterproductive. But a girl can wish! Like I said, I will never ever go back to gas.

PM me with any questions, if you'd like! *ETA: DH wants to some day make it a BioDiesel and have it run off cooking oil! I'm not on board with that yet...

Julia

 

[slimplaw]

I have driven a diesel Beetle for 3 years. It is an automatic and I consistently get 40 mpg with combined city and highway driving. Straight highway driving, I get about 46 mpg. At 40,000 miles you are supposed to have a service call that costs about $700. I believe they replace the timing belt and do some other things. That would be my only concern about going into another diesel. Ask your dealership about it. I currently have 67,000 miles on my car(in 3 years) and have not had any problems, except for a recall. Passats will soon be available in diesel in the US, if not already. The Toureg is also coming out in a diesel.

 

[DISFANS3]

We have a VW diesel Jetta, love it.. MPG 40 in town 45-48 Hy. Getting ready to take it to WDW from SW MO, hope to make it down and back on $100.00 . Hope to have this car 10 years. With air fare going up we will be driving to WDW more often....