My sister wants a VW TDI

[SirNik73]

My sister has wanted a Diesel car for a while, I gave her an '80 Mercedes 300D that I was given for parts, her and I have worked on it, but she has given up on it... mainly because she wants even better fuel mileage now that she moved farther from work, and is now commuting about 60 miles one way to work.
So she found her self a 2000 Golf TDI. My Dad will be financing the car for her, and he has asked me to look into the car and make sure it's a good buy. I drove the car last week and I really liked it. I own an old Toyota Tercel wagon, and I love it, and the Golf was awesome because it's like the best of both my daily drivers, a German Diesel (like my Mercedes 300SD) and small wagon (like the Toyota).
You guys know anything about the TDIs? I gotta play Big Brother on this one and approve the car...
She sent me this...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/180754360.html
I told her the TDI may be a good car, but the guy with the Challenger is Crazy to give it up for that!

[Todd Wilson]

The TDI engines are good engines.  Probably get 300000miles pretty easy out of it if you take care of it.  Probably 45-50mpg I would imagine as well.



Todd

[dusterxhorrorx]

i am said sister. haha.

they have AMAZING fuel economy.
45city/49hwy (approx)

AMAZING!!!
like 500miles or so per tank. 

as far as the challenger, duh its better. i think its super funny that hes willing to part with the challenger for a TDi dub. they're rad and all but...

challenger > dub

[johntpr]

My sister in law has one...biggest lemon in the world...much poorer reliability than average according to all the consumer  guides. Check engine always on....carbon buildup in intake..thousands of dollars in repair bills on hers.  I tthink there is even a website like VW lemon or something about them.

[Charger_Croatia]

VW TDI's are so popular in Europe. I suppose that 2000 model should have either 1.9 liter or maybe 2.5 V6. I heard that V6 is not even close for fuel economy as 1.9 One of the problems which they had here in Europe is related to fuel quality. Your old 300SD could use any diesel but these modern TDI's prefer diesel with low % of sulphur. And oil quality is the most important. If you use synthetic oil for modern diesel cars, no problem. But some cheaper oil can cost you a big money (like turbo failure). Your syster must keep this in mind if she want trouble free driving.

[SeattleCharger]

My sister in law has one...biggest lemon in the world...much poorer reliability than average according to all the consumer  guides. Check engine always on....carbon buildup in intake..thousands of dollars in repair bills on hers.  I tthink there is even a website like VW lemon or something about them.

That does not sound good, I would listen to the consumer guides and wouldn't ever consider buying a lemon type car.   Who cares about saving some gas money if the thing is a constant worry and frustration.     There are lots of other nice VW models that are economic and fun. 

[dusterxhorrorx]

My sister in law has one...biggest lemon in the world...much poorer reliability than average according to all the consumer  guides. Check engine always on....carbon buildup in intake..thousands of dollars in repair bills on hers.  I tthink there is even a website like VW lemon or something about them.

it all depends on the year. the relaibily (over a 5 year span), according to J.D. Power, is a 3/5 (mechanically) [2/5 interior/ext, 2/5 accessories], which is average. =/

[kamkuda]

My Dad has one, The TDI that replaced the standard deisel have a lot more power and drive pretty close performance to a gas vehicle.  He has had 3 VW deisel.  All were great 3 year not one problem with the TDI.

[Sendero]

I bought a 2002 Jetti TDi GLS new. I commute 86 miles a day. The TDI is great if you get the 5 speed. With close to 90k, my only major repair was the glow plugs, bus-bar and  harness  assembly last year...$500. The 2003 gets 10 extra horses. I'd buy another one in a heart beat.

[Arthu®]

VW TDI's are so popular in Europe. I suppose that 2000 model should have either 1.9 liter or maybe 2.5 V6. I heard that V6 is not even close for fuel economy as 1.9 One of the problems which they had here in Europe is related to fuel quality. Your old 300SD could use any diesel but these modern TDI's prefer diesel with low % of sulphur. And oil quality is the most important. If you use synthetic oil for modern diesel cars, no problem. But some cheaper oil can cost you a big money (like turbo failure). Your syster must keep this in mind if she want trouble free driving.

They are great cars, definitly get a 1.9 like he said and I can relate to the fact that you should not save on the cost of the oil it needs. The cheaper oils 10w40 for example are too thick which will cause problems with starting when it gets colder and like he said in the end it could lead to a turbo failure. All the other parts will be damaged as well but the turbo will be the first to go.

Arthur

[MassCharger73]

My buddy who I've known since H.S. has gone earthy crunchy on me. He hasn't even started his 69 SuperBee in 5 years, but buys up every one of those damn turbo furnaces he can find. He thinks they are great. BIG fuel mileage and stupid resale value.