TDI vs gasser question

Paddyboy

Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
Location
Geneva,NY
TDI
none
Let me first start off by saying that I will keep this short and not waste you guys time here. I have been a lurker here for quite sometime and I have enjoyed reading all of the posts here and I have learned alot about TDI's.

I have a '98 Ford Windstar van that I am upside down on. At the time it was a great buy, but overall the vehicle just sucks. I used to put alot of miles on it so a TDI would have been perfect for my commute. I am currently out of work but considering purchasing an older TDI once I find work and dump the van.


My question is: Would an older TDI with say 200,000+ miles be worth it to buy for around town driving/possible road trips? More than likely I would not be driving far and using D2 in the TDI.

I am toying with the idea of purchasing a small gasser...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
 

CMB430

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Location
HQ of "get nothing done"
TDI
2009 Jetta TDI
1. What is your budget for the new car purchase price?
2. Do want to trade your van or sell it out-right?
3. How upside down are you on the Ford (if you care to answer)?
4. Do you want a manual or auto trans?
5. What style of car are you looking at (sedan, hatchback, wagon)?
 

Paddyboy

Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
Location
Geneva,NY
TDI
none
KBB has the vehicle at about 1000 in fair condition which it is. It needs tires all the way around, inspection August 1st, it has a crack in the windshield, the check engine light is on and the brake lines are completly rotted where they enter the ABS housing.

I owe about 1200 on it I believe (long story). I would have to roll the loan over onto the Jetta I would think and possible trade the van in.

I am considering this Jetta which is basically exactly what I want

http://www.selecteurocars.com/vehicle_details.asp?CarKey=25618

I am surprised at how long this guy has TDI's on the lot. He has alot of repeat customers that run their TDI's for a few 100k and then upgrade. The TDI's with high miles seem to sit for awhile. He just posted it on craigslist on April 30th.

Basically once I am back to work I will need a new vehicle and I am considering this Jetta but I have never owned a foreign car in my life and I'm a little leery about them. Because of the cost of parts versus american made cars etc.
 

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
Paddy, welcome aboard !

If you are concerned about being upside down to the tune of $200 (plus repairs), how will you evar be able to maintain a Euro diesel auto when it needs things :confused:
 

ruking

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Location
San Jose area, CA
TDI
2003 VW Jetta, 5 M, Reflex Silver: 09 Jetta, 6 Sp DSG, Candy White: 12 VW Touareg, 8 Sp A/T, Flint Gray
Welcome !!

Given what you are writing it seems like the best course is one of the well rated gassers (Corolla, Civic (what we have also), Hundai, etc) will be more to your budget and comfort level.

However even they have their needs and issues, contrary to the "appliance" misnomer. Each ARE different, some are specific, even to generation and MY.

(For example only)

We have an 04 Civic going up on 103,000 miles bought SPECIFICALLY for commuting. It has done that (and more) @ a range of 38-42 mpg. It seems that the major mileage maintenance intervals are 120,000 miles.

So for example, I have already bought for DIY, app $200 of (internet) parts

1. cabin filters 2 ea
2. spark plugs 4 ea
3. air filter 1 ea
4. oil filter 1 ea
5. Mobil One 5w20 oil 3 qts (to run 20,000 miles OCI's)
5. A/T fluid, washer
6. coolant, washers
7. brake pads/shoes 4 pads 4 shoes (it may/not need, or it might/not need rotors and drums)

This does not include (yet) the parts needed for a TB/WP interval.

@ the Honda dealer they are offering a $589. special !

The car seems to need alignments each 30,000 miles. So far we have gotten 3 @ 90 each. vs not needing one in a 03VW Jetta TDI @ 100,000 miles ($60.). We also only got 74,300 miles from the oem tires. The replacement Toyo Ultra 800 tires seems to be on a 100k + miles pace.
 
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Paddyboy

Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
Location
Geneva,NY
TDI
none
Thanks for the warm welcome dieseldorf!

Also let me just make things clear on how bad the van is:

The van is worth 1000

I owe roughly 1200

Right now it has studded snows on it so I need a set of tires.

Losing radiator fluid (more than likely a head gasket is gonna blow anytime)

The brake lines are shot

Check engine light is on (evap)

Windshield is cracked (may hinder inspection)

Also may need brake pads to pass inspection.



That being said I am basically counting this Ford POS as a loss. My wife wants me to upgrade for my next vehicle (newer car less miles). But prefer an older vehicle. (I had a '96 Chevy Corsica that was a very good running car for me.)


Basically what I'm thinking of doing is dumping the ford and getting a car for around 3000. Would it be worth it to buy the Jetta I posted or should I get a gasser that might be cheaper service wise but worse as far as fuel economy?
 

TDIJetta99

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 17, 2005
Location
Port Jervis, New York, USA
TDI
03... Faster than yours =]
That TDI isn't too bad of a deal for $3k...

FWIW, you can usually score a newer (MK4) 5-speed 2.0 gasser Jetta for around 3k... They typically get low-mid 30's for mileage and are fairly dependable as long as you maintain them.. My neighbor picked up a 2004 2.0 5-speed with 90k on it for $4k, so they're out there..
 

Powder Hound

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 25, 1999
Location
Under a Bridge, Crestview, FL, USA
TDI
'00 Golf 4dr White 5sp, '02 Jettachero 5sp, Wife's '03 NB Platinum Gray auto(!)
In the last 2 years I have purchased 2 TDIs. One, a 2001 Jetta, had a little over 180k miles. I sold it because the person it was purchased for changed things and I didn't want to keep a Jetta. Overall, a very nice car.

The other, a 2dr Golf, has a little over 200k miles. I'm keeping it. It is a nice car, and it will last me probably the rest of my life that I'm allowed to drive.

Not that I think I will get there, but I'm counting on both of my golfs to get to 500k miles each. I'm just not driving enough these days that I think I'll make it. No, I don't have a death wish. I just don't think 25-30 years is enough at my current mileage.
 
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