Need to add to the fleet!

I currently own a 2003 Jetta TDI 5spd. My situation is that my better half will be in need of new transportation in the not to distant future. NOTE: She won't/can't drive a manual.


So my next purchase must be either an automatic or DSG. That said, I have had great service and reliability from both my Mk3 and Mk4 TDI Jettas. Yes, I service them and do preventative maintenance.


I'd like to stay in the VW family so the question is:


Jetta?
Sportwagon?
Passat?


Reliability and longevity are the main concerns with maintenance costs a close second.


Cost of purchase is secondary to the above, so the newest of the above models won't be ruled out. I prefer diesels, but I wouldn't rule a gaser if it meets my concerns listed above.


What do my fellow members have to say?


Thanks,


John

I own a medium-sized fleet of various diesels (since '79), but, to be honest, at least in the last five years, I would have been better off simply driving gas rigs. A gas car will be easier for her to live with.....quicker warm-ups....easier to find gasoline, she will be resistive to adding a conditioner to the fuel tank, etc.

I would also stay the hell away from VW gas turbo cars. VW's are not the "value" they were back when I started out with them. Times have changed. Just me view.

You say sportswagon, are you looking at getting a newer TDI than the MKIV platform? I don't think they were referred to as sportswagons yet.


I'd boil it down to a few things. How far does she drive? Are you willing to replace the trans valve body if/when it starts to act up? And/or have the auto overhauled? Recently swapped a valve body on a 2000 with 206k on the clock with good results so far.


If she drives less than 5-7 miles one way, I don't think she'd ever be happy with it, especially in the winter. Mine is a cold blooded turd and takes at least 4 miles before it hits operating temp.

There’s some good deals to be had on fixed TDIs. Just got one myself. If you get a CPO it should have 2 warranties.
I would check CarGurus to see what’s available.
My VW dealer didn’t have one but they asked what I wanted and looked through VW’s inventory and got it. Once they had it, I had first rights to it, but no obligation to buy it if I didn’t want it for whatever reason. Got a CPO 2012 JSW manual w/ 45k mi, heated leather seats, Bluetooth, and no sunroof for $11k.

Happy shopping.

Yes, I am open to the very newest of VW's. Not really interested in Mk4's, because there are very few left that I would consider owning.

Nero Morg said:

You say sportswagon, are you looking at getting a newer TDI than the MKIV platform? I don't think they were referred to as sportswagons yet.


I'd boil it down to a few things. How far does she drive? Are you willing to replace the trans valve body if/when it starts to act up? And/or have the auto overhauled? Recently swapped a valve body on a 2000 with 206k on the clock with good results so far.


If she drives less than 5-7 miles one way, I don't think she'd ever be happy with it, especially in the winter. Mine is a cold blooded turd and takes at least 4 miles before it hits operating temp.

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Fair enough, I'm not familiar enough with the newer tdi's and on how fast they warm up compared to ours. That'd be the only thing I'd suggest. Running a Diesel all the time without it reaching saturated operating temperature is hard on it. It's the reason I won't get one for my wife, being as she only drives 3 miles to work.

What's she need? If she drives by herself a lot a beetle is very nice, gas model.

2.Slow! 2.Slow! I'm kidding. Terrible engine.

Get a MKVII (2015) Golf Sportwagen with the DSG. Nice car, and the EA288 engine avoids some of the issues the earlier common rail TDI had. Get an S trim to avoid the big sunroof. My .02.

Nero Morg said:

2.Slow! 2.Slow! I'm kidding. Terrible engine.

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And the gear ratios in the 5 speeds are atrocious, 4k rpm at 80mph, had one, traded for a broke timing belt 5 speed beetle...never missed that car...happy with the trade

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WildChild80 said:

And the gear ratios in the 5 speeds are atrocious, 4k rpm at 80mph, had one, traded for a broke timing belt 5 speed beetle...never missed that car...happy with the trade

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Mine was an auto... I was always rushing that poor 01M. Sold it to my brother, and he kept it for 6 months before he got tired of the shiny gutless turd... Gls option fully loaded.... 2.0 lol

Nero Morg said:

Mine was an auto... I was always rushing that poor 01M. Sold it to my brother, and he kept it for 6 months before he got tired of the shiny gutless turd... Gls option fully loaded.... 2.0 lol

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I was glad I had less than 700 in it when it left...seemed reliable but it was only a lifeboat while my first and only at the time, left me stranded and had to leave the car behind and fly back to Virginia

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