To all TDI'ers

To all TDI\'ers

Hey everybody, I'm new here and don't own a TDI, well not yet anyway. Here's the deal. I'm a college student who commutes to school, I work as a delivery boy, and I am an avid lover of road trips. I love driving and rake up miles like crazy. I currently drive a Ford Taurus SHO which is approaching 200,000 miles and on its last leg. I am looking for a car with nice gas mileage, affordable, reliable, and has the potential to go beyond 200K no problem. I was told to look into a VW TDI. My question is is this the car I am looking for? Everything I have read so far has pointed me in the right direction, but after dropping hundreds of dollars on fixing that stupid SHO engine I'm not really looking for another money pit. Does a golf TDI have light maintenance? And can it really go beyond 200K with out a lot of hassle? Sorry for the long post, especially since I'm a newbie I shouldn't of made it so long but I am so curious and any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks again -Jim

Re: To all TDI\'ers

hi jim
welcome to the tdi forum.
I can't say these cars are without problems.
Just read this website and you'll see.
If you want a plug and play car buy a honda.
This site is great however and you can find alot of inexpensive diy cures here .
as well as all the members being real supportive.
If you get a tdi you will love it .
the torque qnd handling are great for a car in this class.
It is not as fast as your sho but it gets 2x the mpg .
my suggestion would be to go drive one .
mine is an auto and it is averaging 43 mpg right now.
some cars consistantly get 50-60 mpg.(5 speed).
so enjoy

Re: To all TDI\'ers

We have two. We love them. But.......We helped our son that is going to collage get a Toyota. Change the oil, put air in the tires and drive.

Re: To all TDI\'ers

If maintained, diesel engines are great for mileage and longevity. 200K should be nothing for these engines. There are people here with well over 300K and still driving them like crazy. Oil changes are costly, but have to be done half as often.

To be honest, though, if you are a college student and are just looking for a car to drive around in and just do minimal maintenance, check out a lower end honda or toyota. Both of those like stated, basically end up being a maintenance dream. I have people at work who have had their corolla for 10 years or so, and other than the normal break wear, oil changes, normal maintenance, hasn't had to change one thing, including the muffler. Yes, they aren't as fun to drive.

A TDI probably wouldn't be able to keep up to an SHO unless heavily modded. The TDIs tend to get the best fuel economy out of all the cars I have seen, but let me put some things into perspective. You are a delivery boy. That means you do city driving with a lot of stops along the way. The diesel engine may get lower mileage than you might be expecting. I mean all cars will get lower economy under those conditions, but just thought I would warn you.

I regularly put 1000 km to a tank on my 98, and while that economy is great, my friend has hit 800 km on a tank in his civic. That's not that bad. I still prefer my diesel, but the small engine jap cars can get you from a to b without too much hassle, and with pretty decent economy.

To all TDI\'ers

You sound as if you enjoy driving? If so, I have found many here who enjoy driving would still buy a TDI ... it says something about the vehicle. Most small Honda and Toyota drivers 'who will get long life from their cars' (non-ricers) are generally not the kinds of drivers that are looking for a car that they can 'enjoy' driving ... but a car that will provide an appliance like low cost of ownership.

My personal story, I could probably justify most any car I wanted, but still prefer my Jetta TDI. (considering a Passat though) I have a daughter in college and she has a TDI in hopes she'll make it through Med school with it and will be able to stretch her 'tight budget' with fewer dollars out the tailpipe. I personally believe the oil changes (if you do them yourself) are a wash and that resale and longevity of a TDI are on par or better than a small Honda or Toyota. I think most here will agree, TDIs are more fun to drive and 'be seen in.'

Re: To all TDI\'ers

I'd suggest a low-mileage 2003 or older Golf TDI. Those cars have the older distributor-pump TDI engine, which for the time being, is understood my more maintenance people than the newer PD engine.

I have driven TDIs as much as I can since 1996. They are exceptionally fun to drive, and if you do maintenance yourself by the book, the cost of ownership is quite reasonable.

Re: To all TDI\'ers

I love my 2003 Golf TDI!

If you "rack up miles like crazy" then I think this is the car for you. If you want the best mileage, get a 2003 with manual transmission. The other great thing about a TDI vs. a Honda (I've owned 2 of 'em) or a Toyota (I've owned two of those too) is that you can burn (if you wish) biodiesel with no engine modifications what-so-ever. You can make your own biodiesel from discarded restaurant fryer oil for about 45 cents/gallon. I get a little less mpg on biodiesel (44 instead of the 49 I get on petroleum) but if you are making it yourself...you can't beat the price!

I bought mine a year and a half ago and have 37,000+ miles on it; most of it on 100% biodiesel (although I have been buying mine pre-made).

The other great thing about diesel vs. gasoline is that in the summer, diesel fuel can be hugely cheaper than gasoline. Last summer I saw it 40 cents/gallon less than the cheapest gas. In the winter, it flips the other way once home heating oil goes up in demand (basically the same thing as #2 diesel fuel for your car) and the oil companies start blending in #1 diesel fuel (kerosene) to cope with the cold winter temperatures. Since I put most of my miles on in the summer...the great summer price really works for me.

As far as oil changes, just get an oil pump (Pela) and do your own (dealer can be very pricey). It is the easiest car I've ever changed the oil on in 35 years. You only have to do it once every 10,000 miles 'cause of the really great synthetic oil that VW specs; saves labor and trips to the dealer.

BTW...mine's been very reliable except for a funny glitch with my electrical system. The rear wiper will turn on unexpectedly. Dealer thinks that mice may have chewed a short in my wiring somewhere. We found a big "mouse nest" up under my car. Now I have De-con in my garage (darn little buggers!).

Re: To all TDI\'ers

I'm in the car business and have driven just about everything. My TDI is the most fun car that I've ever driven. It's an '02 Jetta with an auto tranny. If it was practical, I'd rather have the manual, however, I live in Atlanta and traffic is stop-and-go when I'm doin' the ole' commute in the A.M. I fear that my clutch leg would fall off!! <font color="blue"> </font>

To all TDI\'ers

Depending on what kinda of delivery you do (ie. you have to turn the car off vs. not having to turn the car off) will make a big difference in the kind of engine you should get. If you are in a cold climate, and have to turn the car on and off a lot, a diesel is not your best choice. Deisels do not like to be turned on and off if they don't get a chance to fully warm up. If you are doing fairly long drives and the car will have a chance to warm up (takes about twice the time of a gasser) than a diesel should serve you well.. Oil changes and filters are the most important thing to keep up on and second to that is the timing belt.

Hopefully this helps.

Re: To all TDI\'ers

Hello and welcome to the site!

As for this being the car that you are looking for, I am sure you will find the answer to this question after going for a test drive in one.

I have a 2004 Golf TDI GL (with sunroof) and love it! I also do quite a bit of driving and I have saved already $100 a month on fuel costs. (around 2000km/month driving) This is in comparison to a 1987 ford escort I had.

Like you, I was sick of the old junk I was driving. I was on my 11th vehicle in the past 6 years (since they were all $300 fixer uppers) and said to heck with it, I'm buying a new TDI. I love the car! Great mileage, loads more pep than the older diesels (if 100 hp sounds wimpy to you, just drive the car and you will think it's more like 160hp!) Also, the handling is great for a car of its class.
Like others have mentioned, the oil changes can be a little expensive but they are done way less frequently than gasoline powered vehicles. If you drive a lot, your saving in fuel will surely balance the maintenance cost and make it well worth having! (the car)

As for going beyond 200k, I have seen at least 5 so far with well over 250K miles on them! I am sure this is also depending on if you maintain it (oil changes) and whatnot.

I have never had any regrets about buying my TDI.
Go and take one for a test drive!

Re: To all TDI\'ers

Wow, I've been on SHO Forums, Mustang Forums, Lightning Forums all kinds of cars, but this club definitaly has the friendliest members, I put this up last night and I come home from school today and I'm loaded with responses, thanks alot I really appreciate it. Anyway I'm off to go test drive a Golf TDI, all excited Thanks for all your help!

Re: To all TDI\'ers

Anyway I'm off to go test drive a Golf TDI, all excited

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Just like going to "look" at puppies!

Re: To all TDI\'ers

Just keep in mind - ALL cars have their warts, but if taken care of, practically anything out there should easily make 200K miles. Some will be more fun than others (TDI falls in theis category), some will require more attention than others.

That being said - if you decide a TDI is for you - this is the greatest bunch of folks you can find...

Re: To all TDI\'ers

Anyway I'm off to go test drive a Golf TDI, all excited

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Just like going to "look" at puppies!

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Well I did the same thing 2 months ago, just looking; I ended buying that day! I won't be surprise if he becomes a new TDI owner since there great cars.

Re: To all TDI\'ers

yes i test drove my jetta and loved it, had been lurking for a while since i had a 93 golf TD which was nice but then i drove the jetta and well 157,000 kms later still loving it As you may know there are some things that could go wrong but hey what do you expect? it's made by humans and also just a great car to drive, I would never be caught in a rice

To all TDI\'ers

Coppertone, if you update your profile to show your location, perhaps someone can help you find a good used TDI.

The key to longevity with a TDI is to start with one in good condition, that's been properly maintained. Then just keep doing the maintenance. The biggest item is replacing the timing belt on schedule. Some owners decide to sell or trade their TDI when it's time to replace the TB. Or just replace the belt but not the tensioner or rollers or water pump. So try to get a complete maintenance history, and ask to see the receipts or work orders for the big-ticket items. If there's no maintenance history, then plan on spending about $800-1200 for any car that is out of warranty. It might not be that much, but it could be. Adjust your offering price accordingly.

And check out the TDIs being offered by veteran tdiclub members in the TDI Cars For Sale/Wanted forum

To all TDI\'ers

I would also like to thank everyone for the friendly and helpful advice! I have been looking for a TDI for a few weeks now, and I've found this site to be an invaluable resource. I'm off to test drive a Golf this afternoon myself!

cheers-
jeremy