Car Talk Guys BLAST VW Tdi!

GANZGUT · August 27th, 2001, 07:07

On a Car Talk show I heard last weekend, Tom and Ray gave the following three reasons to a woman from Mt. Clemens Michigan as to why she should NOT buy a VW Tdi, after she expressed interest in doing so. They claimed that the Tdi was:

1. Pokey. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
2. Smelly. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
3. Hard to Find Fuel For. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Someone should really educate these bozos! I think they'd rather see us driving those insipid hybrids.

(Or better yet, send them TONS of negative e-mail.)

dutchman · August 27th, 2001, 07:11

I will email them but what show is this? what station? what email address?

I think if everybody in the forum sends them and email they might talk about it again, and tell this lady a TDI is not so bad. Maybe somebody in the same city as these guys can give them a test drive.

Hondo · August 27th, 2001, 07:22

Here is a couple links! NPRcarries their show you might want to bend their ear. Also Car Talk email page!
Hondo

Craig · August 27th, 2001, 07:45

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GANZGUT:
On a Car Talk show I heard last weekend, Tom and Ray gave the following three reasons to a woman from Mt. Clemens Michigan as to why she should NOT buy a VW Tdi, after she expressed interest in doing so. They claimed that the Tdi was:

1. Pokey. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
2. Smelly. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
3. Hard to Find Fuel For. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Someone should really educate these bozos! I think they'd rather see us driving those insipid hybrids.

(Or better yet, send them TONS of negative e-mail.)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It always amazes me when people will say I am thinking of buying a TDI and a reply comes that it is pokey, smelly, etc. Don't people go down to the local VW dealer and take a test drive and find out for themselves?

lazlongski · August 27th, 2001, 07:51

E-mailed rant

Alan

dutchman · August 27th, 2001, 07:58

Me too. Come on people Email these guys and let them know that they are wrong. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

Paul · August 27th, 2001, 08:35

E-mailed comments, also asked them if their comments are based on real life experience driving a TDI or just noise ?

BlueBugTDI · August 27th, 2001, 08:54

I e-mailed, but I didn't rant. Just let them know how things have changed. I think that they have a 80's mindset. Their experience probably goes back to a bunch of old non turbo indirect injection Rabbit diesels that they may have actually worked on. I doubt that they have looked under the hood, much less driven or thrown a wrench on a modern TDI.

Lets give them some more input.

-Tim

golfstream · August 27th, 2001, 08:54

I just remembered, wasn't MPT's Motorweek going to do a piece on the TDI? Maybe it's already run. I remember someone in MD saying that the lead person (forget his name) from the show was driving one, liked it, and was going to do a positive piece on the TDI.

Anyway, if this is true and Motorweek is (or has) done this piece, perhaps we could mail a taped copy of the show to Messrs Click & Clack.

-Mel

chopchop · August 27th, 2001, 08:55

I've e-mailed them in my customary style.

Old Navy · August 27th, 2001, 09:07

Just sent a rant email to the show. Gave my experience with my TDI and told them they should not be giving advice to people if they didn't know what they are talking about. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

EnviroMan · August 27th, 2001, 09:35

These guys love sarcasm. I took the following approach, designed to give them fodder for air time.

Dear Tom & Ray:

I have enjoyed listening to your show for many years on KUHF in Houston. I usually find your commentary quite humorous and enjoyable. I would like to thank you for helping the VW TDI engine stay a well-kept secret. I work for an oil company. I like to see everyone driving big SUVs!!! You see, the VW TDI engine (available in Jetta, Golf, or New Beetle) is technological marvel capable of a consistent combined average 50 mpg! I have heard that there are versions of this engine available in Europe that get 79 mpg. Now that is scary. I would never want this to make it to the U.S. I'm worried because VW sells over 40% of its vehicles in Europe as TDIs. I am also worried because Consumer Reports likes it and it has received a number of good reviews, and the dealers can't keep any in stock. What makes it worse, is that its not a hybrid and it does not smoke or smell at all and is quite peppy. If this engine caught on, I would loose thousands in stock options. So thanks for the negative reviews, I appreciate it!
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

NYTDI · August 27th, 2001, 09:49

Was this a rebroadcast? They were bashing the TDI a few months (4-6?) ago and I emailed them then.

Nice going Enviro, just the thing that will catch their eyes.

I told them (this time) that next year I was going to give to NPR during the gardening show since the gardener probably knows more about TDI's than they do & at least I can get advice on growing my biodiesel crop. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Vanman · August 27th, 2001, 11:43

My reply to them:

Gentlemen,

While driving my diesel VW from Idaho to California Sunday I heard a portion of your show where a young lady wanted your opinion on the Golf TDI (diesel) and my ears perked up. I hoped I would hear all the good reasons to consider one of these cars. You told her to steer clear of this car for three reasons, and as I heard them I understood two things - 1) You must not have any recent experience with these fine engines, and 2) You have given advice contrary to the whole reason of existence of your show! The things you mentioned as diesel negatives might frighten someone who buys a car as an appliance - just show me where the steering wheel and gas pedal are, I don't want to know anything about the engine. But on Car Talk, supposedly by spreading knowledge about how engines work, you're encouraging people to educate themselves and overcome the usual hazards of ignorance, fear and superstition!

So, let's talk about diesel engines of the VW TDI - slow? nope. Great torque. Remember people buy horsepower, but they drive torque. This car has even more Fahrvergnugen than their gas models. Diesel fuel problems? Matter of perception. Let someone start getting 45-50 mpg, and diesel stations start appearing everywhere. This easily-learned skill of finding fuel (any truck stop and many other locations, well indicated by signage) will empower drivers. And smell? Mostly a thing of the past. Yes, the exhaust has an odor. So does gas exhaust, paint, etc etc. At least the exhaust contains very little carbon monoxide, and the black smoke you're used to seeing from school buses or large trucks just isn't there on these new engines.

If you keep any records about who calls and you still know the lady's name, please send her to our forum at www.tdiclub.com and there the truth will make her free!

Otherwise great show..

Pat Stevens

2000jetta TDI · August 27th, 2001, 11:51

this thread is hilarious!!!! i may email yet too!!! what i do when people look at me funny for driving a diesel VW, is simply take them for a quik little Upsolute enhanced tour. Most people like the nice blue and red lights, everyone wonders why there a$$ gets warm (he he he). i actually had a guy go and buy a tdi after riding in mine!!!!!should i get commission for that??? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]