I have a colleague who is considering buying a 2013 TDI possibly thee hybrid and was wondering if it wouldn't be better to pick up a 2nd hand lo mileage VW TDI instead? If so what would year and make would be the best for him?
Friend wants to buy a TDI, but unsure if it should be new or used.
- Thread starter odbu812
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thebigarniedog
Master of the Obvious
Welcome to the tdiclub. If you want to keep this friend, I would recommend you shrug your shoulders and let him/her decide themselves. If you push them into a new tdi and something goes wrong (polite cough *HPFP*) they will blame you. If they buy a used one and there are problems, they will blame you. If you just shrug and point them to this website and let them do his/her own research and something happens, he/she has no one else to blame but Bob.
Personally, the best value out there and all around compromise in a new VW is the gasser "Sportswagon S" with a manual tranny, msrp $20,459ish with a bunch of nice features. If you look carefully, you will find not many are actually available in this configuration.
South Coast Guy
Veteran Member
Depends on what you can spend. New is always better than used, IMHO.
Whitecloud1
Veteran Member
Have him price out both. My guess is that when he looks at the price of used, the new isn't much more expensive.
The used won't have much warrantee left and will probably need to have some expensive service done within the next 10K.
The used won't have much warrantee left and will probably need to have some expensive service done within the next 10K.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
If they're new to TDIs and not mechanically inclined, I'd say go new. If they have reservations about the HPFP or emissions hardware, suggest an extended warranty. I don't like them, but people do gain a lot of peace of mind from them.
The problem is that if they want a TDI that's signficantly less expensive to maintain and repair, then I'd be looking at the ALH engined cars, which are now at least 10 years old, and finding one that's not got lots of miles on it is tough. Also, if you find a Michigan car you may be looking at rust issues at this point, despite the fact that the A4s were really good at resisting rust.
I love my ALH wagon, but new is also nice.
The problem is that if they want a TDI that's signficantly less expensive to maintain and repair, then I'd be looking at the ALH engined cars, which are now at least 10 years old, and finding one that's not got lots of miles on it is tough. Also, if you find a Michigan car you may be looking at rust issues at this point, despite the fact that the A4s were really good at resisting rust.
I love my ALH wagon, but new is also nice.
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(!)
thebigarniedog
Master of the Obvious
You are the wrong BobI resent that implication! I didn't do anything to that guy!!
(signed)
Bob
. The Bob in question knows who he is ......vwa1
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2012
- Location
- SW Iowa
- TDI
- 1982 Rabbit Turbo Diesel. I think it counts! Please don't banish me to the Vortex!
We went for new when we got our 2012 Golf TDI because it was only about $2,000 more than a used 2011. We thought it was worth it for the extra year of warranty, three years of free service, etc.
Curious Chris
Top Post Dawg
X2 on the mechanically inclined vs new.
Yes it is true that the ALH is a nice engine but most of them have mileage like mine: 240,000.
I bought my car new and it has been maintained by me except for timing belts by Deafbug and Greengeeker. I too love my 2002 ALH.
Yes it is true that the ALH is a nice engine but most of them have mileage like mine: 240,000.
I bought my car new and it has been maintained by me except for timing belts by Deafbug and Greengeeker. I too love my 2002 ALH.
halocline
Veteran Member
I don't think I would buy a new one or recommend that to a friend, unless the dealership is unusual, meaning not a bunch of knuckle-dragging douchebags.
New TDIs only come with a 3 year/36K warranty if I'm not mistaken; this is an insult to someone spending in excess of $25K on a car that is supposedly designed for long life. And during that 36K you are paying for dealer service. Not for me. If your friend is really interested in a TDI, tell him/her to do a bunch of research, locate a good TDI mechanic, and then start looking at used ones.
It's very tough to argue against Honda/Subaru/Toyota objectively when you add everything up. Yet, somehow most of us on this forum are lifelong VW owners. Go figure....
New TDIs only come with a 3 year/36K warranty if I'm not mistaken; this is an insult to someone spending in excess of $25K on a car that is supposedly designed for long life. And during that 36K you are paying for dealer service. Not for me. If your friend is really interested in a TDI, tell him/her to do a bunch of research, locate a good TDI mechanic, and then start looking at used ones.
It's very tough to argue against Honda/Subaru/Toyota objectively when you add everything up. Yet, somehow most of us on this forum are lifelong VW owners. Go figure....
upsbroke
Veteran Member
tdi
How come no one has suggested the '12-13 Passat tdi. No hpfp issues there other than 2 misfuels reported on this site that I've heard.
How come no one has suggested the '12-13 Passat tdi. No hpfp issues there other than 2 misfuels reported on this site that I've heard.
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IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
I think I have seen at least one reported HPFP failure on a '12 or later Passat. And first 30K service for TDIs is included in the purchase. Note I didn't say free. You do pay for it in some form.
ReneK
Member
Just purchased a new 12 golf. I got a 5 year 80,000 km warranty,which is about 23,000 km more than what you're saying is offered by dealerships around you. I'm pretty comfortable with that, and will likely consider extended warranty options closer to that. I'm absolutely loving the car so far, and glad I purchased new. Being that it's a 12, I got a significant discount, and a far lower interest rate than offered for the 13's. I guess it's what you can afford, and are willing to pay.
arne487
Veteran Member
This question can't be answered without knowing what is important to the buyer. I would much rather have an excellent condition 2003 than a brand new 2013, even for the same price. Many people differ in opinion.
If saving money is the overall goal (which I'm guessing based on the TDI vs hybrid comment) then he's probably better off keeping what he has, or going with a completely different make of vehicle if he MUST have a "new" car.
If saving money is the overall goal (which I'm guessing based on the TDI vs hybrid comment) then he's probably better off keeping what he has, or going with a completely different make of vehicle if he MUST have a "new" car.
halocline
Veteran Member
Maybe it's a Canada/U.S. thing. In the U.S. the warranty used be 5 yrs/60K miles, but I believe they dropped it to 3/36K.
60K is still not very good IMO for an engine that's supposed to easily last more than 200K miles. But 36K is just sad.
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (retired); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (sold)
The drivetrain warranty is still 5 years or 60k miles. 3 years or 36k miles for everything else. 12-year unlimited mileage corrosion warranty.
halocline
Veteran Member
That's a really crappy warranty IMO. I think it used to be 5/60K for most things, 100K powertrain.
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (retired); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (sold)
Only for one or two years, back around 2000 or 2001. I think the comprehensive warranty was 4/50 in 2003, with drivetrain warranty 5/60.
homelessgdog
Well-known member
First TDI second diesel vehicle
Any car can fail. I wish VW had some type of warranty like Cummins has on the engine in my Dodge. It isn't warrantied by Dodge, it is warrantied by Cummins for 100k miles which is nothing for a Cummins turbo diesel engine. Average engine overhaul is 350K. We buy these TDI's because we drive our vehicles. If I had a 10 mile round trip daily for work, I would have bought a gasser. I'm hoping to drive the wheels off this Golf 2012 4dr 6 spd Man. Dodge has always had tranny issues. You take the good with the bad in any vehicle. I bought the warranty. I figured I got $2300 off the MSRP so I just bought it. Put 18k down so car payment isn't too bad.
Any car can fail. I wish VW had some type of warranty like Cummins has on the engine in my Dodge. It isn't warrantied by Dodge, it is warrantied by Cummins for 100k miles which is nothing for a Cummins turbo diesel engine. Average engine overhaul is 350K. We buy these TDI's because we drive our vehicles. If I had a 10 mile round trip daily for work, I would have bought a gasser. I'm hoping to drive the wheels off this Golf 2012 4dr 6 spd Man. Dodge has always had tranny issues. You take the good with the bad in any vehicle. I bought the warranty. I figured I got $2300 off the MSRP so I just bought it. Put 18k down so car payment isn't too bad.
Ghaniba
Well-known member
Hey, I can throw in here!
Last year we put a down payment on a 2012 golf. Even putting 10k down, our payments were still going to be more than what we'd like... we thought about it for a few days and withdrew our down payment.
We ended up buying a one 2001 Golf in mint MINT condition for ~9500 after tax, title & registration. 118k miles. Dealer service for every oil change. Obviously garaged not a stain or a wear mark on any of the 4 seats.
The only issue we've had with it so far was the fuel pickup had to be drilled out in the fuel sender. Filled up with gunk after she about ran it dry on fuel. Zero other issues with that car so far. *Knock on wood*
I am mechanically inclined, but it's not my car. I knew it would be a risk if it was a clunker, I'd get to hear about it all the time. I'd not hesitate to buy another.... so I did!
The other folks are correct though - Let the guy make all his own choices, don't even lend a thought to what he should buy. I've personally been bit by that on a few different occasions. Damn my helpy-helperton self!
Dave
Last year we put a down payment on a 2012 golf. Even putting 10k down, our payments were still going to be more than what we'd like... we thought about it for a few days and withdrew our down payment.
We ended up buying a one 2001 Golf in mint MINT condition for ~9500 after tax, title & registration. 118k miles. Dealer service for every oil change. Obviously garaged not a stain or a wear mark on any of the 4 seats.
The only issue we've had with it so far was the fuel pickup had to be drilled out in the fuel sender. Filled up with gunk after she about ran it dry on fuel. Zero other issues with that car so far. *Knock on wood*
I am mechanically inclined, but it's not my car. I knew it would be a risk if it was a clunker, I'd get to hear about it all the time. I'd not hesitate to buy another.... so I did!
The other folks are correct though - Let the guy make all his own choices, don't even lend a thought to what he should buy. I've personally been bit by that on a few different occasions. Damn my helpy-helperton self!
Dave
VWMax
Member
2012 TDI SEI Passat and 2002 Jetta
2002 Jetta love it ......have to keep it serviced. 2012 nice car keeping my fingers crossed on being problem free so far 30k no problems car has a bit of road noise ....handles great problem free do far.
2002 Jetta love it ......have to keep it serviced. 2012 nice car keeping my fingers crossed on being problem free so far 30k no problems car has a bit of road noise ....handles great problem free do far.
79_Limited
Well-known member
My 2003 Jetta ALH has been a little aggravating but any used car you get will need to be sorted to get it right. However, I love how I can cruise 600+ miles on a tank of gas and only fill up every 2 weeks. I have a pretty long daily commute and any other car I would be filling up twice as often which was a pain.
If you buy used find a local VW guru from this site otherwise you will hate the used one in a short amount of time. My local guru has kept me on the road for a reasonable cost. The VW is a nice ride to boot!
If you buy used find a local VW guru from this site otherwise you will hate the used one in a short amount of time. My local guru has kept me on the road for a reasonable cost. The VW is a nice ride to boot!
fricknbug99
Well-known member
Let your friend decide. I reluctantly bought a 1999 Beetle tdi 5 speed in 2005 from a friend. We're still friends, my daughter convinced me to buy it. I've cussed it a few times. It turns out if your some what mechanical you'll be all right. The car has 200,000 miles with the same clutch! Yes I'm happy with the Beetle. I got a new Passat tdi se dsg this summer very happy with it as well. Both cars are very nice to drive