Got my new TDI, somewhat disappointed

[nicemustang]

Guess I have to bash it here as VW doesn't seem to care.

For the record, this is our 4th TDI. Have had an old rabbit (don't know if that actualy counts), an 03 golf, 06 jetta and now 2011 jetta.

I am diasspointed in some of the features that aren't available anymore, seems like VW is going back in time, not forward.

1. No power seat/memory seat
2. No homelink.
3. No AC cubby and glove box.
4. No adjustable arm rest.
5. No MFD saying fuel economy, distance to empty, etc....
6. No engine temp gauge.
7. No grocery bag hook.

Plus:
3 year old version of the Navigation map and my house that has been built for 5 years+ isn't on there. Nor is stoney trail which is the ring road around the city which I live right next to it. So the nav is basically useless. VW says that is the latest one. It says north america V01.

But other than that, it drives amazingly compared to the 06 model and it is very nice and stylish. Too soon to tell on fuel economy (just got it last Friday) but overall we do like it. Especially the NAV, Bluetooth and stereo system that is all new to us and is very nice.

 

[greengeeker]

How did the price compare to your 06?

 

[nicemustang]

about $4k lower MSRP. (Canadian) But i don't care about lower price. They should at least give us the options. Only option was NAV.

 

[greengeeker]

I guess vw's stance is that if you want the options you need to go with a Golf or A3.

 

[nicemustang]

Ya too bad. the 06 Jetta had everything as was a nice car. Don't get me wrong...I like the new one, just sucks they went back in time with features. We didn't know until we took delivery...sales guy didn't tell us that nor was it in the brochure (that didn't exist). I'm not unhappy, disappointed. hard to go back from soemthing you had you know?

 

[eb2143]

We didn't know until we took delivery...sales guy didn't tell us that nor was it in the brochure (that didn't exist).

It's really nobody's fault but your own that you purchased a car without knowing any details about it.

I don't know when you placed your order, but rumors on the decontenting were swirling on the internet by late May- early June, and the details were nailed by late July in the thread "2011 VW Jetta" on this board.

But I'm glad you still like it overall. Maybe upgrades will become available when the GLI is introduced. I expect the 2012 Jetta TDI will see a reversal of the decontenting to some extent.

 

[nicemustang]

Not saying its anyone elses fault. Just stating my opinion. We would have got one anyway. It is a great car, just wish we had more options to choose.

 

[Ski in NC]

I think when I get a new tdi, I will skip the factory NAV. That way as aftermarket nav's get better I can upgrade without trying to fit it into the car. I tend to keep cars for at least ten years and ten year old nav tech is super stale.

 

[joey003]

I can understand what you're saying. I moved from an 06 Jetta TDI to the new one as well. Some things feel cheaper, and some luxuries are gone like the power seats, homelink, nicer MFD.. But there are many new options that I'm really enjoying right now, like bluetooth, touch screen radio, kessy with push button, and of course the newer TDI. The new 2.0 really impresses me, feels much faster and sounds much less like a diesel, especially after driving the 06 TDI for over 200K km.

 

[nicemustang]

For sure. I'm much happier this morning actually. After sorting out my brain fart on the MFD (it is there, just different) and the dealship saying they can update the NAV, i'll be much happier Homelink isn't a big deal but not power seats will need some getting used to....otherwise we're quite happy.

 

[greengeeker]

Homelink isn't a big deal but not power seats will need some getting used to....otherwise we're quite happy.

Give it time. The less decontented cars will come out with power seats and if you want them bad enough you can swap them into your car.

 

[mo_focus]

you should read the owner's manual. you will see what else you are missing there as well. Canadian owner's manual has so many things that VW was too lazy to take out. I can't remember them all but there was a list of stuff somewhere here.

 

[nicemustang]

Oh I did. Its the same manual that in in our tourag, just replaced tourag with jetta....lol.

 

[Abacus]

It's really nobody's fault but your own that you purchased a car without knowing any details about it.

Only 3 hours and 15 minutes until the first ''It's your own fault" post came up...I'm impressed. My money was on much sooner...

 

[eb2143]

Only 3 hours and 15 minutes until the first ''It's your own fault" post came up...I'm impressed. My money was on much sooner...

I had to jump on the opportunity before the harsher crowd found it

If you want options, as I and GG said, you'll get lots of chances to upgrade components in a few years. I've taken full advantage of MKIV GLI luxury.

 

[stel67]

Exactly why I purchased a 2010 model and not a 2011....Just bought my car 2 days ago. Picked up a cup car and I love it!

 

[BarrieCommuter]

i am going from a 2001 GLS to a 2011 TDI Highline so I won't really miss a thing.

bump from 90hp to 140hp, KESSY, ipod adapter, touch screen, bluetooth, all is candy to me.

and those that grumble about ipod adapter in the glove box, keep your iphone in your pocket and put that old ipod nano in the glove box and be done with it. or just get a 32GB SD card and stick it in and forget about it.

 

[DieselCJ]

6. No engine temp gauge.

This is the only thing that would bother me. I like to know when the engine is warmed up.

 

[sydneycb]

I agree with you DieselCJ. I like to know when the engine warms up too.

It states in the owners manual that engine temp is one of the things the MFD monitors but it is not there!

That and the lack of auto on headlights are the only two things I can find that I don't like about the TDI Highline.

No big deal........the rest of the car completely overshadows these 2 short comings.

Really fun car to drive..... lots of compliments on the style and the color....Toffee Brown.

 

[nicemustang]

It has been a little over 2 weeks that we have had it. have about 1000 kms on it now. We really do like it. It drives amazing, way more power and a lot quieter. If you take all of the cool new features it definitely is easier to forgot its short-falls. LOVE/LOVE the bluetooth and nav (even though it's a little out of date).

I was expecting better fuel economy but I'd imagine it will improve once it's broken in.

 

[2011TDIowner]

I agree with syneycb, I miss having the engine temp and auto headlights. Certainly not deal breakers but would have been nice. Have had several cars (and still do - 77 Mercedes 450SL) that I have to pay close attention to engine temps on hot days. Would be nice if VW could add this in as a SW upgrade provided the temp sensor is linked through the onboard computer and not just to the idiot light.

 

[MonsterTDI09]

Exactly why I purchased a 2010 model and not a 2011....Just bought my car 2 days ago. Picked up a cup car and I love it!

+1 my 2010

 

[ruking]

I think the op er did himself a disservice by not reading the web site www.tdiclub.com PRIOR to the purchase of the 2011 model year. His concerns and much more were certainly covered; about the "de" content ing that was going to occur, albeit in line with a lower MSRP. Also, folk's "dis" content about the de content ing, was also discussed.

Looking ahead further to the coming online of the Chattanooga, TN plant, it also would seem it will usher in the "Americanization" of the German "midsized" offerings (Accord, Camry, etc.), albeit MO $$'s.

 

[MayorDJQ]

Looking ahead further to the coming on line of the Chattanooga, TN plant, it also would seem it will usher in the "Americanization" of the German "midsized" offerings (Accord, Camry, etc.), albeit MO $$'s.

I would bet that it'll be difficult to get a manual transmission in a car from the Chattanooga plant.

 

[BarrieCommuter]

I would bet that it'll be difficult to get a manual transmission in a car from the Chattanooga plant.

haha, a bit funny, a bit of truth perhaps.

a special sticker on the rear quarter-panel too: "DON'T FILL WITH GAS!"

 

[cevans]

Good thread - very nice to hear straight thoughts and feedback.

As for options/no options - I'm an all-options fan, but, I also cherish the A4 chassis GL models with cloth seats and manual windows. No options also means less to break!

 

[ruking]

haha, a bit funny, a bit of truth perhaps.

a special sticker on the rear quarter-panel too: "DON'T FILL WITH GAS!"

For the "challenged amongst us", raises the question..then what wit?

 

[ruking]

Good thread - very nice to hear straight thoughts and feedback.

As for options/no options - I'm an all-options fan, but, I also cherish the A4 chassis GL models with cloth seats and manual windows. No options also means less to break!

I am with you there. VW has been "challenged" enough through the years about reliability, than to include a host MORE things that can go "wrong". Anytime things go wrong, it really is a downward multiplier/divider.

 

[BarrieCommuter]

For the "challenged amongst us", raises the question..then what wit?

"...then it must be that E85 stuff"

 

[Savageman69]

Had my 2011 for a couple days and im really enjoying it, coming from my 2003 the only thing i miss is the turbo and exhaust sounds from my 03. The kessy is awesome, stereo is good and easy to use, gauges arent amazing but get the job done. The 6spd is nice but i feel its really geared high. The 2.0 seems very quick and quite. not sure on the fuel mileage yet but it says i still have 800kms left on the tank with 250 on it so its not bad for brand new. Seats are very comfortable, the car rides very smooth and almost zero wind noise. Im still not a fan of traction control and the lack of ability to turn it off but ill live.