New to VW/TDIs - Purchasing a new Jetta TDI

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Hi Folks,

I've been goin through your boards for a week or so. Hats off to you all... you guys seem to know your VWs.

I'm lookin at getting a '01 Jetta GLS TDI. I went to the dealer today just to take a look at inventory and try to scope out the market. This is my first time buying a new car, so this is all slightly foreign to me. I've done my research and I want this car! I drove it today and it's definitely it. So basic purchasing question. Is there a certain period of time that is "good" to buy as far as price is concerned? ie. right after the '02's come in? or does it really matter. I hear they are due in in October.

I'm also trying to find a good price to start negotiations at. I got thrown a 20,725 sticker and a 19,450 invoice, for a manual w/ luxury. What would you say is a reasonable price to start at?

Any advice you could give would be much appreciated.
 

think diesel

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2000
Location
Northern Virginia
About the best thing you could do, if saving money is your objective, would be to buy a 2001 model off the lot when the 2002's have arrived. Go to the dealership towards the end of the day on the last week of the month. The salesmen will be anxious to meet their quota's. It would help if you are able to scope out a specific car on the lot that you would like ahead of time. If you are not picky about colors (have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) that helps also.

Check the invoice price for the car you want on your own at the public library or in a book store with the Consumer Report's guide or something similar. Your goal should be to be to shoot for just a few hundred bucks over the dealer's invoice at the most. Forget MSRP, it's a joke. Make the dealer bargain *up* from his invoice and don't make it easy for him. Make sure he knows you are ready to buy a car TODAY and you are not just yanking his chain.
 

car54

theGAME
Joined
Dec 5, 2000
Location
Woodbridge VA
TDI
2002 Jetta
Your not gonna get a good deal on a TDI, and I doubt they will make one down even when its an older model year. any VW tdi is rare, and your dealer probably wont lean very far to make a deal. Even when I worked for a dealer and tried to purchase a car, the policy was $200 over invoice for employees, and they wouldnt even keep their policy on a TDI. Pay a little extra and save in the long run...
 

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Both of you have sort of hit it on the head. Part of me thinks that the traditional "buy at the end of the year" bit may work, but then again, I have never bought a hot car, like the Jetta TDI.

I'll be honest. I'm itchin to get one soon, and not wait until December. However, I want to make a good, responsible purchase.

From what it sounds like 200-400 over Invoice would be reasonable....??? I mean the dealer was relatively frank with me today.... he was blunt and showed me the invoice price in his books.. which matches up with what I have found.

Unless anyone else feels that this end of the year thing will work, I think i'm going to get more aggressive and go to a couple other dealers around here. Again.. any suggestions? Thanks you two for the input.
 

DieselWagon

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Location
Roswell, Ga
Be a little aggressive, I am working on a 2001 or 2002 Golf right now. I am looking for $200 over invoice as well, and I don't think that is an unfair offer, especially if the dealer is showing you invoices. Ask for it! Worst that can happen is they say no, then move on to the next dealer! Good luck!
Oh, and 2002 should start showing up in August or July.
 

MIA

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2000
Location
Springfield, IL
TDI
01 Golf, 09 JSW
The dealer will come down when they get 2002's on the lot. When I was looking for mine a dealer had a green 2000 Golf still sitting around. We walked up to it and he said they'd sell it to me at $200 above invoice before I even asked for the price. I'd have gone for it if it was an auto.
 

InkJet

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2001
Location
Muskegon, MI
My advice would be if you are lucky enough to find one with the options you are looking for, buy it! Don't wait for the 2002s to come out thinking to get a 2001 cheaper because after this summer's gas prices, I really don't think there will be any 2001s sitting around. These cars are rare enough now and it is just going to get worse as gas prices go up.

As far as the price you were quoted on a manual with luxury package, that sounds about right because that's what mine would have been if they hadn't slid in the monsoon sound system and cold weather package in addition.

If you get one, you won't be sorry. It's been a week and a half now since I got mine and I still haven't stopped grinning! And the grin gets bigger every time I pass a gas station full of SUVs!
 

redgolf

Active member
Joined
Nov 15, 1999
Location
Rockville, MD
If you notice the ads for VW about 2.9% financing in small print you can read "Does not apply to TDI models." Dealers are pretty firm on the prices, however dealers seem to be more flexible in the area of extra options. Don't forget things such as a CD changer, rubberized floor mats, mud guard flaps, and extra keys for example.
 

slickfisher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2001
Location
Asheville, North Carolina
Most of what everyone's saying is good advice. Bought my 01 Jetta TDI (5sp,lux,leather) a couple of months ago. "Think Diesel" is right, dealers do get motivated towards the end of the month- a good time to buy. I lost a couple hundred bucks by waiting till after the first of the month. Also, there was 6.25% financing on all VW's(including TDIs) back in the last part of '00 but none on TDI's since. Although every little bit helps, dropping a little bit on the intrest rate really isn't that big of a savings unless they drop dramatically(like to 1.9% or something). It pays to shop your region. Dealers just an hour or two away may be much more motivated. Also, I found some colors and options(5sp/leather combo) are more dificult to get and get at a good price.
 

JeffT

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 4, 1999
Location
Diesel is diesel is diesel!
Worst case scenario:

VW doesn't offer TDI for 2002. Weirder things have happened in Volkswagen land.

Best advice is if you find the car you like and you can get it for $1000 off of MSRP you are in the ballpark.

Once you get into July, that's when the new cars begin arriving, you should get even more off the MSRP at that time.
 

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Thanks for all the help. I still see 2 schools of thought. It's a balance of options/colors and price. Basically there's a choice to be made. I like the idea of extra options. would that be added with no additional cost? kind of thrown into the package? If that's the case... I'm likin that idea.

I need to do more shopping. In the 3 dealerships I've gone to, they've had about 3-4 GLS TDIs left each.

I like the end of the month idea. That makes complete sense.

One question... for little options like monsoon... can those be installed?
 

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Quick question.

I just found a 2000 Jetta GLS TDI. Are there any key differences between 2001 and 2000? It looks like the right combo of options. I'm ready to pounce on it if there are no differences
 

MIA

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2000
Location
Springfield, IL
TDI
01 Golf, 09 JSW
The 2000 and 2001 are the exact same car except you have a better chance of having the Goodyears on the older one and a crappier front cup holder (the new one doesn't bend with two full 20 oz. cups and expands to larger drink sizes). Also the 2001 may have the side curtain airbags (at least the later 2001 Golfs started recieving them).

As for the Monsoon system, I beleive that is factory only, but there is not that much difference between the stock and Monsoon. So don't worry about making this option a MUST have.
 

NeXTstep guy

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2000
Location
Vancouver, BC, CANADA
TDI
Jetta, 2003, Silver
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by redgolf:
[snip]Don't forget things such as a CD changer, rubberized floor mats, mud guard flaps, and extra keys for example.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why would you recommend extra keys? How many keys do you normally get? What type of extra keys would you recommend?
RWW
 

tadc

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 13, 2001
Location
Stumptown
TDI
Golf GLS TDI, '01, Black
With my Golf I got 2 regular keys (with the built-in alarm transmitter) and 1 valet key (no transmitter).

I think the reason he said extra keys is that they are very expensive and only available from the dealer.
 

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Thanks guys. This is all good stuff.

So let me get this extra options thing straight... Instead of saying "how bout 19600.. not 19800." Saying.. "ok... 19800, if you throw in keys, cd changer, etc"?
 

Bry

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 30, 1999
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
for the first TDI.... traded in an 83 Mercedes 300D. Upgraded to modern diesel technology


for the wife's TDI... traded in her 92 Chevy Camaro RS... she was sick of me beating the pants off her in the MPG game!
 

JoeDiesel

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2000
Location
Michigan USA
Bought my 2000 Golf GLS last year near the end of September. They were really itching to get it off the lot. Originally I was looking at a 2001 Jetta but at the last minute the guy offered me 2000.00 off the price listed on the Golf. Needless to say after I drove it I bought it. Got it for just over 18 grand.
 

JEB

Active member
Joined
May 5, 2001
Location
San Rafael, California, USA
If you can get a TDI for under MSRP, you all are lucky! Out here in California there's a new gold rush on TDI's. There are very few and the stealerships are demanding 4k OVER MSPR. Even the one used Jetta TDI GLS I've found with 12k and manual is demanding 22k.
 

bruce316

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2000
Location
Chicago, IL USA
I just bought my second TDI one week ago. It is a Jetta GLS with luxury and cold weather pkg (no monsoon sound-had it in the first Jetta and can't tell the difference). I found the TDI's are getting very rare. I paid $500 under sticker and was glad to get that deal.
The dealer only discounted the $500 because I bought two new cars there previously. Maybe its different where you are but whatever deal you get you can't go wrong with the TDI. Its really a very unique vehicle. Good luck and happy driving, Bruce
 

StoveMan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2001
Location
Broomfield, Colorado
I had a very similar experiance. $400 off MSRP and glad to get it. They are getting very rare in Denver. Got a few dealer options for free. I also got 50.6 mpg on my 3rd tank!!!
 

JettaKnight

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2001
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
TDI
Jetta wagon, 02, silver
If this is your "first" new car purchase, I would definitely check out and research both Edmunds.com and fightingchance.com. Both give "VERY" good info and tactics on buying and selling cars. I just closed a deal in St. Louis on a to-be-delivered 2001 Jetta GL using the techniques described in the above sources. It was a painless process when you go into the Stealership with the necessary info in hand. GOOD LUCK! I can't wait for mine to get here...
 

JettaKnight

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2001
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
TDI
Jetta wagon, 02, silver
Sorry about the double posting but I forgot to add that I purchased the Jetta for Invoice plus 3%,which was the offer I wanted when I went in. Better get yours A.S.A.P. though, last year this dealer had a lag time of about 2-4 months per TDI, from delivery to sale but this year they are selling the same cars, at or about at MSRP (to the uninformed) in about a week or two. GOOD LUCK!!!
 

Diesel 10

Member
Joined
May 12, 2001
Location
Phoenix,AZ
I just bought (5/10) a 201 Jetta GLS TDI here in Phoenix. I wanted no extra options, but found 2 in the entire city (at 2 different dealerships) with nothing but the monsoon upgrade...close enough. Both dealers were willing to sell for $100 over invoice. I guess it's a regional thing, since in Phoenix, the competition to get the largest SUV with the least mileage is still in full swing. I'll count my blessings (and savings).

Rick
 

zilym

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2001
Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
TDI
2001 New Beetle (white)
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Diesel 10:
Both dealers were willing to sell for $100 over invoice. I guess it's a regional thing, since in Phoenix, the competition to get the largest SUV with the least mileage is still in full swing. I'll count my blessings (and savings).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow, that's just the opposite of what I found when I was trying to get a New Beetle TDI. The dealers wanted something like $20K for a plain NB TDI. I found a NB TDI in Colorado for $18635 with extra window tint, cd changer, clear car bra, and rear spoiler. When I told them about it, they still wouldn't even bring their plain NB TDI down to match price! This was January of this year.
 

rbrychckn

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Location
Cincinnati, OH
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS TDI
Cocca... I've gone there already. Relative to the other dealers, I'd say Linden is a bit seedy (I talked to the manager.. dont' know his name). They actually offered me about 150 above invoice but it wasn't the color I wanted, not that that's a huge deal. I just didn't really want to do business with them. Who knows though. I may go visit one more time. See if things have changed. I'll give a heads up next time round. Thanks for the info.
 

basementbrat

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Location
Portland, OR
TDI
2001 Golf GLS Silver
The demand for the tdi is there so you may not get the deal you may expect. One thing to keep in mind is that your 2001 model will depreciate more when you drive it off the lot more than the 2002. It is instantly a year older. just something to keep in mind.
 

tito

New member
Joined
May 14, 2001
Location
California
Bought a new 01 jetta on Sunday the 6 0f May.
Silver, GLS, monsoon sound, moonroof, 5 speed,
cloth. Paid $21,000.00 Dealer would not budge on price. Seems as though TDI Jetta's are rare in California. So far very pleased with the car. Oh, I traded in a 98 Toyota land Cruiser.
Gave me a fair deal on the TLC. I drive about 110 miles a day. Won't miss the gas. But will miss the luxury!
 
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