TDI BuyBack....is the 1.8T a dog?

[jhsjr2]

I'll be selling my 2013 Passat SEL TDI back to VW. I hate cars, almost only ever drive trucks, but with my Washington DC commute, took a chance, and absolutely loved the car!!

Hate that I'm gonna lose it, but I won't take the chance on keeping it, way too much money being thrown at me .

Nothing else comes even close in milage!

Has anyone driven a new 1.8T Passat? Are they complete dogcrap? Can buy a brand new 1.8T SEL for less than they are going to give me for my 2013 TDI SEL.

Just curious, I haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet.

 

[BarryT82]

This dealership in VA always has good prices.
http://www.sheehyspringfieldvw.com/...ce,city:state&suppressAllConditions=compliant

 

[atc98002]

The price likely won't be too far off between your payout and a new 1.8T. I've driven one briefly (not an SEL) and it was nice. But I had a 2.0T Tiguan before I traded for the Passat, so I was already familiar with their turbo gas engines. VW gas engines have overall been well performing engines (not counting the 2.slow!). Torque for a gas engine was nice, if not quite diesel level.

I think in the Passat the 1.8T is not too bad on mileage. Plus the 2017 models should be out by buyback time, so you can either get the latest model or perhaps save some money on the outgoing model.

EDIT: I just looked at the VW web site and the 2017 models are listed now. The 1.8T SEL Passat runs about $31k, and that includes Adaptive Cruise Control. That is one feature I'm working hard to get on my next car.

 

[sandmansans]

I posted this in your other thread..
I drove the passat gasser a few times while my car was in the shop. It was a complete dog in comparison to the tdi. The engine felt really taxed. The big car no longer moved around easily at low speeds. Too little engine for that car in my opinion.

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[c-wagen]

This older thread talks about the gas mileage and some experiences about the 1.8 TSI in comparison with the TDI

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=463554

I drove a Jetta 1.8 TSI loaner having my car in service... I did not push it too hard in RPMS, but I agree the little gas engine is going to have a harder time moving the Passat around. Anyway, if you try one in a dealership tell us.

 

[tdiatlast]

... and that includes Adaptive Cruise Control. That is one feature I'm working hard to get on my next car.

(Thread drift!!)
Have you driven the Adaptive Cruise Control? I cruised @ about 70mph behind a new Passat, wondering why he kept nose-diving every time another car overtook him and pulled in front of him. I assume it was the "ACC" keeping the pre-set distance. I've heard from others that it's not very refined.
...just a thought...

 

[pparks1]

Yeah, I skipped that feature on my new car. Seems like it just is one step closer to NOT paying attention.

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[BarryT82]

I have the ACC in one of my vehicles. You can adjust the distance using the switch on top of the cruise control stalk, but it defaults to the same distance each time you set the cruise. I like to stay back a little bit to prevent more rock chips.

 

[tdiatlast]

BarryT82: How does the ACC react when someone passes you and cuts in front of you?
Maybe I'm just complaining about the basic nature of ACC?

 

[atc98002]

(Thread drift!!)
Have you driven the Adaptive Cruise Control? I cruised @ about 70mph behind a new Passat, wondering why he kept nose-diving every time another car overtook him and pulled in front of him. I assume it was the "ACC" keeping the pre-set distance. I've heard from others that it's not very refined.
...just a thought...

And I apologize for the thread drift too!

I haven't driven ACC in a VW, but I have tried both Mazda and Subaru. I spent the most time in a new Legacy, and really didn't experience any nose diving. When someone dropped into the protection zone, it simply backed off the throttle and let the spacing increase. I expect if someone had jacked in real close the brakes might have been necessary, but didn't seem to be an issue. It wasn't quite as smooth holding a speed when descending a steep hill, as it would speed up then hit the brakes to slow, rather than a smoother brake application. Not sure if that is something that smooths out with use (adaptive learning, perhaps?). The Mazda seemed a little more prone to the nose diving, but I too it for a short test drive. I had the Subaru for several days.

Also, the Subaru system will completely stop the car using ACC. You only need to touch the throttle to begin moving again. Would be very nice in stop and go on the freeway. The Mazda does not bring you to a complete stop.

 

[jhsjr2]

thanks for the comments regarding the 1.8T Passat, and no worries about the thread drift, it happens in every thread!

As for ACC, not familiar with it. But I can say that while my car was in the shop once, I had a huge Tahoe (Suburban, 3 rows of seats, etc) with all the bells and whistles. If a car pulled up to your left side, a light on the dash would flash, and your left butt cheek would vibrate. Same on the right. If a car pulled in front of you, the brakes would kick on a bit. Also, and most annoying, if you did a very slow lane change with no turn signal, it would assume you were accidentally changing lanes, and would apply a steering input!

I absolutely did not like that. I want to drive the car, not have it making control inputs for me!!

 

[kjake]

I have a 2015 1.8T SEL now (no ACC fwiw). I love it.

Is the gas milage as good? No. Is there a complete lack of low-end torque? A little.

My sister has the 2016 (SE I think), and it sounds like these two experiences have improved over the 2015; she claims better milage than me (34+mpg in the city).

I got over the difference in overall acceleration (1.8T doesn't have DSG in automatic either). The car moves really well and gets going very fast - always impressed how quick it gets up to 70mph when getting on the highway.

My wife has a heavier cross-over vehicle with a 3.6L V6 and, that, is dog slow.

 

[Perfectreign]

Has anyone driven a new 1.8T Passat? Are they complete dogcrap? Can buy a brand new 1.8T SEL for less than they are going to give me for my 2013 TDI SEL.

My beautiful young bride leased one last year. Amazing that a tiny 1.8 engine can pull that car around. It is nice and quick with the seven (eight?) speed transmission. I notice no issues. We've taken the car on the road to San Diego (from LA) and it gets great mileage.

Even the backseat is quite roomy. Hers has the heated seats and a digital display with no Nav but has a backup camera.

We're very happy with it. Not as nice as driving my midsize Avalanche but still decent.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Automatic VW 1.8Ts have a traditional torque converter 6 speed automatic.

 

[sandmansans]

Frankly I'd probably go with a Honda Accord if considering the passat gasser. Don't know how they match in terms of price but the v6 with cylinder on demand outs out good mpgs

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[pparks1]

Frankly I'd probably go with a Honda Accord if considering the passat gasser. Don't know how they match in terms of price but the v6 with cylinder on demand outs out good mpgs

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It's worth a look that is for sure, as is the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Ultima, the Chevy Malibu, Mazda 6, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, etc. These were the cars that I primarily checked out and drove most of them.

I ended up buying a Honda Accord myself. I didn't do the V6, did the I4 with the CVT. It's averaging about 29 for me in mostly city driving. My TDI came in around 38 for the same type of running around. Price wise should be pretty much the same or nearly the same. In some ways I much prefer the infotainment on the Honda, but there are a few things that the VW did better (like SDCard music playback).

I expect far lower cost of ownership, and cheaper repairs on the Honda then my VW. No turbos, no HPFP, no DPF, no clogging heater cores, etc. My particular 2013 TDI went 52,000 miles without an issue...but it was always looming in the back of my mind.

 

[BarryT82]

BarryT82: How does the ACC react when someone passes you and cuts in front of you?
Maybe I'm just complaining about the basic nature of ACC?

The brakes are applied, a red light flashes on the cluster, and it makes a loud ding sound.

 

[MichaelB]

tdiatlast, how do you react when someone passes you and cuts in front of you? You step on the brake right?

 

[251]

tdiatlast, how do you react when someone passes you and cuts in front of you? You step on the brake right?

Maybe he reacts like D-Day driving the Deathmobile in the movie Animal House and yells "Ramming Speed!" right before he runs into the back of who is cutting him off?

 

[tadawson]

I can't speak for him, but I never follow so closely to force anyone to do that, but if they do anyhow, yeah, it's decelleration time . . .

 

[oilhammer]

It's worth a look that is for sure, as is the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Ultima, the Chevy Malibu, Mazda 6, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, etc. These were the cars that I primarily checked out and drove most of them.
I ended up buying a Honda Accord myself. I didn't do the V6, did the I4 with the CVT. It's averaging about 29 for me in mostly city driving. My TDI came in around 38 for the same type of running around. Price wise should be pretty much the same or nearly the same. In some ways I much prefer the infotainment on the Honda, but there are a few things that the VW did better (like SDCard music playback).
I expect far lower cost of ownership, and cheaper repairs on the Honda then my VW. No turbos, no HPFP, no DPF, no clogging heater cores, etc. My particular 2013 TDI went 52,000 miles without an issue...but it was always looming in the back of my mind.

Your Accord most certainly has a HPFP. And Honda is having lots of CVT problems, some of which require a new lower valve body along with new software. There is a TSB about it. Actually several TSBs. And there was also a recall for a bunch of the 4 cyl engines because the rods were falling off. This came after the whole oil flow restriction to the chain tensioners causing noise. Honda isn't perfect, either. A well cared for 2000 Accord 2.3L/manual is a superior car than a new one.

 

[dbias]

Your Accord most certainly has a HPFP. And Honda is having lots of CVT problems, some of which require a new lower valve body along with new software. There is a TSB about it. Actually several TSBs. And there was also a recall for a bunch of the 4 cyl engines because the rods were falling off. This came after the whole oil flow restriction to the chain tensioners causing noise. Honda isn't perfect, either. A well cared for 2000 Accord 2.3L/manual is a superior car than a new one.

What do you think of the accord with the v6? It supposedly gets better hwy mileage with cylinder deactivation.

 

[pparks1]

Your Accord most certainly has a HPFP. And Honda is having lots of CVT problems, some of which require a new lower valve body along with new software. There is a TSB about it. Actually several TSBs. And there was also a recall for a bunch of the 4 cyl engines because the rods were falling off. This came after the whole oil flow restriction to the chain tensioners causing noise. Honda isn't perfect, either. A well cared for 2000 Accord 2.3L/manual is a superior car than a new one.

Yes, it does have a HPFP, but the forums aren't littered with questions about reliability, at least from what I have seen.

My biggest concern on the Honda was the CVT. But I wanted mileage improvements over the V6 (which isn't CVT), especially since coming from a TDI.



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[sandmansans]

Your Accord most certainly has a HPFP. And Honda is having lots of CVT problems, some of which require a new lower valve body along with new software. There is a TSB about it. Actually several TSBs. And there was also a recall for a bunch of the 4 cyl engines because the rods were falling off. This came after the whole oil flow restriction to the chain tensioners causing noise. Honda isn't perfect, either. A well cared for 2000 Accord 2.3L/manual is a superior car than a new one.

Very insightful. I've never been one to follow that kool-aid crowd that Honda and Toyota are perfect and indestructible. Every manufacturer has built crap at one point or another. But good to know about the current Honda issues. I'm not a fan of cvt and your post gives me reassurance in not liking them haha

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[RichmondKYtdi]

We rented a gasser while on a FL vacation... It would depend on a couple of things. If i drove a lot on the highway i would get the gasser, it's quiet and the room in the passat is second to none (especially with car seats in the back you dont have to give up any leg room). But at slow speeds i thought it felt jumpy to start and then sluggish to go if that makes sense. After a week i was still happy to get back to the tdi.

 

[pparks1]

Very insightful. I've never been one to follow that kool-aid crowd that Honda and Toyota are perfect and indestructible. Every manufacturer has built crap at one point or another. But good to know about the current Honda issues. I'm not a fan of cvt and your post gives me reassurance in not liking them haha

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I have personally never owned a Honda before this. Only Dodge's, Jeeps, and VW's. I dont believe they are indestructible, but generally speaking are reliable and relatively speaking inexpensive to maintain.

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[tdiatlast]

tdiatlast, how do you react when someone passes you and cuts in front of you? You step on the brake right?

I was referring to cruising at highway speed...65-75mph.
When someone passes me, moves in front of me while still pulling away, I NEVER step on the brake. No need, as they're already well past me.
What I was observing with the 2016 Passat with ACC was that the Passat would brake, decelerate rapidly (as if stabbing the brake, almost nose-diving). It didn't seem like a gentle throttle lift, but real brake application.
My 2014 Avalon simply lifts (throttle) gently, cruises, then re-engages fuel. The Passat seems less linear, if my observation was correct.
Yet another reason why Toyotas are superior to VWs. (I could provide a list if anyone is interested!)

 

[tadawson]

Very insightful. I've never been one to follow that kool-aid crowd that Honda and Toyota are perfect and indestructible. Every manufacturer has built crap at one point or another. But good to know about the current Honda issues. I'm not a fan of cvt and your post gives me reassurance in not liking them haha

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I had an 85 Toyota 4 banger mini-pickup, and I would have agreed that that was almost indestructable. But alas, those days are long gone . . .

- Tim

 

[atc98002]

I was referring to cruising at highway speed...65-75mph.
When someone passes me, moves in front of me while still pulling away, I NEVER step on the brake. No need, as they're already well past me.
What I was observing with the 2016 Passat with ACC was that the Passat would brake, decelerate rapidly (as if stabbing the brake, almost nose-diving). It didn't seem like a gentle throttle lift, but real brake application.
My 2014 Avalon simply lifts (throttle) gently, cruises, then re-engages fuel. The Passat seems less linear, if my observation was correct.
Yet another reason why Toyotas are superior to VWs. (I could provide a list if anyone is interested!)

The Subaru system (the only one I've spent more than a few minutes driving) is similar to the Toyota apparently. I recall very little reaction if the car ahead was accelerating.

Does your Toyota system also use braking to maintain speed when going down steep hills, particularly hills that downshifting alone is not enough to hold? I use Tiptronic mode to downshift, but often that isn't enough. The Subaru system will brake if necessary, and I like that.

 

[oilhammer]

What do you think of the accord with the v6? It supposedly gets better hwy mileage with cylinder deactivation.

I like the Honda V6, good engine, still belt driven. The VCM has been around for a while, and I don't think it is really anything special, but at least they've had some time to improve it. When I think of VCM V6s, I think of when they were optional in the Odyssey, which just means the front engine mount instead of being a $150 part needing to be replaced every ~60k miles or so (regular V6) is a whopping $700 part and fails sometimes twice as often. And what is worse, the rear mount on the regular V6 rarely fails, but the rear mount on the VCM V6 does fail from time to time, and that's another $650 part.

So any "savings" the VCM would gain you on the Odyssey is easily eaten up in repair costs, let alone how much more that engine cost to get in the first place, as I think they tagged that option with the Limited trim as well.

Of course, this is nothing compared to the uberfail Pax wheel/tire system that Honda was somehow talked into by Michelin. Now THAT is EPIC fail. I think that was probably Honda's worst decision since putting their name tag on a couple POS Isuzu Stupid Useless Vehicles and trying to market those, LOL.