TDIFest 2012 coming to Ypsilanti, MI

TheSpatulaOfLove

Non-stick & heat resistant!
Joined
Feb 17, 2004
Location
Northville, MI
TDI
04 Bug TDI GLS, Black & 02 Bug TDI GLS, Uglyass Green
As evidenced by the purchase choice in vehicles and bragging rights of EmmPeeGees, there are a lot of cheap-asses amongst the ranks of TDI owners.

Personally, I think $55 is a steal for the amount of knowledge and the networking opportunity that TDI Fest brings.

Not to mention, I kind of like not having to get pop-ups and porn ads when I use the site to troubleshoot a problem on my cars.
 

tomo366

TDI Lifer, Member #68
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Location
Kensington, Maryland USA
TDI
2015 Jetta SEL TDI
I dont know why anyone is surprised by these 2 posts......It happens every year and will continue to happen.....most just dont get it!
I will be be there and I will give a lot more than the measly $55.......

Come on folks! :eek:
 

loganbmx4gt

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Location
Jackson, TN
TDI
97' Passat (1Z), 02' Golf
I think once they are on the forum a litle longer and get "seasoned" a little more they will understand.

I STRESS to you both that the "fee" is a drop in the bucket to the knowledge and assitance you will receive from TDIClub.
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
I think 55 dollars is to low.I guess people think running a server is free:rolleyes:
 

shizzler

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2005
Location
Ann Arbor MI
TDI
05 BEW Wagon
Hey now, don't get me wrong. I would personally never just show up and sneak in without registering. Just wondering what the deal is.

I have been a member of this site as long as I've had my TDI.... many many years now. Obviously I have gained a lot of knowledge by reading and posting here. I have seen all the hoopla over the "fests" before, but was never going to change my life around to drive far away to get to one. Now it is really close by to me, so I investigate if I should go... But I have every right to do my own cost/benefit analysis here.

I didn't realize the fest is structured to provide support for the website itself. Would anyone be willing to be transparent about how much it costs to host and maintain a forum like this? Aside from the bandwidth and forum software fees, what else is there? Is this expense not covered by vendors selling their stuff and essentially advertising through the site? Or donations made when people sell their vehicles?

Personally, I would not mind one bit if there was subtle advertising on the site, say like vortex does (especially since it is 100% relevant material to the audience). But that's another discussion and I don't want to sidetrack the thread.

I'm sure the organizers have thought about stuff like this, but I have to wonder if a high registration fee scares away some of the local TDI drivers. Certainly to someone who devotes their whole life to TDIs, and is willing to fly or drive across the country to a fest, it really is a pretty small fee. But if you baked some of the expenses into the other weekend items.... more local guys might be apt to show up. Just a thought.
 

Stealth TDI

Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 1998
Location
Newport News, VA
TDI
2017 GTI APR Stage 3 (395 hp/376 lb-ft)
Right...

Personally, I would not mind one bit if there was subtle advertising on the site, say like vortex does (especially since it is 100% relevant material to the audience).
Here are the ads I got during my first click into VWVortex's MK3 forum just a few minutes ago:



I hardly consider that "100% relevant." And the Vortex does have a problem with "ad creep," meaning that paid advertizers tend to think they can post their stuff just about anywhere.

I like that our vendors "ads" are nicely kept in a Vendor folder where I can go look if I want. :)

Scott
 

airwolf

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Location
Cassopolis, MI
TDI
None
Is this expense not covered by vendors selling their stuff and essentially advertising through the site? Or donations made when people sell their vehicles?
Vendors are under no obligation to support the site and are not charged a fee to 'advertise'. Many vendors do support the site by donating products to be raffled or auctioned off at Fest, but again, they are not required to do so.

How many people actually make a donation if they sell their car through the site. This isn't ebay or paypal, Fred does not demand a percentage of the selling price. All the more reason Fest is that important.
 

BlueCTTDi

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Location
Manchester, CT
TDI
2004 Golf GLS (PD) - Indigo Blue
...
Personally, I would not mind one bit if there was subtle advertising on the site, say like vortex does (especially since it is 100% relevant material to the audience). But that's another discussion and I don't want to sidetrack the thread.
...
Personally I would, and so would the vast majority of folks here I suspect. Just because it's how things are on Vortex doesn't make it acceptable here.

$55 isn't even a full tank of fuel, especially since the amount of money I've saved myself thanks solely to this site over the last 8 years far, far exceeds that.

Would you prefer to be charged a membership fee to access the forum? I sure wouldn't...
 

bhtooefr

TDIClub Enthusiast, ToofTek Inventor
Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Location
Newark, OH
TDI
None
Actually, a one-time sign-up fee (think SomethingAwful) would get rid of quite a few of the trolls, cheap-asses, spammers, and morons that infest this site...

Granted, it'd take membership way down, and drive a lot of people to alternative free forums, but...
 

tomo366

TDI Lifer, Member #68
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Location
Kensington, Maryland USA
TDI
2015 Jetta SEL TDI
WOW........Some of the most important people and my best friends in life have been met on this site.....and yes I would go almost anywhere to attend a TDIFest......I have been to all but 2!! and there are 3 folks that have attended all of them.....Frankly I do not care what it costs!.....I love this site and it has been a very important part of my life for 15 years now!

I have owned 9 tdi cars over the years and it is part of my life and will remain that way!
If someone really wants to come! I am willing to cover a couple of folks $55 sign up fee.....
contact me and justify it and I will possibly cover you!
 

burpod

teh stallionz!!1
Joined
Nov 27, 2004
Location
cape cod, ma
TDI
82 rabbit vnt ahu, 98 jetta vnt ahu, 05 parts car, 88 scirocco.. :/
.... but was never going to change my life around to drive far away to get to one. Now it is really close by to me, so I investigate if I should go... But I have every right to do my own cost/benefit analysis here.
....
this is probably one of the lamest things i've ever seen posted. good lord. please... never take me out to dinner
 

onlyinabeetle

Veteran Member - TDIClub Contributor
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Location
wrentham
TDI
2012 Jetta Sportwagen
I have officially registered... I cannot really afford to spend money on an event I cannot attend, however I really appreciate this forum and it makes $55 seem cheap. Many of my closest friends whom I consider family are there to support me in any time of need (including sharing my wedding day later in September!) Who can ask for more for such a low fee!
 

deegingerkid

Beware the Ginger! Vendor
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Location
The Left Coast
TDI
"Blurple" 2000 New Beetle 5M 2006 Jetta has been SOLD
... however I really appreciate this forum and it makes $55 seem cheap. Many of my closest friends whom I consider family are there to support me in any time of need....Who can ask for more for such a low fee!

Couldn't agree more. I really can't afford Fest either, but I want to see my friends and have already made a student loan payment late (in May) in order to afford it.

To those who are complaining about the fee: grow up, show up, pay up, shut up, and learn a few things...including that you get what you pay for. The price for Fest may seem high, but the advice you receive and friends/connections made are better yet.

Seriously....we are average folks who love our cars and like getting together for a big party once a year. Come to a Fest and you'll want to go to every one. This will be my second and I don't plan on missing one as long as I own a TDI. :D:):thumbup:
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
tomo366 said:
WOW........Some of the most important people and my best friends in life have been met on this site.....and yes I would go almost anywhere to attend a TDIFest......I have been to all but 2!! and there are 3 folks that have attended all of them.....Frankly I do not care what it costs!.....I love this site and it has been a very important part of my life for 15 years now!
Tom! I'm with you 100%. I joined up back in June of 2000 and have met so many amazing people over the last 12 years - all over the country! Organizing this year's Fest is the least our great crew this year can do to give back to the community.

Glad to see so many people showing support! You all rock. :D

-Lawson
 

BeetleGo

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 1998
Location
Cambridge, MA
TDI
5-door, 5-speed Golf GLS replaced BeetleGo.
Comments like this are missing the point and purpose of Fest. While TDIFest is there to get more people interested in TDIs and spread the word, its main purpose is to raise funds for the club.

When is the last time you have seen an add on the site?

When is the last time you have gotten a spam type email that can be traced back directly to the site?

TDIFest is operated mainly off of the proceeds that are generated from TDIFest and its related activities.

While $55 might seem expensive to some, we have a detailed spreadsheet that has all our costs listed (insurance, tent rental, t-shirt costs, goodie bag costs, awards, hotel fees, name tag costs, pin costs, shipping costs, etc. etc.) and expected attendance. We divide all of these cost by expected attendance and our goal is to break even with the registration fees.

If you just show up, not only are you hurting the club, you are also hurting all the other attendees of future fest by not giving us accurate attendance numbers to plan future fest.

I encourage each of you that think the fees are to expensive to put a proposal together for a fest and work through planning it, all of which is volunteered time. You will soon quickly realize that fest is just not something that is thrown together last minute.

I am going to try to say this as delicately as possible, Fest is about the welfare of the club first and foremost. I understand that the the club would not exist with out the users, but running the forums is expensive and it has to be paid for somehow!
~Well said!
 

airwolf

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Location
Cassopolis, MI
TDI
None
We have had a nice little surge in registrations since the mass email has gone out.

Thank-you everyone that has registered to date!!

Just reminder that the hotel room block rate expires in August 8th. While you can still register for room after the date, the hotel has told us the will not honor the discounted rate after that date!
 

shizzler

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2005
Location
Ann Arbor MI
TDI
05 BEW Wagon
this is probably one of the lamest things i've ever seen posted. good lord. please... never take me out to dinner
Actually I think you have that backwards. If you think having a busy life full of other interests and hobbies outside of just TDIs is lame, than I feel sorry for you.

But look, I am actually pretty pleased to see this burst of enthusiasm following my dubious initial comments. You guys are good people, enjoy the fest! Going to skip it myself, due to $$ and the fact it it transpires during my birthday, but I have a strong feeling it will be well attended and this website will stay well afloat.
 

romad

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2011
Location
Prescott, AZ
TDI
2005 Jetta GLS Wagon "Cranberry"
I'm sure the organizers have thought about stuff like this, but I have to wonder if a high registration fee scares away some of the local TDI drivers. Certainly to someone who devotes their whole life to TDIs, and is willing to fly or drive across the country to a fest, it really is a pretty small fee. But if you baked some of the expenses into the other weekend items.... more local guys might be apt to show up. Just a thought.
ROTFL! $55 high? It's peanuts compared to what a good Miata event costs. Back in 2009, the 20th Anniversary event early registration was $300. Of course it was at the Gaylord resort in Dallas, but still most events are at least $75+
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Maybe we can organize a group drive past Shizzler's house. ;)
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
It's all good. Back to your regularly scheduled Fest programming! We're up to 91 registrations, which is a pretty solid number for this stage in the game (expecting it to be 200+ by the end of August).

If finances are an issue for you or you're not sure which events you want to attend, we encourage you to go ahead and register now - you can always log back into your account and add other events at a later date. Remember - the price goes up another $5 on August 8th, but you can still register for meals and other events until August 22nd with no additional increase in price.

Word of caution - don't wait too long because we expect the food events (Meet & Greet, Speaker Brunch, Awards Banquet & Auction) to be sold out sometime in mid-August.
 

n8ronJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Location
Niagara Frontier - Somerset, NY
TDI
2014 BMW 328d XDrive, 2003 Jetta GLS TDI 5speed Platinum Grey (sold), 2010 Jetta 6speed (bought back)
Just realized the date... is 1 month til the Fest. I'll be registering very soon - don't want to miss out on any of the extras.
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
Springfield, VA
TDI
‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Yep! Time is flying! My phone won't stop ringing with various vendors and venues... it's getting nuts! :D
 

Fix_Until_Broke

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 8, 2004
Location
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA
TDI
03 Jetta, 03 TT TDI
I'm in and registered both for the fest and at the hotel.

This will be my 2nd TDI Fest - last one was in Lake Mills, WI back in 2005 - Finally I'm able to make everything come together and attend another one.

Reminicing about the 2005 TDIFest...
- Was able to sit next to Ernie Rogers at the banquet dinner and discuss his variable compression ratio engine design
- Purchased some of my most used and favorite modifications there - DieselGeek Short shifter from Jim (who installed it to boot!) and my Bentley Manual and misc service parts from TDIParts (from before Peter owned it!)
- I remember being approached by someone asking if I was interested in a Rocketchip tune, my reply? "No thanks, I'm still under warranty" How naive I was back then to think I'd actually get any kind of warranty from VW if there was a problem.
- I remember how much fun the ride in the Rally Golf looked

Good times had by all then.

This fest is looking to be another good one and well attended (both people and cars) - see everyone in a few short weeks!
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Lake Mills Fest was my first real Fest (dropped by the '04 in Braintree MA but didn't stay long), and still my favorite. I remember Dan selling stuff at the hotel when all the activity was at the repair shop (Topals, right?). And we had one guy stop in (firefighter, IIRC) who was merely curious. We got him RC2, did a ventectomy on his car when he wasn't watching, and filled him in on how to really drive a TDI. He was happy.

I'm betting this one will be as good or better. Look forward to seeing you.
 

Stealth TDI

Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 1998
Location
Newport News, VA
TDI
2017 GTI APR Stage 3 (395 hp/376 lb-ft)
This made me LOL!

- I remember being approached by someone asking if I was interested in a Rocketchip tune, my reply? "No thanks, I'm still under warranty" How naive I was back then to think I'd actually get any kind of warranty from VW if there was a problem.
:D
 

BeetleGo

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 1998
Location
Cambridge, MA
TDI
5-door, 5-speed Golf GLS replaced BeetleGo.
When I first got tuned I remember saying "Oh my God! Oh mY GOD!! OH MY GOD!!!" faster than I shifted into the next gear. I don't know how many times I said it all together, but for the record, I still say it from time to time but I said it over and over again. It's that good, and I'm only basic Level I chip (Rocket goes to VI now, I believe). I will upgrade as soon as my car starts to feel like I need different one. It's a very cheap way to make your car new all over again!

I look forward to going for the drive. I can't wait!
 
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MayorDJQ

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Location
Williamstown, Mass
TDI
'10 Golf 2dr 6m, sold.
'03 ALH Jetta: PP520s, Q-loader, Whitbread 2.5" DP, Mufflerectomy, PD150 t.i.p. + 3" intake, IDparts upper IC pipe, PD lift pump, Sachs VR6/G60, 0.658 5th Gear, Zerostart, Panzer Skidplate, Dieselgeek short shifter, Custom 1.3" lift kit, Aero-mods.
Burning as much BioDiesel as I can.
PP520s = $249 (sale price, but seems reasonable)
Upper IC pipe = $135
PD lift pump = $220
PD l/p install kit = $50
VR6/G60 clutch & flywheel kit = $379 (sale price)
.658 5th Gear set = $399
IDParts total = ~$1430 (w/ free ground shipping)

Zerostart = $75

Panzer plate = $300 w/ shipping
DG SS = $195
Diesel Geek Total = ~$500 shipped

Whitbread DP = $250 (used)

You've put at least ~$2,200 in mods into your car. $55 is 2.5% of what you've spent. (I won't even bother with the lift kit or "Aero-mods"). Yet you won't spend $55 to attend a Fest in your back yard? :rolleyes:

This will be my 5th Fest and the 3rd farthest one I've been to. For the last 4 I've made a week long excursion/vacation out of it. With the exception of a Bricking at Fest '09 in DC, I've enjoyed each trip greatly and look forward to making this one.
 
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