We will all almost certainly be getting quite a bit more than the $1000.00 goodwill money. Whether you believe in the class action lawsuits or not doesn't much matter. If you own a 2009-2015 TDI, you will likely be getting $2000-$5000 back.
A few weeks ago I made the argument here that the class action is a slam dunk:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=4935520#post4935520
The same point is made here - this case is different:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20151203/OEM11/151209941/why-the-volkswagen-litigation-is-different
The "goodwill" money is designed to, of course, buy some goodwill, but more importantly to identify owners and get them into the dealership to have them fixed (the primary reason). And it may be a downpayment on an eventual settlement, limiting damages there - and the amount the plaintiffs' lawyers will take. My guess is up to half of owners will take advantage of it - at a cost of maybe $250 million at most, and less considering they'll be buying some VW parts. A pittance. And even if they settle the class action for $3000 per vehicle, the cost of compensating owners is only $1.5 billion. Add the lawyers take and VW is probably out-the-door on customer compensation for around $3 billion tops - about 1/7 of VW's cash on hand.
So, enjoy your goodwill money now - why not? But get ready for a much larger chunk of change down the road. Keep your car, get it fixed or not, and when it's all said and done, you're getting an after-the-sale rebate of at least $1000, and more likely $3000-$4000. If, as I suspect, I end up getting around $4000 back altogether, I'll have paid - OTD, including TTL - about $25000 for a fully loaded 2013 JSW TDI. Best deal I'll probably ever get on a car! Thanks VW!