Went to dealer today, have some questions.

DieselCJ

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Location
Long Island, NY
TDI
4BT Cummins CJ-7.
This is my first post here in years, considering another diesel sedan.

Just today I went to the VW dealer to look at a Golf, when I realized the Jetta is basically the same price, much bigger (nice leg room in the back and huge trunk), and redesigned, the MSRP of $23,765 with basically everything but navigation was nice to see too.

One big decision for me will be auto or manual. The TDI will serve as my winter/foul weather/road trip vehicle. My M Roadster, and diesel (Cummins) CJ-7 both have manual transmissions, so auto in a DD may be a good idea (easier on the knee), though I like the simplicity and reliability of the manual. What are your opinions of the dual disc automatic trans option? The salesman said fuel mileage is better with the auto?!

Also, the dealer said they could not install a remote start, are they available aftermarket?

My only other diesel sedan was a 1986 190D Benz 2.5L, which I converted over to a 5-speed since the auto had no OD, this would not be an issue with the TDI auto.

Normally I would never consider buying a new vehicle, but the TDI's seem to have such great re-sale used it not too far from new, redesign should help too if I did ever want to sell.

Any opinions you have would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John
 

2011TDIowner

Active member
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Location
Ottawa Canada
TDI
2011 TDI Highline DSG
Auto or manual is a personal thing and I think it depends on the sort of driving you are doing. Have had both and while I enjoy manual shift for sport driving, if you are stuck in stop and go trafffic every day it's a pain in the butt. Also a bit of a pain if you live in a hilly area.

When I went to by my new VW, I was looking to get a 2010 Golf TDI. While I was ok with manual, the wife wanted auto. Searched dealerships all over Ontario and found out that there were only three on all of Canada, two out west and one down east. Convinced my wife that manual would be okay as most of our driving is highway and don't get into too much heavy traffic. When I went to my local VW dealer and test drove the Golf TDI I really liked it but they happened to bring in the first 2011 Jetta TDI to arrive at their dealership (and one of the first in my area). Similar to your situation when I looked at the price, the size of the interior with a useable back seat and huge trunk, as well as it having the DSG auto transmission, I was hooked. Took it for a test drive and bought it on the spot. Love the DSG - smooth and responsive. Mileage is supposedly a bit better than manual. It has the tiptronic feature which lets you pretend you were manually shifting but I had that on my Acura RSX as well and it is just not the same as a true manual shift.

Ulitmately it comes down to your personal choice. Don't think you can go wrong with either.

2011TDIowner
 

Windjammer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Location
Cinti, OH
TDI
MK4 & Mk5
i didn't get the auto because i wasn't looking forward to a tranny exchange for ~$4000 down the road
lol. Do you here about that often? :rolleyes: If you were really worried about expensive repairs you wouldn't drive a vw tdi. You're way more likely to need a fuel system or engine for $10k than a transmission.

op, I say get the DSG. It's the best of both worlds. A manual that you don't have to shift.
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
These aren't your grandfather's (or even your uncle's) Volkswagens...

The modern cars have become substantially more complex (as with most cars out there), and the VW common-rail models haven't been out long enough for most of their quirks to become well known or for a general feeling to come about as to their long-term reliability.

Please do a bit more research with regard to the new exhaust systems and especially with regard to the high-pressure pumps and possible fuel system problems and how VW and the dealerships handle such issues.

The only caveat with regard to the DSG transmission is that it needs a not-too-cheap fluid replacement every 40,000 miles... However, if you're in the NYC area, you may not wish to have a manual transmission unless you spend most of your time on the highways...

All the best,

Yuri
 

nicemustang

Active member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Location
Calgary
TDI
2011 Jetta Highline with Nav
I think the DSG is an awesome tranny. Smooth and efficient. It's not that difficult to change the fluid yourself if you are somewhat handy.
 

jollyGreenGiant

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Location
MA
TDI
03 Golf TDI GLS ( my 5th TDI ), 03 Eurovan GLS - VR6 :(
DSG's have failure prone dual mass flywheels, so do the manuals but it appears the failure rate is higher with the DSG. DSG's require 40K maint. DSG's are FAR more complex.

I'll take the manual thank you. I also prefer to drive a manual anyways regardless of stop and go and city driving. That's my personal opinion, we all have them.
 

mo_focus

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2002
Location
stouffville, Ontario, canada
TDI
84 944
i have both, dsg and 6spd. DSG is a blast to drive, but it does take some time getting used to it. Its not your regular auto tranny. by tapping the gas or brake pedal, it does certain things to the car and that takes a while to get used to it. Wife drives it for day to day and i get to drive it on the weekend in SPORT mode :D

As others have said, it does cost about 400$ for tranny service and it MUST be done on time. I also have my 6spd that i love driving, but i do mostly highway driving so its easier for me.
 

BarrieCommuter

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Location
Barrie, Ontario, Canada, eh!
TDI
2015 Jetta TDI Highline 6MT
my nickname tells you what i do with my TDI, flat surface driving from barrie to toronto. otherwise road trips to my hometown of timmins or to blue mountain. fairly flat land to drive stick.
 

Ted Hurst

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Location
44224
TDI
2015 GSW
One big decision for me will be auto or manual. The TDI will serve as my winter/foul weather/road trip vehicle. My M Roadster, and diesel (Cummins) CJ-7 both have manual transmissions, so auto in a DD may be a good idea (easier on the knee), though I like the simplicity and reliability of the manual. What are your opinions of the dual disc automatic trans option? The salesman said fuel mileage is better with the auto?!
I have enjoyed both of our DSG's. If you are mechanically minded and realize the what amazing things are happening inside that transmission you can appreciate it much more. It's not a slush box. It is a direct drive connection controlled by a the ECU and the the initial torque may be more than the average slush box driver can handle if you don't know what is going on. Mashing the accelerator from a dead stop is like asking the computer to dump the clutch. You will take a slight hit on MPG's. Just check out the real world MPG's on fueleconomy.gov. One drawback is you don't have the option of a SMF.
 

thebigarniedog

Master of the Obvious
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Location
Fail Command (Central Ohio)
TDI
1998 Jetta tdi
DSG's have failure prone dual mass flywheels, so do the manuals but it appears the failure rate is higher with the DSG. DSG's require 40K maint. DSG's are FAR more complex.

I'll take the manual thank you. I also prefer to drive a manual anyways regardless of stop and go and city driving. That's my personal opinion, we all have them.
Totally agree. Subjectively, most women opt for the DSG as it is easier for them to full throttle/BRAKE (ie. women typically drive full throttle or full brake --- hence why on a "woman driven car" one can typically see finger nail marks in the passenger side airbag position/ and a broken O'Sh*t handle from any foolish male front seat passengers :D); it is also difficult for them to shift and blabber endlessly on the cell phone while driving.

Objectively, a noted guru called the DSG a $3(k) buying mistake --- I think that number is higher actually personally. Another noted guru described the shifting characteristics of the DSG as a teenage girl learning how to shift. Anyhow, in addition to what you noted you get a pretty good anti-theft system with that third floor pedal as most people in the US cannot drive a manual transmission regrettably.

Good luck on your purchase choice!
 

Windjammer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Location
Cinti, OH
TDI
MK4 & Mk5
Totally agree. Subjectively, most women opt for the DSG as it is easier for them to full throttle/BRAKE (ie. women typically drive full throttle or full brake --- hence why on a "woman driven car" one can typically see finger nail marks in the passenger side airbag position/ and a broken O'Sh*t handle from any foolish male front seat passengers :D); it is also difficult for them to shift and blabber endlessly on the cell phone while driving.

Objectively, a noted guru called the DSG a $3(k) buying mistake --- I think that number is higher actually personally. Another noted guru described the shifting characteristics of the DSG as a teenage girl learning how to shift. Anyhow, in addition to what you noted you get a pretty good anti-theft system with that third floor pedal as most people in the US cannot drive a manual transmission regrettably.

Good luck on your purchase choice!
Do you have a Spouse, Mother, Grandmother? Are they as inept as you make Women sound in your DSG vs Manual posts?
 

thebigarniedog

Master of the Obvious
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Location
Fail Command (Central Ohio)
TDI
1998 Jetta tdi
Do you have a Spouse, Mother, Grandmother? Are they as inept as you make Women sound in your DSG vs Manual posts?
I provided a "subjective" and an "objective" response to Greengeeker (even labeled it accordingly). Your response to my post is the usual cheap shot, weak minded, ad hominem attack (which is typical of what you normally post). Sorry, if you believe that only your opinion matters :rolleyes:.
 

Windjammer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Location
Cinti, OH
TDI
MK4 & Mk5
I provided a "subjective" and an "objective" response to Greengeeker (even labeled it accordingly). Your response to my post is the usual cheap shot, weak minded, ad hominem attack (which is typical of what you normally post). Sorry, if you believe that only your opinion matters :rolleyes:.

ad hominem attack, ad hominem attack
 

BarrieCommuter

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Location
Barrie, Ontario, Canada, eh!
TDI
2015 Jetta TDI Highline 6MT
i drove a standard car for the first time in my life today. A couple of stalls in first, but overall really good experience. No grinding of gears at all. Used my cousin's 2006 Jetta TDI. How different is the clutch response on the 2006 and the 2011 model?

One is hydraulic, the other not?
 

DieselCJ

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Location
Long Island, NY
TDI
4BT Cummins CJ-7.
i drove a standard car for the first time in my life today. A couple of stalls in first, but overall really good experience. No grinding of gears at all. Used my cousin's 2006 Jetta TDI. How different is the clutch response on the 2006 and the 2011 model?

One is hydraulic, the other not?
Nice, as long as you have the clutch pedal depressed there should be no gear grinding.

I hope the pedal pressure is nice and light. A friend of mine has a mid 2000's Volvo wagon 5-speed manual, the clutch pedal is about as light as a gas pedal, takes some getting used to, but is nice for a DD.
 
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