Would you still want to get rid of your TDI had dieselgate never happened?

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
Your car may well be in compliance. Cars with Adblue didn't need the cheat mode, but it was still in place. SCR isn't a charade. It works.

If you sell in the next few months before the recall is negotiated you're just unnecessarily taking a hit on the resale value of your Passat. You'd be much better off waiting until a solution is in place and used car values recover.
 

CHenry

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Location
Maryland
TDI
2010 Golf TDI DSG 4-door (sold)
I was listing to sell my Golf late last summer when the scandal went public. I keep cars for several years as long as they are reliable, but I don't hesitate to sell them if they are problematic. I didn't sell it then and have been holding on to it until I find out what is going to be done by VW. Fortunately, I am not needing to sell the car. The car has been a mixed bag, with costly repairs I have had to make having consumed some of the fuel savings from using diesel fuel.
 

jayp111

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2005
Location
Undisclosed location
TDI
n/a
The thing that I dislike most about the diesel emissions scandal is when I get the low adblue warning. The implication that I cannot drive the car after the tank is empty bothers me. I guess VW has to go all in on the fraud, but the car is not in compliance even when the tank is full! What is the point of the charade of the SCR system, topping of the adblue, etc......

One of the conditions of approval of urea injection by the EPA was a scheme where the vehicle would eventually become disabled after warnings to refil the urea/adblue talk were ignored.

On one hand if there were no consequences then no one would fill the tanks and emissions would be higher

On the other hand the notion that in an emergency your car could be disabled because of some stupid consumable like urea is patently absurd

I keep some DEF on hand in the vehicle so that in a -pinch its not an issue but what about a case where the DEF system breaks or freezes?

IDK.....the TDI isnt my only DEF vehicle and while I have not had an issue and hope never to have one its still fairly new tech
 

Jeta Life

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Location
NJ & North Pocono
TDI
2009 Jetta TDI DSG Auto
He may as well spend it. He can't take it with him.:D

I had a buddy that bought a Mercedes like that a while ago. He dumped it in short order once he processed how much the service and repair costs were.

"He knows mechanics." Anyone that's competent to work on that car isn't going to do the work for a 12 pack of beer. Your brother in law will unload that thing once it cuts into his booze and/or recreational drug budget.
I warned him too. A car service driver who has that S550 bought a full service contract that covers most repairs. Of course his bigger mistake was buying it from a shady dealer.

Never buy that type of car from a shady dealer. Buy it certified at a MB dealer with a peace of mind service protection plan.

I'm probably going to play it safe with an American or Japanese car or SUV next shopping time.
 

bubbagumpshrimp

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Location
Virginia
TDI
'13 Jetta TDI
I warned him too. A car service driver who has that S550 bought a full service contract that covers most repairs. Of course his bigger mistake was buying it from a shady dealer.

Never buy that type of car from a shady dealer. Buy it certified at a MB dealer with a peace of mind service protection plan.

I'm probably going to play it safe with an American or Japanese car or SUV next shopping time.
Well...that shady dealer is the reason he got it for a decent price (for what it is). But yeah...getting a steal on the purchase can eventually result in you getting brutalized on repairs. Hopefully it works out for him.

Edit: Yup. I've been wanting to get back into a truck again. My commute will be getting cut in half here soon, which will make that idea more affordable (that and the new trucks get a roll of a lot better fuel economy than my old one). We'll see..
 
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Jeta Life

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Location
NJ & North Pocono
TDI
2009 Jetta TDI DSG Auto
I hear ya, nothing like a good ole F150, Ram 1500, or Silverado to lift the spirits. Surprising they can get 20mpgs, almost makes me want to consider one over SUVs. They sure are selling like hot cakes.
 

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
So explain this to me: What is the attraction people have for trucks? I honestly don't understand it.
 

dmarsingill

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Location
Dacula, GA
TDI
2011 Sportwagen Turned in , 2000 Z3 Coupe, 2003 Ford Expedition
So explain this to me: What is the attraction people have for trucks? I honestly don't understand it.
I do not have one, but..........It is a do all vehicle. You don't have to worry about what you throw in the back, you can throw 1500 lbs in the bed, you can tow 7-9000 lbs, you can put your 4 wheeler or dirtbike in the back, you can go pick up things for work and get .0575 cents per mile, etc.....

I have an Expedition and a car hauler trailer that can do all these things. If you have to rent or borrow a truck every month....you need a truck. There was a time when I still had my Jeep, I would have it on the hauler 2 times a month. I would tow it to the trailhead 4 hours away and then back home.
I used it to take delivery of my 2000 Z3 Coupe from Nashville. I have never used a towing service since I bought the Expedition and trailer in 2003. I tow my friends and family when they ask. Also, there are lots of un-maintained roads in North GA. You need ground clearance and 4WD to travel them.

Donald
 

pkhoury

That guy with the goats
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Location
Medina, TX
TDI
2013 JSW, 2 x 2002 Golf, 1995 F450 7.3L
I hear ya, nothing like a good ole F150, Ram 1500, or Silverado to lift the spirits. Surprising they can get 20mpgs, almost makes me want to consider one over SUVs. They sure are selling like hot cakes.
Not the new F150s. The people I know that own them out here can barely get over 16mpg, and that's with no load, no towing, and highway speeds. Yet, Ford uses "Eco" in its engine name.

So explain this to me: What is the attraction people have for trucks? I honestly don't understand it.
For those that have legitimate uses, it totally makes sense. But around here, for those who have a truck just to have one, I concur - it makes no sense. If I had a truck, it wouldn't be a daily driver. When I need to haul oversized items or tow a trailer with a heavy load, it makes sense. But I don't get the notion of owning a truck to "fit in" or "be Texan" or etc. I'd rather have something practical and still versatile, even when the cost of oil is its cheapest in over a decade.
 

bubbagumpshrimp

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Location
Virginia
TDI
'13 Jetta TDI
So explain this to me: What is the attraction people have for trucks? I honestly don't understand it.
They are great for DIY homeowner projects. i.e. Mulch or crushed stone. It's a LOT cheaper to buy bulk/loose mulch vs. the bagged stuff at big box stores. My old F-150...I went to a landscaping store, got a pre-weight on the scale, a Bobcat dumped a load in the bed, I got my post-weight, paid (very reasonable), and I rolled home (SLOWLY, lol.) with 2,000 lbs worth of crushed stone.

It was a LOT cheaper than buying it by the bag, plus it gave me option of picking out a stone type (river rock...nice and smooth with no jagged edges) that I couldn't have even bought in a bag.

There are some people that just have trucks to fit a certain image so that they can shuttle their kids around "in style." However, everyone that I've ever known that owned a truck used it as it was intended (i.e. To haul stuff, tow trailers that weighed more than you can tow behind a car, etc.).
 

hybridkiller

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Location
Southeastern US
TDI
2012 Golf DSG
There are people who buy trucks purely as an image thing, but there are also people who just like the feel of driving a big heavy vehicle with an elevated cockpit (and don't care about wasting fuel). I went from a truck as a DD (I was actually hauling stuff with it) to a Golf, and sitting lower relative to surrounding vehicles was a bit of an adjustment - but well worth it, the Golf is obviously way more fun.
 
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bubbagumpshrimp

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Location
Virginia
TDI
'13 Jetta TDI
There are people who buy trucks purely as an image thing, but there are also people who just like the feel of driving a big heavy vehicle with an elevated cockpit (and don't care about wasting fuel). I went from a truck as a DD (I was actually hauling stuff with it) to a Golf, and it was a bit of an adjustment - but well worth it, the Golf is obviously way more fun.
Yup. I've been driving the GFs crossover around a lot lately. I like the ride height. I've been shuttling the dog around in that thing this weekend. It will be a bit of an adjustment to drop down into my car tomorrow morning.
 

jayp111

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Joined
Sep 3, 2005
Location
Undisclosed location
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n/a
I hear ya, nothing like a good ole F150, Ram 1500, or Silverado to lift the spirits. Surprising they can get 20mpgs, almost makes me want to consider one over SUVs. They sure are selling like hot cakes.
Would you believe up to 22mpg from an 8k lb vehicle with a 6.7l Cummins in it?
 

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
Thanks for the explanations. I guess I just have organized my life to not need a truck. I have AAA with 100 miles free towing, which I've used some and my kids have used a lot more. And when I buy stuff like crushed stone or mulch for the house I have it delivered. Perhaps I pay a small premium for that, but I'm sure it's less than expense of owning a truck for that once-a-year use. Last time I rented a truck it was to help my daughter move. And it was in LA. Owning a truck here in MA wouldn't have helped.

Last week my partner at IDParts and I had to go to a meeting in downtown Boston. He had driven his Ram Ecodiesel to the office. Getting that thing through Boston's old city streets and finding a place to park it would have been a challenge. My wagon is perfectly suited to that kind of trip, which I do at least once a week. I'll stick with the car.
 

hybridkiller

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Location
Southeastern US
TDI
2012 Golf DSG
I guess I just have organized my life to not need a truck.
My bad back eventually forced me to do that - but I'm kinda glad it did, am loving the Golf. I agree btw on all your points about having stuff delivered etc.

I wouldn't mind swapping my TJ Wrangler for a diesel Ram 1500, but no way I'd pay 40 grand for a truck with less payload capacity than my old Dakota.
 

logdrum

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2012
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
TDI
2003 New Beetle GLS; 2003 Jetta Wagon; 2006 Jetta
Only if it quits running We currently have 4 TDI. 2 alh 03 with one almost 300k miles the other 230. 1 06 brm and a 2015 GSW

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
 

Jeta Life

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Location
NJ & North Pocono
TDI
2009 Jetta TDI DSG Auto
Pickup trucks are America's best made vehicle. Cars are made better by Japanese and Germans and are a different animal. SUVs are becoming more and more feminine. A lot of weekend warrior types around my way just get them because it boosts the mojo.

Where I work in the city all I see are Japanese and other feminine looking cars. When I come back home to my burb I feel more like an American when I see the pickup trucks used for various chores such as landscaping, garbage runs or hauling stuff from Home Depot.

Pickup trucks look awesome too. While those 20mpg numbers may be regarded as rather lofty, the big three are clever in that they're eating into SUVs market share. At first I was thinking along the lines of Durango or Explorer but when you compare them to Ram 1500 or F150 that also have four big doors it just makes one wonder. I think the Pick Up trucks are more attractive.
 

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
SUVs are minivans. Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, all minivan based.
 

Jeta Life

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Location
NJ & North Pocono
TDI
2009 Jetta TDI DSG Auto
I'm beginning to have a tough time distinguishing the various crossovers and SUVs. I'm pretty good at identifying SUVs but lately they all look alike. At least Pick Up trucks have a little flair.
 

Bisoned

Banned
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Location
Ri
TDI
13 Passat
One of the conditions of approval of urea injection by the EPA was a scheme where the vehicle would eventually become disabled after warnings to refil the urea/adblue talk were ignored.

On one hand if there were no consequences then no one would fill the tanks and emissions would be higher

On the other hand the notion that in an emergency your car could be disabled because of some stupid consumable like urea is patently absurd

I keep some DEF on hand in the vehicle so that in a -pinch its not an issue but what about a case where the DEF system breaks or freezes?

IDK.....the TDI isnt my only DEF vehicle and while I have not had an issue and hope never to have one its still fairly new tech
Well that makes me feel a little better about the DEF messages at least!
 

Bisoned

Banned
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Location
Ri
TDI
13 Passat
Your car may well be in compliance. Cars with Adblue didn't need the cheat mode, but it was still in place. SCR isn't a charade. It works.

If you sell in the next few months before the recall is negotiated you're just unnecessarily taking a hit on the resale value of your Passat. You'd be much better off waiting until a solution is in place and used car values recover.
I don't plan to sell in the next few months.

It is a fact the Passats are not in compliance. I read somewhere they were well over the limits that were set by the EPA. If the systems were set to put the car in compliance, which they can be, the performance and fuel efficiency will suffer.
 

Oilerlord

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Location
Edmonton, Canada
TDI
2012 JSW TDI w/DSG. 700 Mile Club. 2008 BMW X3 "Beatrice", 2004 BMW 330Xi, 2014 Mercedes B-Class Electric
To get back on topic, more or less, a local and frequent customer stopped by this morning to pick up an order. He sells used trucks, mostly Sprinters, that he buys at auction, where he's also bought several TDIs for himself. He said right now auction prices are crazy low. He saw a '12 JSW with 65K on it sell last week for $6,400. He said high mileage JSWs are going for $3-4K. I told him what I'm looking for and he's going to keep an eye out.

People who are happy with their TDIs may not be selling, but it's definitely a buyer's market. Low fuel prices don't hurt, either.
Prices aren't quite that low (yet). Here's a listing for a few JSW's that recently sold at dealer auction:

01/05/16 PORTLAND Lease $14,300 24,507 Above
01/06/16 DENVER Regular $8,000 112,560 Avg
01/07/16 SO CAL Regular $5,600 161,759 Below
01/12/16 ORLANDO Regular $11,600 66,068 Avg
01/13/16 SF BAY Regular $12,700 15,272 Avg
01/13/16 CALIFORN Lease $6,500 73,928 Below
01/14/16 NORTHSTR Regular $8,300 96,529 Avg
01/15/16 FT LAUD Regular $10,700 65,361 Avg
01/19/16 CEN FLA Regular $6,200 105,332 Below
01/20/16 KC Regular $12,000 51,595 Avg
01/22/16 PA Regular $8,500 101,692 Avg
01/25/16 DFW Regular $12,000 37,957 Avg
01/27/16 MINNEAP Lease $12,000 52,889 Avg
 
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newbeetleman

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2004
Location
NE
TDI
none
Not necessarily. And I would refuse to comply if a forced buyback were the outcome (which I believe we all doubt will be the case). But, with so many whining about wanting out of their TDI ownership on threadzilla, but without any rationale as to why, I created this thread as a result. I'm curious as to the rationale, as I'm sure others might be as well.



Other than the TB. Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't the rubber crack with age as well, not merely with mileage accrued? Plus there are things that should be flushed every 2-3 years like brake fluid (which is really all cars, not relegated just to VW).

Says who (See bold)? Everyone has a rational reason as to why they want to get rid of theirs cars, just because you don't think like them doesn't make it any less rational!

Myself, I like my TDI (heck, I have 2 TDI's), and have no plans to get rid of it, but I will listen if a buyback is offered.
 

bubbagumpshrimp

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Location
Virginia
TDI
'13 Jetta TDI
Says who (See bold)? Everyone has a rational reason as to why they want to get rid of theirs cars, just because you don't think like them doesn't make it any less rational!

Myself, I like my TDI (heck, I have 2 TDI's), and have no plans to get rid of it, but I will listen if a buyback is offered.
Yup. I've done better the past few years, but I was swapping out vehicles like they were socks at one point. I have what I'll call Automotive ADD. Call me crazy, but a small economy car has failed to hold my interest for longer than three years, lol.
 

Smevans

Active member
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Location
Oregon
TDI
'15 TDI| 78' Datsun 280Z (Sold)
Received a company car in November. Would have loved to sell the TDI. Now it sits in a garage on storage insurance until prices return to normal (hopefully one day).
 

barshnik

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV
TDI
2013 Passat SE w/roof, nav
Had my '13 Passat SE TDI been trouble free, no way would I have been looking to off it. However, in 33k miles I've had a failed HPFP requiring 4 weeks in a VW dealer shop 400 miles from town, a failed urea tank / sensor / heater failure (another week in the shop here waiting for parts) and a broken windshield washer tank / pump (another 5 days waiting for parts.)

VOA approached me 2 months ago (post dieselgate) wondering if I'd be interested in getting a gasser Passat, a new 2016 TSI SE, as a straight up trade. After thinking about it for a week, I said yes, but I wanted the lighting package which I'd pay for out of pocket. They came back a couple days later offering a 2016 TSI SEL Premium (which includes the LED's of course) as a straight up trade.

Paperwork ensued, including my bank info for the payments I'm still making, and my color choice - reef blue paint / moon rock interior. That color choice was not available in the SEL Premium anywhere in the country, it is scheduled to go into production in the next 2 weeks, and I will take delivery sometime in March (and turn over my TDI of course.) In the mean time they have been making my bank payments.

There are a couple other things that probably contributed to this offer, including me being a life long VW owner (I'm 66 now), and my wife being an environmental scientist for a government organization which will go unnamed, who was only slightly disappointed with the diesel gate emissions issue, certainly not upset about it.

In all, VW could not have been more polite, understanding, and generous with their offer. They obviously wanted to keep me as a VW owner, and get one more TDI off the road at the same time.

In our discussions, I never made a single request, much less demand (other than to pay for the LED lighting on the SE they originally offered), VOA was the one who pursued the straight up trade. They could not have been any nicer.

So, I'll soon be a gasser Passat owner, and will let you know how I like it! Yes, I'll miss the good MPG's of the TDI, but with the differential in fuel prices in my area between diesel and reg unleaded in my part of the country, it'll be pretty close to a wash in fuel cost.

How is that for a story? Someone who is actually happy with the way a car manufacturer who is not exactly known as being customer friendly treated them.
 
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