Oppoinions Needed - 2014 Jetta TDI ed.

"Where have all the lightweights gone?" (sniderjadam09)
08/12/2014 at 17:11 • Filed to: OPPOPINIONS, DIESEL, VW

A high school buddy of mine has found a 2014 Jetta TDI 6spd for just a hair under $20k. I think he's making a mistake because VW reliability. What are people's experiences with VW's diesel motors?

DISCUSSION (22)

Brian Silvestro > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:13

From what I've heard, the newer VW diesel motors explode after 150k miles.

AM3R > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:13

a 2014 will be in warranty, no problems there.

The man in the iron mask > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:14

Mistake because i agree on what you say, also tell him to get 3k more( and 600)and he gets a brand new V6 Mustang. http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/t…

Lekker > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:15

Buddy has a Jetta TDI. Solid as a rock. It is newer though, so I'm not sure how it will hold up against time. They have a serious lack of oomph, but that is to be expected. They do get slightly better at higher RPM's. Economy wise my buddy gets avg 36mpg combined city/highway.

GhostZ > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:15

What does he want?

If he wants a reliable sedan that won't cost much money but also is moderately comfortable and doesn't stand out, this is not the choice for him.

If he wants a diesel german car so he can be a part of the VW crowd but still have low insurance rates and clean up for work, and is willing to pay extra for that luxury, then this might be worth it.

But ultimately, no deal is worth getting a car that doesn't fit your needs and wants. And no deal is worth getting a car that you aren't entirely sure of what you're getting into.

The man in the iron mask > AM3R
08/12/2014 at 17:16

but if you already know it will explode why buy something like that.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > GhostZ
08/12/2014 at 17:17

He's looking for a solid commuter car. His current DD is an old S10. Most of his commute is on interstates in a rural area, so something with this kind of mileage will nearly double what he gets right now.

exizeo - still loving fourza > Brian Silvestro
08/12/2014 at 17:20

Yeah but even going at 15k miles a year, that's 10 years. Most people don't own a Jetta for 150k miles, anyways. Or any commuter car that they buy new.

Brian Silvestro > exizeo - still loving fourza
08/12/2014 at 17:21

Just sayin'

GhostZ > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:22

Gas milage is just a function of cost. There's no sense at all in paying $10000 extra for a car that gets 10% better fuel economy, because you'd have to save 2500 gallons of gas (75000 miles) to make up that difference.

Go for something with dirt cheap parts (unlike the VW) that won't make him lose his ass on depreciation. Aka, nothing built within the last 3-4 years.

That Jetta is going to cost him far more than the S10 in the long run because of the depreciation

For example, a Jeep Wrangler gets 20mpg, but also will only lose 10-20% of its value in 3 years (as opposed to the Jetta, which will lose closer to 40-50%) which more than makes up the savings.

Ask him to plot out the costs of insurance, regular maintenance, and depreciation, and make reasonable comparisons between used and new cars before he commits to anything.

It sounds like he's in this purchase for the long haul, so a lease might not work best for him either.

Nibbles > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:22

As long as friend offloads it before 100k, said friend should be alright

exizeo - still loving fourza > Brian Silvestro
08/12/2014 at 17:25

^^ I guess, but 'just sayin'' right back at you.

(not trying to be a snarky arse, apologies if I came off that way)

Jcarr > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:30

Not a diesel, but we have 2005.5 MkV Jetta 2.5. Engine/transmission has been solid through almost 100k miles.

I don't think I'll buy another VW, though, at least not soon. We've had a number of issues:

Repeated airbag faults

Driver's side door wire harness is too short by design and eventually snaps

Broken rear coil spring at about 90k miles (the car is driven sensibly so it wasn't because of misuse)

Tiny spring inside trunk latch is too long and causes latch to not close, particularly in cold weather. I had to tear the trunk lid apart, disassemble the latch and modify the spring

Rubber-like finish on switchgear and radio buttons bubbles and peels

Short story: Good-looking, fun car to drive. Lots of little shit that has steered me away from buying another.

dogisbadob > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:32

Too bad the Cruze diesel is automatic-only over here :(

If GM offered the diesel in ALL Cruze trim levels, the manual transmission, hatchback and wagon versions, VW would be DONE here and would have to leave the US market in disgrace.

I'd get the cheapest Cruze diesel manual wagon that you could get with a sunroof.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > GhostZ
08/12/2014 at 17:35

I was trying to point out to him that a Mazda3 gets the exact same mileage on petrol. Diesel around him is typically 25 cents higher than petrol is.

feather-throttle-not-hair > GhostZ
08/12/2014 at 17:48

hahahah oh man. Here's what I find is happening 90 percent of time someone says something like "I like it because it gets good gas mileage."

Person looks at car (we'll call it a Jetta TDi) and likes how it looks

Person finds out more about car and finds nothing particularly objectionable about it.

Person discusses with friends, who point out the car's weaknesses.

Person then spouts whatever marketing nonsense was last in their head (the TDi gets great mileage!) while actually thinking about how much more they like how the Jetta looks compared to other cars they might buy.

Person looses argument because actual knowledge > marketing nonsense

Person then buys Jetta anyway because they liked how it looked.

Person shows friend's new Jetta and says "the other cars had X and Y, but ultimately I just felt like the Jetta fits my needs and it gets great mileage!" all while thinking that he didn't really like the looks of the other cars and that the Jetta is much nicer looking.

The end.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 17:52

A few points:

- It's not 2003, VW has fixed many of its issues. Of those, the TDI was never one.

- These things are rated about 5 mpg less than what they actually get. They truly get 35/45. Look on any forum.

- The new Jetta is a fantastic car. Last year they went to a multi-link/disc brake setup in the back to match the front.

GhostZ > feather-throttle-not-hair
08/12/2014 at 18:06

Don't forget the part where the Dealership and car company laughs all the way to the bank.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 19:57

I'm biased. my immediate family owns 2 Jettas, and my cousins have 4 diesel VAG cars

THEY ARE AMAZING!!!! Very smooth, and very torquey. perfect Highway cruiser, since it's quiet, comfy, and gets awesome (read: 5-6 above EPA estimate MPG's)

On the reliability note, we have a 2001 Audi A3 TDi. Right now, that car is sitting at 450,210 kilometres, and still going strong! also, I learned to drive in a diesel MK2 golf that had 289,000km's on it, and was on it's original clutch. so yeah, VERY reliable cars

J. Walter Weatherman > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 20:09

My DD is a 2013 Jetta TDI 6spd. I think it is a great car, and I have never had any issues with it. The torquey engine, along with the 6spd, make it pretty fun to drive for something that is so economical.

In general, I think that VW reliability issues are insanely overblown (they are obviously a step behind Toyota and Honda and the like, but they have generally been middle-of-the pack for reliability for some time now), and the TDIs tend to be more reliable than most other VWs.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the car.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/12/2014 at 22:42

I bought an 2013 TDI 6 spd last year to replace my 2002 Tacoma SR5 4x4 as my DD. My fuel economy more than doubled as most of my commute is highway at speed. However, I'm in a fairly diesel friendly state so diesel is often comparable to premium if not a bit cheaper.

From a driving standpoint the diesel and the torque/RPM difference does take some getting used to, my wife notices it when she drives it as she DDs a Corolla 5 spd. We also use it as our road trip car and on our recent beach trip the average mileage was above 50 MPG.

michael bleggi > Where have all the lightweights gone?
08/14/2014 at 23:02

my dad bought his 2013 jetta tdi with 23 miles on it and now has 69k. Every service so far has been under dealership warranty or something and it has not had a single problem. He averages 49 miles a gallon with the 6 spd on his 2 hour bi-daily commute. He loves it. I disagree with every negative comment here i've seen, but everyone has different experiences.

It is also super duper freakin fun to drive. I love my e34, but whenever i drive his car, it never fails to bring a smile to my face. just something about a fwd car with ~240 ftlbs of torque