2013 TDI Golf or 2013 GTI Golf......

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

blue_goose

Joined
Jul 13, 2005
Messages
2,163
Location
New Hampsha
My other thread mentions that I'm looking to replace my Silverado as I'm not using it a much as I thought I'd need truck for. I am looking at crossovers as I'd still like to be able to haul stuff if need be.... The CR-V and Escape are 2 I am considering

I know the TDI and GTI are a bit of a departure from the mini utes but they have entered the mix as I am considering hatches as well


They are pretty similarly priced and I'd be going with the 6 speed DSG auto. My heart is going GTI but my head is saying commuter car, TDI

I've just recently read about the issues that the TDI is having with the Fuel pump failing and pretty much destroying the whole fuel system when it implodes. Is this a well known widespread issue that is a given with the TDI?


So if you we're choosing between the 2 which way would you lean? Price of diesel and premium gas is pretty close in price right now
 
I've been using a hatchback as a SUV for many years.

There's seldom anything that will fit in a crossover that I can't fit in my Mazda6 or PT.

I forgot the exact amounts, but I don't think the Tiguan has much more cargo area than the Golf. I know that the Jetta Sportwagen has nearly as much cargo space as an Escape or CR-V. But it doesn't drive like a car with a jacked up suspension on truck tires.
 
My experience with my Jetta TDI, DSG was incredibly, stunningly, unbelievably horrible. The first problem: The car made it 3 weeks before it left my wife stranded with a failed "mechatronic" unit in the DSG transmission. VW had to order the part from Germany, took a month to get here, and they installed a used one! The last problem: The dual mass flywheel failed. A very expensive repair.

A brief overview of 25% of the problems I experienced:

Overall, I had about an "issue a month" with the car. Some minor, some covered by warranty. Some were not covered.

The major expenses included a failed O2 sensor (an expensive wideband unit) that was not covered under the amazingly generous 2yr/24,000 mile "diesel" emission warranty. $1000 down the drain on that one.

The other was the $1500 EGR cooler.

Oh, yeah, the fuel pump quit, 3 times. And the $400 anti shutter valve. And both rear calipers started dragging due to poor design. Oh and the non replaceable, non serviceable fuse box only has single sided connectors, so the electrical gremlins were hard at work.

But the one that really annoyed me the most was the electric power steering. The car was truly "all over the road" when it was windy. VW refused to fix it. Yet, it's a known problem and was eventually, easily fixed by the local VW tech, with a "sensitivity adjustment" to the steering. (which electronically compensated for crosswinds)

Just lettin' you know....
 
Last edited:
No way I'd get a dsg. You can get an mt so take advantage! Much lower lifecycle cost.

I'd consider wiring for the gtd.

My brother has a golf tdi, problem free for 70k now and 45-50ish mpg typically in mixed DC traffic.

The golf platform is very utilitarian, has a more spacious back seat than most sedans,many can gobble a lot of cargo.
 
Originally Posted By: Cujet
My experience with my Jetta TDI, DSG was incredibly, stunningly, unbelievably horrible. The first problem: The car made it 3 weeks before it left my wife stranded with a failed "mechatronic" unit in the DSG transmission. VW had to order the part from Germany, took a month to get here, and they installed a used one! The last problem: The dual mass flywheel failed. A very expensive repair.

A brief overview of 25% of the problems I experienced:

Overall, I had about an "issue a month" with the car. Some minor, some covered by warranty. Some were not covered.

The major expenses included a failed O2 sensor (an expensive wideband unit) that was not covered under the amazingly generous 2yr/24,000 mile "diesel" emission warranty. $1000 down the drain on that one.

The other was the $1500 EGR cooler.

Oh, yeah, the fuel pump quit, 3 times. And the $400 anti shutter valve. And both rear calipers started dragging due to poor design. Oh and the non replaceable, non serviceable fuse box only has single sided connectors, so the electrical gremlins were hard at work.

But the one that really annoyed me the most was the electric power steering. The car was truly "all over the road" when it was windy. VW refused to fix it. Yet, it's a known problem and was eventually, easily fixed by the local VW tech, with a "sensitivity adjustment" to the steering. (which electronically compensated for crosswinds)

Just lettin' you know....


As regards the DSG, there are ups and downs. I'll give it to you Cujet, they are still somewhat unproven as regards long-term durability. But just speaking from someone I know who has a GTI with the DSG... it has performed flawlessly for nearly 30k miles (and this person drives it in a quite spirited manner). Time will tell if it holds up. But overall, the shifting, gear holding, smoothness, etc is phenomenal.
 
Last edited:
I'd look at either car WITH a MANUAL gearbox.

I'd personally pick the TDI because I think it will be more durable, and it has gobs of torque down low it may not be as fast as the GTI but with the manual gear box is it a real stump puller.

I've owned VWs for a LOOOONG time, my first being a
1984 Rabbit GTI which was a blast to drive, inexpensive to maintain and purchase, and it was bulletproof too. The only reason I don't have it today is because some THIEF stole it with 120k miles on it. Still miss that one today.

I now have a few other Golfs from 1996, 2002, and 2006. All havre been dead reliable, and pretty inexpensive to maintain, and very fun to drive.
 
Yeah unfortunately I can't wit until next year, I'm wanting to replace the Silverado within a month


I do a lot of miles a year, I need something reliable, hoping VW has left a lot of their issues behind them? I really am drawn to the TDI with that mpg and the all German build. With the Jetta I see Mexico as the final place of assembly and the GTI engine is from Hungary?
 
Originally Posted By: Klutch9
As regards the DSG, there are ups and downs. I'll give it to you Cujet, they are still somewhat unproven as regards long-term durability. But just speaking from someone I know who has a GTI with the DSG... it has performed flawlessly for nearly 30k miles (and this person drives it in a quite spirited manner). Time will tell if it holds up. But overall, the shifting, gear holding, smoothness, etc is phenomenal.


Mine lasted 70,000 miles after a few critical repairs. At that point, the dual mass flywheel failed. When it did so, it cracked the transmission bell housing. Rendering the $7000 transmission useless.

I was able to sell the car to a diesel mechanic, "as is" for a healthy loss on my part.

All I can say is to go on the TDI forums and read up about the Jetta and Golf TDI's. The number of problems posted would scare off any potential purchaser. Of course, make sure to take note of VW's handling of warranty repairs. I have 2 words that accurately describe VW's take on warranty support,,, REQUEST DENIED!

Then go on Prius Chat and compare...

It takes about 3 brain cells and 13 nanoseconds to come to an accurate conclusion as to each car's reliability.
 
Last edited:
I like the Golf a lot. Like most cars, it sits too low to the ground for me, but if it's comfortable for you, it's worth a drive. I would look also at a Tiguan, if you are possibly in the market for a VW. They will likely have a more upright seating position than a sedan or coupe would. That's why I prefer crossovers and SUVs by a wide margin to "cars": I prefer sitting more upright with some distance between the seat cushion and the floor (like in a regular chair).

Coming from a truck, you may find that you prefer the same thing.
 
Not sure about what you consider to be good MPG, but the Tiguan is only rated at 18/26 with the manual trans and 22/27 for the auto.

I had a MT Tiguan and with easy, easy driving it was hard to beat those MPG ratings.

Well built car though, fun to drive, but the steering was too light and disconnected from the driver compared to the Golf.
 
Originally Posted By: Blue_Goose

I've just recently read about the issues that the TDI is having with the Fuel pump failing and pretty much destroying the whole fuel system when it implodes. Is this a well known widespread issue that is a given with the TDI?

On the other hand, the GTI has valve deposit issues that will have to be taken care of periodically.

This BITOGer is already regretting getting his GTI:
 
Originally Posted By: Blue_Goose
Yeah unfortunately I can't wit until next year, I'm wanting to replace the Silverado within a month


I do a lot of miles a year, I need something reliable, hoping VW has left a lot of their issues behind them? I really am drawn to the TDI with that mpg and the all German build. With the Jetta I see Mexico as the final place of assembly and the GTI engine is from Hungary?


Do you just want a more fuel efficient vehicle ?
 
New Hampster, eh?

I wonder how much of a loss you would take on the truck. When I was looking, everyone said to drive down south and buy something down there, no rust. With that truck you could pull it home. Point being, for what you would lose on trade in you might score some decent runabout AND still have the big truck for when you want it. The truck is likely established in your eyes as reliable; why trade into a new unknown?

I might be a bit biased, as I did similar...

No doubt, a CRV or similar will move lots of stuff wih a utility trailer, I don't want to dissuade you from that choice. Did that for a while with the Jetta.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Originally Posted By: Blue_Goose
Yeah unfortunately I can't wit until next year, I'm wanting to replace the Silverado within a month


I do a lot of miles a year, I need something reliable, hoping VW has left a lot of their issues behind them? I really am drawn to the TDI with that mpg and the all German build. With the Jetta I see Mexico as the final place of assembly and the GTI engine is from Hungary?


Do you just want a more fuel efficient vehicle ?




Yes, more fuel efficient but still have more cargo space than a sedan if I need it. I think the CRV makes the most common sense as I can buy a brand new one loaded EX-L for just about the same price the GTI and TDI But probably nowhere near as fun to drive lol
 
Originally Posted By: supton
New Hampster, eh?

I wonder how much of a loss you would take on the truck. When I was looking, everyone said to drive down south and buy something down there, no rust. With that truck you could pull it home. Point being, for what you would lose on trade in you might score some decent runabout AND still have the big truck for when you want it. The truck is likely established in your eyes as reliable; why trade into a new unknown?

I might be a bit biased, as I did similar...

No doubt, a CRV or similar will move lots of stuff wih a utility trailer, I don't want to dissuade you from that choice. Did that for a while with the Jetta.


Yep New Hampster here lol. Well I do already have the Accord to do the lions share of commuting. My issue is that the truck sits a LOT as I don't feel like feeding that V8 unless I have to. For the amount I'm paying to have it sit most days isn't making economical sense

I did things backwards. I should have gotten. Nice car first and a beater for a truck lol
 
Originally Posted By: Blue_Goose
But probably nowhere near as fun to drive lol


It never will be, but you'd be amazed at what a set of nice tires and a good alignment can do for a car. Our CR-V drives dramatically differently from when we first bought it. All from putting better tires on it and tweaking the toe.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
2011 VW GTI or Golf TDI for Daily Driver
2
Replies
30
Views
19K
JHZR2
J
  • Locked
New TDI diesels
2
Replies
31
Views
7K
Cujet
H
  • Locked
13 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2013 VW Passat TDI 2.0
Replies
14
Views
2K
Hallj49803
P
  • Locked
"New" used - 2016 VW e-Golf SE.
Replies
18
Views
4K
Andrew1972
W
  • Locked
Please school me on Diesel Maint vs. Gas
2
Replies
21
Views
7K
ls1mike
Back
Top Bottom