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

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Originally Posted By: Blue_Goose
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


I did it that way. Got a nice car first. Only it's a beater now... Well, fix the rust and it wouldn't be so bad, but only on this site would anyone even contemplate about if a 9 year old car with near 300k on the clock could even be considered "nice". Point being, if you wait long enough, everything winds up a beater. Also, it's easier to keep a non-daily driver clean if you don't, well, drive it daily. Less bugs, rock chips, dirt, wear&tear...

I hear you though. Last two months I filled up my truck twice, once each month. I drove it that little! Last week we did put 1,200miles onto it. I wound up watching the mpg readout like a hawk. I bought the truck thinking I would get a small travel trailer, but I'm starting to think I'd never care to feed it the gas it would burn--which makes me think I too bought too much vehicle. Something smaller might have been better: modest mpg gain, better snow performance, for a trade in space and towing. Not sure yet what would make for a better vehicle, but will stick out the truck for at least a year I think.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
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:





I take my car to redline frequently and if there's any impact to engine output, after 64k miles I can't tell from behind the wheel. I think the "Italian tune-up" method to keeping the valve deposits in check has some merit.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
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.


A good set of shoes can completely transform a car or truck. Just like speakers make a cheap stereo sound better, tires can compensate for a LOT!
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
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:





He has what 4K miles on his GTI. He wouldn't have to worry about deposits until at least 60K miles. Deposits aren't uncommon in a DI motor. Most cars that are direct injection, will have this problem sometime in their lives. OP this is just another added cost of ownership. I've researched GTI's and TDIs heavily and will say they are more reliable than the VWs of old but still have their fair share of German car problems, i.e water pump, fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pump, ignition coils. Those are the usual trouble areas but they usually show up while in the warranty period so that's a positive. Me personally I would get the GTI because it's a blast to drive but as a commuter go with the TDI.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
How about Jetta Sportwagen? It's really a Golf wagon, but for whatever reason VW USA decided to call it Jett just in States.
Tons of room and cargo and I believe it is made in Germany.

I checked, and the ones sold in the USA are made in Mexico.
I guess there is a factory in Germany making the same thing and selling that in Europe, and then calling it a Golf Plus.

The Jetta is more popular than the Golf in the USA, so it made sense for VW to call it a Jetta. Plus, the front of it looks more like the MKV Jetta than other VWs.
 
Originally Posted By: jigen
Really? Maybe for the next generation but all the 2011 Sportswagens I was checking out were built in germany.

Wow, good!
Given my experience with MKIV Jettas versus B5/B5.5 Passats, I feel more confident in suggesting one.

Maybe they switched production at some point, because I have seen many 08,09,10 JSWs.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
I checked, and the ones sold in the USA are made in Mexico.

What's the source of your info?

According to one source I checked, the Sportwagen is made in Germany still.
 
Cujet likes to voice is horrible VW experience in ever thread he can. He is in the minority just like the same people who sear Honda's & Toyota's never break down. People have a bad experience, is it the cars fault? No, it's how they were treated.

Granted you can have a horrible experience with VW but you can have one with any car!

What you read about fuel pump issues was for 2009-2010. It has not happened at all in the new generation that I've heard of. Cujet's Jetta was not even a common rail if memory serves. It was an older model I could be wrong though.

Misfortune has more to do with the servicing dealer than the car itself. VWoA has a bad habit of trusting dealers especially the bad ones. The best thing is find a dealer you can trust if you can't do that then you will not have a good experience.

True VW had a run of grenading fuel pumps built by Bosch. So did GM/Dodge/Ford...etc. Basically every car makers has had issues at some point that cost $$$$$ but refused to openly recall because it was cheaper to just fix as needed.

The only thing I would worry about in a new diesel is the exhaust & emissions system. While they should have a long service life you need to be aware of how your driving will effect it. Diesels can be city cars but they are not put-put mobiles. Driving at the lowest possible RPM does not equal good fuel economy in a diesel.

They need to be worked and you as well as the car will enjoy doing so. The greatly benefits from long highway drives and good full throttle acceleration. You also must always be sure to use ULSD which is mandated but you can still find LSD at some fueling stations.

The DSG does need to be serviced more frequently so that is another reason I'd buy a manual. Every 40k miles with no exceptions. Othwerwise it is standard maintenance, drawn out a bit because oil changes last longer, just buy quality fuel and I personally would used a good fuel additive like Power Service, Optilube, Stanadyne. PA's fuel is at he bare minimum cetane level so adding does actually help.
 
Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
Cujet likes to voice is horrible VW experience in ever thread he can. He is in the minority just like the same people who sear Honda's & Toyota's never break down. People have a bad experience, is it the cars fault? No, it's how they were treated.


My experience with my last TDI mirrors that of Cujet. The DMF that failed on his transmission was on recall everywhere else in the world except for the US. It had nothing to do with "how they were treated." Buying a new VW is like buying a new car without a warranty. VW is very good at blaming the customer for their design failures. Nice driving car, just don't expect warranty service.
 
Can't blame anybody who has had a bad one, although I will agree it is hardly representative of their worldwide production.

But there seems to be ample evidence all over the Net about VW and their problematic warranty repairs as well as long term reliability. I am certain that at least half or more can be blamed on lousy stealership service (or lack thereof!).
 
Yup, a sample of one might as well be a sample of none; however, for that one person that got burned it can leave a bad taste in their mouth for years to come. And the folks with negative experience are typically more vocal than those with positive ones. That's just human nature.

I had a bad experience with a Honda I bought back in 2000. To this day I haven't bought another Honda vehicle. Is this rational? Probably not. I did buy a Honda snowblower though, so I may be warming up to them again.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
Cujet likes to voice is horrible VW experience in ever thread he can. He is in the minority just like the same people who sear Honda's & Toyota's never break down. People have a bad experience, is it the cars fault? No, it's how they were treated.


My experience with my last TDI mirrors that of Cujet. The DMF that failed on his transmission was on recall everywhere else in the world except for the US. It had nothing to do with "how they were treated." Buying a new VW is like buying a new car without a warranty. VW is very good at blaming the customer for their design failures. Nice driving car, just don't expect warranty service.


I just realize how that sounded I didn't mean how the cars were treated. I meant how you are treated as a customer by the dealerships. The unfortunate truth is that VWoA has zero to gain by coming down hard on a dealership and they know this especially if the dealer threatens to burn their stock and never sell VW's again.

So you as a customer have to fight extremely hard to get what you deserve sometimes.

I have had a pretty good dealer with one exception and that was over trq a oil pan drain bolt.

VW's products aren't bad it's their service to the USA after the cars are sold.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: artificialist
I checked, and the ones sold in the USA are made in Mexico.

What's the source of your info?

According to one source I checked, the Sportwagen is made in Germany still.

I worked on dozens of the and the first digit of the VIN was "3"
I never saw a VIN that began with "W"
 
Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
Cujet likes to voice is horrible VW experience in ever thread he can. He is in the minority just like the same people who sear Honda's & Toyota's never break down. People have a bad experience, is it the cars fault? No, it's how they were treated.

Granted you can have a horrible experience with VW but you can have one with any car!


I am simply trying to help. If someone is looking for a reliable car, the Jetta TDI has proven to be less reliable. It has also proven to be more expensive to own.

Some real world info: The Jetta TDI has 3x the number of shop visits as the Prius.

Bash me all you want. Those are the facts.

My Jetta TDI, DSG experience is not in the minority. I'm on the TDI forums and help people fix their leaking EGR coolers. (I machine parts to repair them) These are COMMON PROBLEMS FOLKS!

I live in South Florida, where there is no shortage of VW dealers. In each case, the support from the dealers was at least acceptable. But the warranty support from VW was poor. Who's fault is that again??????

Mine, for not purchasing a lifetime extended warranty...


Also, please don't misunderstand me. I AM NOT saying the car won't last for many miles, or that the car won't make 200,000 with ease. I am saying that I was not able to afford to get the car there. The repairs were killing me. And being stranded is not my style.
 
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Test drove the GTI today.....while it was a fun car to drive 2 issues were deal killers. The seats which are made for someone with a 8 inch butt and the zero resistance clutch. All joking aside I realize the seats are made to hold you in place and I probably would have loved them in my 20's. Not so much approaching 50
 
Originally Posted By: gofast182
Another thought... TSX Sport Wagon. European refinement and build quality, Japanese reliability and resale value, and wagon utility. Win.

This post kind of got buried among other responses but it really might be worth a look. Good luck with your decision.
 
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