TDI a good daily driver/city car?

566 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by VW Disciple, Nov 25, 2001

spongebob_squarepants

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2001

The wife will need a new car next year and the TDI Golfs aren't too pricey, or maybe will do a Jetta Wagon with leather since leather can't be had in the Golf. I'll purchase the car (as opposed to a lease) and plan to make it a long-term keeper. I'm thinking TDI will be cheap on fuel costs and they hold up for the long haul, right?
But since we're used to my 1.8T, is the TDI going to be a huge letdown in performance? Not sure I want to chip with the warranty hassle. Is a TDI a good around-town car for shorter trips? I know it'd be great on the highway with the low rpm's and great mileage.
In other words, should I just do the Jetta Wagon with 1.8T? The Golf costs quite a bit less...

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vr6dubber23

· #2 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (spongebob_squarepants)

From what I've read on this forum, the TDI is pretty much bulletproof and a great engine overall. Also, TDI owners say that their cars have gobs of low end torque that you can play with

Put in a chip, tuning box, whatever and you will have a around-town car that hauls a$$, seeing as around-town will most likely be low rpms

All that and around 40 mpg, can't beat it

That said, I'm sure a TDI owner could give you more info than me

Hope that helps!

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breaker

· #3 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (spongebob_squarepants)

I think diesels really shine when allowed to run for extended periods. I don't know if stop and go driving would really be the ideal diesel scenario.
Did you post this over in TDI? Those guys are very loyal to their oil-burners and would give you a straight answer as to if it's for you.

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spongebob_squarepants

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (breaker)

Thanks. You're right breaker, I should post this in the TDI forum.
The 1.8T isn't much more than the TDI, and it's such a fun engine, I'm afraid the TDI will leave me cold. I think the wife would be fine, though, since she's a "cars are transportation" type, practicality first, fun second.

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breaker

· #5 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (spongebob_squarepants)

If the wife's like that, you may also want to consider if she can be counted on to put ONLY diesel in a TDI, as in EVERY time, or could a mistake happen because, "I just filled it up at the place on the corner" (that doesn't sell diesel.)
It happens, and from what I've read, often to guys who's wives aren't motor-oriented, and may not be thinking about it, at the time they need "gas."

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tjl

· #6 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (spongebob_squarepants)

On your 1.8L turbo, how high does the tachometer needle go when your wife drives it. If it never goes past 3000-4000 rpm, then she is not likely to find that much lacking in driving the TDI. On the other hand, someone who frequently hits 6000 rpm will notice.
Just make sure to remember to put diesel fuel in, and use the paper towels to hold the pump handle. Pump slobs at the diesel pump tend to leave diesel fuel on the handle, while pump slobs at the gasoline pump just create more pollution from evaporating gasoline.

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edkim

· #7 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (tjl)

TDI's are great around town cars as well as being great highway cars. The tremendous low end torque of the TDI gives them great usable power at low rpm's. And since you intend on keeping it for a long time, I think the TDI would be a great choice because of its longevity. Just make sure you keep the intake clean; I've heard they can gum up without proper cleaning.

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matoo

· #8 · Nov 23, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (edkim)

tdi is a great car all around. as far as the rpm thin goes, you wont notice it at all. its very natural to shift at those rpm levels because its a diesel, not a 1.8t. different animal alltogether. the car also wont be damaged by short trips. older diesels were more for the long haul, but no with modern tecnology it isnt a factor.
ive had a lot of experience with tdis as a close freind is obsesed with them and owns one. i would deffinitly consider one for a second car. or first car for that matter

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Craig

· #9 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (vr6dubber23)

quote:[HR][/HR]From what I've read on this forum, the TDI is pretty much bulletproof and a great engine overall. Also, TDI owners say that their cars have gobs of low end torque that you can play with
Put in a chip, tuning box, whatever and you will have a around-town car that hauls a$$, seeing as around-town will most likely be low rpms
All that and around 40 mpg, can't beat it

That said, I'm sure a TDI owner could give you more info than me
[HR][/HR]

LOL. Yup. Sure can tell you are not an owner. You should have said "All that and around 50 mpg." My best combined average has been over 56 mpg.
BTW, Breaker. Wife putting in gas in a diesel should not be a problem. With about 800 miles on a tank, she never needs to go near a station. You do the filling.

[Modified by Craig, 10:37 PM 11-24-2001]

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Asperi

· #10 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (Craig)

For a daily driver get ur ass a TDI.. youll love it.

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nuke

· #11 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (spongebob_squarepants)

TDI is a great around town car. The TDI doesn't have the high-RPM power of the 1.8t, however it has the same low-end torque as the 1.8t, so it drives pretty similarly when you aren't doggin' it.
I added aftermarket leather to my Golf TDI. It came out pretty nice. Pictures are available if you look in the Leather Group buy thread.
If I could get one, I'd love a Jetta wagon TDI with leather and all the goodies.

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VW Disciple

· #12 · Nov 25, 2001

Re: TDI a good daily driver/city car? (nuke)

Go for the TDI! I have both engines, 1.8T and TDI, and I drive my TDI twice as much! The fuel economy is addictive. Plus it has a more satisfying growl than the 1.8T. Smoke 'em if you got 'em!

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