Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
What usually works best for me is the first couple minutes, if you have a sunroof, tilt it up (vent mode) for a few minutes while the AC is on (hot air gotta go somewhere....might as well have it go out of the car).
Use a sunshade for the windshield when the car is parked.
One of my gripes is the ventilation ducting...the outside vents barely get air compared to the center vents.
Tan, I ended up buying a short garden hose and chopping it off at 3'. I now just back the car up to the tank and pump away. Wahoo. I love the smell of renewable fuel in the morning. Heh.
Probably when I get my next raise, I'll head up to Chelsea and fill my car up with the B20 and bring home some 5 gallon cans of B100 with me.
It would be an interesting VW meet....first with the gassers, then head over to World Energy to fill up and buy from B100. Might want to start thinking about it some time....gather the various forums on biodiesel and people who wish they can get biodiesel, and do a "group" buy. I'm sure World Energy would like that if enough people got involved.
Head over to the BMW 2001 320iD (Diesel) thread. I need some help convincing Mr. Shiftright that Diesels makes sense for a lot of people.
thanks
Of course, if you get the TDI, you can run it on biodiesel. It's clean, renewable, domestically produced, and great for the car (y'all didn't think I'd make a post without mentioning biodiesel, did ya?). Check out http://www.biodieselnow.com for more info.
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
I had a loaner 2002 Protege that was green with beige interior. The AC still sucked compared to my Jetta's.
Try using the handy "all windows down" feature with your key before getting in the car. It helps vent the hot air more quickly.
While I have to get used to new maintenance procedures and must establish overall reliability over time, I'd have to say to anyone considering a TDi, "Go for it!" Even more so with the current special offers from VW.
1. Bought a sunscreen for the windshield. This keeps out a significant amount of sun and allows the black dash to be cool enough to touch (in direct sun, it gets hot enough to deliver a burn to the skin). I figure it will also keep the AC duct work cooler, so more of the cold air reaches the interior and is not first consumed to warm the pipes.
2. I bought the side window deflectors from the VW drivergear site. This allows me to leave the windows cracked on a hot day without fearing the sudden thunderstorm and an open sunroof. Cracked windows allow some of the hotter air to escape.
3. On entering the car, use the 'all windows down feature' to allow the superheated air to be replaced by normal hot air (every bit helps). Open the sunroof to allow for more venting.
4. With windows open, run the AC on 'vent' until the inside air is about equal to the outside air temperature. Then close the windows and switch to 'recirc' until a comfortable temperature is achieved. After that, 'vent' mode will keep the interior cool and provide fresh air to breathe.
This may seem like a lot to do or an over analysis of a simple concern, but this is the first car I have owned with AC and I want to be comfortable!
BTW, this is also my first diesel and I love it. Toss away all of the old reasons not to buy a diesel car because they don't apply to the VW engine. Buy one and enjoy the savings on fuel. I get over 600 miles per tank, which means a trip to the station every 3 weeks or so. The maintenance is spelled out in the booklet and is not really that different. Plus, the sales people at the dealership gave me a wonderful orientation to the car and answered every question. They know this car and the specifics of the diesel engine.
We are getting a sedan 1.9 automatic. What are your likes and dislikes? Are there any problems so far?
Thanks.
OWNING THE CAR
I've had my 2000 Golf GLS TDI 5 spd for just over two years and still marvel over it. I have a daily country commute of about 80 miles round trip, so when gas hit 2 bucks a gallon (here in Indiana) a couple of years ago, I started looking for a less expensive alternative to my other vehicle which was averaging 15 mpg.
HOW I FOUND A DIESEL
I started with the EPA's web site that ranked cars in order of fuel economy. I was not looking or considering diesels, VWs, etc., at that time. The Jetta & the Golf (from 1999) were ranked #1 & #2. The Beetle was too new, and the offerings from Honda & Toyota had yet to hit the market. However, I also read the comments posted here and was amazed at the difference between those about the Jetta, versus those posted for the Golf. Needless to say your comments led me to go look for a Golf.
HOW I BECAME A GOLF GLS TDI OWNER
I had no trouble finding diesel Jettas. My work takes afield to cities such as Cincinnati, Toledo, Chicago & everywhere in between. Golf GLS TDIs were a rare commodity here in the midwest. I was test driving one In Toledo, I thought I was going to buy, only to find out it had been sold while I was on the road. So again, I went on-line for help. Using the VW dealer web site, I was able to locate a GLS TDI in Alexandria, VA. The trip to go get it, after buying it long distance, was an adventure in itself, but that's another story. I focused on a 4 door because the 2 door did not come std with cruise control.
REPAIRS
Thus far I've had two air bag "failures." The first was repaired under warranty, with VWoA giving me a free rental for 3 days while a new module was air freighted in from Wolfsburg. The 2nd time was probably due to the technician not connecting a wire tight enough from the first failure. That failure wasn't under warranty. I've also had two headlight failures, both with the left regular/low beam. After paying $30 for the first bulb, I found a pair of Xenons on Ebay for $15. The blue light is too cool.
HEATING/COOLING
As for A/C issues, mine blows very cold. I have a black exterior with tan interior. I've had the rear windows "dark" tinted, while the front sides are legal. I will "vent" the car on hot days, but today with the outside temp at 88, I ran with it on the vent mode and on the first fan speed,
MPG
I'm averaging 44.74 mpg, but that's because I have a bit of a lead foot. My favorite accessory is my radar detector. It has saved my butt innumerable times, not because I was doing 20+ over the limit, but rather because the Ohio State Patrol will pull you over if you're more than 5 MPH (except on the interstates) over the posted limit.
OVERALL
I'm looking into the vegetable oil conversion. Thanks for the links to the biodiesel web sites, the comments about the warranty being void, etc., etc. One site that got me looking was sent to me by my daughter: www.greasecar.com I would recommend the car to anyone in a heartbeat. It is a tight (as in screwed together well), quick, very manuverable automobile, the easiest shifting car I have ever owned. The gauges are the best I've ever seen, particularly at night with the red on the blue. The Golf's trunk is large enough to hold my other "golf" stuff, including my clubs, walking cart, and bag.
Thanks again for your thoughts, comments and insights.
But they are in first place overall in Production class.
1) Fuses - Which fuse slots should be empty? I want to make sure the dealer did not remove any of them because of a problem.
2) Is the antenna a simple screw on/off type?? This one was completely broken off and although I think it is screw on/off, it is hard to tell because of the remaining piece in the hole.
3) Any general advice that I may not think of (I've already been told to use synthetic oil only, and to use a mid-grade diesel fuel), anything else out there?
One last thing, should there be a diesel smell at all in the car? There is a slight smell in mine, don't know if thats just the way it is or if there is something more to it than that.
Thanks much.
You have it right about the synthetic oil, the best stuff for this engine is Mobil Delvac1, but its kind of hard to find sometimes. For the fuel you would do best to look out for Amoco or Hess stations, depending on where you live. Around Mass there are no Amoco stations, so I always use Hess. You can use other brands, but they seem to not run as smoothly. The only time I ever get a diesel smell (I assume you mean exhaust) is when I am backing up with open windows and a cold engine. Even then its a faint smell.
Did you buy the car used? If so I would find out if the timing belt was replaced, and make sure to check the maintenance schedule for you car when you get the manual. It is crucial that it be replaced on time. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me. Good luck!
2. Antenna is screw on type
3. Synthetic only, as 5w40 is only found in synthetic form. Delvac 1 is the best stuff out there. You can use the Mobil website to find a commericial distributor.
4. I get a slight smell during cold start ups.
oil changes are 10k
fuel filter changes are 20k
If you still have your owner's manual from the 1.8T, the maintenance schedule for the TDI should be in there.
Timing belt, for 2002, there's a new belt and idler pulley design which extends the interval to 80k.
To learn more about biodiesel, check out http://www.biodieselnow.com (moderators, that link is OK, right? If not, please just remove this paragraph).
But the pump is 4 traffic lights down from HQ towards Rte 16.
I'm looking into purchasing an extended warranty, just wanted to see what some of you guys have done. First off, living in Florida, a lot of extended warranty companies don't even do business here, not sure why, but that hurts. One company, Warranty Gold, who I had with my old Jetta, quoted me a price of $1500 for a 3yr/36k mile coverage. This plan covers basically every part on the vehicle (besides routine items such as brakes, etc) and there is a zero deductible. To me, this sounds on the pricey side, but I do have a turbo diesel and it does have 52K miles already on it.
If any of you have one, I would like to hear your comments and thoughts on this. Thanks much.
According to September's Automobile Magazine.
Though the power the the 2.0L TDI motor seems to be awfully similar to the 2.5L V6 TDI motor.
I am considering a Jetti TDI; does Upsolute make a 'performance' chip for these cars?
Thanks in advance.
I am considering a Jetti TDI; does Upsolute make a 'performance' chip for these cars?
Thanks in advance.
I was wondering if you could help me. For the last 1.5 years I've been driving a 2000 Ford Focus. I loved my car. Cheap (both in payment and insurance), great gas mileage, cute look... But the car and I have had to part ways after a friend pinned it under the back end of a delivery truck. Needless to say I am once again in the market for a new car. I have always loved the look of the Jetta and love the idea of getting 45 miles to the gallon form the TDI. But in reading the boards I have noticed a pattern. People either love the car or they hate it. Many of the postings talk of substantial (both in expense and annoyance) problems with everything from rattles to the transmission. Now being a recent college grad, I'd love to purchase a car that will last me for many miles to come. But if it comes down to rent vs. repair bills, I'll pick rent any day. So guess I ultimately have two questions:
1) To Jetta or not to Jetta?
and
2) 1.8 T or TDI?
Thanks ahead of time for all your help.
If you want max mileage, go with the TDI. And diesel engines run forever too. For brute power, pick the 1.T engine.
I have had major rattle problems with my car, been to the dealership over 10 times, with bad customer service experiences at that. I still love the car alot though. If I had to do the same purchase over again though, I would think about it harder, but would probably choose another Jetta.
We optioned it with the cold weather, sunroof, monsoon, and auto. It is a much more smooth, quiet and comfortable driving car that the GLX VR6 was. If you go with the tdi, make sure diesel is readily available in your area.
Good luck.
My co-worker has his Jetta TDI for 1.5 years, and no problems yet.
Okay there is a rattle at idle, but goes away when you drive it (Motor Trend verified it for me in their Hybrid car test recently).
I drive a 5-speed, and found no problems merging. Driving a manual TDI takes getting some used to.
Get the leather. It's worth every penny over the Velour interior. THe velour is nice, but it is a lint magnet, so maintaining it can be a pain sometimes.
dw
I want one.
-dw-
Diesels are the "greener option" b/c they don't give out as much greenhouse gas as gas engines. Diesel isn't as clean, causing more smog. However, a new generation of diesels developed for Europeans will reduce the smog effect within 5 years.
The EPA tested the new version of diesel by Toyota for future sale in Europe. The engine already meets new antismog standards for 2004-2007 in the US. New tests on diesels cars and SUVs are expected. B/c of the growing pressure for more fuel efficient vehicles, diesel is the most tangible alternative. Battery powered isn't feasible enough and fuel cell is 20 years off. An obstacle is the publc perception of diesel.
A European BMW diesel 3-Series goes from 50-75 mph in 7.5 sec, compared to 9.2 sec. gas engine. New technology is being worked on to meet pollution regulations in the US for diesels (soot) such as catalysts and soot trap.
Blessings,
Ed