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Comments
me the run-around--"We can't get them, buy a GLS instead"
"VW doesn't really have GL's available"
Meanwhile, VW of America says the dealers are wrong!
What was your secret for getting a GL Diesel (I can do wihtout
a Monsoon sound system!
Thanks for any tips
Dasteph
carlady
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News & Views and Hatchbacks Message Boards
2001 Golfs are made in either Germany or Brazil, Mexico does not produce Golfs for the US market. As for the Brazil plant being brand new I've read that it has been around for a lot longer than I've been.
My 2000 Golf is from Germany. I wanted to avoid a 2001 because I heard they were coming from Brasil. But then I saw some 2001s from Wolfsburg last Fall at my dealership. There's probably no difference in quality, but it just sounds better for a VW to have been built in Germany.
All Jetta and New Beetles come from Mexico, and quality is good from there, too. A4 Golfs have never been produced at Puebla, as far as I know.
I like the Golf's styling much better than the Jetta's It looks more European. Some people think hatch backs a downmarket. Just go to Europe and see all the hatch backs. Many are sporty and many are very nice, not the bottom-feeder types (except the Golf) that are on the US market. The Golf is also a heck of a lot more practical. My dog likes to ride in the hatch! I just take out the hatch shelf, and lift him in (no claws on the paint), and shut the hatch. He loves it, and doesn't shed all over, either.
Good luck!
- Anthony
I can definitely answer this one. I've got a 99 New Golf, 2.0l, 5 speed, about 34,500 miles on the odometer. I've got one of those little electronic organizers and I've logged the mileage from every tank of gas I've put in the car. (A little obsessive I know but with 308K on a Ford I'm sure you understand.) I drive about 80 miles highway a day, plus lots of local running around, trips, etc (about 20K miles per year.) The highway stuff is usually at a steady 80 mph (3850 RPM). My average MPG is about 28mpg over the 34.5K. High has been 35mpg out of a tank that I drove the speed limit, low around 26.5mpg when the engine was new. I just had the first "major" service outside the 2/24 warranty, it cost $320 (about $50 more than the same 30K mile service for my Chevy, not too bad for a European car.) I just don't believe that a Civic would AVERAGE 38mpg (10 mpg more) over 30 plus thousand miles.
Others?
carlady
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News & Views and Hatchbacks Message Boards
Any suggestions for dealers in No. Calif who will go for this kind of price?
Thanks.
I'm a six-footer and my '98 Golf GL has plenty of legroom. I don't even have the seat back all the way. Headroom is excellent, too.
Mark
Thanks a lot!!
The TDI's gas mileage is lower with the automatic, but it's still astounding. Keep in mind, though, that diesel fuel is more expensive than regular gasoline (and even premium sometimes), and it smells god awful when refueling too (experience from filling up a rental moving truck about a month ago with it). Also, there is different maintenance for diesel engines, and I know for a fact oil changes are more expensive. Some other things may be too. Check out the site http://www.tdiclub.com for more info on the VW TDI engine.
Also, what exactly does this monsoon system do? Does the Golf suffer from not having rear speakers?
As for the no speakers in the back, my Golf sounds just like my other half's Jetta. I havn't looked around for all of the speakers, but they must be somewhere.
Mileage of Civic HX Auto is 35/40
HP of Golf TDI = 90
HP of Civic HX = 117
Purchase cost of comparable cars as of 02/16/01 on CarsDirect website
Golf TDI $17,770 This is for GL 2 Door Auto
Civic HX $13,831 This is for HX 2 Door Auto
Golf TDI requires new timing belt every 40,000 miles, requires synthetic oil, requires brake fluid every 2yr/24,000 miles. And a timing belt is around $350 including labor.
Civic requires first tuneup at 105,000 miles.
Diesel fuel today is $1.57 in my area.
Unleaded is $1.25.
Over 100,000 miles the fuel cost based on hiway mileage and above fuel costs would be;
$3488.00 for Golf
$3125.00 for Civic
$700.00 can be added to Golf for the two timing belt replacements.
So you will save $3939 on the Honda at purchase, $700 for timing belts you won't buy, and save $363 on fuel after driving 100,000 miles.
Buy the Civic and you will also have an extra 27 HP compared to Golf TDI.
You won't have to buy your fuel at truckstop if you buy Civic.
Quality of Civic is generally considered to be superior to the Golf.
There are more Honda dealerships than there are VW dealerships in USA.
Civic is assembled by American workers, Golf is assembled in Brazil or Mexico.
Ergonomics are better in Civic than in Golf. IMO.
Golf is more fun to drive. IMO.
If VW makes you happy, then get a VW, but if cost and performance are your criteria, get the Honda.
mlink - do you really want to drive ANY car for 300,000 miles?
One last point about horsepower comparisons. The TDI's engine as gobs of low end torque and behaves in an entirely different manner to the the high revving Civic engine. The TDI will leave tire tracks on the road when accelerating from a stop, leaving the Civic (and its additional 27HP) sputtering. But once moving, the Civic will probably close the gap. In urban driving, the TDI is more suitable. But don't buy one because you think you will save $ in fuel costs over a Civic.
Considering pricing, our dealership was giving away 2K rebate on 2000 model last October (but only for 2.0L). It is 1K below invoice. But 1.8T is _much_ better. And, surprisingly, less noisy.
---
Have to agree that the plastic body cladding on Pontiacs is useless.
Oldsmobile Intrigue, Aurora, and Alero, are all very clean styled, American cars.
Pure european cars are styled, just look at Porsches.
Saving money is not a reason to own one though, because they have a higher initial cost, higher maintenance cost, and the mileage gained does not compensate for the cost of diesel.
If you buy the TDI because you like VW and like the idea of diesel, you will be happy with the car.
I have been trying to make economic sense out of the TDI for a couple of weeks because I really do want one. For me the cost factor is number one, the reliability is second and my emotional attachment to the car is third when buying a vehicle. I'll have to keep driving my 37 MPG Corolla until the factors change.
Happy to be of assistance.
So Edmunds is wrong, telling people that GTIs are solely from Germany and Golfs from Mexico.
1. inferior seating comfort and leg room and no passenger seat height adjustment. Less useful driver height adjustment that is almost impossible to turn with door closed.
2. inferior arm rest (looks like the one on the Accent) and little if any console storage...and that is on the EX.
3. no folding outside mirrors.
4. no available head curtains.
5. no full size spare.
6. no hatch.
7. no 4 wheel discs and ABS only on EX.
8. no rear head rests.
9. smaller tires.
10. no telescoping steering wheel.
Other than that, the Civic is probably a better car that clobbers the Golf in mpg with a 4 cylinder automatic or stick...on regular fuel. (all Golf gassers other than the 2.0 use higher grade fuels).
The prices for the Golf GTi seem to be to good to be true (more then 500$ below invoice, dealer holdback ?)
What is the catch ?
I thinking of buying a VW GOLF,
but I am unsure if I should get a CL or GL.
I want a 2 door version though, I want it to be a little sporty.
Unfortunately I don't have enough cash for a new one
so I am geting a 1995.
Can any one advise me on the GL or CL side of things... as in speed etc..?
Thanks.
Does anyone have any comments about how the Golf drives in the snow??