Now my original goal was to measure ABS performance. I went out and surveyed possible test routes but soon realized if I test the ABS in the rain, I won't have a consistent surface and I'll actually be imprecisely measuring wet braking, tire performance. So I decided to do dry pavement testing. But sad to say, my accelerometer broke so I'll have to put off testing for a week or so until it gets repaired. For ABS testing, it doesn't matter which Jetta or Golf is test driven. Still, I stopped by the Huntsville AL dealer on Sunday to check their inventory and found: Jetta TDI - three, two automatics one manual Jetta Sportswagen TDI - one Golf TDI - none However, they have a Golf GTI. So for ABS brake testing, does that make sense? I really don't know. I sat in a Jetta TDI a couple of months ago but didn't have time to take it on the road. So anything to add to the Edmunds test drive guidelines: The Feel of the Wheel — How to Test-Drive a Car I don't have time to put miles on all of their vehicles, so which ones do you recommend? What would a TDI owner recommend as key technical or performance metrics to measure during the test drive? Does it make sense to tell the sales critter what I'd like to see and let him drive the car while I observe? Bob Wilson
When I went for my first test drive in an 06 TDI/DSG Jetta back in the day, the salesguy jumped in and took me to a vacant lot, stomped on the throttle got it up to 60mph then nailed the brakes before we went into a field all while he was talking to me about how nice the radio was. He then took me to a fresh pave road with no traffic and a lot of corners, switched seats with me an said have fun. I doubt all VW salesman are this way but if you can find one like that I'm sure your test will go well. As for which to drive I don't know I've only driven jetta sedans.
If you want a car to compare to the Prius, take a Golf. If you just want to sample the TDI powertrain, Jetta, Golf, or A3 are all more or less equal.
Around a month ago I took the "new" model 2010 VW Golf TDI Wagon Highline DSG and new model 2010 VW Golf TDI Wagon Comfortline 6 speed stick for a test drive The new Golf Wagon is very impressive with the interior space. The seats, especially in the Highline, are light years beyond anything offered in Toyota trim The DSG lurched and bucked in slow city driving, I found it a major PITA to drive. Combined with the abysmal reliability associated with the DSG, the potential for extremely high maintenance and eventual repair bills, I'd pass on the DSG altogether The 6 speed stick is perfectly matched to the TDI motor. I learned to drive on a stick, and had no trouble with the 6 speed. That would be the transmission of choice if I got a VW TDI I liked the suspension in the Highline, it seemed to soak up the gawd-awful Winnipeg streets way better than my Prius ever did If I chose to order a 2010 VW New Golf Wagon, it would be in Highline with 6 speed stick.
I've read good and bad things about the DSG. I do enjoy the CVT (for lack of a better term) in the Prius. After driving with that type of tranny, you really don't ever want to go back to a multi speed automatic that bogs down just when you need a little ooomph.
I really like the idea of letting the sales critter handle the performance part. If he breaks it, I'll be a lot happier and it makes explaining the accelerometer a lot easier. Since he should have more knowledge about the vehicle limits, let the 'expert' do the heavy lifting. Bob Wilson
The DSG is apparently a Borg Warner design, and it uses a wet clutch. For industrial use, wet clutch and wet brake systems are well understood, with decades of development behind them Friction modifiers are required to ensure the friction material doesn't slip, chatter, etc. Routine maintenance is crucial. All that shrunk down to the DSG used by VW, well, the reliability reports have been pretty bad In many cases, VW is replacing entire DSG transmissions. The most obvious wear item, the wet clutch, really isn't a separately serviced item at dealerships, they want to replace the entire unit That said, I really enjoyed driving the VW New Golf Wagon tdi with the 6 speed stick
I would get a stick too. The DSG is nice but it is an advanced system that is complex and dealers dont rebuild them. Which isnt uncommon though, dealers dont fix stuff they replace it. My mom had the flywhel shatter in her 06 TDI/DSG and in turn it got an entire new transmission. Fortuneately it was under warrenty. Our VW dealership also has ridiculous labor rates, o wait but you get free carwashes and they pay for your cab rides. I say just lower the rate.
Just seems to me, the wet clutch is the most obvious wear item, much like a Powershift used in a backhole or front end loader. Why this obvious wear item isn't designed to be replaced with ease is beyond me For industrial powershift equipment, the servicing interval and quality of oil is very important. Otherwise, not only can you get glazing/wear of the clutch packs, but also heavy deposits as well. I've had very good luck with this product http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENCVLESHydraul.pdf The Hydraul Extra one.
I test drove a TDI Jetta with DSG. It was noisy. Also, the transmission was unpleasant. There is a massive perceived lag from the the time you hit the accelerator from a stop until the thing actually starts moving. I don't know why people are raving about this transmission - it's worse than a slush box. I wish I tried a manual transmission version, but they had none.
What I didn't like was the herky-jerky sensation in very slow city crawling. Since the DSG uses a wet clutch system, you can expect rapid clutch wear under such driving I found the 6 speed manual very easy and pleasant to drive. I was raised on a stick, a farm truck, and despite not driving a stick shift in over a decade, within a couple of blocks it was as if i never went away from one The 6 speed manual is a perfect choice for the TDI, due to the torque of the motor.
Is that sensation when driving it as an automatic? I've read the shifting is smoother when doing it manually.
I drove an Audi A3 TDI and the Jetta Sportwagen, both automatic. Even with the same engine, the Audi was a much nicer drive, and much nicer interior (as you would expect.) I really noticed the acceleration lag in the jetta but not at all in the audi.
The DSG is not a conventional automatic with a torque converter and shifting solenoids. The DSG is an "automated manual" transmission, with a wet clutch system electronically controlled Completely different from an automatic transmission I noticed no difference in Manual mode
The stick-shift Golf/Jetta diesel gets pretty good gas mileage (still not nearly as good as a Prius). But if you don't like stick-shifting, the Prius is the only choice for good gas mileage. The Prius has more room too
Better fuel economy for sure, but the Jetta Sportwagen has more room than the Prius.... The VW DSG does take a little getting used to - that half second or so of hesitation from a dead stop while it engages the clutch can be a little surprising if you're not expecting it.
ALso, in cold winter because the DSG is a wet clutch, when you start it up the car will jerk back and forth a few inches. This is because the fluid is so viscous
All more reasons to get the 6-speed manual Great transmission and with new ratios for the 2010 Golf (not too sure what the 2010 Jetta has), an excellent match for the engine.
