Prius or Jetta TDI

Folks who come asking about their Prius problems often find helpful advice and insights. But "I am done!" suggests this is your first and last posting. It sounds like you have a plan but you may want to repeat this post over at:

Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community​

Instead of waiting until leaving a vehicle community for your first posting, start your TDI experience with them. That way you'll be able to get helpful, timely advice about your next vehicle.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

I'm curious where there are reliable stats that support you claims that VW's are "incredibly reliable" in other parts of the world. For example, I don't see VW being even in the top 10 at Top brands in Germany's 2008 ADAC car reliability survey - (Audi, Subaru) - SAMAR. In the recent past, Japanese brands have topped this survey.

I don't know how trustworthy these UK stats at Reliability Index :: how reliable is your car? are but VW certainly is inferior to Toyota, Honda and Nissan there. Same goes for Honda Civic is the UK most reliable car, survey reveals. I find BMW doing well there very questionable. UK Toyotas and Hondas did well in this older survey: UK-built Toyota 'most reliable car' - Channel 4 News.

 

Good luck with that, keep us posted please.

 

Unnecessary.

 

The OP needed a competent dealer mechanic, not a different model car. In a few years it will be difficult to find someone who has experience working on a TDI and difficult to get parts for one.

 

wellcraft192 - good luck with your plan... I can offer my first hand experience with both my 08 pkg 6 Prius and 09 Jetta TDI.. Have both in my household and drive both vehicles.... Both good cars with many good features.. Many more positives with each versus negative impressions regarding performance and features.... Feel free to private message me to ask any questions.. Cheers!!!

 

In South America, most notable, Brazil, they are way more reliable than Toyotas, which actually struggles there trying to get a decent share of market. I don't have time to prove you that, so, if you want a confirmation, do it yourself!

 

Hi rskeet,

I'm just curious... have you ever recorded hwy-only MPG in your 09 Jetta TDI? During my 3 test drives (Jetta TDI and 2010 Prius) I got higher MPG in the hwy in the Prius vs. the Jetta, but the conditions were always better with the Prius, so I have a sense that the Jetta do better than I think. My 2010 Prius got a huge MPG hit (from 62-66 to 46-50 MPG) after I changed to a 100%-hwy commute. Part of the hit is just colder temperatures and perhaps, winter blend of gasoline (more ethanol on it), but I believe most of the MPG hit was due to the fact that the 2010 Prius get really huge MPG hits on anything faster than 70 MPH. I usually cruise on speeds around 75-80 MPH by the way… Thoughts?

 

Hi Indyking, this post may be of interest to you: TDIClub Forums - View Single Post - 2009 TDI Jetta SW, 3194 mile road trip, 55.1 MPG. All highway.

wellcraft192, I just realized that you (or anyone else considering a new Jetta TDI) should look at the Golf too. Prices are about the same, but the Golf is a much newer design with better refinement and more interior space.

 

Well, I have to admit that I'm seriously considering a 2010 VW Golf Wagon Highline. I have test drove the 2010 Prius and, if anything, it underwhelms me even more than my '04 did. Plus, being the first new model year, I'm probably better off waiting a year

The New Golf has much better ride quality, as it has 4 wheel independent suspension. Much better handling, even in "normal" driving

The interior is where the biggest difference is. Why are the seats in my FJ better than the new Prius? For that matter, why are the seats in the 2010 Golf Wagon light years beyond the Prius?

I test-drove both the DSG "automated manual" and 6 speed stick version of the 2010 Golf tdi. Overall, I prefer the stick, but I learned to drive on a stick anyway. The DSG still has enough problem issues that I don't need to worry about it

Top of the line 2010 VW Golf Wagon Highline, which has leather, sunroof, nice stereo, etc, around $31,000 Cdn but the dealer is willing to move. This is within $1,500 of a similarly equipped Prius

Are there reliability issues? Depends on who you talk to. I think the biggest problem with VW is the same one found with Toyota: dealerships. If you have a good dealership, thank your lucky stars and cling to them.

If you have a bad dealership, you're screwed. For example, VW dealers who use incorrect motor oil in the tdi motor. Sounds shocking, but we already have reports of what a cluster f*** the 2010 Prius 0W-20 requirement has turned out to be

I don't mind working on my vehicles. At least I know I will use the correct oil. Since the new 2010 Golf tdi has common rail technology very similar to the new Cummins ISX, I'd just use Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40.

A neighbor of mine commutes daily into Winnipeg with his 2003 Jetta tdi. Over 300,000 km, has had 3 timing belts replaced so far, but otherwise nothing has gone wrong. So unless he has the only tdi out there that was correctly assembled, that may be a good sign

In the end, I may not even get a second vehicle. I no longer commute. I just would like something far more comfy for extended highway drives when I'm on vacation or visiting. An hour in a Prius or 1.5 hours in an FJ, is my limit now before my back and legs complain

 

But the Golf TDI is not available in the US, is it?

 

Thanks TP, I'm happy be here and to try to pitch in where there may be some confusion. Unfortunately, some members haven't been welcoming because of past history with TDI owners here, so I devised the signature to try to explain my intentions.

 

It is, just became available again for the 2010 model year after something like a 5-year hiatus. It's available in 3-door, 5-door, and wagon form, although the wagon is much more closely related to the Jetta than the rest of the Golfs are.

 

The regulars here know who you are and appreciate your input.

 

I spent an hour in a base model 2010 Prius. Overall, I found it no more comfy than the '04 I used to have. I don't like the center console, it was handy to be able to scoot across the front to exit the passenger door, in my garage

I spent an hour with a 2010 Golf Wagon Comfortline TDI DSG, and several hours with a 2010 Golf Wagon Highline TDI stick shift. Both also have the center console, but they need it for the shifter.

Both had great seats, I liked the leather in the Highline a bit better. Both had tilt/telescope steering wheels, and about time the Prius offered the same steering wheel

For me, a second vehicle would be a luxury I probably don't need. I'm presently driving around 40 km a week, or a couple of trips a week for groceries, etc.

In that context, it doesn't matter if I drive a FJ or a Prius or a Golf Wagon. Though I did almost run over seftonm that time, when he was on his bicycle. Darn FJ glaring blind spots!

Seftonm, I hope I didn't scare you too much. It really wasn't on purpose.

 

Hello indyking: Yes, I have calculated my highway mpg.. Most of my travel is highway approx. 80 miles/day.. With the 2.0 liter diesel turbo charged engine, I get on average 47 to 48mpg.. In the city, it drops down to approx 38-40mpg.. My overall city/highway mpg is approx 44.5.. This based on my multifuction display readout.. When compared to my 2008 Prius pkg 6, it is comparable in the mpg range.. My Prius gets an average city highway of approx. 48mpg... On individual trips I can get higher mileage in the Prius and also can get over 50mpg with the Jetta.. However, I tend to look at the combined performance as the more realistic numbers.. I will say this however, the Jetta impressed me on a recent vacation trip from Massachusettes back to Pennsylvania.. I traveled approx 530miles with the Jetta on 3/4 of a tank of diesel fuel.. The Jetta has a 14.5 gal tank and has an estimated range of approx 630+miles on a tank for pure highway driving. When comparing this to the Prius, the travel range for the Jetta is better. I have taken the Prius on the same trip (MA to PA) and max range I got was about 450miles per tank.. The problem with the Prius I find is that it has the bladder gas tank and the guess gauge(aka gas guage) is not linear. Like clockwork, I find that I travel approx 200 miles and I am down 5 pips (half tank) on the fuel guage... After now having both brands of car, I find the Jetta to more comfortable and better handling than my 08 Prius. However, reading the post for the Gen III, it looks like some creature comforts have been added and or improved in the new models..As I said in my post above, I like both cars... Doing my part for the environment and my wallet.... Best

 

Haha no worries, you're not that scary of a guy and weren't part of the unwelcoming committee that I encountered. In my excitement of finding cheap oil, I must have missed the part where you almost ran me over.