Did you consider a Jetta TDI before going Prius?

I have not made up my mind yet! As many noticed, the Jetta TDI is a clear winner in my opinion but I'm still skeptical about maintenance and reliability. The other features are no brainers really. I will be driving this car a lot so I need to be absolutely sure about maintenance and reliability in both before I commit to buy anything. The information gathered so far is still confusing and controversial. Too many people with bad experiences in both brands, more so with VW cars, that's true, but most people with maintenance and reliability problems with VWs are talking about old models, not the one I’m interested in, the 09 Jetta TDI. Recent TDI owners all seem to agree they have no longer the old issues and the maintenance is actually not as expensive as I originally thought but I’m not totally sold yet!

So, I'm glad I have no committed to buy anything yet...

 

Many noticed? Who? Where?

What makes you so clear that Jetta TDI is a cleaner, greener and safer car? I hope you are not basing on the flawed PM article you provided.

Regarding driving experiences, it does not look like you are the type that can appreciate the quiet and smooth acceleration. With that assumption, I think Jetta TDI is a better choice for you.

 

IMO the Jetta has better materials overall than the Prius. I would research and keep an eye on the direct injection system. VW/Audi has had issues with high pressure DI on their gas engines, especially the 2.0T. It's too early to tell if the TDI will have any DI issues, but these systems are inherently very sensitive to fuel quality which can still be a problem with US diesel fuel. In biodiesel circles, they don't like this engine as much as the older VW diesels because due to it's sensitive nature and the touchiness of the post-combustion particulate filter cleaning process, it won't run on bio-fuel beyond B5.

I like them. Buy it if you like the service dept at your dealer (VW is notorious for irritating service experiences). Watch the warranty period as VW recently cut it from 4/50 to 3/36. Not sure I'd want to own techology like this out of warranty. They may be improving but for 2008 models they are the lowest rated brand in mechanical quality.

Ratings | J.D. Power

Good luck.

 

Maybe you can start by reading these reliable sources bellow... you sounded a lot more knowladgable than the others here... somewhat disapointed :-(

Note which was is the first choice by Edmunds although they are comparing with the 2009 model, but regardless, they really say the Jetta is a no brainer!

Is that enough mate?

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Review

2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comparison Test.*

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews by Cars.com Experts and Consumers

 

Different Strokes for different folk, but you saw the reaction to the half truths of what you stated. as stated above there is no question about the reality of the prius (HSD) have been driven over 300k (by taxi drives in san fran no less). I've driven the new TDI it was good. State the truth. I will tell you I wish the Prius was faster, but it's not going to sway my purchase. I don't think anyone was acting too childish. If you want the TDI then get it. Don't entice a discussing stating myths. If I said of the TDI has to have a urea container refilled every 10k. Lies don't bring discussion, it starts a flame war.

 

Thanks for the reply. I know tone can come across differently than intended. I am biased because I had an Audi A4 from 1997-2002, had a lot of electrical problems, then got a Scion Tc which has been totally reliable. Now I am considering a Prius.

Roy

 

Who can I trust? Not you. You claim to own a Prius in your profile then you say in this post you don't.
Look to the left folks!

 

the cust sat ratings for the prius (93%) and the jetta (73??%) at CR are telling.

since the jetta and the prius are in my opinion different cars for different segments, a head to head comparison seems silly. of course the jetta goes vroom and is "funnier" as you said.

so lets ask people who already selected the car for them - the current owners of the prius and the jetta

when asked, 27% more people are satisfied with their prius than are satisfied with their jetta. equation = (93-73)/73. that is huge and tells me a lot. Cincidentally, 27% of Jetta owners (100 - 73) are UNSATISFIED with their jetta, while only 7% of prius owners are unsatisfied.

 

Yes great post. Thanks too for your service. This is the key reason for me as well. Lots of the same feelings here in the Norfolk area.

 

No problem Bob, by the time the TDI guy is done 'burning rubber', you'll be well on your way to the end of the 1/4 mile track in your Prius.

 

I can agree with that. I NEVER want to drive anything that doesn't have SKS, the planetary gear transmission (no cone and belt for me!) and a joystick shifter you always push the same way to get to each desired 'gear' with the same motion no matter what 'gear' it is in, 'gauges' at the windshield/dash line instead of hidden behind the wheel, etc.

Now, make it a 30-40 mile EV PHEV!

 

Edmunds is bias against Prius. If you have not noticed, Prius loose to any car they compare against. Note the MPG they got with the Jetta TDI.

They used $29k Touring Edition against Jetta TDI. They penalized Prius for costing more and handling. You know 2010 Prius starts at $22k and handling has been improved, even over touring edition.

You ought to re-examine the "no brainer" conclusion.

 

I realize I caused to much disturbance in this forum with my comments and facts comparing the new prius and the jetta. I do apologize for my wilder comments. It was certainly not my intention to cause such negative reactions, I was just looking for good information from people who enjoy the new prius, and some of you had very good points and valuable information. I took the same approach in a jetta tdi forum and finally realized that VW owners in this country are distinct. VW people are usually passionate car enthusiastivcs who enjoy solid cars with great performance combined with good fuel efficiency. They are not distracted by technologic gadgets or marketing strategies, neither are they looking for something that just take them from A to B in the cheapest way as possible. Most of them are hands-on when it comes to maintenance because first they love it and finally they don’t trust VW service in the US. That justify their behavior with me, which barely got disturbing, but instead, many of them were rather polite to suggest me that a prius may be a better choice for my needs because I appear to be the ordinary car owner. Very interesting. The ordinary car owner in this country will rarely consider a VW anyway, because they don’t know how to live the culture. Interestingly enough, VW has now became the number 1 car selling brand of the world ahead of number 2 Toyota because the later rely too much in US sales, which has plunged because of the economic crisis. Anywhere bellow the US towards south America an the whole Europe will tell you that Toyota cannot compete with the quality of VWs. That’s one of the reasons that caused the VWs owners to be so distinct and live their passion. Like many VW gurus said in their forum, poor reliability of VWs in this country come from ordinary car owners buying VWs not knowing what it takes to be successful with their new choice. It’s that simple.

I’ll try to stop keeping posting here as I feel no longer welcomed, but I will for sure let you all know what I decided to order and why. It should happen sometime in June.

All the best to you all !

 

There is no need for sour grapes. taking digs at this community will not sway anyone to treating you better. Stop with the half truths and myths. Maybe the people in this forum want technology! I believe that I should get something more than what my grandfather had in 1950. Different Strokes for different folks. its obvious that you want something that the Prius can't offer. Just like I want something the Jetta TDI can't offer. But it is absolutely absurd to acknowledge sub par quality (in service and other wise) and just write it off. OH people like to do it themselves? some sure, but not everyone wants to do that. I sure don't after I plunk down 20k+. The only thing I should be doing is oil changes myself at most.

I've owned a Jetta TDI (for a month and a half... thank god for NJ lemon laws) and it was THE WORSE NIGHTMARE OF MY LIFE! I almost lost my job because of it, but I decided to give the new Jetta TDI a look because it is all new. I looked at it with a level head and test drove it and decided it wasnt really for me http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...ove-every-hybrid-car-heres-my-thoughts-3.html
Everything positive you said, I said (that was true). Handling is impeccable, so was the ride. Hope you are happy with whatever you choose.

 

Indyking,

You are starting to sound like you work for VW marketing attempting to sway some traffic/attention away from Prius to Diesel.

BTW, good attempt.

 

I'm a newbie who would like to thank all those who spent the time and effort contributing to this thread. While a Jetti TDI was not on my list of potential new cars, I still found good information in the various posts. Thanks everyone!

I thought that as well until I read through the corresponding thread in the TDI forum (sorry, I can't post the link but search for Indyking on TDIclub.com). It seemed to me that many of the VW posts related to the Gen II Prius (or were just plain wrong), which may have contributed to some genuine confusion.

The comparison of the cars aside, one thing on the VW thread that stood out to me was that VW service is really bad--and I did not see where any VW posters disagreed!!!! Apparently a VW dealer cannot be trusted to even use the correct oil during an oil change (and adding to the cost of future maintenance?). So it seems that a TDI owner should have access to a guru and/or be able to do DIY work. While I prefer to do my own oil changes, if the "check engine" light comes on I expect the dealer to be able to diagnose and correctly fix the problem. But maybe that's just me!

Anyway, I hope Indyking appreciated the opinions and facts about the Prius. I certainly did. I also hope that he makes the right choice for himself. For me, I think I will be happy with my new Prius.

 

See below thread for further discussion:
http://priuschat.com/forums/2010-toyota-prius/62357-hwy-mpg-2010-prius-please-help-6.html

 

Yes, you are correct. I had actually melded the two threads together in my mind.

Thanks.

 

Don't mean to reopen this can of worms , but just thought this was interesting....

Boston Volkswagen Blog: 2009 Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Breaks Guinness World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption Across 48 States

 

Sorry Indyking;

VW has to update their records to reflect the current truth. The record the Taylors set was shattered by almost 11 MPG a few months later under worse driving conditions. Too bad VW could not sit on the laurels for a bit longer.

Cheers;

MSantos