Did you consider a Jetta TDI before going Prius?

[Bica2go]

We considered the Jetta TDI briefly before knocking it off our list. The two main reasons were seat comfort and reliability. Friends own one and enjoy driving it, but said the seats are horrible and its in the shop quite a bit. We need a car that's comfortable for a 10 hr drive twice a year and 3hr drives 4-6x a year. It's amazing to me how many cars really lose it on this simple criteria and we're just average sized folks. We passed on the '09 Prius because of the seats. I'm hoping that the new and improved seats in the '10 make the car a winner all around for reliability and comfort - not to mention a sweet spot in price as it wasn't the most expensive car we considered and nor the least expensive and it gets excellent mileage to boot!

[SageBrush]

I considered a TDI before I bought my Prius, but nixed the idea pretty quickly for the reasons also mentioned above:

• Reliability
• Smog
• City MPG

Less important to me but also negatives I thought about were engine noise and diesel smell. Lastly, and the only non-practical consideration, I find the hybrid technology interesting.

[Blauer Glimmer]

Originally Posted by patsparks

I just checked Toyota's Australian web site and I couldn't find a "Jetta" anywhere. Is the Toyota Jetta only available in the USA?

There's no Toyota Jetta anywhere... It's a VW, so it won't be on your "to buy" list.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by MarkM09

I know there are a few old threads but anyone consider getting an 09 Jetta TDI instead of a 10 Prius?

<GROAN> Again?

Ranking	Characteristic	Prius 2010	Prius 2009	Jetta TDI	Source
1	MSRP: automatic, spoiler	$22,000	$22,000	$23,699	Toyota and Volkswagen web sites (AMT tax rate)
2	EPA mileage combined	50 MPG	46 MPG	33 MPG	USA EPA, automatic Prius and automatic Jetta TDI
3	EPA vehicle class	sedan	sedan	small car	USA EPA vehicle class
4	Front tires lose traction	safe	safe	dangerous	"Jetta versus Prius" at 1:50, You Tube video
5	Engine stress, mechanical	8.5	8.5	20.0	Compression stroke, Atkinson vs Diesel
6	Engineering innovation	highest	high	least	Patents per model and technical innovation
7	Consumer Reports: satisfaction	93% *	93%	73% **	*-copied from 2009, **-copied from Rabbit, highest VW
8	Noise	lowest	low	highest	Engine derating, insulation, and engine off operation
9	Misleading claims	none	none	worst	2008 Guinness record; Top Gear; Edmunds; TDI advocates
10	Forum respect, not trolling	best	limited	worst	Prius owners seem to only visit 'Prius vs Jetta' forums and leave; Jetta TDI advocates show up at in PriusChat asking to have their buttocks handed to them

Bob Wilson

[sluday]

Originally Posted by Steve Cebu

Yes my wife and I did consider the Sportwagen TDI but VW's are very unreliable. I know as I've owned a few of them and when the dealer said the timing belt had to be changed at 60,000 miles that was too low for such a big service. VW maintainance is very expensive!

VW started free maintainance for 3 year 36,000 miles on the 09 models. But in the process the lowered the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty term on pre 09 models. After 36,000 you are on your own and the expensive service starts at 40,000 miles and then again at 60,000 miles. This is great if you lease but for long term ownership, it will get expensive.

[Steve Cebu]

Originally Posted by sluday

VW started free maintainance for 3 year 36,000 miles on the 09 models. But in the process the lowered the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty term on pre 09 models. After 36,000 you are on your own and the expensive service starts at 40,000 miles and then again at 60,000 miles. This is great if you lease but for long term ownership, it will get expensive.

A friend of mine bought a Hyundai waaaay back when they had that 10 year warranty. I thought ok, maybe it will be ok. I called up the Service dept instead of the sales dept and told them I had a problem with my (fictional car of the model I wanted to buy) They said they were jammed up and it would take 3 weeks to even look at the car and said I should try another dealer.

On topic? Yes because no matter how good the warranty is if the car is always in the shop being fixed it's not doing you much good. I won't recount the numerous problems my family, friends and I have had with VW service over the years.
Many VW fans will even tell you to keep the vehicle far from a VW dealership service dept.
I'm a big diesel fan but not a VW fan. Toyota makes some great diesels. I know since I've owned them when I lived overseas.

I think the Prius will be a superior car to the VW diesel which is why I'm buying it.

[damack1]

I started considering the Jetta TDI wagon when it won the Green Car of the Year award. However, my local dealership doesn't have any, doesn't know when they will have some, and never answers my emails.

Judging from past experience and with absolutely no expertise to back me up, I expect the price of diesel to be higher than the cost of regular gas over the long term. Plus, the idea of gassing up at the diesel pumps is a little off-putting to me (as a woman).

Finally, since my top priorities are environmental ones (mpg and emissions) the Prius is definitely the top choice for me.

[hyo silver]

I drove a Passat wagon just for fun and really liked the handling. But VW's legendary UNreliability, and the fact the TDI's a diseasel, would keep me from ever giving it serious thought.

[marduk]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

I drove a Passat wagon just for fun and really liked the handling. But VW's legendary UNreliability, and the fact the TDI's a diseasel, would keep me from ever giving it serious thought.

The disesal technology has improve significantly over the years. I personally would not consider the Jetta because of the maintenance cost a VW.

I drove my VW Passat sedan for the last 9 years, and I am looking at a 2010 prius. It had great handling, clean interior, > 30 mpg (I did mostly highway driving), and I could fit my full size mattress into the car with the rear seats folded and trunk closed!

The passat was solid until it just ticked over 60K. Vacuum leaks, oil leaks, MCU, ignition coils, temperature senor... $$$. I go to a local VW shop which saves on labor vs. the dealer, but the German VW/Audi parts are just expensive.

You may save on the upfront service charge for the first three years, but you will pay for it later.

[dbacksfan]

I considered the Jetta TDI wagon very seriously. I liked the added utility and performance of the wagon. But after doing research, it seemed that is a vehicle that requires more attention to maintenance than I'm willing to commit.

I was also concerned with the price and availability of diesel fuel. The gas stations I frequent (primarily Costco) don't carry diesel fuel. And in Phoenix, diesel was much higher than premium.

When I researched the 2010 Prius and found PC, the contest was over.