Did you consider a Jetta TDI before going Prius?

[accordingly]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Nope. Rear seat is tight and it's made in Mexico. Fit and finish is good though and feels upscale.

Moonroof for $1,000. The Prius' Moonroof is $1,800 and includes solar panels, SP ventilation system and remote A/C (the other $1,800 is for the navigation system). How much is the nav in the Jetta? Oh right... you can't get one.

That's not true. You can get navigation on any TDI for $1900. You aren't forced to get it with the sunroof either. It requires update DVDs and is probably terrible just like the Prius but you can have it if you feel it's worth the money to not have to deal with a Garmin.

The TDIs are also all leather, so you don't have to spend $2800 more. You're definitely getting way more for your money in the VW as far as fit and finish, but you're risking reliability.

[MarkM09]

Originally Posted by DrOfWaves

A Jetta Wagon was on my short list. The big negative was rear seat legroom for soon to be teenagers in addition to VW reliability from previous Golf experience.

I ended up ordering a Gen III Prius.

I sure like the TDI however....

If legroom in the Jetta isn't enough you I hope you've already tried a 10 Prius because it's smaller than the Gen II in back. Edmunds.com shows the difference between the Jetta and 10 Prius is only .5 of an inch (35.5 vs 36). Gen II was listed as 38in on legroom.

[Hozz]

After owning a VW diesel I wouldn't consider another. I also don't know of a diesel station that doesn't charge at least 20 to 50 cents more per gallon for diesel in California. Hozz

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? I've thought about it myself.

The good and the bad I've come up with are:

Good
Price is cheaper for equivalent options and you get a $1300 tax credit
Mileage is close (consumer reports says 33-48 the epa says 29-40)
Diesel is now cheaper than gas (20 cents difference right now)
You can get a sunroof for $1000 vs $3600
More sporty handling and acceleration
Free maintenance for 3 years (Yah I know the Prius probably won't need any)
No batteries to ever worry about (again, yah I know they've lasted many miles in cabs and such but hybrids are new to me)

Bad
VW reliability as far as electrical equipment
? Can't think of anything else?

Basically it looks like I could get a TDI for $2500-3000 less than a Prius II and have leather and a sunroof. The reliability questions are the only things holding me back.

[hyo silver]

Originally Posted by accordingly

...You're definitely getting way more for your money in the VW as far as fit and finish, but you're risking reliability.

Risk is taking a chance when you don't know what the outcome will be. With VW, you know the reliability is poor. Fit and finish is only one aspect of many to consider when buying a car. The long-term total cost of ownership is a much better measure, and on that score, the VW fails miserably, especially compared to a Prius.

[bwilson4web]

Thanks to our VW advocates who have so carefully considered and responded to our comments, I've changed my mind about the Jetta TDI:

Sometimes you just have to "burn the witch."

It does look pretty in the right location:


So many Jetta TDIs, so little time:


So how long does this thread go on before it moves to Fred's?

Bob Wilson

[MarkM09]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Thanks to our VW advocates who have so carefully considered and responded to our comments, I've changed my mind about the Jetta TDI:

Sometimes you just have to "burn the witch."

It does look pretty in the right location:


So many Jetta TDIs, so little time:


So how long does this thread go on before it moves to Fred's?

Bob Wilson

You know I think everyone expects a little bias here but you have quite a level of contempt going on there. Where you kidnapped by hippies in a VW bus back the day? Was your favorite uncle ran over by a VW Thing?

You should update your little chart to make all your points correct. At the very least I think you've tied if not beaten them for point 10 for obvious troll and lack of respect for a legitimate discussion.

Not one person has said they intend to buy a TDI over the Prius so you're trying to insult "advocates" that aren't here. We've seen some good points and consideration given to a competing product that so far everyone seems to find lacking mostly due to reliability.

Based on your comments in a friendly discussion I imagine you would get a "warm" welcome when posting around VW owners.

[marduk]

Originally Posted by MarkM09

You know I think everyone expects a little bias here but you have quite a level of contempt going on there. Where you kidnapped by hippies in a VW bus back the day? Was your favorite uncle ran over by a VW Thing?

You should update your little chart to make all your points correct. At the very least I think you've tied if not beaten them for point 10 for obvious troll and lack of respect for a legitimate discussion.

Not one person has said they intend to buy a TDI over the Prius so you're trying to insult "advocates" that aren't here. We've seen some good points and consideration given to a competing product that so far everyone seems to find lacking mostly due to reliability.

Based on your comments in a friendly discussion I imagine you would get a "warm" welcome when posting around VW owners.

Hehe... flaming posts aside, VWs are more entertaining vehicle to drive than a typical Toyota. I've owned Camry, Audi A4, VW Passat, Accord, Infiniti, Acura. The VW/Audi are just more fun to drive. If you are not planning on making a long term investment, a Jetta TDI isn't a bad way to go. I think there are good rates these days and also state tax credit (at least here in Oregon.)

I am looking at a 2010 Prius because I am interested in a highly efficient hatchback with good reliablity.

[wacko999]

Why would anyone consider a VW over a Toyota? The only car that has a worse reliability rating to VW is Land Rover.

[sluday]

The only alternative to the Prius is the Honda Insight. Honda reliability, as is Toyota's, is legendary. I think that VW's reliability is poor also because of the demographics the company sells to. Mostly baby boomers and high school or college kids who beat the hell out of there cars. Also the cars built in Mexico can't be good. The models that VW builds in Germany are much better built and get excellent reliability scores according to Consumer Reports.

[bwilson4web]

I was hoping you'd take a little ribbing:

Originally Posted by MarkM09

. . .
Based on your comments in a friendly discussion I imagine you would get a "warm" welcome when posting around VW owners.

I only go to VW advocacy sites when they crank up their faux "Jetta vs Prius" tests. Even then, it has to be pretty overt, over the top, like "GreenHuman." Frankly, I really don't care what VW advocates think and wish them good luck in their forums. In fact, Jetta TDI advocates appear to share an ego problem that makes them unsuitable to be Prius owners:


As shown in this You Tube video, we consistently find the Jetta TDI advocates hold up 'performance' as a critical test element ... like the ability to waste their tires by spinning them on the pavement. This 'You Tube' video goes on to compare a manual TDI to an automatic Prius and disabled traction control in one test and enabled it on another. This is not comparing an automatic Prius and Jetta TDI and keeping a safety feature, traction control on through all runs. They are simply following an all too familar pattern seen in Jetta TDI advocacy.

We find Jetta TDI advocates follow the Edmunds faux testing; the "Top Gear USA" transplant of a Jetta TDI into a Rabbit body for 7 x 7 x 7 and; the Guinness 'World Record'; which all reveal how easily Jetta advocates are willing to sandbag their 'tests' ... to mislead. The lack of honesty in Jetta TDI advocacy is pretty much an accepted fact and makes them unworthy of owning a Prius.

Originally Posted by MarkM09

. . . If legroom in the Jetta isn't enough you I hope you've already tried a 10 Prius because it's smaller than the Gen II in back. Edmunds.com shows the difference between the Jetta and 10 Prius is only .5 of an inch (35.5 vs 36). Gen II was listed as 38in on legroom.

I don't mind a little "pride with my ride" but ".5 of an inch" is a difference without a distinction. That the source was Edmunds, what has become a notorious, Prius hostile site, well that just compounds the problem.

So if you don't like a good natured jab in the ribs, a little fun at the Jetta TDI expense, take a deep breath and ask yourself:

• Whose home am I in?
• What forum is this about?
• Are Prius people really that dumb?

Seriously, take a deep breath, enjoy the ribbing, and step back from your pride in your ride.

No doubt, a manual transmission Jetta TDI is a wonderful vehicle whose mileage makes it fine competition for the Honda Insight. Edmunds likes the Insight handling so there is the race ... for second place.

Bob Wilson