Prius or Jetta TDI

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

This is true of non-hybrid gassers as well.

It isn't just the wind resistance and the greater engine heat loss. For gas engines, it is also the lower density fuel blend, and the greater part-throttle air pumping loss, sucking all that intake manifold vacuum past the throttle plate.

And colder bearings and tires.

Tom

[seftonm]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

I'm still waiting for some longterm mileage calcs rather than individual tanks. This is a common theme in the TDI threads.

Hi Shawn, here's one of the more thorough long term graphs that I've seen:



With the 2.0 TDI CR only having been out for a year or so, long term results may be hard to come by. I know that a lot of TDI owners log their mileage at fuelly.com, if you spent some time perusing the data there, I'm sure you would find what you've been waiting for. The 2009's and 2010's are what you would be interested in, anything older is not the North American 2.0 TDI CR.

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by seftonm

Hi Shawn, here's one of the more thorough long term graphs that I've seen:



With the 2.0 TDI CR only having been out for a year or so, long term results may be hard to come by. I know that a lot of TDI owners log their mileage at fuelly.com, if you spent some time perusing the data there, I'm sure you would find what you've been waiting for. The 2009's and 2010's are what you would be interested in, anything older is not the North American 2.0 TDI CR.

I was more pointing to the problem of Northernliving making various anecdotal claims, without supplying his average mpg. It's been a recurring theme in TDI discussions.

However, I did make a quick stab at the fuelly numbers, averaging the 29 diesel 2010 Jetta sedans (not the wagons or the "estates?") that I came across. The average was 39.4 mpg. That's about what I expected in terms of averages and the histogram.

For comparison's sake: our 2008 Prius' lifetime average is at 49.0 mpg calculated after 36 tanks. Summer/Fall/Winter last year was a learning curve, but we're averaging 51.0 mpg from spring until now. Colder weather and long interstate trips have brought the last two tanks below 50 and I expect it to remain in the mid to high 40's until March. Note: all of my tanks have been 10% ethanol fills unfortunately.

[seftonm]

Estate is European terminology for a wagon. Anecdotal claims are commonplace, I see the same from Prius owners on tdiclub. Most people probably aren't as thorough as some of us and don't have a log of their lifetime fuel consumption, hence only providing memorable (either good or bad) results or numbers from their last tank. Personally, I can tell you with good certainty what my best and worst tanks have been as well as my last tank, but don't know my lifetime average without looking at my signature.

I'm not too familiar with where you're from. What kind of weather do you see in fall and winter? We have ethanol here too, I think it's between 5 and 10%. Seems to be a way of life for most people now.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Northernliving

It’s just really fun to drive.

I test drove a 2010 Golf Wagon tdi with dsg, and a 2010 Golf hatch tdi with 6 speed stick. Yes, the driving dynamics are quite nice, decent enough ride quality thanks to 4 wheel independent suspension.

I wouldn't call the tdi a drag racer, but it will do alright in traffic.

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Cool weather cuts into the mpg. I’m really not sure if this is from the greater wind resistance from the denser air or if the engine runs less efficiently.

The VW tdi's sold here have block heaters, or can be equipped with them. That would help, so would a winter front but you'd have to be careful as the intercooler depends on outside air

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Rain makes a HUGE difference. I drove the same highway trip in dry weather at 54mpg, and in pouring rain (like 1+ in/hour) and got 44.

True of any vehicle. A decent tire will evacuate water underneath to prevent hydroplaning. However, it takes work to evacuate that water.

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Trunk space and driver space is terrific. I’m 6-2, and have plenty of room.

I really liked the 2010 Golf Wagon Highline I test drove. Very nice seats, lots of storage space in back

Originally Posted by Northernliving

- The passenger headrest obstructs my view when taking a left had turn from a stop.
- The headrest angle isn’t all that comfortable.

I'm 6'1 and didn't notice those issues

Originally Posted by Northernliving

The black seats and carpets are a drag. They show all the dirt and dist.

They probably will. I can only imagine if you have a dog or cat riding in the car all the time

Originally Posted by Northernliving

Comments at the diesel pump are comical.

I don't engage in conversation at the gas station. If somebody had started off with comments like that, I would have replied with a comment that rhymes with "duck shoe"

Originally Posted by Northernliving

- Oil change interval is nice (10k miles), but the required synthetic oil is expensive – like $8/qt.

The Prius also requires a synthetic 0W-20 oil with similar price, but you must change the oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles

Late this summer I secretly met with a VW Golf tdi owner in Winnipeg, at a gas station parking lot, and it looked like we were dealing in contraband substances. Actually, it was to sell him a 4 litre jug of Esso XD-3 0W-40, I use the same oil as a winter oil in the equipment at my hobby farm

http://www.esso.ca/Canada-English/Fi...Xd-3_extra.pdf

Although it doesn't meet the exact VW spec, owners who have performed used oil analysis claim it works *better* than the dealership oil. I can get a 4x4 (A case of 4 jugs, each jug 4 litres) at $88

I also wouldn't be afraid of using Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40

But it costs a lot more. The Cummins HD oil spec, eg 20081, is appropriate as the common rail technology is very similar to the tdi

I'm still giving serious consideration to a 2010 VW Golf wagon tdi, but would prefer a 6 speed stick. There are enough reports of problems with the DSG that I would avoid it

[jayman]

Originally Posted by seftonm

We have ethanol here too, I think it's between 5 and 10%. Seems to be a way of life for most people now.

In Manitoba, unleaded gasoline for road use requires 10% ethanol for 87 octane, and 5% for 89 octane. Premium gasoline does not require ethanol in Manitoba

Though the 94 octane premium from Husky/Mohawk does contain ethanol