Any Prius newbies consider a VW TDI?

Bob Allen · 09-28-2006, 03:18 PM

Just curious: We are a dual household; my partner drives a Jetta TDI wagon. I've come up with my own understanding of the differences and relative advantages/disadvantages of both, but I'm curious to know if any of you considered a Jetta TDI, or other diesel, in your car buying process. If so, what led you to get a Prius instead of a (bio) diesel. It's easier to establish an environmental advantage of a Prius over a petro diesel car, but a diesel running on biodiesel is a closer call.
Bob
p.s. It's my belief that there is no "one" solution to the fuel/global warming crisis, so I'm not interested in trashing biodiesel (or hybrids, if that could ever happen on Priuschat); I'm interested in viewpoints on the crisis and how you explain your decision to buy a Prius.

Thanks,
Bob

Essayons · 09-28-2006, 03:35 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Sep 28 2006, 02:18 PM) [snapback]325183[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just curious: We are a dual household; my partner drives a Jetta TDI wagon. I've come up with my own understanding of the differences and relative advantages/disadvantages of both, but I'm curious to know if any of you considered a Jetta TDI, or other diesel, in your car buying process. If so, what led you to get a Prius instead of a (bio) diesel. It's easier to establish an environmental advantage of a Prius over a petro diesel car, but a diesel running on biodiesel is a closer call.
Bob
p.s. It's my belief that there is no "one" solution to the fuel/global warming crisis, so I'm not interested in trashing biodiesel (or hybrids, if that could ever happen on Priuschat); I'm interested in viewpoints on the crisis and how you explain your decision to buy a Prius.

Thanks,
Bob
[/b]

Hello, first post for a former lurker [smile]. I think the main problem with diesel is that you can get less of it from a barrel of oil than gasoline (19.4 for gas and 9.7 for Diesel) that means although you get better milage from diesel you will use more oil than a gas car. But on the other hand biodiesel would negate this, but I am not sure where to get biodiesel in Virginia.

As for the car itself: I like the way VWs drive (I drove a Golf when I lived in Germany) I don't like the reliabilty.

Shane · 09-28-2006, 03:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Sep 28 2006, 01:18 PM) [snapback]325183[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Just curious: We are a dual household; my partner drives a Jetta TDI wagon. I've come up with my own understanding of the differences and relative advantages/disadvantages of both, but I'm curious to know if any of you considered a Jetta TDI, or other diesel, in your car buying process. If so, what led you to get a Prius instead of a (bio) diesel. It's easier to establish an environmental advantage of a Prius over a petro diesel car, but a diesel running on biodiesel is a closer call.
Bob
p.s. It's my belief that there is no "one" solution to the fuel/global warming crisis, so I'm not interested in trashing biodiesel (or hybrids, if that could ever happen on Priuschat); I'm interested in viewpoints on the crisis and how you explain your decision to buy a Prius.

Thanks,
Bob
[/b]

My partner and I considered the Jetta TDI before we bought our 06 Magnetic Gray Pkg 6 last month. VWs don't have a very good rating according to consumer reports whereas Toyotas do. Also, my sales person stated that 06 is the last year that VW will be selling diesel engines for a few years due to cleaner technologies that are coming available. Driving a Prius says alot about the driver. The tax credit is a plus as well. Also, most comparable vehicles don't come with all of the perks like the Prius does (i.e. back-up camera, MFD, smart key, etc.)

Just my thoughts

jiw395 · 09-28-2006, 04:16 PM

I drove VW's tdi for years, and even fool around making bio-diesel and using it. I sold my jetta tdi 2001 right after the gas prices shot up and people got excited, and I made $2000 extra, over blue book, so it was a no brain-er. I got 50.9 mpg on trips so it was great.
The fact that diesel prices around here in the Midwest are around .40-.60 cents a gallon more also played into the decision, and don't forget the $3150 rebate, which tipped the scales.
I,m waiting for a hybrid diesel/electric, then I;ll rethink all of the above.
On another note, i always read/heard that there's more diesel per barrel and a lot less refining than compared to gasoline, easier and faster than gasoline to produce.....

Soylent · 09-28-2006, 04:18 PM

Well I don't have a partner (and I didn't know the Prius was such a queer car, but I guess it makes sense

), but the Jetta TDI is very dirty. I had worked for a VW dealer once, and TDI intakes get clogged in no time which seriously reduced performance and mileage. And they sound like semi-trucks.

B Rad · 09-28-2006, 05:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Sep 28 2006, 02:18 PM) [snapback]325183[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

how you explain your decision to buy a Prius.
Thanks,
Bob
[/b]

I have a 2000 VW Jetta VR-6, it is the best car I have ever owned. I planned to buy a new Jetta TDI but was not very happy with the new Jetta design but went ahead with a test drive anyway. I must say that it was very much a "German Ride"and that is very good, but I still could not warm up to the new body style. Then I started to see a few Prius on the road and did some reserch on this new drive-train. Then I rented a Prius for 3 days and was sold. I still have moments when I think about the TDI. I hase a much better interior and a little more get up and go. Am I happy with my Prius?, FORE SURE !!!! Would I have been happy with the TDI?, I THINK SO !! I do drive the Prius differently, and probably act more like an old man behind the wheel, but we all have to grow up sometime.
My advise----get a good looooong test drive in both and buy what you fall in love with.

sl7vk · 09-28-2006, 05:59 PM

I don't think I could by a Volkswagon given the state of their company at the moment.

edselpdx · 09-28-2006, 06:10 PM

Check also on the cost of routine maintenance... my Volvo used to cost me $600-700 every 15K miles for "routine maintenance", and I've heard that VW's are expensive to maintain as well.

BTW... What's B Rad doing with my old avatar??? Glad PriusChat's back up but things are definitely odd around here!

tripp · 09-28-2006, 06:22 PM

I was really thinking about going TDI and doing biodiesel (homebrewed biodiesel). Then I got honest with myself and admitted that I already have way too many hobbies and that I'd never have time to make the stuff. That and I dont' really have a place to make it and with two young daughters I really didn't want make the stuff around them. Some of the intermediate chemicals are pretty nasty. So in the end I decided that a prius would suit me well... and it really has. I've had mine for almost a year now and am glad that I made the decision to buy one. I still think that the biodiesel option is cool. It would be fun to play around with.

Bohous · 09-28-2006, 10:59 PM

I considered it but MA is a CA emissions sate (which means you cannot buy or register a new deisel with <7500k miles) so they are difficult to come by. When a dealer finally gets ahold of one the premium is well beyond the perceived hybrid premium. IOW they sell well above blue book. Regardless it wasn't really an option. However, my second car is a beater Benz 300D which I use to run biodiesel. I would be hesitant to run anything higher than B20 in a TDI anyway. As stated above, they are not that dependable to begin with and the injectors can be suspect. Add on the fact that if you are running BioD you are also flirting with a voided warranty. Too risky IMO.

09-28-2006, 03:18 PM	#1
Bob Allen Captainbaba Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,251 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Just curious: We are a dual household; my partner drives a Jetta TDI wagon. I've come up with my own understanding of the differences and relative advantages/disadvantages of both, but I'm curious to know if any of you considered a Jetta TDI, or other diesel, in your car buying process. If so, what led you to get a Prius instead of a (bio) diesel. It's easier to establish an environmental advantage of a Prius over a petro diesel car, but a diesel running on biodiesel is a closer call. Bob p.s. It's my belief that there is no "one" solution to the fuel/global warming crisis, so I'm not interested in trashing biodiesel (or hybrids, if that could ever happen on Priuschat); I'm interested in viewpoints on the crisis and how you explain your decision to buy a Prius. Thanks, Bob __________________ :P Angel Flight Pilot

09-28-2006, 04:16 PM	#4
jiw395 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NORTH WEST INDIANA Posts: 109 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I drove VW's tdi for years, and even fool around making bio-diesel and using it. I sold my jetta tdi 2001 right after the gas prices shot up and people got excited, and I made $2000 extra, over blue book, so it was a no brain-er. I got 50.9 mpg on trips so it was great. The fact that diesel prices around here in the Midwest are around .40-.60 cents a gallon more also played into the decision, and don't forget the $3150 rebate, which tipped the scales. I,m waiting for a hybrid diesel/electric, then I;ll rethink all of the above. On another note, i always read/heard that there's more diesel per barrel and a lot less refining than compared to gasoline, easier and faster than gasoline to produce..... __________________ Norman H. Renehan 2006 Prius package # 4

09-28-2006, 06:22 PM	#9
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,431 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I was really thinking about going TDI and doing biodiesel (homebrewed biodiesel). Then I got honest with myself and admitted that I already have way too many hobbies and that I'd never have time to make the stuff. That and I dont' really have a place to make it and with two young daughters I really didn't want make the stuff around them. Some of the intermediate chemicals are pretty nasty. So in the end I decided that a prius would suit me well... and it really has. I've had mine for almost a year now and am glad that I made the decision to buy one. I still think that the biodiesel option is cool. It would be fun to play around with. __________________ Cheers, Tripp 2005 Silver Pkg 3, OEM Block Heater, Coastal Tech EV mod, BT Tech Chassis Stiffener, hell damned infernal reverse beep disabled Boulder Real Estate Howay the Toon! "Sometimes when you aim for the stars, you hit the moon." -- Ian Holloway

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09-28-2006, 04:18 PM	#5
Soylent Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 245 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well I don't have a partner (and I didn't know the Prius was such a queer car, but I guess it makes sense ), but the Jetta TDI is very dirty. I had worked for a VW dealer once, and TDI intakes get clogged in no time which seriously reduced performance and mileage. And they sound like semi-trucks.

09-28-2006, 05:59 PM	#7
sl7vk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 362 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't think I could by a Volkswagon given the state of their company at the moment.

09-28-2006, 06:10 PM	#8
edselpdx Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 178 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Check also on the cost of routine maintenance... my Volvo used to cost me $600-700 every 15K miles for "routine maintenance", and I've heard that VW's are expensive to maintain as well. BTW... What's B Rad doing with my old avatar??? Glad PriusChat's back up but things are definitely odd around here!

09-28-2006, 10:59 PM	#10
Bohous Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boston-ish Posts: 277 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I considered it but MA is a CA emissions sate (which means you cannot buy or register a new deisel with <7500k miles) so they are difficult to come by. When a dealer finally gets ahold of one the premium is well beyond the perceived hybrid premium. IOW they sell well above blue book. Regardless it wasn't really an option. However, my second car is a beater Benz 300D which I use to run biodiesel. I would be hesitant to run anything higher than B20 in a TDI anyway. As stated above, they are not that dependable to begin with and the injectors can be suspect. Add on the fact that if you are running BioD you are also flirting with a voided warranty. Too risky IMO.