Did you consider a Jetta TDI before going Prius?

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

Sometimes you just have to "burn the witch."

It does look pretty in the right location:


So many Jetta TDIs, so little time: :smash:


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

Bob Wilson

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

I was hoping you'd take a little ribbing:

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.

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

 

Love the banter back and forth about Prius vs Jetta..

Had the 04 Prius, pre-ordered it before they came out actually. Then installed the ev mode switch and some other changes. I really like the prius, almost waited for the 2010

Anyway I just recently traded in my 04 Prius at 90,000 miles and got the 09 Jetta. I get about the same MPG, right now Diesel is cheaper (paid 2.35 diesel, unleaded is 2.60) which is nice. Jetta is more fun to drive, more getup and go, more comfortable seats. The prius I would find myself with the gas pedal on the floor when trying to accelerate around someone. The interior of the Jetta is much better. I actually never thought I would ever get a VW Jetta, the previous ones had issues with reliability and were small cramped little cars, and the diesels were noisy and smelly with no power.


I miss the auto rear view mirror, the keyless entry, the stealth mode... I can actually go on and on about things I like about the prius.


I don't really like the comparison between Jetta vs Prius, they are different cars. Except for the fact it gets good gas mileage and green the Jetta I would think would be compared to a Camry or an Accord.

If you are looking to buy Prius vs Jetta, it really depends on the type of driver you are, or why you are buying the car..


Overall clean car? The jetta probably will win since the manufacturing and disposal of the Prius kinda kills that. There is nothing really dirty about the Jetta. Gas mileage? If you drive lots of stop and go, the Prius is for you. “B” mode and the regen keeps you from killing your brakes.


Highway driving it's a tie except for the comfort vs features.


Mountain driving, if you have long uphill mountain passes, you may want the Jetta, With the Prius, some places you will run the battery out and lose the electric side, when that happens you have no power . As for the handling, when I originally got the Prius I was very happy with the handling on curvy mountain roads. I am happy with the handling on the Jetta too. One thing to mention though, I HATE traction control. You can't turn it off to protect the transmission, but if you take off to quick on slippery surface (or uphill right hand turn), it completely cuts out. Jetta has all the same safety features, but you can turn off the system.


I could ramble on for quite a long time about what I miss with the Prius, and how much I love the Jetta. Just very different cars, drive both, you can't really go wrong with either.


Best thing to do is start a discussion about what you hate about your prius or jetta otherwise you end up with lots of Prius or Jetta Fanatics going at it.

 

The HV battery pack and electric motors weight less than 200 lbs. That's about 32 gallons of gasoline. Prius would save 3,000 gallons of gas over a comparable non-hybrid car.

 

To answer the OP question...

No, it never crossed my mind to get a Jetta TDI.

I wanted a car of the 21st century with smart features like regen braking, engine shutdown, silent EV drive, Jet-like smooth acceleration, very low emission, etc...

I did not want another car that required mechanical shifting with jerks and delays.

 

I think the current Volvo's are less reliable than VW. A friend of mine has had his 2000 Jetta with at least 90,ooo on odo, and he hasn't had any major issues..maybe he is just lucky.

but if i had to choose something over prius, probably a mini cooper

 

I had a lot of fun doing them. Changing up a presentation by using a visual or audio aid can sometimes, briefly, break through selective reading or audio acuity.

Exactly! In engineering we call it 'meeting the requirements' but let the requirements drive the decision. A related part is addressing vehicle performance specifications and sad to say, the current 'automotive specs' could be a lot better.

Bob Wilson

 

That myth has been debunked long ago.

 

I had a very short term lease on a 2006 VW New Beetle TDI and I was actually very impressed with it. I returned it early as I was being deployed again, but I always thought that another like it would be the Prius' big challenger when I got Stateside again.

Then, they discontinued them and haven't brought them back.

And, honestly, I don't think I'd get another even if it were an option. I like the idea that in a capitalist economy we vote with our wallet. Well, I'm voting to see more hybrids. Technology can only move forward as quickly as the market will allow it to. I plan to put a drop in the bucket of supporting the (admittedly far too lethargic) emergence of new technology to break our dependence on a substance that simultaneously undermines our security and economy even as it kills us. Obviously, that isn't much. I have a whole carbon footprint reduction plan that, oddly enough, also promises to improve my health, get me in better shape and save my money for more amusing applications than filling a tank with noxious liquid every week or so. Still, buying an example of one of the very few solid steps forward that are on the market today is a part of the equation.

It's funny, but every person I've spoken to about this has some reason why I should get something other than a Prius, from a TDI to a Ford Escape (with a hybrid SUV, I'll apparently be both green and cool, whatever that's supposed to mean). Why is this? I know the Prius inspired a fairly vitriolic initial response (which I also missed by being overseas, and didn't understand at all), but it does seem to be the best thing on the market these days, unless you have some actual need to haul things around in a large truck on a regular basis.

I used to think I'd never own anything that wasn't a 4X4 truck. A few deployments to the Middle East actually witnessing the consequences of America's oil consumption was quite enough to break me of that.

So I guess my answer is no, I really didn't consider a TDI for too long. Ten years ago, maybe. Not now.

 

Great post!

 

i bought a gen 1 (02) in 05 with 65K miles. I do NOT hug trees. I sold my chevy avalanche (6.5K pounds, 15 mpgs). I bought the prius solely get to work in arlington VA using hov lane on the toll road and enabling me to even BE on 66 inside the beltway by my lonesome.

its now 8 years old, and it has 140K miles - going strong at 50 mpgs in the summer and 45+ in the winter. I just had a major service (the first one i have done) and had the front brake pads (original) replaced and the rotors turned. I also replaced the oil pan because the dolts at jiffylube stripped the threads.

so i am getting a new car. i don't find my 02 gen 1 to be terribly underpowered. I enjoy driving it immensely. I paid 13K for it four years ago and i will sell it for probably 5 or 6 - so it cost me 2K a year plus fuel and min maintenance to run.

I can't onceive of a reason not to get another prius - in fact i am skipping gen 2 and getting a 2010, hopefully in June. Long story shotr - current prius owners are very satisfied and likely to stay prius. People looking at VWs are really not in the same demographic. I still don't hug many trees, but i do feel good about the secondary effects of my prius driving.