Diesel cars

[EZSnow]

My wife and I are looking for a high-mpg diesel sedan/wagon. We're hoping to get the deal done for around $10,000. Do you guys know anything about the VW TDI drivetrain? I've been advised to stay FAR away from VW automatics. Any tips on buying small diesels? Anything to keep an eye out for? Does anyone other than VW do an affordable diesel car?

...the Durango is eating us out of house and home...

[Mark Oomkes]

I bet you'd look great in a Yugo or Rabbit, Derek.

[Chuck Smith]

...the Durango is eating us out of house and home...

My wife wanted an Aspen. Same motor, even more steel. I had a feeling it would be pretty bad. She got a Jeep GC instead. Not bad, averaging 18.5 mpg. When I was at the first Jeep dealer they had a diesel GC. Very spendy though!

~Chuck

[BWhite]

THe TDI manual trans supposed to be durable . As far as the rest of the car is questionable and expensive to repair

[Wizard]

...the Durango is eating us out of house and home...

Just hang a plow on the dang thing already and let it work for it's food! :D

FWIW, the expy averaged almost 18mpg down to Rochester and back this weekend. Just read an article about the new Grand Cherokee diesels, and they're getting less than 20.

[Wizard]

I bet you'd look great in a Yugo or Rabbit, Derek.

I'm still waiting to see him in that little HHR they bought for the shop! :haha

[EZSnow]

Just hang a plow on the dang thing already and let it work for it's food! :D

Yeah, that's a great idea... I'll let you tell her.:popcorn

[twodan]

http://www.tdiclub.com/

[Pickering Snow]

Personal opinion on diesel cars mostly Euros is Deep pockets for repairs. Evenhas we speak today i installed a new drivers seat belt retractor on a Saab 435.00 for the part only 150 to install , the guy whined so hard he made me want to shoot myself. Many people will buy imports other than Toy and Honda then complain on price to repair, BMW being the worst has some status symbol to own one a person needs to look at cost to repair, not many of my parts for these off breeds are aval threw conven parts sources which makes it ness to order from factory taking average two to three days to get parts.
One needs to keep this in mind when considering not just a diesel car but a import in general.

[PSDF350]

Personal opinion on diesel cars mostly Euros is Deep pockets for repairs. Evenhas we speak today i installed a new drivers seat belt retractor on a Saab 435.00 for the part only 150 to install , the guy whined so hard he made me want to shoot myself. Many people will buy imports other than Toy and Honda then complain on price to repair, BMW being the worst has some status symbol to own one a person needs to look at cost to repair, not many of my parts for these off breeds are aval threw conven parts sources which makes it ness to order from factory taking average two to three days to get parts.
One needs to keep this in mind when considering not just a diesel car but a import in general.

I think that applies to all not just diesel. Was reading something other day on AOL news about the cost of minor fender benders costing as much as $15,000. Funny thing is have you ever watched a show being filmed in europe and the taxi cabs are benz or bmw's. Must be really expensive to get them things into the good ol US of A. Because they are performing same job that is done by ford or chevy here.

[Heron Cove PM]

I bought my wife an 05 WV Jetta TDI, it has 80,000 miles on it and is the best car we have ever owned. What's so bad about the drive train? The only thing it's been in for is two glow plugs. It runs like a top and we've never had any problems out of the auto trans, (knock on wood, now that I said that we will).

I wanted a Passat for the leg room, and the dealer had 3 06s extended TDI's because they haven't come out with the new diesel to meet the 07 requirements. They would not move on the price at ALL.

I say look at them, ours is a great car and get's awesome fuel mileage. She drives 190 miles a day and we only fill it up about once a week. Well, until it needs an oil change the mileage drops off and it blows more black smoke.

Good luck.

[Heron Cove PM]

Personal opinion on diesel cars mostly Euros is Deep pockets for repairs. Evenhas we speak today i installed a new drivers seat belt retractor on a Saab 435.00 for the part only 150 to install , the guy whined so hard he made me want to shoot myself. Many people will buy imports other than Toy and Honda then complain on price to repair, BMW being the worst has some status symbol to own one a person needs to look at cost to repair, not many of my parts for these off breeds are aval threw conven parts sources which makes it ness to order from factory taking average two to three days to get parts.
One needs to keep this in mind when considering not just a diesel car but a import in general.


I don't disagree with you; however, it boils down to service for me. I've owned all three Ford, Chrysler, and GM and NONE of their service is worth a damn. My wife had and S10 Blazer or just a Blazer (I think that's what they call them now) and was charged $160.00 and told, and I quote, "your just a dumb blonde and don't know how to stop in traffic." This, WHEN GM was putting the wrong master cylinder's on them. It took five Chevy dealers and a Pontiac Dealer for them to admit that. Don't you know it was an interesting conversation getting THAT money back. Chrysler wanted to void my warrant because I put an aftermarked headlight bulb in the car. It wasn't even the headlight that was the problem. The wiring harness was cut. Four turbo's on 1 '6.0 Power Stroke. You've read the horror stories!

As I posted, we have a VW. She can't get stopped in the service lane before the service department is opening her door, welcoming her, and treating her like royality. If BMW, BENZ, or VW made a comparible product to the F350, 450, and 550 I would sell every damn thing I own tomorrow. This is coming from a STRONG union brother of the big 3. But you know what, they all can kiss my hair ass. I'm going German!

Marshall

[Pickering Snow]

I don't disagree with you; however, it boils down to service for me. I've owned all three Ford, Chrysler, and GM and NONE of their service is worth a damn. My wife had and S10 Blazer or just a Blazer (I think that's what they call them now) and was charged $160.00 and told, and I quote, "your just a dumb blonde and don't know how to stop in traffic." This, WHEN GM was putting the wrong master cylinder's on them. It took five Chevy dealers and a Pontiac Dealer for them to admit that. Don't you know it was an interesting conversation getting THAT money back. Chrysler wanted to void my warrant because I put an aftermarked headlight bulb in the car. It wasn't even the headlight that was the problem. The wiring harness was cut. Four turbo's on 1 '6.0 Power Stroke. You've read the horror stories!

As I posted, we have a VW. She can't get stopped in the service lane before the service department is opening her door, welcoming her, and treating her like royality. If BMW, BENZ, or VW made a comparible product to the F350, 450, and 550 I would sell every damn thing I own tomorrow. This is coming from a STRONG union brother of the big 3. But you know what, they all can kiss my hair ass. I'm going German!

Marshall



Marhall

First calling your wife a dumb blonde would be a exit out the door for any of my guys. The Dealer network i dont include in my post iam talking about Pickerings we dont treat people that way.

My point is many of the Euro cars when they do need something parts alone exceed a normal repair do to lack of aftermarket parts support.

I have 00 passat setting right now waiting for contol arms and balljoints, thats a common failure part and companys like Trw and Moog are not making them, forcing the dealer parts network.

Last week a brake job on a 01 325I 4 wheel disc brake job was 895.00 bucks , i can only buy the wear out sensors from Bmw or sometimes Beck Arny. Thats exactly double the cost compared to a 00 Pont Grand prix.

I am not disagreeing with you on quailty its the price to repair when they do break, and the down time waiting for parts. Theres myself and one other shop that does the full menu of imports here in Midland and again waiting for parts and there cost but also the logistic nightmare sched appointments on cars were waiting on parts for is tough. Then the oh my God it cost that much comment.