2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Not for Enthusiasts, But It Has a Good Ride

The 2010 Golf TDI is coming to the USA with "sport suspension" so it should be more fun to drive than the Jetta sedan. Also, the Jetta Sportwagen is nice but he may not really need all that space. The Golf can carry an amazing amount of stuff.

I'd say you were a tad harsh on it.

No one that has ever driven a TDI outside of auto rag bloggers and their cronies could even fathom a need for fatter tires on the vehicle. It's just a good, cheap midsize family hauler. It's designed to transport kids with shinguards and fundraiser poinsettias from point A to point B while getting stunning fuel economy in doing so.

I love VW/Audi's designs. I like their interiors & exteriors. It is their reliability that scares me away from them. And the recent DSG recalls prove that they still have a long way to go.

And you know, if I had to put together a bang-for-the-buck list, the TDI would be up there with the Fit and Prius. All vehicles that get it right, for the most part.

Too harsh!! Though it sounds like your friend needs to decide what sort of vehicle he is really looking for. I mean, considering a VW Jetta TDI is quite different then an EVO X. I'm assuming he wants something sporty as well as spacious, so the speed3 might be the best bet.

Wobbly is right, pops owns an Audi dealership and makes a killing bolting those things back together.

Why not reccomend the Jetta Sport Wagon with the 2.0 turbo? It is a great motor stock, not too mention if your friend likes to wrench, the motor responds great to mods. You can have the diesel torque down low, with 100hp more than the TDI, and still get low 30s on the highway.

Suspension wise there are many options to improve the handling without ruining the ride quality.

The Jetta wagon can be made into a slightly larger GTI without much difficulty.

For a commuter car, the Jetta TDI is a great choice. Good mileage, long distance on a single tank, large trunk, decent back seats, compliant ride, and great driving position.

However, I would never call the TDI a car for driving enthusiasts.

1st) There's a lag in throttle response when accelerating from a full stop and it continues until the car upshifts into 2nd gear.
2nd) With the DSG transmission on manual mode, there's still a 1/2 second to full second delay on downshifts.
3rd) The steering wheel doesn't provide enough response espescially on wet roads.
4th) Even though there's enough torque in this car, it still isn't fast enough for my tastes. If it can't do 0-60 in under 6 seconds then I'm not interested.
5) The brake pedal feels too squishy. This becomes terrible when driving on wet roads. I never felt secure about coming to a full stop unless I forced the brake pedal to the floor.

Well that pretty much sums it up for me. If I had to go with VW for a sporty car, it'd obviously be the GTI or R32 (soon to be replaced by the R20T?) with a manual transmission.

I guess it depends on what your friend wants; seeing that he mentioned torque and space and not a big concern for fuel economy, then a speed3 could be just what he's looking for; It's very spacious and you can fit all sorts of things in it, while still going faster than legally possible; and the new one has ride refinement that's probably closer to the GTI than the outgoing speed3(based on what I've read about it)

But I'll agree with rvan1 that if he's looking to mod the car, a GTI or Sportwagon with the VW 2.0 TFSI is probably a safer bet(or a Subie). You can mod the MS3, but the engine is pretty highly strung from factory, so there isn't as much chance to put aftermarket stuff in (for the first gen ms3 anyways).

Why not a 2.0T sportwagen?

Best of all of them: 2009 WRX. It'll flat out obliterate the MS3, the GTI, A3, etc, offer lots of space, runs forever, offers insane power, has great handling.

The autobox in the Mazda 3s is very responsive. If he wants to two-pedal it, the 3s is worth a look.

He should consider the Lancer Ralliart Sportback. Not as crazy as the Evo, but it is probably tune-able for more power, and has the manu-matic gearbox and the cargo space he wants.

Ok, just throwing my two cents in because it seems the car-seeking friend and I have similar considerations in our next car. I want some space for gear / bike, commuting sensibility, reliability, preference for AWD or FWD for going up to the mountains to ski, fun to drive, etc.

My short list? In order of current preference: 05-07 Subaru Legacy GT wagon, 2007 BMW 328xiT, Mazda 3 hatch, WRX hatch, Jetta SportWagen (2.0 or TDI, undecided).

I'm concerned about the $ of the BMW (but I lust) and about the reliability of the VWs.

Then there's the really obvious Saab 9-3X sportcombi. The V6 in particular has lots of torque.

wrx sti

Erin Riches is a typical gear head that has a life driving cars that don't belong to him with fuel he doesn't buy himself and then tells someone who clearly states that his intention for a new car is hauling bikes and future GrandKids, that the Jetta TDI is "no fun" and probably wouldn't like it.

Get real! If Riches had his own money in this car he would be making sure it were NOT skidding around corners on dirt roads and gunning it off intersections like a teenager on SAt. night.

I can't stand lead footed, road racer reviewers lame comments about not HAVING FUN in there latest freebe tester.

I read reviews in the same tone in road tests of the new 09' Hyundai Touring, a nice little 5 door hatch based on the Elantra, built to haul real people who actually buy their own cars.

It's NO FUN!"..(but in the meantime I will us it to help my girlfriend move all her junk to a new apartment this weekend)

If you want a car to go around corners at 100 mph go test somthing built for it, not a fuel sipping low revving TDI that will haul you and your crap up a long grade without even shifting down and then cruise on past the pumps for the next 500 miles.

@ longo2: I think driving enjoyment is a fair consideration to bring up for a friend seeking a car recommendation. Remember, he already has a suped up 318ti. He LIKES cars. You on the other hand, please go ahead and continue to enjoy your vanilla ice cream, decaf, tan slacks, and your Elantra.

Dear miraa, I hope you don't work as a pyschic your 'readings' would be as off the mark as your take on me.

I don't own any tan slacks, love black coffee and have never bought a Hyundai. As for the ice cream, its Gelato please, a double scoop.

So "you on the other hand" as as full of it as this review on the Jetta TDI.

(don't own one of them either)

Um, longo2, Erin is a girl's name.

@stephen987 : Um, no, Erin is definitely a guy.

@ahightower -- "He should consider the Lancer Ralliart Sportback. Not as crazy as the Evo, but it is probably tune-able for more power, and has the manu-matic gearbox and the cargo space he wants."

My thoughts exactly. But my friend got fixated on the Evo in our conversation. Plus, I have yet to see a Ralliart Sportback that isn't a press fleet car. And if I'm not seeing them in Los Angeles, I have to wonder about availability. I know this car is a go officially, but these strange economic times and Mitsubishi's years of struggle suggest there might be a very limited supply...

He needs a nice big hatchback or a wagon then. He could get a great deal on a SAAB 9-3 SportCombi right now.

Also a Legacy GT Wagon is a great car.

How many of you have driven the 2009 Jetta TDI for any length of time? I own one (sedan). It has 17” factory wheels with 225/45-17 on it. This is not a BMW 3 series, though not far behind. It is not a full blown european sports sedan, but it’s close. For $27,000 (well equipped) there is little out there that matches up to the Jetta TDI. It is a extremely well made car. The German engineering, well lets just say, american & japanese engineers are not even in the same caliber. The fuel economy coupled with the wonderful drivetrain (DSG Trans) and the handling and ride leave little to be desired. I have no problem holding my own on the interstate in this car even against many sports cars. I have been challenged by a 350Z and held my own very well and gave a S2000 a real workout keeping up with me in traffic. This car is as happy running 100 mph as it is at 50 mph. If you have never driven one I dare you too. You will be pleasently surprised. Fantastic economy, german engineering, fun to drive for well under 30K.
Every morning I get up I look forward to driving it.

He should consider the sedan version of the GTI: the GLI. Looks like a Jetta. Drives like a GTI. Or he could get the four-door GTI.

Erin = GIRL

I submit video proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMsitFJC44U