2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Parting Shots

My next new car will probably be an Audi A3 TDI but I'm still hoping BMW w/d bring their 4 cylinder diesel in the 1 series. Edmunds' LT test just confirmed my similar experiences with the 2 TDI cars that I've owned, and I've always gone for manual. Trouble free and you can't beat the fuel economy especially in highway driving. Now that diesel costs even less than regular gas in most places, I'm laughing all the way to the bank.
Every TDI generation has gotten better in terms of power and NVH though the current generation has lost some fuel economy due to the emission regs.

I'm looking forward to the new TDI Golfs since they will not be saddled with the mushy suspension bits allegedly.

Not so fast, @compliance. I think I saw something on Twitter about Jetta GTD TDI-cup commemerative edition models may be coming soon.

wow - it seems that some cars stay in the fleet forever (Flex) and others are gone before we know it... Good car though it seems. OH and nice sunset btw.

I drive a ~4 year old 62,000 mile '06 Jetta 2.5 with manual trans and the editors comments really sum up what I feel for my car. I purchased my car new @ the end of '05 with ~20 miles on it.

The good:

While it suffered from some recurring interior quality issues (90% of which were fixed by design changes for '07+ models) it has been flawless mechanically and electrically. While it may not be as sexy as the last generation Jetta, it still has presence in a bland way. It has excellent driving manners in the city with boat loads of low end torque and is an easy freeway driver that can far too easily gain 20 MPH in top gear with a heavy right foot. Handling is just the right blend between sport and comfort, it is very competent when you drive near the limit and will not let you do anything stupid. The seats are bar none the best seats I have been in, the interior quality/looks still gets rave reviews from new passengers @ 4 years old. Maintenance has been minimal - doing the work myself I have spent ~$800 over the course of 62k miles with ~$120 of that being rear brake work. Gas mileage is decent for a big 5 cylinder - even keeping slightly ahead of traffic I manage ~25 MPG with a 50/50 mix and can pull down ~30 MPG keeping it around 75 mph on long freeway trips.

The bad:

The electric power steering feels like it is on the tail end of a novocain hangover. The brakes could really use a factory upgrade. Volkswagen service generally sucks. Recurring interior quality issues wasted a bunch of my time. Suspension has leaned towards comfort as the underpinnings have worn.

Overall:

I love my Jetta and look forward to another 4 years with it. I just cannot wait to upgrade a few parts to GLI/GTI parts (suspension & brakes) to make it what I want it to be.

^^ "My next new car will probably be an Audi A3 TDI but I'm still hoping BMW w/d bring their 4 cylinder diesel "

I completely agree. We drove a 320d in Europe and it was great; had it up to 200 km/h on the Autobahn and also obtained 50 mpg+ on hyw use.

We were so impressed we ordered a 335d as a commuter, BUT, our preference would have been to order a 4-cyl BMW.

We did consider the TDi but was not quite the right fit for us, very good as it is. Bottom line: Americans need to know more about the new diesels (DI, turbo, "bluetec" etc).

I completely agree with James' sentiments. I'm considering a Jetta Sportwagon TDI because I love wagons, want good gas mileage, and you guys had such a good experience with this car. I definitely don't want to be associated with the "green" movement, but I do care about such things as the environment and fuel consumption - this car suits that perfectly.

Drove one last year and liked it. Dubious VW quality aside, this is a solid car that delivers on comfort for all 4 passengers, good trunk size and lots of thoughtful touches. A little bit sharper suspension and I could almost see myself living with it.

If only BMW NA saw fit to bring over the 123d M Sport hatch...

I've owned my new 2010 Jetta TDI sedan with DSG tranny for about two weeks. I waited to make a final decision until Consumer Reports posted their data review summary on their website last month giving the TDI a "Recommended" status.

While the DSG transmission gives me some pause with regard to its life expectancy, I've had no complaints so far in mixed city/highway and bumper to bumper driving in Oklahoma City. Some of the professional reviewers' comments on here with regard to the DSG's irritations haven't been borne out in my experience. The tranny seems to keep the gearing spooled up in the middle of the power band which helps minimize turbo lag. Fuel economy has averaged 38 mpg on my two weeks worth of commutes on a new engine I've driven using the advice in the owner's manual regarding break in.

VW dealerships are a perennial worry and cause for concern. I've read on various websites that corporate VW is "painfully aware" of its image for poor reliability and poor dealership experiences. Let's hope so. If they don't start doing some things to address those two HUGE irritants, may their pain increase several orders of magnitude.

The 2010 Jetta TDI sedan rocks!

I conducted hours of on-line research and comparisons (Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book (KBB), Consumer Reports, etc) and kept coming back to the TDI on three big things - fuel economy, diesel reliability, and consumer satisfaction. Since purchasing the 2010 Jetta TDI automatic (DSG) in Aug of 09 I can tell you I am extremely pleased.

I picked it up with 14 miles on the odometer and without many bells and whistles (auto headlight control - http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2009/01/2009-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-lights-out.html -, MDI (Media Device Interface) with iPod® cable, RNS-510 Nav System). After 3,150 miles I am averaging 39.7 MPG combined city/highway. The TDI's acceleration/fuel economy/handling performance is superb! I commute on the freeway 18 miles each direction and laying on the pedal at the on ramp the turbo absolutely performs--you hardly ever notice the turbo lag but its there ever so slight (as with any engine with a turbo). I've experienced ZERO DSG tranny issues so I'm keeping increased situational awareness concerning Internet bloggers DSG posts. So far I'm extremely pleased with the tranny--quite impressive most times.

As for reliability I've had ever so slight issues. The inside drivers door light lense popped off and I've had the amber tire inflation symbol on the instrument panel stay on after ensuring correct tire pressure (TP). It's been intermittent so I expect either a system fault or loose connection somewhere - the dealership will get to fix it. Not too concerned right now as I've got VW 17" factory rims and tires with the correct TP.

I've completely satisfied with the vehicle -- it has lived up to its reputation and what others said about it. This is my second diesel (F350 truck) and it is unbelievably quiet, smokeless (clean diesel is not an oxymoron), and with the piezoelectric injectors I've never had to wait to start it up in the cold. The multi-function display (MFD) is also another neat feature—lots of info available just by utilizing the multi-function steering wheel buttons which access the MFD (trip computer ((travel time, current fuel consumption, avg fuel consumption, range, route, avg speed, etc), audio, vehicle status, and settings).

The only issue I have, and it's minor, is these machines are in high demand from consumers and VW knows it. Therefore, dealerships can get away with MSRP or greater -- all is far in a free market economy (supply vs. demand). Be aware that they will try to throw in more than you want in the car because they may not have the one you want on the lot. Stick to your guns.... use it as leverage to lower the deal price or let them know you'll wait (ask them to take down your order--they will let you know when a car with the options you want comes in). I didn't want a sunroof but got one anyway---at a much reduced price (more than half) because I explained I didn't want it, was willing to wait on another vehicle, and had cash in hand to make the deal right there. But, unlike most car purchases I think you’ll find most dealerships will be near MSRP regardless.

Bottom line – you can get better deals for a new car (below MSRP), but they are not going to have anywhere near the fuel economy and savings you’ll get from the TDI -- especially if you keep it more than five years.

While it may be a bit late to mention this, there have also been reported issues with the fuel pump shredding, sending bits through the entire fuel system necessitating a pricey replacement, e.g. around $10K or so. VW has maintained that it's due to faulty fuel but many of those who have had it happen beg to differ. The NHTSA has opened a file on it and it will be interesting to see the results of their investigation.