Nice review, the prices though to buy one golf 1.4 with decent equipment in Greece are near to a Mercedes C200. Maybe the engines are made from gold or something!
Great Vid, pretty informative. I have one question, I'm looking for my first car, like the fuel economy of the TDI but also like the Horsepower of the GTI, which doesn't have terrible fuel economy either. Is there a noticeable difference in "zipiness" with the reduced hp?
@lamboman1000 I've test driven the TDI and got given the GTI as a loan car from VW when my polo was in for service and well they are different. The TDI has a nice initial 'thump' when u hit the accelerator from a standing start but I would have to say I would have the GTI, a much more fun car to drive imo. Also have a look at the GTD I found it to be a mix of the GTI and TDI.
650 miles will put to SHAME the fuel tanks on gas guzzler SUV's and trucks. Prius? No. Give me glorious diesel in a luxurious tdi Golf. 47.3 Highway, give it a try, trucks.
@1sick93 its all the damn diesel emissions standards here. in alaska where i live theres no diesel testing so we can straight pipe our diesel pick ups and get like 18 mpg in the city!
@PeaceOfMind5 Thats a lie the government and epa tell you. The government make money from fuel tax, the less economical a vehicle the more money they make. Many dot and epa laws are pure lies, why are importation laws to the US extremely strict, it has nothing to do with emissions or safety, it's because Americans would buy imported vehicles over domestic. A lot of Americans think Toyotas, Nissans, Honda etc are imports. There not they are specially built for the US market, in North America.
@turbo311 Thanks for the feedback! We always include a link to the full review on our website that goes into more depth. If there are specific things that you think we should add, please let us know. :)
Keep your 140hp, Give me back the engine from 2002. 90hp 42mpg city 49 highway. It's not even worth it to get a diesel anymore. I have a 2000 beetle tdi, still gets 44mpg combined but has nearly 300,000 miles on it. Looking for a replacement. 42 highway isn't good enough, gas cars are getting that nowadays. Diesels in Europe hit 70 mpg.
@SolarAbyss If you actually drive the new TDI's you will find out that you will get 50-53mpg on the highways, and the reason why diesels in Europe get better fuel economy is b/c our gallon is 3.8L and theres is 4.0L so yea they can get better fuel economy b/c they are using more fuel to do it.
Mom and Dad just bought the 2011 TDi Golf Wagon. It's a great car, the engine makes an obscene amount of torque for such a small car. Tiny bit of turbo lag, and then you're off.
Nah.....you couldn't get three Americans in the back of a Golf.
You could get 10 Pakistanis or a Bengal tiger in there.....maybe a small cow....or perhaps a family of Afghans. But you'd never squeeze in 3 Americans.
i was told when i got my 2006 golf tdi that i would get 800 in the city and 1000 all highway. but seriously i only get 700 in the city and like 8 hundred something when i drive all highway?, does any one else see a problem with this?.
Using these numbers, you would pay off the difference in price in about a year. Diesels are also known to last longer and the engines run less stressed than the gas, meaning less mechanic visits.
I don't know where you're getting your cost per mile numbers from, nor your "about a year". Say you get a combined 36 mpg with the TDI, vs a combined 26 mpg for the gas, and that diesel costs about 50c more per gallon, and that you drive the avg 15000 miles per year ... it amounts to a yearly savings of just $350. It will take ten years to pay back the extra for the TDI. Now granted there are other bonuses to the diesel, like no plugs, but that's not going to amount to much.
Sorry, I took the average miles per gallon of both gas and diesel and used the current average gas prices in my area (Northern California). I also found used TDI's (about 20k miles) for a similar price the the new and barely used Golf's on AutoTrader. I am looking to buy a TDI, but need to research more to see if I actually save money.
I've got a 2011 Golf TDI coming in on Tuesday, though it's manual instead of DSG (I love the DSG but I just couldn't resist!) and this review is actually half the reason I decided to go for this car :-).
I just bought a new 2010 golf tdi.....theres about 400 miles on it. Im only getting 33 mpg so far on the highways. Is there normally a break in period?
I love this car- I average 36mpg per tank (manual calculation) but i do drive it hard and in the city mostly. The TDI just feels perfect - 6sp manual of course. :)
Having looked at both a Prius and the Golf, I decided on the Golf. Main reason is that I am mostly highway (70%) that makes the Prius not as fuel efficient where city mileage is its forte. My cousin consistently averaged 37-39 on his commute that is mostly highway. My Golf is averaging about 45-48. By the way, price ended up about the same in Purchase price. Again MPG is based on % of hwy vs city
My fathers 1996 Ford F250 7.3 Powerstroke now has over 600k (and still going) with NO major engine repairs, not to mention its his work truck. He recently replaced the injectors (200k after I told him they needed replaced) and rebuilt the turbo. I really think diesels are the way to go and with this kind of fuel economy and power I'll skip the hybrids untill they catch up. If you really wanted to save some money you could go one step further and invest in a biodiesel kit and make your own fuel.
The transmission repair isnt expensive anymore, yes vw had a problem with regular automatic transmission which died after 160-190k miles, but the new ones are automated manual transmission which the only defect that may occur are pneumatic actuators. And these things are cheap to fix.
Overall 300k miles is easily achieved.
I sold my golf TDI manual at 206k miles. The car was still perfect. without any major problems during that time
When are they going to release one with 190 hp, some german dude said they had them already, if they do, its basically going to say bye bye to the GTI. I would easily sacrifice a car that is around a second faster off the line for double the gas mileage. I hope they do and then maybe make TDi look like GTI. GTI is one of the best looking hatchbacks ever, probaly my favorite. Mazda and Toyota have just don't compare to VW. Gti that is, golf is ok...
@Bra23we12: 1 Imperial gallon = 1.2 US gallons. My MPG numbers come from the US Department of Energy, which does fuel efficiency testing. Note that their numbers may now appear somewhat conservative (see fueleconomy.gov for details about how they test). You can look up the vehicle through their website under "find and compare cars" on the left side of the page.
@xxxmosh, Please explain how this is relevant. I don't understand your point. The rate at which diesel or gasoline burns is inherently taken into account when one looks at how many miles can be travelled on a gallon of fuel.
Even using the best highway mileage reported in this video (47.3) and the EPA mileage for the non-TDI the break even for me would be 138,500 miles. Better but still not great.
@mpgomatic I would expect the TDI to have a higher resale value though, given that it costs more up front. To make it a factor worth considering you'd want to consider the average resale percentage (resale price/new price) and see if that percentage is higher for the TDI or not. Just because it resells for more doesn't necessarily mean it's a better deal if you paid more for it to begin with. Thanks for the good review.
@mpgomatic I should say that I do like the idea of cars that get better mileage (who doesn't?). Assuming the environmental impact of producing a TDI and a non-TDI are the same and that emissions are the same (I'm not sure that's the case), better mileage wins. If the break even point were 50,000 miles rather than 200,000 miles people might have a financial incentive, or at least not a disincentive, to buy the more efficient vehicle. A 50K break even would mean about a $1000 price premium.
@mpgomatic 200, 000 miles vehicles worth close to nothing when it’s in good working order. Imagine when they have some minor mechanical/cosmetic issue... More importantly, Volkswagen automatic transmission is notorious for breaking down early, almost a disposable wear part, especially when with TDI and in clod weather. What is the price for a new automatic VW transmission? $4000+ . All consider I'm not sure I can afford that king of fuel saving. And by the way my first car was a Rabbit Diesel..
@mpgomatic I am not sure why someone will buy this over a prius. Gen 3 prius has great city and highway mpg. According mpgmatic test it gets around 59 in city and highway. Lets not forget higher price for diesel. In the end usa sales number show why prius is better than tdi. Go Prius.
@aodhanof90 Battery rebuild is 800-1500. Google how to do it. Lets use mpgomatic mpg number. They are very good. 400k/59=6779 gallons of gas. At $4/gallon you will spend $27116. TDI 400k/39.1 = 10230 gallons of diesel. At 4.20/gallon you will spend $429666. Cash saved on Fuel $15,850. Spark plugs and wire cost are negated by only 3 quart oil change every 10k. Prius has timing chain and very reliable cvt. Cost of timing belts and tranny rebuild will negate any battery cost.
@mpgomatic what about timing belt and brake pads. Prius can easily go over 400k on original pads because of regen and chain will last life of the car. My pads where 10mm thick after 100k. New pads are 11mm. Use mobil 1 every 5k and motor will last as long as a diesel. Toyota cvt is also more reliable than any vw auto. There is a reason why prius out sells all tdi cars combined in usa.
@gwalia4 That's awesome! It's wonderful that folks can choose a wide range of vehicles here in the USA and that you're so devoted to your Prius. Preventive maintenance is often overlooked.
@gwalia4 .... Hybrids like the Prius are slow, boring, and very expensive upfront..... and the batteries sound awfully expensive if they ever need replacing. When Toyota,Honda, or anyone else builds an inexpensive and fun to drive hybrid, I'll consider.
@Spyster007 Tdi might be quieter than a Gm direct injection engine but not a prius motor. Prius engine is not even on in low speed. You should drive a prius before you come up with that. First time i thought something was wrong. Have to look for the ready light. Already signed up for prius phev. I want phev instead of regular hybrid because no engine noise & new carpool stickers in CA. No engine for first 30 miles would be nice. Volt is also a great option for people who can afford it.
@gwalia4 It might not be quieter than an electric motor, we can all agree that is pretty obvious, but it's quieter than the Prius Gas motor, especially under full throttle.
@Fnyar Also take into account that diesel powered cars last longer than their gasoline counterparts and one does not need to change the oil as often. My dad has a 2005 VW Passat TDI that gets about 39 MPG on the highway, so with the smaller Golf, you are more likely to get in the high 40's or the low 50's with highway driving. One of my teachers last year has a a 2006 Jetta TDI and he gets about 45 MPG highway.
@Fnyar You might also want to take into account that a diesel vehicle will typically last longer than the gas counterpart and thus reduce the need for buying a second car when the gas car goes ka-put.
@Fnyar You are getting a lot more options with the base TDI than the base non-TDI. Also the golf TDI is still less than the GTI. I've heard that the interiors are almost identical (except the TDI doesn't have the plaid seats of course).
@Fnyar I feel when I get my jetta TDI I won't have trouble adding those miles on... I'm trying to get an 04 Jetta TDI with the manual trans. my goal is to get at least 600K miles out of it, so I think it'll pay for it's self. I knew it was the right car for me when I had my friends Jetta for a week and thought I was doing really bad on fuel economy... I found out when I refueled that I had gotten 43 mpg :-D
I'm in Europe...and I'm guessing that you're in America. I reckon that might be why your x factor seems so off the mark.
Still doesn't explain why you get such a high breakeven point though. Perhaps it's just the cost of diesel fuel. Here, we look at life cycle costs. This would include planned maintenance, fuel & oils, road tax, re-sale value (as a depreciating marker), insurance costs etc. We use a total cost of ownership figure based on an average mileage.
@Bra23we12 Yes, I live in Washington (the state, not D.C.). Diesel is more expensive than regular gasoline (petrol) here whereas in Europe the reverse is true. Looking at the TCO is indeed important. I agree that resale of a TDI will be higher but really what matters is the comparative depreciation on both cars. If the TDI is less, then it's a winer in that regard. I don't think the data points exist yet to make that comparison though. Believe it or not I had actually considered buying a TDI.
@Fnyar I like your mathematical approach. This is definately an eye opener! One thing to consider thou is I can onyl assume that the diesel will get much better combined MPG then the gas. Well Im hoping at least as im planning on buying the tDI next month
@Fnyar I just test drove a 2011 TDI Golf manaul today and over an 18 mile trip through town of start and stop driving only, I never exceeding 40 mph I had averaged 42.2 MPGs. I was testing with regular driving to compare with a Prius.
@Fnyar you might want to also factor in that historically Diesels, tend to meet or exceed EPA ratings. Check out fuelly.com there are alof of 2010 Golf TDI's that are averaging combined 40-50 mpg. Compared to the 36 combined that the EPA rates this vehicle at. Your actual fuel savings tend to be higher than expected.
I would suggest looking at price of biodiesel instead of diesel and also taking into account that biodiesel is not likely to be getting more expensive, while petrol for sure will.
And if you are planning to be seriously saving on fuel, you can buy for 10k a machine that will be making certified biodiesel for you.
But then it would make sense to buy only diesels after that.
@Fnyar Unless youre paying for the golf in cash, you would have no reason but to calculate the money you spend on the regular golf vs. TDI on a monthly basis. The normal golf starts at 19400 with the same options that are base on the TDI, TDI at 22,375 (with tax credit) a 2975 dif. Say you commute 100 miles a day 5 days a week, and get an APR of 3.5% for 5 yrs on your car. Gas at your stated prices. 549.52/month for reg. 558.30/month for TDI, TDI is $9 more per month...so it's a matter of resale
@LyleWeathersby the gas golf would have steel wheels and hubcaps and no blue tooth, no touch screen radio and different transmissions. so 2975 is wrong
Diesels are not 0-60 cars, they are more of 35-75 mph cars, the torque pulls at mid RPM are craaaazy with these TDIs, I've just test driven this yesterday.
man i'm glad i can't afford anything right now, wot with school n' stuff, cuz there's no way i'd be able to decide whether to get the 2 door or 4 door
What you guys need to understand about diesel is they are exceptionally fast in-gear. They only reason 0-60 time is a little slower is because 1st gear is over very quickly but adds time to the 0-60.
2nd gear 10mph to 60mph will completely DESTROY a petrol engine of similar bhp. You can really chase more 'powerful' cars if you catch them in gear.
Diesel engines really are pure muscle today. The torque shove is what ud expect from a V8, cept it's a 1.9
Volkswagen TDIs are the Anti Prius. Why waste your money on a bare bones, no frills cheese box that goes 0-60 in two weeks when for less money you can get a LOT more car and fuel economy that's almost just as good? The entire TDI line is fantastic!
i love VW but it cost me so much more money when i had my GTI...they just don't last as long as Japanese car though their value are good. In the end, get car you like and not what other think you like.
i like you, mpgomatic, because you seem to be a proponent for diesel over hybrid technology like me. if you think about it, what's the point of all the effort honda goes through to make the insight get 43 mpg when it's cheap inside and drives horribly when a golf 1.8 tdi is easily more economical, quicker, and possibly more fun to drive as well. not to mention diesels are much more economical to maintain, and less costly to the environment to be manufactured in the first place.
@coolerdude44 - We need 'em both. Hybrids are cool at lower speeds (while gliding under electric power) and in heavy-duty traffic, when driven properly.
That said, I'd love to have the ability/funds to import a Honda i-CDTi clean diesel engine from England and drop it between the Insight's fenders.
One of our goals is to take a TDI engine and drop it into something slick and light. There's a kit car in the works that'll do just that ...
@sausagenmuff Actually, the manual version of this (I think it's just manual, anyway) has a stop and start system. If you shift into neutral, the engine cuts out, then starts again when you put the clutch down. I know this because my driving instructer has one, and it was quick to restart when I stalled it LOL.
@coolerdude44 I am 100% with you. Im really tired of people pushing the idea of hybrid technology. If they really want the best possible milage start developing hybrid diesel. I own a 04 TDI and milage is excelent in the car. Dont forget how bad mining for the metals used in the batteries is either, the tailings ponds left behind from the process are filled with toxic pollutants that destroy the surrounding area as well as wipeout large amounts of wildlife.
@coolerdude44 Amen brother! Except that this is WAY more fun to drive than an insite. It also doesn't have that giant toxic battery onboard. With a little modification, they'll more miles per gallon and give you more power.
@coolerdude44 i agree with you and diesel would be my vote as far economically speaking. but i think the goal as far as the hybrid is to reduce the environmental effect cars have. but in my opinion im a bit more concerned with my pocket change, and i'll wait for technology to solve the environment problem
@coolerdude44 Yeah, but you should also consider that oil companies should sell gas as well, that is why diesel is way more expensive than gas. So since diesel will never be cheap enough for Americans to shift, hybrid is the way to go.
@coolerdude44 "if you think hybrids are the way to go"
This is such a genius deduction. I must say I thought no one would understand me, but apparently I was wrong. Even mofe amazing it took only few words for you to understand and analyze me. You are amazing.
"you know nothing about chemistry"
If I didn't know better, I would have said I do. But, you put it in such an elegant and eloquent way. Now, I can't deny that I know nothing about chemistry. >>
@coolerdude44 >> 2-) How can i claim that I know about chemistry after you showed me and everyone this fact that I don't in such detail and depth. Not only wise but also descriptive too.
"you lack general common sense."
This is another thing I thought i had until you gave this repsonse full of light and wisdom. Than you, man, thank you, How can I pay you back this favor. Now I see the light i can say that you must be the most well educated and wise man I have ever met. >>
@coolerdude44 >>3-) Now who can deny your knowledge and wisdom after such a response? I can't even dare and if anyone dares to do so, I will repsond him/her before you do. You showed me the way how humans should communicate with each other. Such finesse ... I can't stop admiring. With this much cumulated information if you go for presidency my vote is for you. You crushed me with your wisdom, but you aslo did it in such a way that I can't stop admiring you. May God bless you.
Expensive to buy and expensive to keep on the road!
The 4 door TDi in the dealerships is around $24K and if yo wan to get the navigation and some more options the price goes up to $27K.
That car just doesn't make sense! You better get Civic Si or Corolla XRS! They will cost you somewhere around K23$ fully loaded! And you will still save lots of money, and they last much longer on the road and are cheap to maintain!
@digitalrebelxti - The Civic and Corolla are nice cars, but you have to look at the full cost of ownership, including depreciation. TDIs hold their value quite well.
@digitalrebelxti civic si halves the mpg of the golf. also if you're in the states you get a 1700 tax break on the car. bringing the base down to 22k range. and there are a lot of options that come standard on the TDI here.
Does that tax break expire or anything? I quite like the TDI but 24k for one with a moonroof is a little is a bit much. I am looking between a golf TDI and Civic Ex, which is 19,000 after my student discount. Both are great cars. The civic is much cheaper and so is regular fuel but the golf is more efficient and more fun. Bring it down to 21 or 22k with student incentives and tax breaks and it could work.
Not that VW's are but Hondas and Toyotas are no longer cheap to maintain. Besides, a Civic Si is GTI competition, not diesel golf. I thinking about an EX or TDI for the economy but if you want something fast, a v6 mustang is much faster than a GTI or Si and gets about the same mileage and reliability.
I *REALLY* do NOT like VW's *expensive* maintenance schedule....
Make SURE you actually GET the maintenance schedule when you're shopping for your car - and do NOT take NO for an answer. Sales people will DANCE around this topic. Go up to the service desk and DEMAND to see the maintenance schedule WITH prices...!
@Fordmustang315 Modern diesels like this one are much quieter than older ones, it almost sounds like a petrol version. Haven't you heard the engine in the 0-60 video?
I'm glad to hear the Golf is available with Clean diesel Turbo Direct Injection (TDI). How about bigger VWs like the Passat or the Eurovan? Vehicles like that would definitely benefit from either a 2.5 to 3 litre diesel engine.
You have to be careful when comparing a diesel to a gas engine. While the MPG number may look impressive, it's a little deceiving. You have to ask yourself what's the upcharge for diesel fuel in your area? What's the price difference for the diesel vs. gas engine? Do the math and work out the cost per mile rather than MPG. You may find out that you have to drive the car for 60K + miles before you recoup your initial diesel investment. Food for thought.
Diesel fuel prices may be an issue. That said, things appeared to go back to normal when the Oil Men left Washington DC.
Diesel fuel prices traditionally rise and fall with the seasons: higher in the winter and lower in the summer. Throughout this past winter, diesel fuel prices have hovered between the price of regular and premium unleaded. Diesel was LESS expensive than regular last summer around these parts.
Over the past month or so, it cost me less to fill up a Golf TDI than a GTI. :)
Also, don't forget the $1500-$2000 you have to pay up front to get the diesel. Once you do the math, it takes a lot of miles just to get to your break even point.
@mpgomatic i was watching an episode of top gear once, and jeremy had said that americans want cars so much cheaper than the rest of the world because a long time for us is half a decade, and by that time we're looking for a new car. i think this is a good point to add to your reasoning; even though the golf may be a little more expensive upfront, it's built more reliably and built to last far beyond our expectations. instead of developing faults as early as 3-4 years
@juukame yeah... but then i learned that jeremy clarkson has owned 3 volvo xc90's in 5 years... and he called the american automotive consumer temperamental? what a hyppocrit!
is the seat version of this not even considering? i am weighing them both up and people seem to think that the leon is bad.
oliveguss 2 weeks ago
That guy needs to make sure he warms up the glo plugs at the start-up.
Kingisland32 1 month ago
Shouldn't this car be called the Volkswagen TDI using the same logic as with the GTI?
lfsracer79 1 month ago
@lfsracer79 How would you distinguish the Golf, Jetta, Touareg, and Passat?
1HGClark 3 days ago
Nice review, the prices though to buy one golf 1.4 with decent equipment in Greece are near to a Mercedes C200. Maybe the engines are made from gold or something!
pagkratiasths 2 months ago
@pagkratiasths wow, expensive. golf 1.4 in australia is about a third of the cost of a C200 :/
TheEGGtech 1 month ago
Great Vid, pretty informative. I have one question, I'm looking for my first car, like the fuel economy of the TDI but also like the Horsepower of the GTI, which doesn't have terrible fuel economy either. Is there a noticeable difference in "zipiness" with the reduced hp?
lamboman1000 4 months ago
@lamboman1000 I've test driven the TDI and got given the GTI as a loan car from VW when my polo was in for service and well they are different. The TDI has a nice initial 'thump' when u hit the accelerator from a standing start but I would have to say I would have the GTI, a much more fun car to drive imo. Also have a look at the GTD I found it to be a mix of the GTI and TDI.
TheEGGtech 1 month ago
@triphorn19 Thanks for the catch! I'm adding an annotation to the video.
mpgomatic 4 months ago
So... remind me, why would someone take a Prius over this?
mustangman442002 4 months ago
@mustangman442002 Because people are stupid
Myaccountbastards 3 months ago
@Myaccountbastards well said
techdude6693 3 months ago
great mileage as expected
lfsracer79 6 months ago
650 miles will put to SHAME the fuel tanks on gas guzzler SUV's and trucks. Prius? No. Give me glorious diesel in a luxurious tdi Golf. 47.3 Highway, give it a try, trucks.
ConejoZing 6 months ago 3
whats the different between TDI and TSI?
nielkainama93 6 months ago
@nielkainama93 TDI is a turbocharged diesel engine, TSI a turbocharged petrol from VW.
10tenable 6 months ago
its a shame the US VW tdis get far less mpp than the european veedubs.
1sick93 7 months ago
@1sick93 its all the damn diesel emissions standards here. in alaska where i live theres no diesel testing so we can straight pipe our diesel pick ups and get like 18 mpg in the city!
chinchillawrangler 6 months ago
@1sick93 They don't, its because of the less rigorous testing in europe, and the fact that the british gallon is larger than the american one.
PeaceOfMind5 6 months ago
@PeaceOfMind5 Thats a lie the government and epa tell you. The government make money from fuel tax, the less economical a vehicle the more money they make. Many dot and epa laws are pure lies, why are importation laws to the US extremely strict, it has nothing to do with emissions or safety, it's because Americans would buy imported vehicles over domestic. A lot of Americans think Toyotas, Nissans, Honda etc are imports. There not they are specially built for the US market, in North America.
1sick93 6 months ago
it's just a cheaper A3
hunker8 7 months ago
Nice review, but not detailed enough.
turbo311 7 months ago
@turbo311 Thanks for the feedback! We always include a link to the full review on our website that goes into more depth. If there are specific things that you think we should add, please let us know. :)
mpgomatic 7 months ago 3
ai as carroças do BR
variguiano 8 months ago
Keep your 140hp, Give me back the engine from 2002. 90hp 42mpg city 49 highway. It's not even worth it to get a diesel anymore. I have a 2000 beetle tdi, still gets 44mpg combined but has nearly 300,000 miles on it. Looking for a replacement. 42 highway isn't good enough, gas cars are getting that nowadays. Diesels in Europe hit 70 mpg.
SolarAbyss 9 months ago
@SolarAbyss If you actually drive the new TDI's you will find out that you will get 50-53mpg on the highways, and the reason why diesels in Europe get better fuel economy is b/c our gallon is 3.8L and theres is 4.0L so yea they can get better fuel economy b/c they are using more fuel to do it.
adamslurch71 9 months ago
@adamslurch71 maybe but they got better fuel too...helps a lot!
VentoDriver 8 months ago
@adamslurch71 diesels are also less regulated over seas
rsxzx6r 8 months ago
Mom and Dad just bought the 2011 TDi Golf Wagon. It's a great car, the engine makes an obscene amount of torque for such a small car. Tiny bit of turbo lag, and then you're off.
noob616 9 months ago
the 2009-present Volkswagen Golf is assembled in
Wolfsburg, Germany
Changchun, China
Jakarta, Indonesia
Pekan, Malaysia
Solomonovo, Ukraine
Annihilator1111 9 months ago
Nah.....you couldn't get three Americans in the back of a Golf.
You could get 10 Pakistanis or a Bengal tiger in there.....maybe a small cow....or perhaps a family of Afghans. But you'd never squeeze in 3 Americans.
Maybe if you had a roof rack?
Bra23we12 10 months ago
i was told when i got my 2006 golf tdi that i would get 800 in the city and 1000 all highway. but seriously i only get 700 in the city and like 8 hundred something when i drive all highway?, does any one else see a problem with this?.
nikkyg9021 11 months ago
WOAH! impressive! :D .... and the revs... so little xD
DKRaFiQ 11 months ago
Diesel Model: (30,41)MPG
($1.76 per mile)
Gas Model: (22,30) MPG
($2.19 per mile)
Using these numbers, you would pay off the difference in price in about a year. Diesels are also known to last longer and the engines run less stressed than the gas, meaning less mechanic visits.
porschefan102 11 months ago
@porschefan102
I don't know where you're getting your cost per mile numbers from, nor your "about a year". Say you get a combined 36 mpg with the TDI, vs a combined 26 mpg for the gas, and that diesel costs about 50c more per gallon, and that you drive the avg 15000 miles per year ... it amounts to a yearly savings of just $350. It will take ten years to pay back the extra for the TDI. Now granted there are other bonuses to the diesel, like no plugs, but that's not going to amount to much.
andyman2370 11 months ago
@andyman2370
Sorry, I took the average miles per gallon of both gas and diesel and used the current average gas prices in my area (Northern California). I also found used TDI's (about 20k miles) for a similar price the the new and barely used Golf's on AutoTrader. I am looking to buy a TDI, but need to research more to see if I actually save money.
porschefan102 11 months ago
I've got a 2011 Golf TDI coming in on Tuesday, though it's manual instead of DSG (I love the DSG but I just couldn't resist!) and this review is actually half the reason I decided to go for this car :-).
DanteJoseCuervo 11 months ago
I just bought a new 2010 golf tdi.....theres about 400 miles on it. Im only getting 33 mpg so far on the highways. Is there normally a break in period?
bucasas 1 year ago
Brian Eno Win
obsg 1 year ago
I love this car- I average 36mpg per tank (manual calculation) but i do drive it hard and in the city mostly. The TDI just feels perfect - 6sp manual of course. :)
mindfield7 1 year ago
Having looked at both a Prius and the Golf, I decided on the Golf. Main reason is that I am mostly highway (70%) that makes the Prius not as fuel efficient where city mileage is its forte. My cousin consistently averaged 37-39 on his commute that is mostly highway. My Golf is averaging about 45-48. By the way, price ended up about the same in Purchase price. Again MPG is based on % of hwy vs city
petuniacar 1 year ago
@petuniacar what price did you pay? What features did you get?
nggaplz 1 year ago
how much is a volkswagen golf tdi 2005 ? please wnser cause im turning 16 soon really looking in to a golf tdi manuel
KEEPiTJ1BB1Nskicrew 1 year ago
My fathers 1996 Ford F250 7.3 Powerstroke now has over 600k (and still going) with NO major engine repairs, not to mention its his work truck. He recently replaced the injectors (200k after I told him they needed replaced) and rebuilt the turbo. I really think diesels are the way to go and with this kind of fuel economy and power I'll skip the hybrids untill they catch up. If you really wanted to save some money you could go one step further and invest in a biodiesel kit and make your own fuel.
kfox66 1 year ago
200,00k miles and that engine is barely worn in.
The transmission repair isnt expensive anymore, yes vw had a problem with regular automatic transmission which died after 160-190k miles, but the new ones are automated manual transmission which the only defect that may occur are pneumatic actuators. And these things are cheap to fix.
Overall 300k miles is easily achieved.
I sold my golf TDI manual at 206k miles. The car was still perfect. without any major problems during that time
janssen70 1 year ago
When are they going to release one with 190 hp, some german dude said they had them already, if they do, its basically going to say bye bye to the GTI. I would easily sacrifice a car that is around a second faster off the line for double the gas mileage. I hope they do and then maybe make TDi look like GTI. GTI is one of the best looking hatchbacks ever, probaly my favorite. Mazda and Toyota have just don't compare to VW. Gti that is, golf is ok...
joshuatree1001 1 year ago
Sexy
RawHideG2 1 year ago
@Bra23we12: 1 Imperial gallon = 1.2 US gallons. My MPG numbers come from the US Department of Energy, which does fuel efficiency testing. Note that their numbers may now appear somewhat conservative (see fueleconomy.gov for details about how they test). You can look up the vehicle through their website under "find and compare cars" on the left side of the page.
Fnyar 1 year ago
@xxxmosh, Please explain how this is relevant. I don't understand your point. The rate at which diesel or gasoline burns is inherently taken into account when one looks at how many miles can be travelled on a gallon of fuel.
Fnyar 1 year ago
Should be priced a little lower, at that price I'd just add a few thousands and get the GTI.
lbryan250 1 year ago
looks like the ford focus
pkidro 1 year ago
here's my car, a good mixture between being sporty and fuel saving
supercazurro 1 year ago
Does entering the backseat of the two door model involve squeezing between the two front seats and over the armrest?
VidSir 1 year ago
@VidSir uhh no?! LOL have you never been in the back of a 2 door vehicle before?
FromBottomToTop 1 year ago
@FromBottomToTop If I have, why would I have asked that?
VidSir 1 year ago
I like the TDI in concept. Doing a little math this evening shows a few things though:
* Diesel is ~12% more expensive in my area (WA).
* The 2 door TDI base price is $3884 more than the non-TDI even with the $850 tax credit taken into account.
* My calculation is based on the best highway millage for both cars (42 vs. 30).
3884 + (3.29/42) x = (2.93/30) x
x = Miles to Break Even = ~200,000
Plug in your numbers. Maybe it makes more sense from a purely economic standpoint in your area.
Fnyar 1 year ago 5
Even using the best highway mileage reported in this video (47.3) and the EPA mileage for the non-TDI the break even for me would be 138,500 miles. Better but still not great.
Fnyar 1 year ago
@Fnyar You might also want to factor in the historically higher resale value for TDIs ...
mpgomatic 1 year ago 19
@mpgomatic I would expect the TDI to have a higher resale value though, given that it costs more up front. To make it a factor worth considering you'd want to consider the average resale percentage (resale price/new price) and see if that percentage is higher for the TDI or not. Just because it resells for more doesn't necessarily mean it's a better deal if you paid more for it to begin with. Thanks for the good review.
Fnyar 1 year ago
@mpgomatic I should say that I do like the idea of cars that get better mileage (who doesn't?). Assuming the environmental impact of producing a TDI and a non-TDI are the same and that emissions are the same (I'm not sure that's the case), better mileage wins. If the break even point were 50,000 miles rather than 200,000 miles people might have a financial incentive, or at least not a disincentive, to buy the more efficient vehicle. A 50K break even would mean about a $1000 price premium.
Fnyar 1 year ago
@mpgomatic also diesel will outlast the gas model. along with diesels are generally less maintenance
mancheskia 1 year ago
@mpgomatic 200, 000 miles vehicles worth close to nothing when it’s in good working order. Imagine when they have some minor mechanical/cosmetic issue... More importantly, Volkswagen automatic transmission is notorious for breaking down early, almost a disposable wear part, especially when with TDI and in clod weather. What is the price for a new automatic VW transmission? $4000+ . All consider I'm not sure I can afford that king of fuel saving. And by the way my first car was a Rabbit Diesel..
brickandfanal 1 year ago
@mpgomatic and the massive amount of torque
eduardosantacruz 11 months ago 5
@eduardosantacruz Whooo yeah, how did I forget the torque?
mpgomatic 11 months ago
@mpgomatic you also might want to factor in the historically higher dB and cost of ear plugs.
gwalia4 11 months ago
@gwalia4 Alas, that's not a significant factor with this vehicle.
mpgomatic 11 months ago 2
@mpgomatic You must also remember that VW Diesel's are much more reliable and have about twice the engine life than a gas model.
javidz123 11 months ago
@mpgomatic I am not sure why someone will buy this over a prius. Gen 3 prius has great city and highway mpg. According mpgmatic test it gets around 59 in city and highway. Lets not forget higher price for diesel. In the end usa sales number show why prius is better than tdi. Go Prius.
Plus lets not forget about all prius hacks.
gwalia4 11 months ago
@gwalia4 how does the Prius stack up with the cost of replacing the batteries if you want to keep your car for 400-600k Miles?
aodhanof90 11 months ago
@aodhanof90 Battery rebuild is 800-1500. Google how to do it. Lets use mpgomatic mpg number. They are very good. 400k/59=6779 gallons of gas. At $4/gallon you will spend $27116. TDI 400k/39.1 = 10230 gallons of diesel. At 4.20/gallon you will spend $429666. Cash saved on Fuel $15,850. Spark plugs and wire cost are negated by only 3 quart oil change every 10k. Prius has timing chain and very reliable cvt. Cost of timing belts and tranny rebuild will negate any battery cost.
gwalia4 11 months ago
@mpgomatic Or, perhaps none of this matters because I don't want a Golf 2.5!!!
Srbabiruso 9 months ago
@mpgomatic what about timing belt and brake pads. Prius can easily go over 400k on original pads because of regen and chain will last life of the car. My pads where 10mm thick after 100k. New pads are 11mm. Use mobil 1 every 5k and motor will last as long as a diesel. Toyota cvt is also more reliable than any vw auto. There is a reason why prius out sells all tdi cars combined in usa.
gwalia4 9 months ago
@gwalia4 That's awesome! It's wonderful that folks can choose a wide range of vehicles here in the USA and that you're so devoted to your Prius. Preventive maintenance is often overlooked.
mpgomatic 9 months ago
@gwalia4 .... Hybrids like the Prius are slow, boring, and very expensive upfront..... and the batteries sound awfully expensive if they ever need replacing. When Toyota,Honda, or anyone else builds an inexpensive and fun to drive hybrid, I'll consider.
MrKurt1962 8 months ago
@gwalia4 all depends on your driving i got 300k out of a set of brakes on my bug, and the new tdi engines go 200,000 km on a timing belt.
Spyster007 8 months ago
@gwalia4 factory tested and is very quiet plus the smooth shifting blows me away, i love this car and soon will get my hands on it :)
KnightGadiel 10 months ago
@KnightGadiel I hope you enjoy your new car. Goodluck!!
gwalia4 10 months ago
@gwalia4 funny you mention that because the TDI is actually quieter than the gas engine.
Spyster007 9 months ago
@Spyster007 Tdi might be quieter than a Gm direct injection engine but not a prius motor. Prius engine is not even on in low speed. You should drive a prius before you come up with that. First time i thought something was wrong. Have to look for the ready light. Already signed up for prius phev. I want phev instead of regular hybrid because no engine noise & new carpool stickers in CA. No engine for first 30 miles would be nice. Volt is also a great option for people who can afford it.
gwalia4 9 months ago
@gwalia4 It might not be quieter than an electric motor, we can all agree that is pretty obvious, but it's quieter than the Prius Gas motor, especially under full throttle.
Spyster007 9 months ago
@gwalia4 But yoru still limited to using gasoline while a diesel driver can use any number of fuels with small modification if none at all.
adamslurch71 9 months ago
@Fnyar Historically a diesel engine lasts about twice as long also......
viviper006 1 year ago 18
@Fnyar Also take into account that diesel powered cars last longer than their gasoline counterparts and one does not need to change the oil as often. My dad has a 2005 VW Passat TDI that gets about 39 MPG on the highway, so with the smaller Golf, you are more likely to get in the high 40's or the low 50's with highway driving. One of my teachers last year has a a 2006 Jetta TDI and he gets about 45 MPG highway.
claytonraymond2004 1 year ago
@Fnyar Are you comparing the TDI to a regular golf? Because the TDI has a turbo, making it much more fun to drive than a regular gas powered golf.
ddnn3 1 year ago
@Fnyar diesel ftw
12valvepower1 1 year ago
@Fnyar You might also want to take into account that a diesel vehicle will typically last longer than the gas counterpart and thus reduce the need for buying a second car when the gas car goes ka-put.
claytonraymond2004 1 year ago
@Fnyar also diesel burns slower the gas maybe you an put that in there to
xxxmosh 1 year ago
@Fnyar
Hi.
I bought one of these a couple of months ago. It's the 2lt TDi model. I'm British and use it in England.
I don't understand your fuel/mileage figures.
Mine can't be wildly different from the model you guys have in America....so how come the miles per gallon figure is vastly different?
I'd be dissapointed with less than 60mpg on flat, straight roads eg motorway....and with less than 50mpg in town.
I know a US gallon is different....but not by that much surely?
Bra23we12 1 year ago
@Bra23we12 a US gallon is only 3.7854 litres
TimpBizkit 4 months ago
@Bra23we12 a US gallon is only 3.7854 litres
TimpBizkit 4 months ago
@Fnyar You are getting a lot more options with the base TDI than the base non-TDI. Also the golf TDI is still less than the GTI. I've heard that the interiors are almost identical (except the TDI doesn't have the plaid seats of course).
bloodyright77 1 year ago
@Fnyar a TDI will survive your 200,000kms x 4. At the very least. Just do maintenance.
CypherX5 1 year ago
@Fnyar I would also factor in all that extra torque...
Forshbr04 1 year ago
@Fnyar I feel when I get my jetta TDI I won't have trouble adding those miles on... I'm trying to get an 04 Jetta TDI with the manual trans. my goal is to get at least 600K miles out of it, so I think it'll pay for it's self. I knew it was the right car for me when I had my friends Jetta for a week and thought I was doing really bad on fuel economy... I found out when I refueled that I had gotten 43 mpg :-D
aodhanof90 11 months ago
@Fnyar
I'm in Europe...and I'm guessing that you're in America. I reckon that might be why your x factor seems so off the mark.
Still doesn't explain why you get such a high breakeven point though. Perhaps it's just the cost of diesel fuel. Here, we look at life cycle costs. This would include planned maintenance, fuel & oils, road tax, re-sale value (as a depreciating marker), insurance costs etc. We use a total cost of ownership figure based on an average mileage.
Golf is in the top 5.
Bra23we12 10 months ago
@Bra23we12 Yes, I live in Washington (the state, not D.C.). Diesel is more expensive than regular gasoline (petrol) here whereas in Europe the reverse is true. Looking at the TCO is indeed important. I agree that resale of a TDI will be higher but really what matters is the comparative depreciation on both cars. If the TDI is less, then it's a winer in that regard. I don't think the data points exist yet to make that comparison though. Believe it or not I had actually considered buying a TDI.
Fnyar 10 months ago
@Fnyar I like your mathematical approach. This is definately an eye opener! One thing to consider thou is I can onyl assume that the diesel will get much better combined MPG then the gas. Well Im hoping at least as im planning on buying the tDI next month
Dareisaymore 10 months ago
@Fnyar You will get much faster miles to Break Even when you ride on selfmade biodiesel.
I live in europe. I have old Ford Mondeo 1.8 Turbo Diesel. In town it consume pure veggie oil 7-7.5 liter for 100 kilometers.
So low consume with very very old diesel engine!
SwPiotrek 10 months ago
Comment removed
00stangmang 10 months ago
@Fnyar I just test drove a 2011 TDI Golf manaul today and over an 18 mile trip through town of start and stop driving only, I never exceeding 40 mph I had averaged 42.2 MPGs. I was testing with regular driving to compare with a Prius.
00stangmang 10 months ago
@Fnyar you might want to also factor in that historically Diesels, tend to meet or exceed EPA ratings. Check out fuelly.com there are alof of 2010 Golf TDI's that are averaging combined 40-50 mpg. Compared to the 36 combined that the EPA rates this vehicle at. Your actual fuel savings tend to be higher than expected.
Spyster007 10 months ago
@Fnyar
I would suggest looking at price of biodiesel instead of diesel and also taking into account that biodiesel is not likely to be getting more expensive, while petrol for sure will.
And if you are planning to be seriously saving on fuel, you can buy for 10k a machine that will be making certified biodiesel for you.
But then it would make sense to buy only diesels after that.
9K58 10 months ago
@9K58 It cost that much for the machine brand new? I seen one on craigslist used for 2 grand..
rpaul247 10 months ago
@Fnyar Unless youre paying for the golf in cash, you would have no reason but to calculate the money you spend on the regular golf vs. TDI on a monthly basis. The normal golf starts at 19400 with the same options that are base on the TDI, TDI at 22,375 (with tax credit) a 2975 dif. Say you commute 100 miles a day 5 days a week, and get an APR of 3.5% for 5 yrs on your car. Gas at your stated prices. 549.52/month for reg. 558.30/month for TDI, TDI is $9 more per month...so it's a matter of resale
LyleWeathersby 10 months ago
@LyleWeathersby the gas golf would have steel wheels and hubcaps and no blue tooth, no touch screen radio and different transmissions. so 2975 is wrong
gkohlj 8 months ago
@Fnyar don't forget to take into account the higher than EPA fuel mileage with the TDI's. Check fuelly.com
Spyster007 9 months ago
i waiting farword for the new focus
besian1987 1 year ago
Diesels are not 0-60 cars, they are more of 35-75 mph cars, the torque pulls at mid RPM are craaaazy with these TDIs, I've just test driven this yesterday.
hadabenz 1 year ago
man i'm glad i can't afford anything right now, wot with school n' stuff, cuz there's no way i'd be able to decide whether to get the 2 door or 4 door
juukame 1 year ago
how fast is the "pick up and go" in comparison with the GTI?
aaronchungrulez 1 year ago
@aaronchungrulez
What you guys need to understand about diesel is they are exceptionally fast in-gear. They only reason 0-60 time is a little slower is because 1st gear is over very quickly but adds time to the 0-60.
2nd gear 10mph to 60mph will completely DESTROY a petrol engine of similar bhp. You can really chase more 'powerful' cars if you catch them in gear.
Diesel engines really are pure muscle today. The torque shove is what ud expect from a V8, cept it's a 1.9
fentonjd 1 year ago
Volkswagen TDIs are the Anti Prius. Why waste your money on a bare bones, no frills cheese box that goes 0-60 in two weeks when for less money you can get a LOT more car and fuel economy that's almost just as good? The entire TDI line is fantastic!
thunderstruck665 1 year ago
That sure is a nice little critter
MattTrecartin 1 year ago
Tom Sellick is reviewing cars now?
supercooled 1 year ago
@supercooled D'oh! What happened to the palm trees? Where's my red Ferrari?
mpgomatic 1 year ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
@supercooled
Laugh My Ass Off!
MarkStr82Hell 1 year ago
Love your reviews!
prodigy1210 1 year ago
@prodigy1210 Thanks! =)
mpgomatic 1 year ago
Excellent review. The 0-60 footage was awesome!
Trojanman2006 1 year ago
@Trojanman2006 no
yassir337 1 year ago
I would love to see more diesels here Stateside....this is a great start though.
jaimehatespapi 1 year ago
Fantastic review. Keep it up:D
ThatIsGoodOJ 1 year ago
i love VW but it cost me so much more money when i had my GTI...they just don't last as long as Japanese car though their value are good. In the end, get car you like and not what other think you like.
DJTEVAdotCOM 1 year ago
i like you, mpgomatic, because you seem to be a proponent for diesel over hybrid technology like me. if you think about it, what's the point of all the effort honda goes through to make the insight get 43 mpg when it's cheap inside and drives horribly when a golf 1.8 tdi is easily more economical, quicker, and possibly more fun to drive as well. not to mention diesels are much more economical to maintain, and less costly to the environment to be manufactured in the first place.
coolerdude44 1 year ago 25
@coolerdude44 - We need 'em both. Hybrids are cool at lower speeds (while gliding under electric power) and in heavy-duty traffic, when driven properly.
That said, I'd love to have the ability/funds to import a Honda i-CDTi clean diesel engine from England and drop it between the Insight's fenders.
One of our goals is to take a TDI engine and drop it into something slick and light. There's a kit car in the works that'll do just that ...
mpgomatic 1 year ago
@coolerdude44
diesel's are good for highway driving.
hybrid/electric cars are good for Stop and Go city driving.
if you were in downtown newyork traffic, the hybrid would get WAY better milage than the TDI, unless you wanted to shut you engine off at every stop.
sausagenmuff 1 year ago
@sausagenmuff Actually, the manual version of this (I think it's just manual, anyway) has a stop and start system. If you shift into neutral, the engine cuts out, then starts again when you put the clutch down. I know this because my driving instructer has one, and it was quick to restart when I stalled it LOL.
04smallmj 1 year ago
@04smallmj
Oh really? good to know,
sausagenmuff 1 year ago
@coolerdude44 would love to see see diesel hybrids.
VeeDubbDood 1 year ago
@coolerdude44 I am 100% with you. Im really tired of people pushing the idea of hybrid technology. If they really want the best possible milage start developing hybrid diesel. I own a 04 TDI and milage is excelent in the car. Dont forget how bad mining for the metals used in the batteries is either, the tailings ponds left behind from the process are filled with toxic pollutants that destroy the surrounding area as well as wipeout large amounts of wildlife.
nilocking17 1 year ago
@coolerdude44 Amen brother! Except that this is WAY more fun to drive than an insite. It also doesn't have that giant toxic battery onboard. With a little modification, they'll more miles per gallon and give you more power.
CypherX5 1 year ago
@coolerdude44 i agree with you and diesel would be my vote as far economically speaking. but i think the goal as far as the hybrid is to reduce the environmental effect cars have. but in my opinion im a bit more concerned with my pocket change, and i'll wait for technology to solve the environment problem
realmenkickstuff 1 year ago
@coolerdude44 Yeah, but you should also consider that oil companies should sell gas as well, that is why diesel is way more expensive than gas. So since diesel will never be cheap enough for Americans to shift, hybrid is the way to go.
Fussinated 11 months ago
@Fussinated if you think hybrids are the way to go, you know nothing about chemistry, physics, and you lack general common sense.
coolerdude44 11 months ago
@coolerdude44 "if you think hybrids are the way to go"
This is such a genius deduction. I must say I thought no one would understand me, but apparently I was wrong. Even mofe amazing it took only few words for you to understand and analyze me. You are amazing.
"you know nothing about chemistry"
If I didn't know better, I would have said I do. But, you put it in such an elegant and eloquent way. Now, I can't deny that I know nothing about chemistry. >>
Fussinated 11 months ago
@coolerdude44 >> 2-) How can i claim that I know about chemistry after you showed me and everyone this fact that I don't in such detail and depth. Not only wise but also descriptive too.
"you lack general common sense."
This is another thing I thought i had until you gave this repsonse full of light and wisdom. Than you, man, thank you, How can I pay you back this favor. Now I see the light i can say that you must be the most well educated and wise man I have ever met. >>
Fussinated 11 months ago
@coolerdude44 >>3-) Now who can deny your knowledge and wisdom after such a response? I can't even dare and if anyone dares to do so, I will repsond him/her before you do. You showed me the way how humans should communicate with each other. Such finesse ... I can't stop admiring. With this much cumulated information if you go for presidency my vote is for you. You crushed me with your wisdom, but you aslo did it in such a way that I can't stop admiring you. May God bless you.
Fussinated 11 months ago
lovely car....... diesel lasts forever, German cars are better on crash survival (autobahn) than Japanese.
Echosin0 1 year ago
I wish VW would have given us the 170 hp version of this engine. I hear they didn't because our diesel isn't high enough grade./
KoolCordell 1 year ago
Are the bi-xenon headlights on the test car any good?
krisb51 1 year ago
Expensive to buy and expensive to keep on the road!
The 4 door TDi in the dealerships is around $24K and if yo wan to get the navigation and some more options the price goes up to $27K.
That car just doesn't make sense! You better get Civic Si or Corolla XRS! They will cost you somewhere around K23$ fully loaded! And you will still save lots of money, and they last much longer on the road and are cheap to maintain!
digitalrebelxti 1 year ago
@digitalrebelxti - The Civic and Corolla are nice cars, but you have to look at the full cost of ownership, including depreciation. TDIs hold their value quite well.
mpgomatic 1 year ago
@mpgomatic MPGiomatic you was subscribed!
digitalrebelxti 1 year ago
@digitalrebelxti
Why would you want to buy a boring economy car??
And the diesel engines last alot longer than gas engines
Plus vw cars are reliable and now have a 3 year no cost maintenenc warranty plus the regular warranties
so with the 3 year no cosr maintenece warranty you dont pay for anything
TCB1468 1 year ago
@digitalrebelxti - dude Golf 6 is way better than Civic or Corolla. It's extremely comfortable, has a fantastic interior and drives very well.
nvcnfrthsl 1 year ago
@digitalrebelxti civic si halves the mpg of the golf. also if you're in the states you get a 1700 tax break on the car. bringing the base down to 22k range. and there are a lot of options that come standard on the TDI here.
kbrinks 1 year ago
@kbrinks
Does that tax break expire or anything? I quite like the TDI but 24k for one with a moonroof is a little is a bit much. I am looking between a golf TDI and Civic Ex, which is 19,000 after my student discount. Both are great cars. The civic is much cheaper and so is regular fuel but the golf is more efficient and more fun. Bring it down to 21 or 22k with student incentives and tax breaks and it could work.
Yardjass 1 year ago
@digitalrebelxti
Not that VW's are but Hondas and Toyotas are no longer cheap to maintain. Besides, a Civic Si is GTI competition, not diesel golf. I thinking about an EX or TDI for the economy but if you want something fast, a v6 mustang is much faster than a GTI or Si and gets about the same mileage and reliability.
Yardjass 1 year ago
damn that's pretty quick... definitely quicker than my mom's altima, and this is more practical, smaller, and more economical.
coolerdude44 1 year ago 3
I *REALLY* do NOT like VW's *expensive* maintenance schedule....
Make SURE you actually GET the maintenance schedule when you're shopping for your car - and do NOT take NO for an answer. Sales people will DANCE around this topic. Go up to the service desk and DEMAND to see the maintenance schedule WITH prices...!
It is the reason why I told VW to FUCK OFF !
a1mint 1 year ago
@a1mint well VW is about to become the world greatest automaker, so obviously you dont have a lot of people who support you opinion.
FromBottomToTop 1 year ago
@FromBottomToTop Cars is a religious issue. People's opinions are mostly not based on facts.
VW's maintenance schedule is much more costly than, say, a Toyota.
Funny how people thumb down facts.
a1mint 1 year ago
Sorry, Seattlecarnut. I like diesels for their respectable fuel economy, but the noise from the engine drives me nuts.
Fordmustang315 1 year ago
@Fordmustang315 Modern diesels like this one are much quieter than older ones, it almost sounds like a petrol version. Haven't you heard the engine in the 0-60 video?
04smallmj 1 year ago
I'm glad to hear the Golf is available with Clean diesel Turbo Direct Injection (TDI). How about bigger VWs like the Passat or the Eurovan? Vehicles like that would definitely benefit from either a 2.5 to 3 litre diesel engine.
Seattlecarnut 1 year ago 2
is there any chance vw would do a golf in carbon steel grey like they do for the golf gti?; i simply love that color
juukame 1 year ago
your guys reviews are so much better than motortrend or car and driver! the 0-60 in the review was awesome. keep making cool reviews
matman142 1 year ago
Thanks for the kind and inspiring words, Matman! :)
mpgomatic 1 year ago
its a shit, the 2008 is best
box200105 1 year ago
You have to be careful when comparing a diesel to a gas engine. While the MPG number may look impressive, it's a little deceiving. You have to ask yourself what's the upcharge for diesel fuel in your area? What's the price difference for the diesel vs. gas engine? Do the math and work out the cost per mile rather than MPG. You may find out that you have to drive the car for 60K + miles before you recoup your initial diesel investment. Food for thought.
timtrain35 1 year ago
Diesel fuel prices may be an issue. That said, things appeared to go back to normal when the Oil Men left Washington DC.
Diesel fuel prices traditionally rise and fall with the seasons: higher in the winter and lower in the summer. Throughout this past winter, diesel fuel prices have hovered between the price of regular and premium unleaded. Diesel was LESS expensive than regular last summer around these parts.
Over the past month or so, it cost me less to fill up a Golf TDI than a GTI. :)
mpgomatic 1 year ago
Also, don't forget the $1500-$2000 you have to pay up front to get the diesel. Once you do the math, it takes a lot of miles just to get to your break even point.
timtrain35 1 year ago
To do the math comprehensively, one must take the entire life of the vehicle into account.
Diesel's have significantly higher resale values, due largely to the fact that diesel engines last far longer than gas engines.
Spend a little more up front, save in the long run ...
mpgomatic 1 year ago 4
@mpgomatic i was watching an episode of top gear once, and jeremy had said that americans want cars so much cheaper than the rest of the world because a long time for us is half a decade, and by that time we're looking for a new car. i think this is a good point to add to your reasoning; even though the golf may be a little more expensive upfront, it's built more reliably and built to last far beyond our expectations. instead of developing faults as early as 3-4 years
juukame 1 year ago 3
@juukame yeah... but then i learned that jeremy clarkson has owned 3 volvo xc90's in 5 years... and he called the american automotive consumer temperamental? what a hyppocrit!
coolerdude44 1 year ago
Yeah, but also factor in the $1300-1700 tax credit and it's not so bad.
craig2717 1 year ago 2
Also, add in the $1300-1700 tax credit!
craig2717 1 year ago 4