Anyone own a Diesel car?

[annael415]

Looking to buy a new car, hopefully with better gas mileage and the Passat TDI is the current front runner. Anyone have any experience with diesels? Specifically, the noise or the availability of finding diesel vs gas.

To make this MMR, I know diesel is more expensive, but it gets 10 miles more a gallon (40 vs 30), which outweighs the cost, kinda.

Thanks!

[McGavin]

H had a diesel VW. It was not hard to find diesel, every gas station around here has it. The car had great fuel mileage but the car itself sucked. Terrible, terrible car and the repairs were expensive.

[CloudBee]

My ex had one, and it was LOUD.

[krisandgrace]

I have a VW TDI Jetta, it is the best car I have ever had. The gas millage is amazing! Mine is 7 years old with 140 miles and beside the most basic maintenance it hasn't needed almost anything.

The jetta get's better gas millage then the passat and probably cost less to maintain. I had a regular gas passat before this car and it seemed to be in the shop a lot more.

[who22]

As nice as a diesel car is for longevity/mileage VW's tend to be expensive to care for and honestly you can find a regular car that gets 40 mi/gal these days if that's your main criteria.

[annael415]

May 11, 2012 8:01:20 GMT -5 who22 said:

As nice as a diesel car is for longevity/mileage VW's tend to be expensive to care for and honestly you can find a regular car that gets 40 mi/gal these days if that's your main criteria.

It's not really my main criteria. I'd love an audi or volvo, but am trying not to spend that much. The VW seems to come with a lot of "extras", and I like the look of it. DH is a big fan of the diesel thing, I had never considered it before.

[farfalla2011]

BF drives a diesel. He has no problems finding fuel at all. Actually most gas stations have it.

Also, because its a 2010 (Jetta) its actually super quiet - probably just as quiet or more so than my 2007 tC.

Because he follows the auto industry pretty close (he's really into cars and their technology) I get to hear how many changes and advances they've made and how they are actually just as reliable as gas cars. And like you mentioned, much cheaper to drive overall due to the fuel mileage difference.

[juris11]

H had a diesel truck. It is not MM on gas prices, because, well, it's a giant truck. But if he had a gas truck of the same size he would be filling up more often. He claims it is better, but I don't really know. He is a firm diesel supporter.

He has not had a problem finding diesel fuel. Most stations have it around here.

[thatgirl2478]

My parents had diesel VW Rabbits back in the 70/80's. They were GREAT cars. Then they got standard gas Jettas - they were OK cars. Then they got a Passat. That was the last VW they bought. They spent SO MUCH money on that stupid car.

The new diesel cars are quieter, cleaner, and have more 'oomph'. If your primary reason for getting one is gas mileage, and the only make that's available is a VW then I'd keep looking. Consider any of the other standard fuel vehicles that get good mileage. VW's build quality has been too inconsistent for me to consider one.

[kzoomaggie]

My MIL has the TDI Golf and DH is very serious about buying the 2013 TDI Passat (from a Jeep with aweful gas mileage, which makes the transition super MM!). My MIL loves her car and has no trouble finding Diesel. It seems to be pretty quiet and has a lot of power!

[BAMFMrsB]

I have the '09 TDI Jetta and I have no trouble finging diesel in ATL. And I get ~450mi per tank with a combined city/hwy driving. It should be higher, but DH says I have a lead foot.

It did have some issues/repairs needed - my fusebox just effing DIED on me... that was a random! And VWofUSA covered the part out of warranty.

I follow the German Engineers guidelines of changing the oil every 10k miles, so while its still pricey to change the oil (synthetic oil changes)... its every 10k.

I plan on putting 200k - 300k mi on it before I get a new car. I turn 60k sometime in the next month.

DH and I agree that this car, hands down is the BEST car either of us have ever owned and between us we've owned 7!

HTH!

[annael415]

Thanks! Hoping to test drive one soon. Looks like some pos/neg experiences. I've had some bad luck with VW in the past, but am willing to give another shot.

[heliocentric]

We have a 2009 Jetta TDI with almost 90K miles on it. We love it. The mpg is great, but I do mostly highway driving for my very long commute. I probably average 44 mpg, but have gotten as high as mid-50s for individual trips. It is louder than a gas car, but not nearly as loud as older diesels, especially when your inside.

Diesel engines are reliable and therefore have a better resale value. In fact, I just read somewhere that the Jetta TDI is one of the top 10 cars for retaining resale.

We also have a 1986 Mercedes 300 SDL that still works with 250K+ miles on it.

I don't have a problem finding diesel, but it does require a bit more thought because not all stations have it.

We would absolutely consider getting another diesel. We've been very pleased with ours.

[heliocentric]

May 11, 2012 9:21:38 GMT -5 annael415 said:

Thanks! Hoping to test drive one soon. Looks like some pos/neg experiences. I've had some bad luck with VW in the past, but am willing to give another shot.

I post this in every VW discussion, but my understanding (and confirmed by Consumer Reports) is that most of the bad VWs were mid-2000s and earlier. I forget when VW changed things (2007, maybe?), but they've been far more reliable since.

Also, I believe the diesels are made in a different plant which supposedly has better quality (although I'm not sure that's related to the plant or the fact the engine is different). I have heard of some issues with the automatic transmission, but have a manual so I can't confirm.

You might want to check out the TDI forums.

[annael415]

May 11, 2012 9:32:48 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

May 11, 2012 9:21:38 GMT -5 annael415 said:

Thanks! Hoping to test drive one soon. Looks like some pos/neg experiences. I've had some bad luck with VW in the past, but am willing to give another shot.

I post this in every VW discussion, but my understanding (and confirmed by Consumer Reports) is that most of the bad VWs were mid-2000s and earlier. I forget when VW changed things (2007, maybe?), but they've been far more reliable since.

Also, I believe the diesels are made in a different plant which supposedly has better quality (although I'm not sure that's related to the plant or the fact the engine is different). I have heard of some issues with the automatic transmission, but have a manual so I can't confirm.

You might want to check out the TDI forums.

Good to know, I had a 2002 previously and it was a nightmare. Must have missed previous VW posts where you said that.

[BAMFMrsB]

May 11, 2012 9:41:32 GMT -5 annael415 said:

May 11, 2012 9:32:48 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

I post this in every VW discussion, but my understanding (and confirmed by Consumer Reports) is that most of the bad VWs were mid-2000s and earlier. I forget when VW changed things (2007, maybe?), but they've been far more reliable since.

Also, I believe the diesels are made in a different plant which supposedly has better quality (although I'm not sure that's related to the plant or the fact the engine is different). I have heard of some issues with the automatic transmission, but have a manual so I can't confirm.

You might want to check out the TDI forums.[/quote]

Good to know, I had a 2002 previously and it was a nightmare. Must have missed previous VW posts where you said that.

That';s a good idea! I'm on here as well for those times I need to talk to other TDI Owners:

forums.tdiclub.com/

[mrsjuleshs]

DH drives a big diesel truck. It gets better gas mileage than the smaller truck he sold. Not to mention they typically last A LOT longer.

[chessie]

I have an F350 Diesel. Diesel vehicles get better mileage out of them on the highway. Only downside is not everywhere has diesel, but other then that, I wouldn't have it any other way. We get great gas mileage for what it is.