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Just posted on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/v/Q91b-AIk-00&hl=en&fs=1

Hi Peacefrog:

___A decent comparison but there was a bit of bias involved as well. $30K vs. $24K? Hypermilers overlook the TDI?

___They did hit the ergonomics on the nose however. The –III’s telescopic wheel should help some and with a better tuned suspension, that should help the slalom numbers as well.

___That being said, there is no doubt VW has a winner on their hands and who would not want to own an 09 VW Jetta TDI :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I can beat those TDI reported mpg numbers handily in my 09 Corolla without using hypermiling, just turn on the cruise and go. Does this reviewed Jetta TDI 2.0 still have a timing belt?

The text version of the review also said:

"For our money and driving pleasure, we choose the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI over the 2009 Toyota Prius Touring. Of course, all that could change in a month or so once we get our hands on a 2010 Toyota Prius which is said to be more powerful, more efficient and up-to-date in terms of infotainment."

I will say I did appreciate that they at least acknowledged hypermiling as a practice, and not as recklessness...

I can beat those TDI reported mpg numbers handily in my 09 Corolla without using hypermiling, just turn on the cruise and go. Does this reviewed Jetta TDI 2.0 still have a timing belt?
It's still a belt. I believe the change interval is 120k miles.

Hi Peacefrog:

___That being said, there is no doubt VW has a winner on their hands and who would not want to own an 09 VW Jetta TDI :)


Those who've been burned by VW's notorious reliability issues.

I still find it comical that with their reputation for reliability, they picked a Chrysler minivan to re-badge, as if they didn't have it hard enough as it is. :D

I know I'd love to have a Jetta TDI wagon parked in front of my house.

I can beat those TDI reported mpg numbers handily in my 09 Corolla without using hypermiling, just turn on the cruise and go. Does this reviewed Jetta TDI 2.0 still have a timing belt?
That's comparing apples with giraffes. Your highway driving is not the same as post-2008 EPA highway test cycle. From all real world reports, it sounds as if any idiot can beat the Jetta's EPA highway numbers.

Why the concern about the timing belt? Just change it every 80k (just hit the 80k mark and did mine a few months ago) and fuhgeddaboutit. Believe me, on a VW the timing belt is the least of your worries! Besides, most of the high-FE competition uses timing belts too.

I still find it comical that with their reputation for reliability, they picked a Chrysler minivan to re-badge, as if they didn't have it hard enough as it is. :D

Makes sense to me (on VW's behalf)

They just pay to use the factory Chrysler invests in, touch it up without substantial R&D, and all the while it keeps the lines humming and Chrysler gets to keep a few people working.

I didn't say it was a bad decision, just that two companies with low perceived quality teamed up. Made it funny.

Hi All:

___If you could hear a story of a KBB rep I was speaking to in San Francisco about the Chrysler Minivan with 36,000 miles, you would avoid the VW variant like the plague.

___I still think the Jetta TDI will prove to be more reliable than its brethren but glad to see the early adopters taking on the challenge in force for the benefit of future VW TDI diesel owners later.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

All I know is that I have 273,000 miles in my 1998 Jetta TDI and it still runs great. It's had one set of glow plugs, a new coolant flange, one set of wheel bearings and one set of front struts in it's life time. Same injection pump, transmission and rear suspension from the beginning. It's had the timing belt changed at the service interval and it's had the IP timed every couple of years, but other than that, no problems with the power plant. Granted, the seats are kind of worn out, one power window doesn't work any more and it needs a new clutch disk some time soon, but I think that I have gotten my monies worth out of it.

That's mighty impressive! Quite a lot of miles too -- do you use the car for work?

I just picked up the latest Consumer Reports April auto issue. They now rate VW pretty good as an automaker overall (in league with Nissan and M-B) with several major pluses noted and a "mixed reliability record" as the only major downside. And most VW models are now rated at least Average for reliability. That's a pretty major improvement over the past few years.

although at this rate, I still think the insight is a better value then the TDI's, only benifit i see from the TDI's is maybe faster 0-60 time and more interior space.

Agreed Phil, for a commuter car I'd rather have the Insight.

But for a family roadtrip I'd sure rather have the TDI wagon for the extra cargo space.

Of course one of each would be the ideal for my family. If money were no object.