Diesel daily driver?

[31dev31]

So I'm in the market to buy a diesel for daily driving. I'm going to be going on a road trip in the summer of 2011 to the east coast, and I've decided on a diesel because of the fuel economy, and well I need a newer car that will take me over 4000 kms and back home in one piece. I'm still going to keep the civic though for projects. Any of you guys have any experiences with any diesel cars, preferably turbo diesels that is also comfortable for a road trip, and comes with a manual transmission? My budget is somewhere in the 4000-5000 range. And please give me an idea of what maintenance will be like, I haven't owned a diesel before.

I'm kind of looking at the 1999-2001 VW Jetta TDI, maybe pre-2005 Audi A4 TDi.

Suggestions?

 

[Raabe]

diesels will run forever, given the proper maintenance, just like any car.

jetta TDI FTMFW. most comfortable car ive ever ridden in. stepmom had one for a long time. awesome for trips.

 

[JohnS.]

Jetta TDI.

 

[31dev31]

Any specific years you would recommend?

 

[Raabe]

Any specific years you would recommend?

i was in a 2000 black jetta. s**t was nice

 

[vjf915]

And please give me an idea of what maintenance will be like, I haven't owned a diesel before.

Maintenance wont be that bad, only think you should watch out for is the spark plugs

Okay okay. I vote Audi.

 

[Raabe]

Maintenance wont be that bad, only think you should watch out for is the spark plugs

Okay okay. I vote Audi.

i see what you did there...

 

[31dev31]

Maintenance wont be that bad, only think you should watch out for is the spark plugs

Okay okay. I vote Audi.

I'm aware they don't have sparkplugs. But I know I would have to frequently keep topping up the blinker fluid

 

[vjf915]

I had to

How are the diesel prices compared to 87 octane in Canada?

 

[31dev31]

Regular 87 averages $0.982/L
Mid range 89 averages $1.075/L
Premium 91 averages $1.135/L
Not sure what Sunoco's 94 octane would be...

Diesel averages $0.979/L

 

[vjf915]

Not bad at all. I think diesel here is normally a little higher than 93.

 

[253eg]

When I bought my GLI, I originally was looking at TDI's. The only thing that was pushing me away from TDI's was the cost vs the mileage on the cars. All the TDI's I was looking at had 100k+ mileage and the dealerships still wanted 12-15,000 for them(1999-2005 Jetta/Golf TDI's). I didn't have the money for that after financing was said and done.

To this day, I still wish I would have gotten a TDI. But, I think now, I'd look at the MK5 Jettas, they don't seem to have the electrical devils that come with MK4's. Whatever you get, choose wisely, especially with VW's and with MK4s. Model years 03 to 05 have less electrical issues.

 

[Chris.]

buy a jetta TDI... try to get the newest year you can find for the price range you have... i have RARELY seen a broken down TDI... most reliable for sure.

just keep this in mind with a diesel.... make sure you change the fuel filter just about as often as the oil. you pump diesel from 10 different stations... and they all have garbage in them. so just keep that in mind.

i want a diesel so bad...

 

[31dev31]

I just talked to a friend of mine who has a Jetta TDI. He told me to go for it and look for one that's newer than 2000 because of less electrical issues. He recommended me a local TDI forum and to keep my eyes peeled for a good deal, he said that getting the one I'm looking for within my budget is possible. I've also been informed on what to look for when looking at a Jetta. So it looks like I'm looking for a Mk4 Jetta TDI now

On a side note, someone from back in my hometown has a 170 hp, +350 tq Mk4 Jetta TDI, slammed and cambered on Corvette blades, LSD transmission, and goes through 3 axles a month

 

[253eg]

ryanmiller's mk4 tdi on bags.

 

[31dev31]

I hate you 253eg. So much. I'm lusting one so bad after those pics and I'm trying to hold out the purchase until the end of this winter coming up.

 

[Ian123]

i wish my jetta was a TDI. my truck is and i will never own a gasser again. just make sure you use fuel additives in the winter if it gets below 15 degrees where you live because some stations are too stupid or cheap to use a winter blend of #2