Any Insight on VW Sportswagon Turbo Diesel 2013

[znfdl]

I need a newer car and am thinking of purchasing a 2103 Sportwagon Turbodiesel 6 speed manual. I can get the car for $1k under invoice, there must be some crazy dealer incentives going on right now.

I was wondering if anyone owns one and provide some real world feedback.

How does the car do in the mountains, does it really get 30mpg in the city etc.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[david]

don't own one.
i have a gti.
but people seem to really like that engine.
check out vermont tdi imports.
they have a cool little site and they might be intersting to contact for some insight.

[j44ke]

This is the Jetta, right? We have the previous version of the TDI engine in our car, a 2004 VW Golf 1.9 TDI. That's not a new one by any stretch but the engine, if anything, has been improved over the one we have. Now the engine is a 2.0 or 2.2. Ours can get 40+mpg on the highway. Put bikes on the roof, and it goes down to 30mpg, sometimes below that if there is a strong wind. Aerodynamics help. When we first got it (we are the second owners) I kept looking at the gas gauge and thought it wasn't working. It never moved, and that was all city driving. The engine is great. Really strong. Suspension is very positive. Weight distribution seems right. Feels like a much larger car but drives like a small one. Autobahn. But I think VW interiors can be a crap shoot. They have improved the upholstery since ours with leather or some more durable fabric, but ours is sort of a soft fuzzy t-shirt material that is anything but durable. Definitely go for the most durable upholstery you can get. And I know now that VW has frequently struggled to make a sunroof that does not leak. I'd advise against the sunroof. And I found that even at a VW dealership's service department, I have to point out that the engine is a diesel. Not sure what the mind-block is on diesel engines. If you can, avoid the dealership for everything other than mandatory warranty maintenance, and find a mechanic who specializes in TDI engines and has a great reputation. Let him work his magic. You will be rewarded with many years of a fine running car. Ours runs like new. I'd buy another one tomorrow.

Here is a decent site for info: myturbodiesel.com - VW TDI forum, Audi TDI forum, DIY, FAQ, and buying guides

[j44ke]

don't own one.
i have a gti.
but people seem to really like that engine.
check out vermont tdi imports.
they have a cool little site and they might be intersting to contact for some insight.

Geez that website is a real candy store. Makes me feel like I need to go car shopping.

[robin3mj]

we have a 2010 Sportwagen TDI, 6 speed

Gets ~47mpg highway, probably ~28-30 city, depending on traffic and driving habits

Not sure about mountains. Nice heavy car though, and cuts through snow pretty well.
Holds a ton. Drives nicely.
Highly recommend it.

[rydesteel]

I've got a 2011 Golf TDi 6mt with a DG Sigma Six shift kit (highly recommended first mod) I average @38-39 mpg, high temps and cold weather can change that by 2-3 mpg. I drive it like I stole it most of the time btw. I'd avoid the Panoramic Sunroof, and give serious consideration to a Golf. I have room for 4 Adults with luggage, fold the rear seats down and l have room for a 63.5cm bike or a couple sets of Golf clubs. The Golf is more agile, still has more of the soft touch vinyl and is available with Bi-Xenon headlights which are very cool, and it's a lot more fun to drive than a Prius :>). If you have specific question send me a PM, and yes I'd buy another one.

Frank

[znfdl]

Here is a decent site for info: myturbodiesel.com - VW TDI forum, Audi TDI forum, DIY, FAQ, and buying guides

This site is amazing.

The shift kit looks like a great first mod, as I prefer a short throw shifter.

Thanks so much.

I think that we are going to take a chance on the sunroof, as this is my compromise for not getting a convertible. Looks like I can also only get an aftermarket hitch for the bike rack.

[robin3mj]

This site is amazing.

The shift kit looks like a great first mod, as I prefer a short throw shifter.

Thanks so much.

I think that we are going to take a chance on the sunroof, as this is my compromise for not getting a convertible. Looks like I can also only get an aftermarket hitch for the bike rack.

We got the pano sunroof and I don't regret it. Pretty much everyone that gets in the car see it and say, "Whoa, cool..."
I'm 6'0" and it doesn't reduce head height enough to make a difference to me.
That said, we keep the shade on it closed all summer or it will cook the car.

[sine]

Zin, we (you and I) have a buddy in D.C. that has one.

[sonny]

if things have progressed at all past my '90 jetta 68hp 50mpg "eco diesel" i'd say buy one ;)

looking at my neighbor's bmw 335d out the window right now though and can't help but drool.
265hp and 425lb-ft--wagon plz!!

[al415]

I've two friends with different generations of VW TDI's. Both of them like to brag about getting 700 miles from a tank. As for VW's in general, my daily driver is an 08 R32 and I'm very happy with it. I'd buy that jetta tdi wagon tomorrow if I was car shopping. Come to think of it, I'm always car shopping.

[Michael White]

Great choice. Or you could wait for the Mazda CX5 diesel, said to be coming next year, a game-changer.

[Willie1]

I had a Jetta TDI (2002) and loved it. We unfortunately had the four speed auto, which failed at 200k. The car is in good shape still, and my son will replace the tranny when he gets his licence next year. I have the Passat Wagon, non TDI, and love it. I get 40mpg on the hiway and 30+ combined city/hiway. It has a lot more room than the jetta. The 2013 Passat has been "cheaped out" to make the price more competitive in the American market though.

[znfdl]

I am now the proud owner of a white TDI sportwagon. Deals are crazy right now, as I offered 500 below invoice with free splashgaurds and they accepted it. Is the invoice the new msrp?

[Too Tall]

I am now the proud owner of a white TDI sportwagon. Deals are crazy right now, as I offered 500 below invoice with free splashgaurds and they accepted it. Is the invoice the new msrp?

Don't waste anytime do you? Great stuff.

[znfdl]

Don't waste anytime do you? Great stuff.

I did a quick search of greater washington dc and turned up two TDI sportwagens that had a 6 speed manual transmission. One car was the exact color and trim level that I wanted. I waited six months before the car finally popped up the market place. It appears that 6 speed MT are rare in this area......

[znfdl]

if things have progressed at all past my '90 jetta 68hp 50mpg "eco diesel" i'd say buy one ;)

looking at my neighbor's bmw 335d out the window right now though and can't help but drool.
265hp and 425lb-ft--wagon plz!!

The only problem with the 335D is that it does not come in a wagon. Also, the price would be a hard pill to swallow.

[ron l edmiston]

neighbor has a 2012 -- lov's it and is a hot look'r..
hates the fuel pumps too..

ronnie

[ned]

It appears that 6 speed MT are rare in this area......

"this area" being the USA, no?

[znfdl]

"this area" being the USA, no?

area for me is Washington DC.

Drove to work this morning so I could take clean clothes into work. I have driven the car 38 miles in mixed drivoing conditions and the average fuel consumption is 52.8 mpg. So far so good.