Any Insight on VW Sportswagon Turbo Diesel 2013

[robin3mj]

Awesome thread, as I've been looking at these as well. And now, a dumb question from someone wholly unfamiliar with Volkswagen's line: Other than the extra two doors, what's the difference between the Jetta TDI wagon and the Golf TDI hatch? TIA

A shit ton of cargo space and slightly less quick cornering ability. That's about it.

[davids]

A shit ton of cargo space and slightly less quick cornering ability. That's about it.

And I've always thought that Jetta Wagon is pretty close to beautiful. As opposed to the handsome Golf 4-door.
Yeah, I have opinions about these things...

[Saab2000]

I have always wished my GTI were a GTD. Alas, this model does not exist in the United States. I rarely need the 2.0 turbo's high end punch but I love the GTI's razor precision for handling and the diesel with the GTI's chassis and superb seats would be an awesome combo.

[ned]

I have always wished my GTI were a GTD. Alas, this model does not exist in the United States. I rarely need the 2.0 turbo's high end punch but I love the GTI's razor precision for handling and the diesel with the GTI's chassis and superb seats would be an awesome combo.

Amen for the aftermarket, no? Bilsteins or Konis with heavier springs (there are some good sporty springs out there without much lowering). Good tires. Beefy rear sway to get rid of some push. Then a nice pair of Recaros or the OE ones that came in the GTI/GLI--plenty of those to be salvaged from over eager twenty somethings.

I had a '98 GTI VR6 with suspension mods. Heck of a lot of fun on the road and track despite the obese weight. Was ready to go all in with the mods until I got my head on straight and got a rear wheel drive play car (944S2). Still, the sporty VW is hard to beat for daily driving fun, ergonomics, and fuel efficiency.

[Saab2000]

Amen for the aftermarket, no? Bilsteins or Konis with heavier springs (there are some good sporty springs out there without much lowering). Good tires. Beefy rear sway to get rid of some push. Then a nice pair of Recaros or the OE ones that came in the GTI/GLI--plenty of those to be salvaged from over eager twenty somethings.

I had a '98 GTI VR6 with suspension mods. Heck of a lot of fun on the road and track despite the obese weight. Was ready to go all in with the mods until I got my head on straight and got a rear wheel drive play car (944S2). Still, the sporty VW is hard to beat for daily driving fun, ergonomics, and fuel efficiency.

Yeah, the aftermarket is great I guess but I'd rather just buy at diesel GTI from the factory..... But that's just me maybe. I'm happy with mine regardless but having diesel efficiency would make it even nicer. The only mod I've done on mine is the factory lowering springs. Installed at the dealer. I'm less into the minutiae of my car than I am in my bike. No chips for me or super duper tires or other mods. My buddy does all that but I'm kind of a regular guy when it comes to the car. I guess the equivalent is going to the LBS for a nice race bike and being happy with it as it comes out the door - Something I could never do as a cyclist! ;-)

[sbornia]

I've spent way too much time configuring TDIs on the VW site, really want to love them. But can't get over prior experience that the brand's long-term durability is not very good. My 98 VR6 just started to fall apart as it reached 40k miles, one electrical or cosmetic problem after another. I know that well-maintained VW motors can go for 100k+ miles, but have a nagging feeling that the rest of the vehicle won't keep up...

[Willie1]

I've spent way too much time configuring TDIs on the VW site, really want to love them. But can't get over prior experience that the brand's long-term durability is not very good. My 98 VR6 just started to fall apart as it reached 40k miles, one electrical or cosmetic problem after another. I know that well-maintained VW motors can go for 100k+ miles, but have a nagging feeling that the rest of the vehicle won't keep up...

I am on my 4th VW. The three previous ones were diesels. The current is a 2.0 turbo Passat. The two golf diesels went to 400k+ but the bodies rusted off them at that point. The Jetta TDI was very reliable, other than 3 sets of front wheel bearings (I change my own so no big deal). The temptation to rail corners put a lot of load on the front end. We had the 4 speed auto which failed at 180k. I kept the car for my son as it is in very good condition as well. The tranny should have been a recall, but a it wasn't. Stay away from the 4 speed autos. The six speed auto and DSG are amazing. In the late 90s/early 2000s there were a lot of electrical issues, but my 2008 Passat is 100k without a single problem.

[sbornia]

In the late 90s/early 2000s there were a lot of electrical issues, but my 2008 Passat is 100k without a single problem.

Glad to hear this!

[sine]

I was wondering if the Jetta wagon uses urea injection. Bigger VW's and MB's do.

[znfdl]

I was wondering if the Jetta wagon uses urea injection. Bigger VW's and MB's do.

The use of the injection is weight dependent. The jetta does not require it.

[Britishbane]

A little more than a month ago we purchased a 2012 Sportswagon TDI for my wife to drive. It was time - her civic had 180k on it and we wanted some more room as we both drive/drove little sedans. Holy hell this thing is awesome. So much room for cargo and tall folks. The four cylinder has a surprising amount of get-up-and-go too. Very pleased with our purchase thus far.

[znfdl]

A little more than a month ago we purchased a 2012 Sportswagon TDI for my wife to drive. It was time - her civic had 180k on it and we wanted some more room as we both drive/drove little sedans. Holy hell this thing is awesome. So much room for cargo and tall folks. The four cylinder has a surprising amount of get-up-and-go too. Very pleased with our purchase thus far.

I have also been quite pleased with my purchase. If I drive efficiently, I have managed an astounding 58 mpg for a 200+ mile highway trip. Since I have bought the car, I am averaging almost 43 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

[j44ke]

I want that car, but my wife has a physical reaction to wagons that seems akin to her physical reaction to mayonaise, white bread and pork. Just makes a lot of frickin' sense for travel and cycling, but my wife wouldn't get in it so no go.

[Britishbane]

I want that car, but my wife has a physical reaction to wagons that seems akin to her physical reaction to mayonaise, white bread and pork. Just makes a lot of frickin' sense for travel and cycling, but my wife wouldn't get in it so no go.

One week before our purchase something along these lines came out of my wife's mouth, 'I'll never drive a station wagon.' That all changed as soon as we sat in the car. If you're looking for room and have a budget of less than 30k there's no comparison to the other offerings. Drives better than any of the SUVs (foreign or domestic) and the fit/finish is far superior, IMO, to everything else we drove, and I think we drove about 9 cars.

She's since spent the last 5 weeks exclaiming, 'I can't believe I drive a wagon. It is so not like me.'

[davids]

I want that car, but my wife has a physical reaction to wagons that seems akin to her physical reaction to mayonaise, white bread and pork. Just makes a lot of frickin' sense for travel and cycling, but my wife wouldn't get in it so no go.

We followed our friends home from Woods Hole on Sunday, us in our white TSX Wagon and them in their white Jetta TDI Sportswagon. It was a 75mph caravan of awesomeness.

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[rphetteplace]

Originally Posted by 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!!

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.

wait........he says 335D wagon and you say no wagon......I'm confused???????

[robin3mj]

Pretty sure the BMW wagon in diesel is not yet on North American shores, and if/when it arrives, it's not going to be offered with a manual transmission.

[j44ke]

One week before our purchase something along these lines came out of my wife's mouth, 'I'll never drive a station wagon.' That all changed as soon as we sat in the car. If you're looking for room and have a budget of less than 30k there's no comparison to the other offerings. Drives better than any of the SUVs (foreign or domestic) and the fit/finish is far superior, IMO, to everything else we drove, and I think we drove about 9 cars.

She's since spent the last 5 weeks exclaiming, 'I can't believe I drive a wagon. It is so not like me.'

Then there is hope.

[znfdl]

Originally Posted by 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!!

wait........he says 335D wagon and you say no wagon......I'm confused???????

Last time that I looked there was no 335D wagon, things might have changed. Also not having a manual transmission would be a deal breaker for me. I got my VW wagon with Navigation and panoramic moon roof for less than 28K. For me, I am not sure if the BMW would be worth the price difference. The BMW packaged the way that I would want it would be over $53K.

I have the same model that David S posted.

[sonny]

no wagon bro