We are now a 2-diesel family. We picked up a Jetta Sportwagen TDI today, the Corgmobile. It's a 6-speed manual, 2 liter diesel engine beauty, and we already got 39 mpg in the first 100 miles (3rd most efficient car on the US market, right behind the Prius and Civic Hybrids...which don't come in wagons). It's a sweet ride, and the wagon body -- to us -- even looks better than the Jetta sedans. Quiet, speedy, and if you haven't noticed...diesel's down to the price of regular gas. Feels good.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The new ride
We are now a 2-diesel family. We picked up a Jetta Sportwagen TDI today, the Corgmobile. It's a 6-speed manual, 2 liter diesel engine beauty, and we already got 39 mpg in the first 100 miles (3rd most efficient car on the US market, right behind the Prius and Civic Hybrids...which don't come in wagons). It's a sweet ride, and the wagon body -- to us -- even looks better than the Jetta sedans. Quiet, speedy, and if you haven't noticed...diesel's down to the price of regular gas. Feels good.
Very nice. You stylin' now! Though I've never owned one, I've always been impressed with the interior room VW offers us plus-sizers.
ReplyDeleteAnd though it may follow the hybrids in overall mileage, it doesn't come with the massive lead-acid battery disposable problems that accompany the so-called "greener" vehicles. Good choice.
Your smart ass friend.
Sweet-looking ride, I love diesels and I'm glad VW is making more, but I'm still a VW GTI guy in my heart. Maybe if I get married and get kids, a sporty hatch won't do the trick.
ReplyDeleteI love VW design, I just wish they were more reliable and cheaper/easier to maintain. I was so torn between a Rabbit or a Mazda3, I agonized over the decisions for months but ended up going with the Mazda. I still can't pass a Rabbit on the road without staring lustily after it.
ReplyDelete:o)
118,000 miles on the Passat TDI, and the only unexpected expense we've had is replacing a CV joint boot, which just kind of happens, I can't fault them on that. No engine problems, two minor electrical problems that were covered under warranty (and were, to their credit, both real bears to diagnose). Oil changes are a bit more expensive because of the synthoil, but I only need them every 10K. First set of tires went a bit quick, but I'm doing much better now (different brand, different type). The Passat's been a great car to own, the TDI has tons of torque that gives great performance, and, of course, mileage is excellent.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem I personally have with VW (being a minor shade-tree mechanic) is that any basic maintenance on them is nigh impossible unless you have a ton of specialty tools.
ReplyDeleteMy wife's Jetta has gotten us around nicely and its a peach to drive, but I must say they are worthless in the snow.
Guess that's why I have a 4x4 truck.
But, hey that's a nice ride.
Passat's been a good snow car (not around here, since we don't get any *#$! snow), a LOT better than the Saab 900 Cathy used to have; what a frickin' pig that car was in the snow.
ReplyDeleteMY 95 Saab 900 Turbo was pretty damn good in the snow, but then again, I knew HOW to drive in the stuff. I've been in the Passat with you in light snow, remember, and those memories still make for terrifying nightmares.
ReplyDeleteOh, piff. Everyone says that, but no one's dead.
ReplyDeleteOOO, you should post THAT story.
ReplyDeleteI had a used VW Quantum diesel in 90s. Consistently over 40 mpg. Ran it to about 140K miles before i sold it. It might still be on the road. Those diesel engines last forever. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteAnon, like stories from WWII and Vietnam, some stories are just too painful to revive. I will just say this: Schuylkill County roads, many twists and turns, snow and slush all around us. Loud music coursing from his MP3 player, and Beard Boy thinks he's at Lemans. Pretty sure SOMEONE died. Oh, no, the nightmares mare starting again!
ReplyDeleteRich,
ReplyDelete"....tell me more, tell me more,..."
To shamelessly steal lyrics from the movie "Grease".
Consider yourself lucky. Chances are it wont last.
ReplyDeleteTop 11 Warmest Years On Record Have All Been In Last 13 Years
ScienceDaily (Dec. 13, 2007) — The decade of 1998-2007 is the warmest on record, according to data sources obtained by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The global mean surface temperature for 2007 is currently estimated at 0.41°C/0.74°F above the 1961-1990 annual average of 14.00°C/57.20°F
And that's the last comment we're having on the weather...
ReplyDelete"tell me more, tell me more" were actually lyrics shamelessly stolen from ME. Check out my song Tired Eyes, written well BEFORE that grease nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the last comment we'll have on lyrics...