Considering a TDI
 

I am in the market for a new vehicle, so I did some research and I came upon the VW Jetta TDI. I've never owned a Volkswagen before, but I've driven a friend's GTI and had alot of fun with it. I understand the TDI won't be as fast as a GTI, but the fuel mileage is what sways me toward the TDI. Are there any glaring issues I should be worried about? The same friend with the GTI is a VW mechanic, so he is helping very much, but he has less experience with the Deisel-powered Jetta. I was just wondering if there are any problems that could possibly be severe enough to change my mind and convince me to buy a GTI instead? Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

RE: Considering a TDI
 

GTI's are always nice, but the TDI is always good for gas mileage. Depends on what you want.

RE: Considering a TDI
 

Well Im somewhat mechanically inclined, so I was planning on a few mods to the TDI, (chip, exhaust, possible body work, wheels, etc.) I was just wondering if I was getting in over my head. I've never owned a diesel vehicle, so It will be a learning experience, apart from what I already know (no spark plugs, hard starts in colder weather, etc)

RE: Considering a TDI
 

No hard starts from what I hear. I am a new TDI owner. Check out TDIClub.com for a TON of TDI info.

RE: Considering a TDI
 

Watch out for mileage. My dad bought a 96 passat tdi for me. 270K miles. :)

RE: Considering a TDI
 

TDI's are pretty reliable, like all diesels they typically have fewer problems and last longer than other vehicles. If your looking for speed in a Jetta id look at the GLI tho, plenty of space to mod without upgrading engine/trans materials and still gets 30mpg hwy. VW really did a great job on the exterior and it has the same motor as the GTI weighing only about 150lbs. more. A good friend just got one and we cruise around, hes really not much slower and with a couple hundred bucks in mods it would easily be faster than a stock GTI. Also you can get the DSG trans that is being compared to ferrari and bmw as the best electronically controlled manual gearbox ever created (crazy germans).

RE: Considering a TDI
 

depends on what you want. i have a '00 tdi with a manual 5 speed. i've had mine up to 120mph(sorry didn't know how to convert to kph). also gets 50 mpg. that's what i like. my first VW and i love it.

RE: Considering a TDI
 

Have you gotten your car yet? If so, I won't weigh in on the TDI,