Author Topic: What years was the diesel Jetta wagon made in the USA? (Read 6090 times)

AudiVWguy · « **on:** January 10, 2009, 09:38:12 pm »

I'm trying to find some info on the Jetta wagon.
When was it first brought to the US. What diesel engine it came with. Any problems I should be aware of.
Thanks in advance,
-JB
.....

stewardc · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2009, 04:33:06 am »

IMHO, stay away from a newer TDI. They are money pits in the extreme. I had 2 and they converted me to Toyota for a daily driver.
I still have a Mk 1 with a built AAZ to soothe the soot adiction, though :wink: .

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2009, 10:41:57 am »

Quote from: "stewardc"

IMHO, stay away from a newer TDI. They are money pits in the extreme. I had 2 and they converted me to Toyota for a daily driver.
I still have a Mk 1 with a built AAZ to soothe the soot adiction, though :wink: .

Wow, I have an '06 TDI Golf that the only thing I've done to it is the dealer service every 10K miles (I bought an extended warranty since I commute 130 miles/day round trip). The car consistently gets 41 to 43 mpg, depending on how I drive it, and runs as smooth today as it did in September '06 when I bought it.

stewardc · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2009, 10:51:34 am »

Wait till you get some miles on it. Oh, and good thinking on the extended warranty.

Garrett · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2009, 12:57:34 pm »

Quote from: "stewardc"

Wait till you get some miles on it. Oh, and good thinking on the extended warranty.

The new TDI's are great. By the sounds of it you had a lemon or two. Keep up on the maintenance and they'll go forever. You also don't have the rust to worry about as you do with the A2's and A3's.

stewardc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2009, 01:16:15 pm »

FWIW, a friend had a new Jetta TDI....he sold it after 10,000km. He was tired of the dealer having it 2 days a week. Another 2 traded for Toyotas after only a year of ownership - same reason.
The quality control, electronics, PCV system and the vnt turbo have all joined together to make the new Jetta TDIs a constant source of dealer income.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2009, 01:42:41 pm »

My Golf has 101K miles on it now so it does have 'some miles' on it.

AudiVWguy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2009, 07:34:38 pm »

Okay,
so what years did they make the Jetta wagon?
And which engine(s)?

Quantum TD · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2009, 08:49:05 pm »

Quote from: "AudiVWguy"

Okay,
so what years did they make the Jetta wagon?
And which engine(s)?

I think from 1999-2005 they made the MK IV (the better years are the early ones to 2003 that had the ALH motor). The 2003-up have the Pumpe Duese (sp?) motor that can be problematic if not maintained properly. Both are TDI (Turbo Direct Injection).

There's also the new 2009 TDI Sportwagen (pretty sexy), and I think the regular 2009 Wagon is pretty nice too. The newer cars have a common rail diesel setup (haven't seen it, but apparently its an improvement over the Pumpe Duese setup.

Try the TDI forum here, or try Frank's TDi forum for more info. If you go to the latter site, prepare yourself for some douchebag posters.

AudiVWguy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:05:51 pm »

So nothing earlier than 1999?

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2009, 12:19:48 am »

I've read that the mexican made TDI's are lemons and the few german made models are still good.

My parents got one in 2000 and it's paid it's self off probably 4 times over.
I'm really happy with it.
The only jobs it's needed is a new brake caliper and the intake gets gummy some times so we clean it out like once a year.

Like all cars it needs some looking after but the parts have lasted.

Quantum TD · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2009, 12:32:36 am »

Quote from: "AudiVWguy"

So nothing earlier than 1999?

It would have to be a Passat Wagon for it to be a TDI pre-1999. They're a good car too, but tend to have issues with computers throwing codes. You'll replace the suspect parts, only to find out that it does not solve the code. Not an issue if you don't have to do smog testing, but most places hook up to the OBD2 port in the car. There are ways around permanent codes though....

Honestly, the 1999-2003 Jetta Wagon with the ALH motor is a solid choice. The motor is strong, and it has a VNT instead of a normal turbo (like the 1Z and AHU motors of the 1994-1998 Passat and Jetta TDI). This gives it alot more grunt than the earlier motors at all RPMs.

Now's a good time to buy one (5-speed only though: autos need trans replacement before you hit 200K miles). The market is really soft, and they're turning up with greater frequency.