Author Topic: Looking for help choosing new car (Read 3800 times)

Steve Landeau · « **on:** February 08, 2006, 01:25:30 pm »

Hi, all.
I'm looking to buy a newer car. My first choice is an '01-'03 Jetta TDI, but the newer Passat's are pretty nice too. I don't know much about the 2.0 TDI or the Tiptronic trans, and that appears to be the common combination in the new Passat's. I've always leaned toward manual transmissions as they have always been more reliable. Any comments out there on the newer AT technology and the 2.0 TDI?

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:07:43 pm »

The new DSG tranny that will be coming with the Passat TDI and its other counterparts is a "Huge" improvement according to people that have driven it over tiptronic. I currently have, well...the fiancee drives it... a 02' Jetta 1.8T with tiptronic and noticed the smooth transition of DSG almost instantly

Very nice... however, it is limited in max. power if your looking to go crazy with your TDI motor. There is a discussion on this up right now on TDI club. The new cars are so amazing though. I can't wait to drive the new GTI

Joe

steve · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2006, 01:04:05 pm »

I'm eying the 04 and on passats with diesel too. I don't think the newer passat's are available in a manual trans. Just auto right?

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2006, 01:07:45 pm »

as of right now...right...i've only seen autos thus far.

TDForNow · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2006, 07:26:25 pm »

'04.5 and '05 passats TDI's were only available with the 5spd tiptronic. I've got the '04.5. The 2.0 motor is great, amazing bottom end but weak in the top end for my liking (for now :twisted: ). Tip tranny is ok, when in "TIP" mode, it keeps the torque-converter locked-up in all but 1st and the bottom of 2nd but has a bad habit of downshifting in the last 1/2 in of pedal even when you've preselected the gear you want. It's progammed that way. Though I've read, a little time with a VAG-COM would cure this (changing from "new" to "old" shift stategy "for troubleshooting purposes" :wink: ) All the A4 jetta and golf TDI's were available with 5 spd man or 4 spd auto (non-tip) slushboxes. Only the A5 Jettas (05.5 & newer) and upcoming A5 golfs will have the 6 spd DSG available with the TDI. The TDI isn't available on the '06-'07 Passats :cry: .

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2006, 08:30:35 pm »

Soon...Soon...

Now...if only we could get an option with a built in black box for the TDI motor and a button to go from church runner to demon from hell mode.
I was reading an article on the new M5 V10... "M" mode button...oh so much FUN

I can only imagine!

Joe

Steve Landeau · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2006, 08:40:04 pm »

I spoke to a buddy of mine who just sold a cabrio. He said the auto trans is "maintenance free"?? What does this mean, and how long could one expect it to last? I really would prefer a car with a manual, and may end up with the Jetta wagon instead because of that.

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2006, 10:25:21 pm »

"Supposedly" from the dealer...yes. No Maintenence. I personally though am going to keep an eye on the Tiptronic in our 02...

Joe

Steve Landeau · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2006, 11:40:43 pm »

Quote from: "RabbitGTDguy"

"Supposedly" from the dealer...yes. No Maintenence. I personally though am going to keep an eye on the Tiptronic in our 02...

Joe

How many miles have you put on it so far?

TDForNow · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2006, 10:57:58 am »

Quote from: "Steve Landeau"

I spoke to a buddy of mine who just sold a cabrio. He said the auto trans is "maintenance free"?? What does this mean, and how long could one expect it to last? I really would prefer a car with a manual, and may end up with the Jetta wagon instead because of that.

The newer Tip's are "maintainance free" (unless they're broke). They're sealed, you can't even check or add fluid to them. But to VW's credit the 5 spd Tip been one of the most reliable they've ever had.
I was unlucky, on my '04.5 Passat the tranny was assembled wrong at the factory. Two days after delivery, it was at the dealer getting swapped out with a new one. It was the first "TIP" they had ever had to work on. 32k miles so far w/o a hitch.