Looking at buying an '02 Jetta TDI. It's an automatic which was flushed at 100k miles, odometer currently at ~127k. Reportedly no problems at all. Owner says he's sent oil in for analysis every other change. Said it got 44mpg hwy last summer with AC on full during a road trip. What are the typical quirks to check for? What are the tell tale warning indicators that something is going out?
I used to have an 81 NA rabbit and want to get back into a VW Diesel scene. Thinking about trading my '01 Audi Allroad 2.7T for it plus about $3k, on his end of course.
the jetta in question;
http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/1610102054.htmlmy ride;
The 01M autobox is practically bio-degradable. In that they fail pretty easily. Find a 5 speed car or do a swap into the car you are looking at when it does go bad.
Other than the crap auto trans, they are pretty good cars.
The 02 I just fixed:
threw a timing belt at 67K 'fixed' by dealer
lost a piston&head at 87K, got 'VW reman motor' at dealer
blew a tranny, 1st replacement was defective
ate an ECU
got a new IP
has had recurring CEL since 03
At 160K, the 2nd motor chucked a timing belt, and ate some valves.
Taking it apart, I find not only has the TB failed before change interval, but also VW had put in too thick of a head gasket.
So the car that was $12,000 in 05 is now a Further $12000 into mostly dealer, mostly failed repairs, + an additional 2 grand to get it going again this last time.
Maybe it is an exception.
Well THERE'S your problem. Don't bring these cars to the dealer. I suggest you go to TDI Club and read up.
drove it, wasn't thrilled. I'll keep the allroad til I can afford the A3 TDI wagon. I knew some of these TDI's were real piles but two engines, two trannys, etc.
. yikes
at $24k into a tdi jetta you might as well have one;
http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html thanks guys!!!