Save the Oil, Save the World...

[Greg]

We just brought home our fuel-efficient car, a 2000 VW Jetta with a TDi engine & 5 speed. Make all the fun you want, this baby gets 50+ MPG and nearly 600 miles out of a tank! We bought it in Longmont, CO which is north of Denver about 30 miles. We drove 275 miles getting home & the car is still over half a tank full. :greg: That was 75-80 MPH, over the 10,000' mtn passes & A/C on most of the time.

I've been driving all over the country in my Dodge for work, last month I was in Nevada & Iowa, Iowa again this month & Friday I'll be leaving to Minnesota. With that kind of mileage, the cost of diesel, getting 16 MPG, the wear & tear on the truck and fueling up 3x to get to the destination I figured it was time to get a fuel-sipping car.

I've never been a big fan of VW's, I always thought their way of thinking was a bit... different? But I really enjoy driving this thing, it's a blast! Weird... Catherine drove it for 200 miles, I practically had to beg to drive it the remaining bit home. I'm pleased so far, I'll get pics posted tomorrow.

 

[Drew_XJ]

We just brought home our fuel-efficient car, a 2000 VW Jetta with a TDi engine & 5 speed. Make all the fun you want, this baby gets 50+ MPG and nearly 600 miles out of a tank! We bought it in Longmont, CO which is north of Denver about 30 miles. We drove 275 miles getting home & the car is still over half a tank full. :greg: That was 75-80 MPH, the 10,000' mtn passes & A/C on most of the time.

I've been driving all over the country in my Dodge for work, last month I was in Nevada & Iowa, Iowa again this month & Friday I'll be leaving to Minnesota. With that kind of mileage, the cost of diesel, getting 16 MPG, the wear & tear on the truck and fueling up 3x to get to the destination I figured it was time to get a fuel-sipping car.

I've never been a big fan of VW's, I always thought their way of thinking was a bit... different? But I really enjoy driving this thing, it's a blast! Weird... Catherine drove it for 200 miles, I practically had to beg to drive it the remaining bit home. I'm pleased so far, I'll get pics posted tomorrow.

is it black, whats the name of the person who sold it to you?

 

[Greg]

is it black, whats the name of the person who sold it to you?

Nope, white. We bought it from a dealership, car was a trade-in that they re-selling.

 

[RockMonkey]

Sweet. You'll like the freedom of driving places without having to consider the cost of gas for the trip.

 

[Spork]

Nice :greg:

 

[Greg]

Sweet. You'll like the freedom of driving places without having to consider the cost of gas for the trip.

Yeah, we're already planning a few roadtrips this summer... Yellowstone, Zions, etc. I thought about your Honda on the drive home, I never thought I'd own a import compact build for mileage, but there was no reason not to at this point. Now instead of breaking even on my mileage, I'll be putting $$ in my pocket.

 

[Catherine]

I like it...very sexy especially with a hot looking male in it.

 

[rockdog]

I like it...very sexy especially with a hot looking male in it.

So who would the hot looking male be?

 

[Greg]

So who would the hot looking male be?

That's what I was wondering!?!

 

[Stephen]

I've always been a big fan of VDubs, owned two a '83 GTI and a '98 Jetta VR6. Sweet little things that were always a joy to drive. Just sold the Jetta to my sister because she needed a car and I'm going through performance driving withdrawals!
One note of VW's though, keep up on the maintenance! If you don't they can become a *****!

 

[I Lean]

I've always been a big fan of VDubs, !

Yes, but I always thought your way of thinking was a bit... different?

 

[Greg]

I've always been a big fan of VDubs, owned two a '83 GTI and a '98 Jetta VR6. Sweet little things that were always a joy to drive. Just sold the Jetta to my sister because she needed a car and I'm going through performance driving withdrawals!
One note of VW's though, keep up on the maintenance! If you don't they can become a *****!

The previous owner was anal about maintaining it, which makes me feel very good about buying it. It has 150k miles on it ( ) and it seriously drives like it's new. You'd never know of the mileage by the way it drives.

On the performance driving... don't you have a Sammi still?

Yes, but I always thought your way of thinking was a bit... different?

 

[RockMonkey]

I thought about your Honda on the drive home, I never thought I'd own a import compact build for mileage, but there was no reason not to at this point.

Never really thought I would either. Funny how $3 plus gas and driving a lot for work changes your mind, huh? I've been really pleased with mine.

 

[Greg]

Never really thought I would either. Funny how $3 plus gas and driving a lot for work changes your mind, huh? I've been really pleased with mine.

Yep, very funny. Catherine & I were talking about how good the mileage is & I then realized... I must be grown-up... this is the first time I've bought a car not based on it's power, performance or off-road capability, but efficiency. That was a strange moment.

We're so happy with the Jetta, we were talking about selling her 2000 4Runner & my Dodge diesel P/U in exchange for a 4 door Dodge diesel. Kill 2 birds with one stone, you know? The weird thing is that I wasn't even thinking about doing that, but it's starting to make sense at this point.

 

[Stephen]

Yes, but I always thought your way of thinking was a bit... different?

Hardy har har!

 

[Stephen]

this is the first time I've bought a car not based on it's power, performance or off-road capability, but efficiency.

Yeah, I bought my VR6 about six months before gas prices started climbing. My Dad kept on telling me to find a TDI, but noooo! I wanted the VR6! I wanted the power! About a year ago I wanted to shoot myself, sure it still got 26 MPG, but the TDI gets about 40 or so.

On the performance driving... don't you have a Sammi still?

Greg, off-road performance is something completely different from on street performance. I like to be able to master both. (I can already hear chiming in.)

 

[Brad]

My Jetta TDI was, hands down, the worst car I have ever owned. When it has hit and totalled I couldn't have been happier. Here's hoping you don't see the same electrical/mechanical/interior/transmission problems I did.

There's a write-up out there for modifying the vent on the fuel tank to allow another gallon or two on fillups. You'll get 700 miles to a tank after modifying, and it's an easy 10 minute job.

 

[Unimog]

I love my 02 TDI. It is my main commuting/road trip vehicle. I consistently get 48 mpg. Just turned over 100k miles with no big problems to speak of. With the little mod Brad referred to above, I have been able to get close to 800 miles on a tank. It is just plain fun to fill the tank and drive to Boise or Las Vegas and back! My only complaint is the legroom is a bit tight for my 6'2" height.

 

[Greg]

My Jetta TDI was, hands down, the worst car I have ever owned. When it has hit and totalled I couldn't have been happier. Here's hoping you don't see the same electrical/mechanical/interior/transmission problems I did.

There's a write-up out there for modifying the vent on the fuel tank to allow another gallon or two on fillups. You'll get 700 miles to a tank after modifying, and it's an easy 10 minute job.

That sucks to hear, what year was yours? I had a friend who had a TDI Beetle an it was one engine problem after problem. He'd fix one problem and get it back up running only to have another right away. At that point I realized there were some lemons in the VW/TDI family. I'm hoping that with 7 years and 150k miles on the car, all the possible big problems have been sorted thru.

I love my 02 TDI. It is my main commuting/road trip vehicle. I consistently get 48 mpg. Just turned over 100k miles with no big problems to speak of. With the little mod Brad referred to above, I have been able to get close to 800 miles on a tank. It is just plain fun to fill the tank and drive to Boise or Las Vegas and back! My only complaint is the legroom is a bit tight for my 6'2" height.

Near 800 miles! Damn, thats incredible! I'll have to do that one. I actually don't mind the room in the car and I'm 6'4". It's surprisingly roomy with the seat cranked down & back.

 

[Greg]

Yeah, I bought my VR6 about six months before gas prices started climbing. My Dad kept on telling me to find a TDI, but noooo! I wanted the VR6! I wanted the power! About a year ago I wanted to shoot myself, sure it still got 26 MPG, but the TDI gets about 40 or so.

You shoulda got the TDI and had both power & performance... a chip & a set of injectors in a TDI will make near 300 ft/lbs, and still get 50 MPG. I might add a set of injectors... thinking hard about the chip.