2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI review from North America
"It's a good, dependable, comfortable, enjoyable, driving experience."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Air mass sensor quit. Volkswagen realizes inherent fault with original sensor and replaced it free.
Driver's seat sometimes doesn't heat or heats intermittently.
Wipers chatter.
Inside door handles peeling.
General comments?
I drive about 60,000 miles a year with my job as a quality assurance inspector. So far, two other inspectors have TDIs. One guy just bought a 2004 but didn't have the heart to trade his old one in so now he has two TDIs.
Comfort is OK for extended trips, but it's not a Cadillac or Lincoln.
For two-wheel drive, it goes absolutely fantastic on ice and snow.
At 48 to 53 miles per gallon @70 to 85 mph, fuel costs are no longer an issue.
Goes 600 miles before looking for a gas station.
Flat torque curve--means it pulls just about the same from idle all the way up to redline. Not much shifting.
Always has more power--even at 115 up the mountains (interstates). Maybe the guy who had it before me did something to it.
Handles well in New Jersey traffic, open roads of Nova Scotia, and deep snow of Pennsylvania.
After 3 winters and all the eastern salt, the only rust anywhere on the car is on the outside edge of the brake rotors.
Recommended reviews
| Good bang for your buck!!! |
|
| Great car for those who are maintenance inclined |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2001 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 48000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 89000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Landcruiser |
| Date of Entry | 1st February, 2004 |