cheapest TDI in the market

[andytree]

What is the best TDI option on a very tight budget?

I've looked at the VW Jetta (we need a wagon, I know that adds some $$), but I see audi also makes a TDI. Who else is out there making these? I see Mazda is coming up w/a CX5 that will have a Diesel engine w/great mileage too, but I think that'll be out of our range too. Thoughts for the single income family over here? We have a trade in worth about 8500-9000 and abotu 15K in cash.

One option is a VW Jetta sprtwagen w/10k miles on it. They are selling it at the dealers for MSRP with a 2K bump for my trade in, so basically 2k less than the MSRP, with the remainder of the warranty. I asked if they'd consider giving it CPO status and they said they'd meet me 1/2 way. I'm confused. Any and all ideas and help most welcome!!

[BaLLZDeePNYC]

Audi A3 TDI?

[andytree]

That starts at around 31K? I've been keeping my eyes open for a 2010, thinking that might work, but no luck yet. They go faster than they come lol.

[SinisterMind]

Right now VW Jetta is the cheapest diesel on the market.

[romanl]

What is the best TDI option on a very tight budget?
I've looked at the VW Jetta (we need a wagon, I know that adds some $$), but I see audi also makes a TDI. Who else is out there making these? I see Mazda is coming up w/a CX5 that will have a Diesel engine w/great mileage too, but I think that'll be out of our range too. Thoughts for the single income family over here? We have a trade in worth about 8500-9000 and abotu 15K in cash.

$9,000+$15,000 = $24,000 thats Brand new GOLF TDI msrp.
so if you can swing to finance few extra g's , get JSW TDI and be happy. if you can find dealers selling for around Invoice, i'd pick that over 1 year used any day.

but you keep saying Very TIGHT Budget,,, if budget is that tight you shouldn't be buying TDI, get base JSW 2.5

[Geesixty]

Beetles... around here, they seem to go for the least amount compared to Golfs, Jettas, Passats, etc...

[andytree]

I know...I know. I am tight fisted because anything more and it's food off the table... but I HATE having to buy a car right now and NOT get one that gets 35+mpg. There are so many options for *just* a little more!

Quick question: if we got the demo w/10k miles on it, does that mean it's "broken in"? I know a lot of car owners say they get better mileage after a few thousand miles. Is that a factor?

[Aonarch]

JSW TDI's are pretty much never marked down.

However, Golf TDI's are.

[Sosl0w]

You might be able to get a brand new Jetta TDI for cheaper than you can get a used one right now since they retain there value so good. My buddy just got one and with the new car incentives it came out cheaper than any used one he could find.

[Geesixty]

You might be able to get a brand new Jetta TDI for cheaper than you can get a used one right now since they retain there value so good. My buddy just got one and with the new car incentives it came out cheaper than any used one he could find.

This. I was looking at used purchasing a used Jetta TDI Cup Edition before I realized I could do better on a new one. Basically for $1500 more, I got a new car with no miles (versus 20k), 0% financing (versus 2.49% used), free 3yr/36k maintenance and no dead hookers in the trunk.

[romanl]

I know...I know. I am tight fisted because anything more and it's food off the table... but I HATE having to buy a car right now and NOT get one that gets 35+mpg. There are so many options for *just* a little more!

Quick question: if we got the demo w/10k miles on it, does that mean it's "broken in"? I know a lot of car owners say they get better mileage after a few thousand miles. Is that a factor?

BROKEN IN? thats a tough one to answer, as everyone has different answer. but most agree that it take quite a long time for TDI's to break in. i've been noticing difference as i climed past 10K, 20K, 30K even now past 40K.
also who knows what the first owner was like and how he broke it in for the first 10K.
as others stated you can usually get brand new TDI cheaper vs 1 year old.
do you have to have a wagon? if not get a Jetta or a GOLF, thats right there with in your price range.

also there's about $5,000 difference between JSW and JSW TDI in both base models with MT.
JSW 2.5 is rated 33 hwy thanks to new gearing.

$5,000 will pay for a lot of fuel, ALOT
so my next question to you is: how many miles a year will you put on this vehicle?

[Jrod511]

Why would you spend every dime you have to get a car? Keep your cash in the bank and just finance the balance of the car. Then again, if the cash you have is like...your entire life savings than you don't need a diesel or a new car at all.

[Vision33r]

Gas prices are trending downwards and probably will settle in the high $3 to low $4s. I don't see the value of an overpriced TDI if you can get a comparable petrol car for thousands less unless you drive 100 miles round trip daily to work and you probably save more by changing jobs.

[romanl]

^^ thats debatable, but whatever prices are
over past 42,xxx miles i've saved roughly $2,700 in fuel in 2 years (actually it'll be 2 in June)
but i drive more then average.

OP, as you can see from everyone's comments. if you're spending every single dollar you have and do not drive ALOT, TDI is not for you.

[EdRacer71]

New or Used market? Around here, last generation New Beetles with the TDi are usually a good amount cheaper than the Golf or Jetta equivalent.

[Spax MC]

inb4tdicostmorehowmanymilestobreakevenvsgas

[Mike VR6]

I know...I know. I am tight fisted because anything more and it's food off the table... but I HATE having to buy a car right now and NOT get one that gets 35+mpg.

Food off the table and you are looking at spending that kinda cash? Priorities are messed up. You should be buying the most well maintained Honda Civic/Accord you can find. Those cars can be found all day in the ~$7k range and will return ~33mpg all day long, and run forever.

[romanl]

and run forever.

[andytree]

we put about 18k annual, and are going x-country this summer for about 7-8k extra on that for this yr, but we have never done it before and won't again for many yrs. I drive about 100wk to/from my kids schools, about 40/day work, and probably 50 each weekend. Once in a while we trip to a big city, an extra 250 or so miles. So 16-18000 pr yr depending on shorter trips.

We have the 15k for the car. of course I *could* use it for food, but we HAVE enough for food. Our only other debt is the house, which is fine on our single income. We inherited a little $ and could go on vaca or improve the house or BUY A CAR.

As far as your ideas about cars go THANK YOU! I am thinking the beetle is too small for us, the sportwagen is the right size. It is about the same size as the Focus, A3, and Subaru wagons, but gets better mileage than any of them in the TDI, and a bit better even in gas.

I guess I just wanted to make SURE I hadn't missed something on the market that I would regret not seeing.

[romanl]

^^ well if you can swing it, then go for it. sounds like you have your finances figured out.
worst case scenario: you can always sell your TDI as they are in high demand.

if i was in your position i would look for new JSW vs 1 year used. if you're in no rush, send out emails to few dealrs and dont be afraid to travel distance to get a deal you want.
18,xxx miles a year/ is not exactly high, but its not your average either, you're right in the middle.
i love my GOLF TDI, best car i've ever owned.

[andytree]

SPAX - my partner and I sat down last night and did some of that (head banging, that is). 3500 more for the TDI wagen = 875 gallons at $4/gal. at 40mpg that = 35,000 miles. So that's about 3 yrs of driving for the mileage/cost, but the ratio falls apart because the gas wagen costs less to maintain over time, too. My brain got fried out right as Dustin Brown scored. Evening over.

[andytree]

romani - you have been a great help! Thanks very much!

[Cooper]

Also check the classifieds at tdiclub.com.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=351564

[romanl]

romani - you have been a great help! Thanks very much!

no problem, if you have any other questions let us know.
i keep FUELLY for my '10 GOLF TDI and my g/f's '07 Rabbit 2.5 so i have great comparison.
here's another easy way to calculate
over past 42,xxx miles my Cost per Mile is 0.092
Rabbit over 37,5xx miles, Cost per Mils is 0.129
at that price difference it will take 94,5xx miles to pay off the $3,500 difference. for me thats about 4 years and few month. and i plan on keeping my car much longer than that. i was also lucky to get it when $1,300 Tax credit was still in play, so i already broke even if i was to compare equally equipped Golf 2.5 and TDI,

[Cooper]

Fuel cost cents per mile for the first 17,000 miles in my '11 JSW TDI was 8.60.

11.96 over 81,000 miles in my '03 A4 Avant 3.0q.

Edit: I have my fuel costs back to the 1970s.

[The_Black_Pearl]

but the ratio falls apart because the gas wagen costs less to maintain over time

as a TDI and a gas car owner i do not see this being the case. The TDI is cheaper to maintain than my GTI and the TDI is 10 yrs older. Where is your logic coming from as I have always heard TDI's are cheaper and I can attest to it?

[romanl]

Fuel cost cents per mile for the first 17,000 miles in my '11 JSW TDI was 8.60.

11.96 over 81,000 miles in my '03 A4 Avant 3.0q.

$8.60 /per mile? im confused
how did you do your math? or did you include the cost of your vehicle in that? in which case it might make sense.

[2.0T_Convert]

JSW TDI's are pretty much never marked down.

However, Golf TDI's are.

When they have 70,000 miles on them perhaps.

I've given the TDI a chance at two difference dealers and each dealer couldn't help but practically fall over themselves telling me about how hot these cars car are.. how the wife is going to order one soon... how if I don't take it someone else will within a week. Oh sorry the 1.9% APR special doesn't apply to the TDI.....

[Cooper]

$8.60 /per mile?

Cents per mile for fuel. Not $.

And yes, as posted above, the numbers arenot corrected for fuel cost fluctuations over time.

[romanl]

Cents per mile for fuel. Not $.

And yes, as posted above, the numbers arenot corrected for fuel cost fluctuations over time.

so $0.086 / mile? that would be cents.
sorry im just trying to understand it correctly

[Cooper]

Yes. So, it's very much in line with your numbers.

[feels_road]

Also remember the TDI has a significantly higher resale value. So, taking the-then current market value into account, say compared to the 2.5, you break even much earlier - basically, the moment you buy the car!

[romanl]

^^^ true
surprised we all forgot to mention this earlier.

[someguy123]

So much brainwashing in here.

[TM87]

I would go w the Golf TDI. Its cheaper then JSW, and the hatch will provide enough room for storage.
I almost bought my wife a TDI, but for 5k less and 0% we got 2.5L. She drives about 25k a year, and on highway(75-80mph average) get around 390gal per tank. I havent had a chance to check it out in everyday driving(wife is anal about pumping gas. as soon as it hits 1/2 she refills).
I would seriusly consider the new Golf TDi or 2.5L. 18k a year is not a lot of miles, so 2.5L might be enough for you. Reliability as there, unlike previous VW models.