My Jetta+utility trailer = 45mpg half ton truck.
Hah. If only a TDI could pull my 8k lbs travel trailer! Then I might consider one over my Silverado.
There are rare occasions where one actually needs a pickup. But for 98% of the truck driving population I bet I move more in my Jetta than they do with their truck...and on 1/3 the fuel.
BS, can't make blanket statements like that. Our 9 year old MB E class turbo diesel has 150k on it and drives beautifly. In warranty we had the dealer do the service, yes it was expensive. I've done all the service myself for the last 100k or so. Parts are cheap and it is quite easy to service. (everything is designed to be top serviced, no lift/ramps needed.
As for unexpected repairs, it's needed a therostat and water pump. Not bad for 150k.
I find it interesting how often folks buy a hybrid to save on fuel costs when the bulk of their miles are on the highway.
Even the "plug-in-Prius" has a battery only range of something like 10 miles if you baby it and don't drive over 62 mph.
Most of the others have even less range. After that, it's all Dino-juice.
Outside of around-town and stop and go traffic, non-hybrids are generally more efficient solutions.
We tend to see people coming in for a hybrid or plug in hybrid and leaving with gas models. The numbers don't really add up in fuel savings, most of our hybrid buyers do it as an environmental statement more than an economic one.
It may come as a surprise to you that Prius is better at highway mileage than any equivalent offering, including Jetta TDI. Heck, not even may, I'm certain it is a surprise. That is because you're failing to account how efficient Prius is aerodynamicaly, and also that highways have hills in them.I find it interesting how often folks buy a hybrid to save on fuel costs when the bulk of their miles are on the highway.
It may come as a surprise to you that Prius is better at highway mileage than any equivalent offering, including Jetta TDI. Heck, not even may, I'm certain it is a surprise. That is because you're failing to account how efficient Prius is aerodynamicaly, and also that highways have hills in them.
The most fuel efficient vehicle on the highway would be a stick-shift Prius without the electrical drive / batteries.
They are fuel efficient because they have thin wheels and good aerodynamics. Honda did the same thing to make the Civic hybrid look fuel efficient.
I've been driving my 2006 Jetta TDi for quite some time now. Its got 159,000 on the clock and repairs have been timing belts and a clutch. Mine is a 5 speed. Oil changes are done every 5k miles. Mileage on the highway averages over 45mpg and hotrodding around the home area I can get it down to 40 if I work at it. The diesel prices have dropped and even though they're 30% higher than gas I'm getting at least 30% better fuel mileage so at worst its an even break. I'm quite happy with the car and the 600 mile range allows you to pick your stations when travelling out west where they're spread out more. No need to buy at the next place that has fuel regardless of price. The wife liked my car so much that when her toyota 4 runner started falling apart she bought a 2009 Jetta TDi wagon. Hers is a 6 speed and has about 120K on it so far. No major repairs.....in fact no minor ones either. Oil changes every 10K miles. She gets about 42-45mpg on the highway and around 35-40 around here. Only one battery in these diesels so thats not an issue. They ride nice, handle great, don't mind the snow despite only 2 wheel drive and we've been very happy with both of them. Both Jettas handle the hills with no issues. I've never had the cruise control kick off like my subaru's and hondas used to do every time I'd head up Raton Pass or up the hill to Clines Corners. I'd buy another.....
Frank
I have a 6.2L AWD Denali XL, I believe I could make an argument for its efficiency also.
If you fill up all the seats, it is probably more fuel efficient than the prius.
I keep saying I need to get a replacement for it, but it passed emissions again last month, so I've got another 12 months of 'free' driving, so I'm not in too big of a hurry to replace the green machine.
It may come as a surprise to you that Prius is better at highway mileage than any equivalent offering, including Jetta TDI. Heck, not even may, I'm certain it is a surprise. That is because you're failing to account how efficient Prius is aerodynamicaly, and also that highways have hills in them.
My VR4 will get about the same mileage as your Passat, pass moron Atlanta drivers faster (450 HP), and looks cooler. Oh, and it might be for sale (again) and the radio reception is better.
I found the answer to your problem.
The "magic" of the Prius isn't the battery or having a small engine. It's having a transmission that can use either battery or gas power AND both when required. This gives it much better acceleration getting on the freeways, up hills, etc. than having one or the other. This technology has been licensed by Ford and Nissan because it is arguably the most advanced out there. Having a stick shift would make the Prius a terrible car.
The Prius isn't a tiny car by any means. It is a mid size car by interior volume. That isn't unique, there are many choices. The hatch does however offer much more flexibility than anything with a traditional trunk.
The Prius isn't a road trip highway car. It goes 70 or 80 easily, but it just isn't designed to be that kind of vehicle. Its market is the commuter or city driver. There are much nicer options for primarily highway drivers, which makes the highway mileage argument secondary.
Hybrids don't make sense financially, but so what. We are all way beyond making perfect sense financially. If we want to get from one place to another in the cheapest manner, the answer is a bus pass. The next answer is an economy car, and so forth. When I look at the traffic on the road it seems most people don't actually want maximum fiscal economy. So it all becomes subjective.
The Toyota Pious... uh, Prius, is popular for one reason only -- it is visually unique from other cars in the Toyota line. Compare to the Ford Escape hybrid that looks like any other Ford Escape, or what is a better head-to-head comparison, the Honda Civic hybrid which looks like any other Honda Civic.
Because "saving the world" means nothing if everyone else can't immediately SEE that the environmentally-minded Prius owner is saving the world every time s/he drives down the street. Conspicuous consumption status symbol, just like any other vain human being. But they are more "enlightened" than the rest of humanity.
More here: http://freakonomics.com/2011/07/07/hey-baby-is-that-a-prius-you’re-driving/
Ha. Does it have a sunroof? 'Cause that's the only way I would be able to fit in that thing - Harry and the Henderson's style...
The milage on the TDi vs Prius is basically the same
If you get a used Jetta, or keep yours for life... get the timing belt done every 80,000 miles without fail. The timing belt WILL Fail. maybe at 150k.. maybe at 200k.. you don't know when.... But they're all pretty much good for 80k which is the replacement interval. If the timing belt goes (which is about $1500 for parts/labor to replace before failure), the engine is a boat anchor, and will need replacement. Google "interference engine" and "TDI timing belt failure" if you need further enlightenment.
I put about 75 highway miles per day on a car. Thinking of getting a Jetta TDI for the mission. Other options considered are a corolla and possibly a Prius.
Advice?
Hah. If only a TDI could pull my 8k lbs travel trailer! Then I might consider one over my Silverado.
I put about 75 highway miles per day on a car. Thinking of getting a Jetta TDI for the mission. Other options considered are a corolla and possibly a Prius.
Advice?
I have reason to believe that the TDI engine is more robustly engineered.
The TDI engine in mine is polish, transmission made by an american company in germany. Rest of the drivetrain is from argentina. Electrical parts from india. Assembled in mexico.
German car, eh?