Hey Scotty, one of my friends is looking to buy a car and he said he found a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (which I think has the turbo diesel) with 83k miles online for $6,500. Is that a good option ? I heard some positive things about turbodiesel European cars but I still told him to hold up on that option and to look at Hondas, Toyotas, and Mazdas first.
Go ahead, after a professional diesel mechanic inspects the car thoroughly, before purchase. The VAG diesels are extremely robust.
Just realise the rest of the car & electronics are still German.
If they don’t want to deal with the higher maintenance bills of a diesel, pick a regular petrol vehicle.
2012 Golf TDI owner here. My vote is NO lol. I love the car but between the intercooler icing, recent rather large sudden oil leak due to oil filter flange gasket going out, shocks/struts wearing out at 50k, buying a VAG-COM device for 200-300 bucks just so you can safely change the fuel filter.....well, I'd not buy one. All that being said I'm hoping to get a lot of mileage out of it and I really love driving it, but the pessimist part of me says I'm sure to be very disappointed with my experience when its over.
Just bear in mind that 2014 Jetta TDI is probably one that was fixed via 'Dieselgate'.....if unsure just check (I believe) here" https://www.vwdiesellookup.com/
So, if it has been 'fixed' via dieselgate it will have an extended warranty. Which is most likely worthless except in something catastrophic like the turbo going out....even then it seems to depend on whether you have an honest VW dealer nearby.
I will say that price is not bad, but again I would not get it. When mine gives up the ghost I'm probably going to buy a Corolla hatchback and hopefully have a lot fewer headaches.
No don't buy it
I would say it more confidently but @inthrustwetrust seems positive in his answer?
Owning a VW in the US doesn't seem like the best idea.
I did say apart from the Diesel engine, the rest of the car is still German..
Yes, TDI is VW's designation for turbocharged engines. Pity they don't make 1.9 L ones anymore.
