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Long-Term Road Tests

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI

June 4, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Parting Shots

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Do you remember May 7th, it was the day we said goodbye to our 2008 Subaru WRX STi with the first installment of Parting Shots. Today we say goodbye to our Long Term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. We had high hopes at the beginning. Gas was expensive, diesel was in the political discourse and biodiesel was gaining traction.

What a difference a year (and a crippling financial meltdown) makes.

Follow the jump for our final word on the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI...

Continue reading...

May 23, 2009

Would I Buy One?

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Would I buy one? It's a question I ask myself whenever I slide behind the wheel of a car. Would I drop my hard earned money on one of these? Would I want to own it? Drive it for years? Look at it in my driveway? Tell people it's mine?

It's also the question you the reader ask me the most. So I've decided to go through all the cars we now have in our fleet and decide whether or not I would buy one. I also included a few recently departed vehicles. Seems appropriate since they just left us. 

Continue reading...

May 14, 2009

2009 VW Jetta TDI: Sound Level Comparison With Other Cars

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One common concern about buying a diesel engine is that it sounds like a truck. Well, let's take a look at the decibel readings for our long-term 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI versus a variety of other engines and cars. These were taken at our two test track locations with differing surface and wind conditions (nothing overly gusty), so these numbers aren't exactly precise down to the tenth of a decibel, but general comparisons can be made.

2009 VW Jetta TDI
Idle: 47.7
Full Throttle: 72.8
70-mph cruise: 70.0

Continue reading...

May 1, 2009

Big List of Fuel Economy - April Edition

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Here are the fuel economy figures for April 2009. As usual, we've listed the best and worst tanks and the average over the entire life of the vehicle.

We're missing a couple of cars that were out of town or unavailable at the time we took the readings.

Car
Best
Worst
Average
2009 Audi A4 Avant
26.8
17.5
22.3
2008 BMW 135i
27.7
9.5
19.8
2009 BMW 750i
21.8
14.6
19.1
2002 BMW M3
23.5
12.3
17.5
2009 BMW M3
16.8
9.6
14.8
2008 Cadillac CTS
32.5
9.9
19.2
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T
18.1
10.3
16.3
2009 Ford Flex Limited
26.7
13.7
19.6
2008 Ford Focus SES
40.6
16.6
26.7
2007 Honda Civic GX
47.3
12.7
31.7
2009 Honda Fit Sport
39.0
26.0
32.0
2009 Hyundai Genesis
24.8
15.5
20.7
2009 Infiniti FX50
21.8
10.7
17.1
2009 Mazda 6
29.1
19.5
23.5
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
22.6
11.0
17.2
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X MR
21.3
11.7
16.8
2009 Nissan GT-R
21.8
11.5
16.5
2008 Pontiac G8 GT
19.4
14.1
17.3
2008 Smart Fortwo Passion
43.4
23.5
33.7
2009 Suzuki SX4
25.0
18.6
22.5
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
43.0
28.7
35.3
2005 Volkswagen Jetta on Biodiesel
49.1
26.2
38.8

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Continue reading...

April 30, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI GLS: Would You Buy It?

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I've logged many miles in our certified 2005 VW Jetta TDI, including a trip to the base of Mt. Whitney in Lone Pine, California.

I can hear a chorus of "Nooooo!" being shouted at me right now in response to the headline. Yet, it's my task to sell our long term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI.

Seriously folks, this Jetta is actually still worth a lotta dough. Our True Market Value price for it is $12,900. Considering it cost $24,000 new, it's held its value remarkably well.

If gas prices hadn't gone south our Jetta would be worth far more. Further eroding its desirability is the appearance of the 2009 VW Jetta TDI, which was a complete home run. It's also the first time a diesel has been available in California in over 10 years. Ergo, my phone is not ringing.

Still, consider these arguments in the TDI's favor.

Continue reading...

April 14, 2009

Where's the Clipboard Damn It, I Need a Car!

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What's it like working at Inside Line?

I get this question almost daily from somebody, and my answer usually blows their mind. I say, "Well, everyday this guy Mike walks up to me with a clipboard that contains a list of 15 to 30 cars ranging from a Smart to a GT-R and he says, 'Scott, what do you want to drive home tonight.'"

It's true.   

Continue reading...

April 6, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI GLS: Fouled Fuel Filter...Again

 

IMG_1894.jpg(The fouled element of our TDI's fuel filter next to a fuel filter we pulled out about six months ago.)

We're wrapping up our test of the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI so we took it to the track for final testing. After doing the acceleration test Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton told me, "There's a hitch in its get-along. Around 4,000 rpm it hesitates really badly."

I'd felt that hesitation before, about six months after we began running the Jetta on biodiesel (B99). It seems that biodiesel loosens the deposits left in the fuel system from years of running on petrodiesel. The deposits flow into the filter and clog it. I replaced the filter back then and it ran fine -- until last week.

After I wrote about changing the filter the first time, a reader commented that I should cut the old filter apart to see how badly clogged it was. Good idea.

Continue reading...

April 1, 2009

Big List of Fuel Economy - March Edition

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Here are updated fuel economy figures for the month of March. We've listed the best, worst and average fuel economy numbers over the life of the vehicle. Keep in mind that some of these tanks may be based on a partial fill-up.

This is missing a few that were not available at the time I was compiling this list.

Car
Best
Worst
Average
2009 Audi A4 Avant
26.0
17.5
21.6
2002 BMW M3
23.5
12.3
17.6
2009 Dodge Challenger R/T
20.4
12.9
17.3
2008 Ford Focus
40.6
17.1
26.4
2007 Honda Civic GX
47.3
21.4
31.6
2009 Honda Fit Sport
39.0
28.0
32.1
2009 Hyundai Genesis
24.8
15.5
21.1
2009 Infiniti FX50
20.9
10.8
17.4
2009 Mazda 6
29.1
19.5
23.3
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
22.6
11.0
17.1
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X MR
24.7
15.0
16.8
2009 Nissan 370Z Touring
21.6
14.0
18.4
2008 Smart Fortwo
43.4
25.7
33.8
2009 Suzuki SX4
25.0
18.6
22.1
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
43.0
28.7
35.6
2005 Volkswagen Jetta on Biodiesel
43.9
35.5
39.3

After the jump you can see the list sorted by average MPG.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Continue reading...

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Almost 600 on a Tank of Biodiesel

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(Nearly 600 miles on a single tank of B99 by using the pressure release lever.)

We were going to test the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and wanted to have a full tank of fuel. Unfortunately, biodiesel stations are few and far between so I knew I couldn't fill up near the track. Instead, I filled up on B99, recorded the amount, then pressed the pressure release lever inside the throat of the fuel filler and continued pumping. It took another two gallons.

With this extra fuel on board I drove the track and arrived with a "full tank." Then I continued driving. And driving. San Diego and back. Work and back several times. In fact, I almost forgot it ever runs out of fuel. When I went back to the pump, here's the final tally.

By the way, we've been running our TDI on B99 for 10,031 miles and saw a slight increase in fuel economy to an average (mostly city) of 39.3 mpg. On petro diesel we got an average of 38.8 mpg over about 7,000 miles.

Philip Reed, Edmunds senior consumer advice editor @ 68,871 miles

March 16, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Getting a strange vibe

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The clutch chatter, clatter or vibrations have been documented in a former post, but what I felt this weekend was a similar vibration coming through the stick shift.

Continue reading...

March 5, 2009

2005 VW Jetta TDI: Peeling Plastic

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I have to say, if our Long Term '05 Jetta is any indication of how VWs hold up over the long haul, I'm impressed. With 67,000 miles on the clock, the car still looks and feels fairly new.

The picture above is the notable exception. On the armrest, the rubberized coating is peeling off the plastic arm rest. I get that the texture is much nicer to touch than hard plastic but if this is what happens, I'd rather just have the hard plastic in the first place - as you can see, it doesn't look that different. Does anyone want rubberized surfaces this badly? I don't.

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 67,344 miles 

March 2, 2009

Big List of Fuel Economy

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Here is a list of most of our long-term vehicles with their best, worst and average fuel economy numbers over the life of the vehicle.

This list is missing a few that were not available at the time I was compiling this list.

Car
Best
Worst
Average
2008 Audi R8
20.3
11.7
15.3
2009 Audi A4 Avant
26.0
17.5
19.9
2008 BMW 135i
27.7
13.9
20.5
2002 BMW M3
23.5
12.3
17.5
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
30.8
12.0
18.6
2009 Ford Flex
26.7
13.7
19.8
2008 Ford Focus
37.4
16.6
26.4
2007 Honda Civic GX
47.3
16.6
31.4
2009 Honda Fit Sport
37.1
28.0
32.1
2009 Hyundai Genesis
24.8
15.7
20.9
2009 Infiniti FX50
21.8
10.7
17.4
2009 Mazda 6
29.1
19.5
23.6
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
22.6
11.0
17.0
2008 Mitsubishi Evo X MR
24.7
11.7
16.8
2009 Nissan GT-R
21.8
11.5
16.6
2008 Pontiac G8 GT
24.0
12.0
17.4
2008 Smart Fortwo
43.2
29.7
33.7
2008 Subaru WRX STI
24.4
12.3
18.9
2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
40.4
30.0
35.7
2005 Volkswagen Jetta Biodiesel
50.4
30.3
39.3

Follow the jump to see the list organized by average so you can see how they stack up against each other.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Continue reading...

February 26, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Deceived By The Gauge

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This is what the fuel gauge in our longterm 2005 VW Jetta TDI looks like when the tank is filled to the tippy-top. I know this because I just overfilled the tank and took this crappy cellphone picture.

Here's how it went down. I set the pump nozzle at the slowest fill setting until the pump clicked off, waited a bit and then topped it once, slowly (as per our standard filling procedure). The needle still sat here, just below full. I waited a minute or so for any gauge damping to settle out. It never happened.

Then I recalled that the Jetta had some filling issues way back when and figured it was reading below full because it actually wasn't full. I don't drive this car much so I'm not really up to speed with its idiosyncracies.

So I manually topped it off again. Slowly and carefully. It took a smidge and clicked off again. I re-checked the gauge. Same position, even after waiting another minute.

Then I gave it another tiny fraction of fuel and bam, a trickle of fuel ran out the filler neck. Dammit! I don't think this is what they had in mind when they said biodiesel was eco-friendly.

Even a few miles down the road, the gauge didn't read any fuller than what you see here. Lesson learned...

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 67,670 miles.

 

February 18, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Soft and Flabby

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I'd never driven our Jetta TDI before last Sunday...and I can say that it's OK with me if I don't drive it again. For all its merits (well, OK, it's fuel economy), this is a silly little car. Primarily, this is because it's way too soft. And by soft I mean wallowing, pitching, diving, rolling and ruthlessly punishing its bumpstops at every opportunity.

It feels like it's sprung by marshmallows and damped by a weak will. If this is how Volkswagens feel at 67,500 miles, well, I'm out.

Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor

February 9, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: It's Deluxe, Son. Deluxe.

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This weekend I simply wanted a drama-free car. Well, it was either the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI or the Subie STI. And since I can shift the VW smoothly as opposed to the WRX, I picked it over the more powerful (read: fun) car. I knew I'd be using it to transport my running buddies to Chinatown this weekend for the annual firecracker 5K/10K run and didn't want to knock any heads whilst maneuvering the hills around downtown.

In any case, I was also delighted to find that our VW sports features that not even our newer long-termers have. First and foremost, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. It makes it easier for any driver of any size to get behind the wheel. Most new cars that are about the same price ($17,200) don't even have this feature: our 2008 Focus, the 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS, the 2009 Nissan Sentra and 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i.

Also, I love that it has the light that comes on over not only the passenger side mirror but the driver side one, too. AND who can forget that sunroof? FYI, you can't get a sunroof in any of the above cars in the same price range.

Even though the V-Dub is pretty vanilla for my tastes, the fact that you can still have decent fuel economy and these deluxe features for under $18K is pretty nifty.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 67,240 miles

February 3, 2009

2005 VW Jetta TDI Biodiesel: Still Stinky

2005 VW Jetta TDI Biodiesel

Just because our long-term Jetta TDI now burns biodiesel doesn't mean it smells like a bouquet of flowers. When exiting the Jetta TDI last night I couldn't help but notice an odd aroma. To double check, I left the car running this morning and walked around to the back, getting in two long whiffs of the Jetta's butt. Sure enough, there was the smell -- it's pungent, chemical and probably a quick way to hurl if you stay there too long.

Therefore, I wouldn't recommend sniffing the heiny of your biodiesel Jetta. Consider this a public service.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 66,067 miles

January 20, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: An Inauguration Story About Biodiesel

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Alarmed by earlier stories that our favorite fueling station, Conserv Fuels, had stopped serving up American-made biodiesel, I went there this morning to check it out for myself. Had service been interrupted? I asked the attendant in his little booth. "For one day only," he assured me. Apparently the management reversed their decision to remove biodiesel because so many had expressed interest in buying it, even at a higher price. 

Returning moments later after filling up, I asked the attendant if he was going to watch the inauguration of Barak Obama. "Oh yes!" he assured me. "I've taken the day off from my other job. I'll watch all afternoon."

"So you approve of our new president?"

"I met him!" he exclaimed. "He came here! I shook his hand!"

He then told me how Obama had made a campaign stop at Conserv Fuels. Security was heavy and the goons told the attendant to stay in his booth. But as Obama walked past, curiosity got the better of him. He cracked the door of the booth and peaked out. Obama glanced over and happened to see a face peering out. "He came over and shook my hand," the attendant said. "He asked me what my name was."

Back to business, I took a look at the fuel log to see how our test of biodiesel was progress. So far, we've driven 6,989 miles on petrodiesel and got 38.8 mpg. On biodiesel (B99) we've driven 7,786.2 miles and got 39.4 mpg. In most cases biodiesel will not deliver the fuel economy that petrodiesel gets. Our result is more a reflection of different driving styles and conditions than fuel economy. Bottomline: it's very close.

January 5, 2009

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: How's it Holding Up?

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At the mercy of our editorial staff's hands (and feet), our Jetta TDI with 66,089 miles on the clock has been holding up fairly well.  Underway, nothing (such as the steering or front suspension) feels loose or rattles.  The engine pulls smoothly and the TDI will run at 80 mph on the freeway quietly and without straining.  The V-dub's doors shut with a solid thunk and none of the switchgear feels worse for wear.  Overall, we're pretty happy.

Impressive as that all is, in addition to the previously mentioned exfoliating armrest I noticed some wear on the left side bolster of the driver's seat.  This is understandably a common wear spot caused by people constantly sliding across the bolster as they get in and out of the seat.  But we'd hope this wouldn't happen until the odo showed six figures and it left us wondering how this wear-prone area would've faired if our car had the optional leather seats...

 

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 66,089 miles. 

December 30, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: The Quest for B99

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After a quiet holiday break, it was finally time to put more biodiesel in our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI this morning. Since our preferred station no longer carries B99, I drove six miles to Palisades Gas & Wash. Ordinarily, this would be a 15-minute drive (assuming light traffic), but the gas station is tucked behind a grocery store, so getting there involved some doubling back, a phone call to the station and ultimately 30 minutes of drive time.

Fueling up at this station is not the most convenient, either, as it's a busy full-service car wash so you can only pull into certain aisles and, once there, you risk getting stuck behind any number of Land Rovers. Also, it's full service only, at least for B99, so I wasn't able to twist and turn the nozzle to my heart's content to ensure a completely full fill. As a result, the fuel gauge doesn't read quite to the "F" mark.

Pricing isn't too bad, though. I paid $34.97 for 11.662 gallons of B99 at $2.999/gallon. The Exxon near my house is charging $2.599 for self-serve regular diesel right now, and 40 cents/gallon is a pretty standard markup for full serve on Los Angeles' West Side. Still, it must be pointed out that it's tough to pay more than $2.10 for 91 octane in LA right now.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 65,877 miles

December 17, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Phenom

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I'm sure some our more knowledgeable staffers would be able to explain the intricacies of suspension tuning and thusly why the suspension in our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is so good. But since I'm not one of them, I'll just say that it's like, really good. It is completely unfazed by our decrepit freeways; always composed and always controlled. Did I mention it's got good steering feel too? Someone with a degree in suspension or something must have tuned this car.

Combine its sublime ride and handling with its torquey little diesel, solid transmission, attractive interior design and 40+ miles per gallon fuel economy, this little Jetta is quite the phenom.

Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 65,782 miles

December 15, 2008

2005 VW Jetta TDI: Biodiesel -- A Victim of Tough Economic Times?

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I drove to Conserv Fuels in Brentwood this morning to fuel up our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. I haven't driven the older of our two Jettas much since the switch to biodiesel so I'd never been here before. I drove around, searching in vain for the biodiesel pump. Finally, I parked and went to see the cashier. He looked apologetic and handed me the above piece of paper.

He told me they might start carrying biodiesel again, maybe in 10 days. Yeah. I didn't have time to drive to the Palisades to fuel up, but the Jetta still has about 3/8ths of a tank. So I guess we'll do that later in the week. If it was my car, mind you, I'd have just put in some regular diesel -- the Conserv station still has plenty of that.

This inconvenience hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for our 2005 Jetta TDI. Although it lacks the interior room, refined ride and highly supportive seats of our 2009 Jetta TDI, I vastly prefer driving our '05 Jetta.

I know its suspension is fairly rudimentary, but it was tuned with such love -- tuned to deliver handling that's as direct as possible without resorting to a harsh ride. I like how the car will rise to the challenge of any corner you pitch it into, so long as you're not put off by its body roll. This car is scrappy. Now I'm wondering if I should buy my own used Jetta TDI.

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Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 65,710 miles

December 1, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Joy/Horror Of The Holidays

I was pretty excited to get the Jetta TDI for the long holiday weekend if only for one reason: mileage.

I knew driving 370 miles north to my family's house would be a slog with the Thanksgiving traffic. If I didn't have to stop to gas up with all the hordes of travelers, it would make my journey that much faster.

I wasn't disappointed. I was able to drive the distance on half a tank!

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I thought I might be able to do the round trip on one tank. I avoided going out on Black Friday, but my family goes up into the Santa Cruz Mountains on the Saturday after T-Day to get a Christmas tree. The short drive over the hill killed the other half of the tank. It doesn't like mountain climbing.

As long as it's a fairly flat and long freeway, this thing rocks. 475 mixed miles (mostly freeway) on 11.2 gallons is pretty good in my book.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

November 24, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Why Pay a Buck More for Biodiesel?

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Gas and diesel prices have fallen off the edge of the earth. So why pay a buck more a gallon for biodiesel which is made from American crops such as soy beans?

I began reading Energy Victory by Robert Zubrin and it begins with a stark description of what we are doing with our current oil-addicted economy.

Continue reading...

November 12, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Fuel Economy Update

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After 4,602 miles on biodiesel, we're averaging 40.2 mpg with our 2005 Jetta TDI, which compares favorably with the 39.2 mpg we were getting on petrodiesel.

That's the good news.

The bad news is the price of biodiesel these days -- almost a buck more than regular unleaded. As far as our editorial wallet is concerned, 40.2 mpg on biodiesel is equivalent to about 29 mpg on regular gas at these prices. Not so impressive.  

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 64,250 miles

November 11, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Of Gas and Gauges

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I was a little concerned this morning when I hopped into our long-term 2005 Jetta TDI. The gas (er, diesel) gauge was registering a shade under 3/8 of a tank. I had to drive to Irvine for a press event -- that's about 57 miles each way. And as Caroline discovered recently, the B99 biodiesel our Jetta drinks these days is kind of hard to come by if you venture outside of L.A.

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Guess I was being a little paranoid.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 64,241 miles

November 3, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta: Armrest Flakes, Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

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As I slid into the driver seat of our long-term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta and glanced at the armrest, my first thought was "Ew. Dirty and peeling." My second thought was that I couldn't believe the corrosive nature of human arm grease on late model automotive interiors. Double ew. But then I used my brain and noticed that, though the fabric covered portion of the armrest was, indeed, stained in just the spot where numerous drivers' forearms and elbows had rested during the 2005 Jetta's life, those forearms and elbows wouldn't have been touching the plastic part. So it's still an ew, but not because of the sloughing plastic.

I kept the armrest in the up position for most of the weekend because I kept hitting my elbow on it when I shifted. The sides of the armrest seem to rub against the sides of the seats, which may be the cause. Any other theories on why it's peeling? And should a three- or four-year-old car be showing such deterioration already?

A while ago, the lovely Erin handled some other human grease-related housekeeping involving the Jetta's headrest. Maybe I should hit her up for a shot of upholstery cleaner. I wonder if she has a good exfoliator I could borrow to tackle that unsightly flaking, too. Ew.

Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 62,903 miles

October 27, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Where Do You Get Biodiesel?

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This weekend I had our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. Kinda made me anxious because I haven't gassed up our biodiesel car yet and honestly don't know where to do that and I knew I'd be covering a lot of miles this weekend.

I asked a couple of people in editorial and they didn't know either. Our senior consumer advice editor, Phil Reed, and Green Car Guide blogger, John O'Dell, normally fill the car up but weren't around to ask. Then I wondered how do people who don't have access to the likes of Phil and John find where to fill up their biodiesel car.

Googling "biodiesel gasoline station los angeles" I found the closest biodiesel fuel station was Conserv Fuel in Brentwood, just 2.5 miles away. Apparently it's "Los Angeles' first and only station that currently sells both biofuels and three grades of gasoline." And this location "is the only fueling station from San Diego to Santa Cruz now selling biodiesel (B99) to the public." Yikes!

Fortunately, even though the gas tank was initially three-fourths full and I drove it from Westchester to Eagle Rock to Santa Monica to Long Beach to West L.A. (about 80 miles) and was a bit of a leadfoot, the fuel gauge is only just a bit below half a tank. Not bad!

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 63,836 miles

October 24, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Why, Yes, I'd Love to Put My Bags in the Trunk

jettasclassytrunktrim.jpgIt's a small thing, I know, but I have always liked the stainless steel trim decorating our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI's trunk opening. The Jetta wagons of this generation also had this trim. Maybe it's not the most durable material you could have in this location, but it's one of those little touches that a designer chose to include just because. I like it so much more than the conventional dull plastic trim in the new-gen VW Jettas, including our 2009 Jetta TDI.

Unfortunately, because the previous owner of our '05 Jetta TDI wasn't very careful, the trim has some dents and scratches. If this were my car, there would be no damage here.

Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor

October 23, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Feeling Nostalgic

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Photo by James Riswick

I don't know why, but I was feeling nostalgic last night. The M3 and STI were available, but for some reason, our old diesel Jetta was calling to me. Although we're keeping this '05 TDI around to test out biodiesel and the longevity of a diesel-powered car, I like having it available because it's an easy way to take a trip down memory lane. This is the car that traveled with me throughout high school, college and a few times cross country. It's like having an old girlfriend around that you sorta regret breaking up with. Although, as I explained back in March, the differences between my Jetta and the Edmunds one make the TDI more like the old girlfriend's sister.

Anyway, I flipped open the key, got my seat the same way I always placed it and slipped Dave Matthews Band's Everyday into the CD player. All that was missing was a trunk filled with baseball equipment and my actual old girlfriend. Not to mention an Indiana country road.

So, would you pass up an evening in an M3 or STI to drive your favorite old car?

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 64,356 miles

October 20, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TD: Dingo Ate My Ticket

It was my my girlfriends turn in picking the the movie so we drove over to the nearby mall. Like most things in West LA, there is a parking garage with a ticket gate. I pulled the ticket then got a nice spot near the stairs.

In gathering up my keys, phone and wallet, I noticed the parking ticket was no longer where I placed it in front of the shifter.

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"Where the hell did it go?"

The last time I lost a ticket at this mall it cost me $25 to get out. I was pretty sore about that one so I was extra motivated to find the ticket this time 'round. In closely examining the area where I placed the ticket, I noticed a gap in the panels in the back, well under the center stack. The ticket had slipped through that gap and was now residing somewhere behind the dash.

Thankfully the panels are loose all around where your calves would be in the footwell and I was able to slip my hand up into the dash. After feeling around for a few minutes out came my ticket. Victory!

The only thing I had to worry about now was the chick-flick I agreed to see.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer

October 7, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Diesel Headlights

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I walked into my local Pep Boys for a replacement headlight bulb for our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. I found the bulbs hanging silently on aisle 16B. As expected, there was no self-service catalog nearby to help me decide which one the V-dub would need.

So I walked to the man behind the parts counter and asked for a headlight, fully aware of what was about to happen.

"What kind of car?" he asked.

"2005 VW Jetta," says I.

Here it comes...

"What engine does it have?"

Yessss. I love it when the world is predictable.

In response to my half-suppressed grin, the counter-man apologetically added, "This software won't let me go to the next screen until I enter an engine displacement."

Not remembering the exact displacement, I roll the dice with a simple "TDI Diesel."

"Here it is. You need a number 9007."

"Thanks."

$10.76 later, I'm on my way back home, bulb in hand.

Here's how the change went...  

Continue reading...

October 3, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Making Rush Hour a Breeze

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Yesterday I was faced with a choice of taking our Subaru Impreza or our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta. Considering that I had to drive through rush-hour traffic to get crosstown to Hollywood I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of driving stick, regardless of the car.

However, I went with the Jetta and was pleasantly surprised. As Erin had mentioned in a previous post, the clutch take-up is user-friendly. I had none of the newbie-reminiscent jerking that I have had with other manual transmission cars in our fleet. ::cough, cough:: Subaru ::cough, cough::

Enduring stop-and-go traffic wasn't painful on my legs or the back of my head. Rather, the VW's shifts were smooth and the clutch light. Needless to say, I was very grateful.

BTW, if you're wondering why I used a picture of the gauges, it's because looking at previous posts, I noticed that there were already shots of the car's pedals and the stickshift. So something different for you to check out.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 62,604 miles

September 29, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Biodiesel MPG Update

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(Our 2005 Jetta TDI at the base of Mount Whitney. The VW has logged over 3,200 miles so far on B99 biodiesel.)

Two months ago we began running our 2005 Volkwagen Jetta TDI on biodiesel and now we have some preliminary fuel economy figures to share with you. Before we get down to specifics, I have to say that the Jetta has been used for more highway driving than its normal around-town motoring that kills fuel efficiency. So don't take these figures as gospel.

But first, a few thoughts on this German workhorse.

Last week, I took the Vee Dub up to Lone Pine, Calif., to do some climbing with a friend from high school. We drove up to the Horseshoe Meadows Trail Head at nearly 10,000 feet without losing a lot of power from the altitude. No doubt, the turbo charger helps offset the effects of the thin air by ramming more oxygen into the engine. In fact, I wish I had a turbocharger for my climb up Mount Whitney which left me doubled over and gasping for air.

A few days later, my friend and I headed for Death Valley and drove the Jetta in 110 degree heat. The needle on the temperature gauge didn't even budge. But on a long down grade into the Valley I missed having a car with a firmer suspension since the body roll wasn't confidence inspiring.

Now, let's do the numbers. Bear in mind that the results are not final since we need a greater variety of drivers and more city driving to really put the TDI to a realistic test. So far, after driving 3,260 miles on a combination of B20 (two tanks) and B99 (eight tanks) we have averaged 42.4 mpg. This is actually higher than petro diesel which delivered 39.2 mpg (which included much more city driving). So, obviously, we have to log many more miles before we get a clear picture of how the B99 performs. Still, these results are encouraging. And the only negative we've experienced using biodiesel is the clogged fuel filter we mentioned in an earlier post.

September 24, 2008

The Big List of Fuel Economy

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I was thinking the other day (always a dangerous proposition, I know) and wondering how all the current (or really, really recently departed) Edmunds/Inside Line long-term vehicles stack up against each other in fuel economy, at least the fuel economy we've been recording during their time with us. So I made a list. For you and for me. In case we were both wondering.

The only current vehicles missing from my list are the Audi R8 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, and that's because no one has entered any fuel data into the tracking spreadsheet for those vehicles yet. The very top and the very bottom of the list aren't going to surprise anybody (I don't think), but the middle is kinda interesting. Seeing the Rondo and the WRX so close to each other made me raise my eyebrows. Ditto the Ford GT's spot above the Veracruz. Ready to check it all out? Follow the jump with me.

Continue reading...

September 10, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Better On Biodiesel?

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Given that biodiesel hurts fuel economy, Senior Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed and I were curious as to whether it noticeably hurts performance, too. So we headed for the canyons to put our biodieseled long-term Jetta through its paces. If I had to guess, I'd say the Jetta's a smidge slower now than it used to be, but maybe that's just because I haven't driven the car in awhile. I also appreciated anew the Jetta's communicative steering and pleasant shifter, though body roll seems excessive given the relative firmness of its ride.

Note: If you don't trust my butt-dyno, a comprehensive track test is in the offing.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 61,192 miles

September 5, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Much Fun in the City

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I am developing a soft spot for our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and after three days of driving it around LA's West Side, I regret not appreciating this generation of the VW Jetta more when it was still in production.

As I've mentioned, I think this car has the perfect-size exterior footprint (I'm single so I don't care if the backseat is squinchy). I'm not even centered in this compact space and still the Jetta fits with room to spare.

I also really like the five-speed manual transmission in this car. The throws are long and loopy, yet I always land the shifter in the correct gate. The clutch takeup is user-friendly, too, and I've finally made peace with the wide-spaced, multi-planar gas and brake pedals (yup, the setup reminds me of the Aura): I simply modify my heel-and-toe downshift strategy to involve my actual heel, rather than the side of my foot. Works great.

And I'm digging the sound of the diesel. I never thought I could like an engine with such a narrow rev band, but the grunts and gurgles from the 1.9-liter compensate on a sensory level. This, along with the VW's long-travel suspension, which inspires me to push past the (modest) limits of tire grip around every corner, makes for an entertaining drive to the coffee house.

Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 61,100 miles

September 2, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Head for the Hills

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My daily drivers are notoriously inconvenient. The motorcycles scare away most passengers while my cars are both two-seaters (one is a three-seater and, no, it isn't a McLaren F1) - none of these can comfortably travel 200 miles without hitting bingo fuel. So, as I pondered my escape from L.A. to a quiet little cabin in the woods, the opportunity to take a long-termer presented itself - our plug-less Jetta that runs on biodiesel.

But wait...will it get me from Santa Monica to the San Bernardino mountain range and back with various errands, on a single tank? I'm guessing 300 miles at least, allowing a bit more fuel for holiday traffic. I hope so, because I'm not finding any B99 fuel pumps anywhere near my destination.

Continue reading...

August 7, 2008

In the Land of the Blind the One-eyed Man is King

 

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(Halogen Capsule for Jetta TDI. Cost: $10.99.)

I was looking at the reflection of the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI in the back of a truck when I noticed that the right headlight was out. The VW had turned into a cyclops.

My first thought was, "Not another trip to the dealer." But then I thought maybe it was a quick fix that I could do with parts from Pep Boys.

I told the woman behind the counter what I needed and I expected to see her return with a large box holding a new headlight. Silly me. Instead, she came back with a halogen bulb in a small plastic package.

At home, I popped off two clips holding a plastic cover in place. It revealed the back of the bulb which was held in place by a screw-type extruded plastic dingus. It took a few minutes to figure out how to take off the dingus. But once free, it was easy to reassemble.

Total time to repair: 15 minutes. Parts: $10.99. Labor: $0. Satisfaction level: high.

Meanwhile, we have logged about 1,500 miles on biodiesel. More updates on that soon.

Philip Reed, Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 59,953 miles

August 1, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Clogged Filter from Biodiesel

oldfilter.jpgIt doesn't usually happen this way.

I was about a mile from my house yesterday when the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI began to sputter. It wasn't horrible, more like a ragged feel as I accelerated into the higher RPMs.

We've been running the V-Dub on B99 biodiesel (99 percent biodiesel and one percent petrodiesel) and were warned that the fuel filter might get clogged. Biodiesel dissolves deposits in the fuel system that flow into the filter and gum it up. This is exactly what it felt like when I tried to accelerate.

Luckily, I had already purchased two fuel filters so I was ready for this moment. I got my tools and the new filter and made the switch. It only required a screw driver (to loosen the filter bracket) and pliers to pinch the hose clamps. The filter must have been on there a long time because the hoses were sealed tight to the fittings and were hard to break loose. But it only took 10 minutes and I was back in the car, ready to fire it up.

Philip Reed, Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 59,735 miles

Continue reading...

July 25, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: B99 Biodiesel; So Far, So Good.

filter200.jpgNo, this isn't an elaborate commuter coffee mug. This is a fuel filter for a 2005 Jetta TDI.

We are switching our TDI over from a diet of petrodiesel -- which comes from foreign countries that hate us -- to biodiesel, which comes from soy beans grown by American farmers.

We were cautioned to make this transition gradually by using B20 first (a 20 percent mix of bio- and petrodiesel). Since biodiesel is more solvent it might loosen deposits and clog the fuel filter. When I first filled up, a flier from the station actually recommended carrying an extra fuel filter in the car.

While driving up to San Jose this week I stopped at Community Volkswagen in Santa Maria and chatted with the boys there about boidiesel. Everyone had heard of it and surprisingly, everyone had a friend who was using it. But not everyone seemed sure if their "friend" was using biodiesel or the mysterious -- and free! -- waste vegetable oil.

Continue reading...

July 21, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sips Biodiesel and Breaks the 50 MPG Barrier!

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I drove to San Jose, Calif., today to attend the Plug-In 2008 conference and it seemed fitting to drive there in a car powered by another alternative form of vehicular power, biodiesel.

We bought the 2005 Volkswagen TDI to try not only diesel but also biodiesel and maybe even waste vegetable oil. But first we wanted to get an idea of what this certified used car got on petrodiesel. So for the past seven months and 8,000 miles, we put it on a steady diet of regular old diesel. We're still tallying the results but basically it got about 48 mpg on the highway and about 34 mpg around town.

Yesterday, I drove to Conserv Fuel in Los Angeles and put about four gallons of B99 in the tank (99 percent biodiesel). We have been warned to ease into the biodiesel since it is a solvent and will dissolve deposits left from petrodiesel. The deposits then clog the fuel filter, the car comes to a grinding halt and you wind up having second thoughts about alternative fuels.

I felt the B99 would be safe since it was being mixed with so much petrodiesel it would be the equivalent of B20. The Jetta didn't seem to notice the difference. It ate up the road and performed like a champ. I love driving this thing on the highway. The revs are so low at 75 mph it doesn't even have to towel off when you shut it down.

When I filled up on B20 at a station called "Rotten Robbies" in San Jose, I found I had gotten 50.3 mpg by covering 439.7 miles and only drinking 8.73 gallons of the biodiesel!

Yes indeed. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Philip Reed, Edmunds.com senior consumer advice editor @ 58,917 miles

July 10, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Why the Europeans Like Small, Diesel Cars

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Recently, I spent a weekend with our long-term 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and had a small revelation. I now understand why so many Europeans choose to drive small cars with a turbodiesel engine and a manual transmission: It just makes life so easy.

My weekend included a Saturday night trip to a Dodgers/Angels game (the one the Dodgers won without getting a hit). It took about 45 minutes to get from the freeway up to the Chavez Ravine parking lot. After the game, that same "trip" took an hour and a half. Traffic was at a creep, and I had to stop and start repeatedly on uphill grades.

In a normal, gasoline-engined economy car with no low-end torque, this would have been a miserable experience. Yet, our TDI Jetta provides a nice hit of torque almost immediately off idle, vastly simplifying the driver's task. I was also impressed with the clutch takeup: Considering our Jetta is pushing 60K miles, engagement still happens pretty close to the floor and there's little sign of wear. The clutch got a little smelly about an hour into the slog but recovered quickly.

Our long-term TDI isn't just an old, crumb-filled Jetta to me anymore. It might be the best low-cost, four-cylinder solution to commuter transportation I've ever driven.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 58,134 miles

June 12, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Smells Like French Fries?

Here's the thing about driving a diesel-powered car only once in a blue moon: It's easy to forget how stinky it is.

Sure, diesel yields more miles to the gallon and all, but the smell is hard to get past. And there's that whole diesel causes cancer thing that diesel supporters and opponents alike can argue till the (also stinky) cows come home.

Continue reading...

June 9, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Fuel Cost--'Nuff Said

Sometimes, a picture really is worth 1,000 words!

And here's another, which might make this the longest short entry in long-term blog history.

At least we're averaging almost 43 miles a gallon in the '05 Jetta diesel, which is a good 25 percent better than a gasoline model would be getting.

And the difference between regular gas and diesel  here in Southern California this morning was a mere 17.3 percent, so we're still at an advantage in the TDI.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor, Green Car Advisor @ 57,744 miles

May 29, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Breaking the $5/gallon Barrier

Do you hate $4 a gallon gas prices? How do you feel about $5.19 a gallon diesel prices? That's what I paid for diesel to fill our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI today in Santa Monica, California.

That's the bad news...

Continue reading...

May 27, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Reserve Tank Fill Up

One of life's little mysteries solved -- at least for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

In a previous blog we complained about not being able to put enough fuel in the tank so the needle would be on full (as it is in the top photo even after driving 57.5 miles). No matter how much we trickled in extra diesel the fuel gauge always looked like this:

My father, who also owns a 2001 Jetta TDI told me that there is a small lever inside the neck of the fuel tank which can be depressed with the diesel pump's nozzle. I did this and kept pumping and pumping...

Continue reading...

May 21, 2008

2005 VW Jetta TDI: A Greener Diesel?

2005 Jetta - Brent Romans

Trying out biodiesel to build up our alt-fuels fleet was one of our reasons for purchasing the long-term 2005 Jetta TDI. You can read more about biodiesel in this story, but basically it's a blend regular diesel and oil derived from renewable sources, such as soybeans.

So far, we've just been putting regular diesel in. Out of curiosity, I checked the National Biodiesel Board's website to find retail locations near us...

Continue reading...

May 16, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: That Premium Feel

2005 VW Jetta - B Romans

Having spent a week with our long-term 2005 Jetta TDI, I'm reminded about why we were such big fans of this generation Jetta back when it was new. It's the way the car looks and the way the doors "thunk" solidly when you close them. It's the upscale interior materials and the superb balance of handling and ride comfort. It's the European feel granted by the diesel engine and smooth gear shifter...

Continue reading...

May 12, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta: How Dirty Is Dirty?

2005 VW Jetta -- Brent Romans

As James wrote in an earlier post, our 2005 VW Jetta diesel TDI doesn't fare well in the EPA's current ranking system for air pollution. It gets a score of "1." Being the lowest score possible, one would presume this is bad.

But how bad is a "1?" Is it just kinda dirty, like Christina Aguilera's Dirrty video, or is it suitable for the TV show Dirty Jobs?

Well, I did some digging to find out.

Continue reading...

April 25, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Reverse Lockout FTW



There are those on staff who disagree with me on this fairly technical point, but here I go. I'm just not a fan of six-speed transmissions that (a) don't have a reverse lockout feature, and (b) have the reverse gear slot located immediately to the left of first. Why? Two reasons. First, you might shift into reverse instead of first, especially if you're not familiar with the car. Second, if the resistance separating the reverse gate from the others isn't firm enough, you could accidentally power through it and hang the shifter up in the no-man's land located due south of the reverse gate. This could happen during an overly enthusiastic third-to-second downshift, or perhaps during a rolling shift in traffic from neutral into second (you know, the kind where you slap the shifter over to the left and then down into second gear).

Continue reading...

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Bleed Those Brakes!



My very first impression of our Jetta: The brake pedal is mushy! Aside from the serious diesel-induced vibration (especially when idling), there’s quite a bit of travel in the pedal when pressure is initially applied, accompanied by a whooshing sound. When the brakes finally do bite, they have a tendency to buck you rather unexpectedly forward, then knock you back into your seat.

I’m not really sure it’s the Jetta’s fault; it just feels like the fluid needs to be flushed...

Continue reading...

April 17, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Fuel Mileage

Here it is, what you've been waiting for -- an update on our diesel Jetta's fuel efficiency.

After nearly 4,000 miles in our hands, and against a combined (city and highway) EPA figure of 35 mpg, our Jetta TDI is averaging 37.9 mpg.  Given our mostly leadfoot tendencies and the fact that many of those miles are spent in L.A.'s perpetual traffic jam, it's doubly impressive.  We imagine that mileage in the low-40s should be easily obtainable by those who live in areas where traveling on the "freeway" means efficient, steady cruising at 65 mph.

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 55,139 miles.

 

April 4, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: The Jetta Ate My Parking Permit



When I left my apartment to go to softball practice the other night, I saw my parking permit sitting on the dash and decided I'd stow it in the little storage area in front of the shifter until I returned home. Imagine my surprise when I pulled back into my parking space a few hours later, reached for the permit, and it was nowhere to be found. Now, I'm a little more absent-minded than the average bloke, so I initially assumed that I had simply misplaced the thing. But after vainly searching all of the Jetta's nooks and crannies (I thought), I still couldn't find it. Weird, I mused. I could have sworn I left that thing right in front of the shifter!

This was a pressing problem, because my parking lot is policed by an aggressive towing company. If I didn't find that permit, the Jetta was going to be forcibly relocated, which I figured wouldn't go over too well back at the office. So I returned my focus to the area in front of the shifter, redoubled my efforts, and..."Hey," I exclaimed, "There's a crack under there!" Channeling Neo ("No way, no way, this is crazy!"), I ran and got a flashlight, and sure enough -- I could just make out the blue corner of my parking permit, trapped in the belly of the Jetta's center console.

Continue reading...

April 2, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Auto-Down Only



It's nice that our long-term Jetta provides auto-down (and -up) windows for both the driver and front passenger. Not so nice, however, is our car's unwillingness to permit manual modulation of the driver-side window switch when lowering the window. This is one of those things that's more easily felt than described, but here goes.

Continue reading...

April 1, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Hey, You -- Flocka Seagulls



flocka seagulls_jules.jpgThis blog has had a distinctly scatological vibe as of late. Not to pile on, as it were, but this morning the titular birds evidently enjoyed what is colloquially known as a "deuce party" while hovering over our long-term Jetta's rear end (appropriately enough). Guess that's what I get for living down on the marina. Parking dockside has its drawbacks.

 Be that as it may, I was frankly beside myself with rage when I awoke to find the venerable Vee-Dub in such a sorry state. "I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furrrrrrious anger," I bellowed at no seagull in particular, "those who attempt to poison and de-stroy our Jetta's metallic gray finish!"

Josh Sadlier Jules Winnfield, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 54,760 miles

Continue reading...

March 31, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta: Fill 'er up? Easier said than done

Clearing an easy 40 mpg means you don't have to fill up our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI very often. But when you do fill it up, it still doesn't read "full." I filled it up three times over the past week, and never was I allowed to bask in that satisfying sense of having a completely full tank. The tank probably was full, but like my old Mopars, the gauge refused to reflect that (the photo above was taken just after my last fill up).

The wife wasn't too sure of the "clickety-clak" sound it made when started, but then I showed her the fuel log book and all noise issues were forgotten...

Continue reading...

March 24, 2008

2005 Volkswagen GLS TDI: The Surreal Life

A few weekends ago I found myself at California Speedway for VARA's annual Route 66 Classic. Lunch time had rolled around and the track was silent. I had scoped out most of the cars there were to see and, to be honest, I was losing a little interest. Then, from over the PA system came the call, "The track will now be open to spectators who would like to drive their car on the track. You'll have to drive behind a pace car of course, but just bring your vehicle over to pit entrance and sign the waiver!"

Continue reading...

March 17, 2008

2005 VW Jetta TDI: Pick Your Poison

2005 Jetta TDI -- Photo by Kurt Niebuhr

When putting together my Jetta v. Jetta comparison last week, I came across an interesting juxtaposition in regards to our 2005 Jetta TDI's ecofriendliness. Take a look at the chart below from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov Web site that lists a car's 2008-standard fuel economy, its annual fuel cost, carbon footprint score and Air Pollution Score.

The Jetta photo the EPA threw on there is incorrect, the info is indeed for previous-generation 2005 Jetta TDI

As you can see, the fuel economy and carbon footprint are obviously quite good. But the air pollution quite literally stinks. In other words, if you're most concerned about the best fuel economy or limiting your carbon output in regards to global warming, a diesel Jetta's a great way to go. But, if smog and other air pollution is a concern, forget it. By comparison, a Bentley Arnage scores a 6 out of 10, which seems to be the low mark for gasoline-powered cars. If you're wondering, the Mercedes E320 Bluetec scores a 3 out of 10, but it's important to remember that it doesn't yet feature the urea system that allows it to be a "clean diesel."

The Jetta is actually so "dirty," you can occasionally see some black smoke belch out its tailpipe. Look very closely at the track testing video below, you should be able to see the quick black blast as the car starts to take off.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 54,161 miles

Continue reading...

March 11, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Unpimp My Ride!

Most everyone has been digging the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI but hating the rear window tint. Looking out the back was like being in a bad dream, those dreams where you can't quite see what's going on but you know it's important. Here's what it looked like:

I did a Google search for "window tint" in Long Beach, CA, and got a dozen hits. I called five of them and got estimates from $60 to $95...

Continue reading...

2005 VW Jetta TDI: A Tale of Two Jettas

My 2000 Jetta VR6, left. The Edmunds 2005 Jetta TDI, right. -- Photos by James Riswick

I was pretty thrilled when we added the Jetta TDI to the fleet. Sure, I was eager to give diesel a try, but my connection to this generation of Jetta is very personal. See, for seven years, I was the proud owner of a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS. It was with me through high school, college and beyond; a loyal companion who traveled across the country several times with a scant few problems -- a near miracle considering V-Dub's splotchy reputation.

Yet, my Jetta couldn't possibly be more different than the Edmunds Jetta, despite both being of the same generation. Driving the TDI seems so familiar, and yet it has a certain Twilight Zone feel to it -- like growing up with Disneyland and then visiting Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Along with having different equipment levels (mine had leather, heated seats), a quick look at the numbers shows the vast difference between the two model styles.

Continue reading...

February 26, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Dig that Turbo

Photo by Doug Lloyd

Having driven our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI a few times, I have a newfound respect for diesels. Granted, my previous experience was my mom's (now sold) early 80s Mercedes Turbo??? diesel wagon, which was so painfully slow she alternated between saying it got from zero to 60 "eventually" and referring to it fondly as the "getaway car." My dad also had a 300D (1979? '80?) diesel Benz...

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February 21, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: The Diesel Experience

Our recent track test of our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (turbo-diesel for the acronym-weary) returned a 0-60 time of 11.0 seconds. One of our readers proclaimed that performance "disturbing." I think not.

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February 19, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Clutch Clatter

You’ve probably heard of diesel clatter. It’s that chug-a-chug sound that emanates from underneath the hood of every diesel-powered car, some being more clattery than others. But what about clutch clatter? Yeah, me either – that is, until I drove our Jetta home for the first time. Resting your foot on the Jetta’s clutch is like stepping on a violently purring cat, as the pedal vibrates in perfect time to the muted clatter from the engine bay. In Pulp Fiction terms, if Antwan Rockamora, a.k.a. Tony Rocky Horror, had been able to track down a Jetta TDI, he could have provided Mia Wallace with an entirely non-intimate foot massage simply by firing up the TDI and placing her foot on the clutch, in which case Marsellus Wallace might have elected not to have him thrown off that fourth-floor balcony, thus sparing Tony his unfortunate speech impediment. Clearly, clutch clatter has its benefits.

For the average driver, however, it’s kind of annoying, especially in stop-and-go traffic, where one’s foot often rests ever-so-slightly on the clutch in anticipation. As our Jetta is the first diesel-powered car I’ve driven, I’m hopeful that this quirk is endemic only to previous-generation Volkswagen TDIs (and maybe just Jettas), not current models or diesel cars in general.

Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com

February 14, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Headrest Stain Neutralized



Remember the gross oil stain on the driver head restraint we pointed out in the introduction for our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI? Well, removing it was my first order of business upon getting in the car, because it made me think of the Half Life headcrabs and the residue they leave behind when you bash them.

I hit the stain with some environmentally friendly upholstery cleaner, let it soak in for 10 minutes and then went at the area with a sponge and it came right out. You can see the headrest is still damp from the cleaning, but I'm confident there will be no trace of the stain once the upholstery dries...

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February 12, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Track Testing

Wacky Jetta Body Motions -- Photo by James Riswick

Comparing diesel-powered cars' 0-to-60-mph times to gasoline ones is practically irrelevent. Diesels are almost always slower than their gasoline counterparts, however, they tend to feel substantially quicker. That sensation is courtesy of torque, and even with a relatively scant 177 pound-feet, our Jetta feels pretty quick around town or when passing on the highway. However, that 0-to-60 time certainly shows itself should you need to merge onto the same highway from a stop.

As the other testing shows, the Jetta did a pretty commendable job at the track. Remember that this is not only a 2005 model, but a car that was first introduced for 1999 in the United States. As Ms. MacKinnon might say, "not too shabby."

James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 52,400 miles

Continue reading...

February 11, 2008

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI: Introduction

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI

We purchased a certified pre-owned 2005 Volkswagen Jetta diesel for our long-term fleet.

It's equipped with a turbocharged 1.9-liter inline-4 capable of 100 horsepower. That may not seem like much chutzpah but its 177 lb-ft of torque are available low in the rpm range.

Other features include a 5-speed manual transmission, standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel, intermittent windshield wipers, heated exterior mirrors and an optional sunroof...

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