2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

I would absolutely buy another TDI

Faults:

Truck lock started to go, that's it.

General Comments:

I get about 56 miles per gallon, with no after market products.

No problems. I did research the car heavily prior to purchasing, and I had a difficult time finding one. I bought it for fuel economy and knowing I drive over 100 miles/day. I keep the car in good working order, and am preventive with maintenance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th January, 2011

2006 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Edition 1.9 turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

I think it's a great higher quality economy car, that is fun to own and drive

Faults:

Only once on a very very cold day, it took a few cycles of the glow plugs to get her going. I assume that is due to thicker fuel from the cold temps. No other issues with the car thus far.

General Comments:

I bought this car in summer of 2007 as a left over or a "diesel edition" model. It has all the power options, heated seats, sunroof, mirrors, sat. radio and CD player, etc.

I really like the handling of this car, and the power the 100 horses manages to get out. You can feel the torque, which helps pull away from stop lights briskly. I do on occasion wish for more power or less turbo lag, but I have learned the limits of this car, and how to use it.

The fuel mileage is outstanding, I know the mpg display is a bit optimistic, but I have seen it go as high as 59mpg on the highway. I am sure I was probably only getting mid to low 50's though.

It has proven to be a very very reliable car. With 51k miles on it, I have not had a single problem. But I also drive it the way it was intended to be driven, as an economy car. I don't floor the gas pedal every time, I don't race people, I just drive it conservatively with some aggression in the corners. Back road driving is fun as it handles really well. It handles well in the snow, now that I have snow tires on, and it is smooth and comfortable on the highway. The seats are not luxury soft, but more of a supportive sporty feel.

Overall, I think I should have waited for the 2009 2.0 TDI to come out, since I wish I had a little more power. I plan on keeping this car as long as it will last me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2011

25th Jan 2011, 16:05

If you waited for the new 2.0 TDI, you would have more power and significantly lower mpg. Wonder if your luck will hold on reliability, given typical VAG performance in quality and reliability. Although I do admit that the 1.9 TDI, as an engine, but not engine management, was a very reliable engine.

Starting at low temps has to do with heating the fuel vapor mixture to a temperature high enough where it will be combustible. Remember basic Chemistry PV=nRT.

4th Feb 2011, 14:49

I am keeping my fingers crossed. But so far so good at 54k now.

2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Great car, but has a serious defective clutch safety issue

Faults:

51,000 miles - driver's side door wiring harness broke, and caused all window/door electronics to stop working.

51,000 miles - paint on radio dials starting to bubble.

25,000 miles - paint on headlight knob bubbled and peeled.

62,500 miles - clutch, flywheel, slave cylinder all broke - clutch pedal went to the floor - 2000.00 repair cost.

General Comments:

Fun car to drive with excellent mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th January, 2011

2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI turbo diesel from North America

Summary:

Junk, crap, trash

Faults:

I have personally dumped so much money into this car that I almost need to be rich to keep it.

General Comments:

This car is a very fun car to drive, and I love it, but this car is FALLING APART. I have dumped so much money into this car. New brakes, clutch, flywheel, wheel bearings, windshield, rotors, radiator, radiator hoses (again!!!), switch to roll down windows, brake lights fixed, and now I just took it to a mechanic, and he says I am having oil blow into my air hoses, and an oil leak at the turbo, and 2 oil leaks at the motor... somebody please tell me they are having or had the same problems?!?!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th December, 2010

11th Dec 2010, 06:12

Make sure your mechanic knows TDI's, otherwise there is a very good chance he doesn't really know what he is doing, and is not just a parts swapper. By know, I mean that he has been working on them for a regular basis for at least 5 years, and has either VAG-COM or a similar OBDII scanner. The regular OBDII code scanners are typically not up to the task of helping diagnose TDI issues.