2013 VW Sportwagen TDI Driving Impressions

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Jan 2013, 15:24

I tested the hi zoot $30k Sportwagen, fresh off the dealer lot. For comparison, my ex got a mid-zoot manual 2012 during their (model) year end sale for about $24k in late summer.

Driving

Road noise is almost non-existent
Touch of wind noise around A pillar
Idle reveals this to be a diesel, there's no hiding it, but most will never think twice about it
After 4200 RPM, the engine sounds like a hidden sewing machine component has been activated somewhere under the hood
Nimble, steering feels nice and tight
Understeer far less prevalent than my 850, which pushes like a snowplow
Brakes are very powerful and bite hard, fade after repeat use not tested

Cabin

Cabin controls very good, except the hard-to-read climate dials
Easy to get a comfortable driving position
Keyless start just works, no fuss
Radio w/ Sirus seems good, but I didn't test it too much
Gauges are very crisp, very easy to read

Engine

Robust power sub-2k to 4k, then a cliff at around 4200 RPM
WOT throttle upshifts put the tach at 3200 RPM, which seems a touch high to me
Dead-start lag in the auto is significant, beware

Would I buy one for me? A year-end manual model might tempt me, but not this particular sample I drove today.

Post by **850 LPT** » 15 Jan 2013, 11:55

These are on the top of my list for quite a while now, and I think I might buy one someday. Not only are they sharp looking and practical, but the fuel economy is what I'm looking at. I'm driving 80 miles per day on my commute and at 23 -24 mpg, my 850 is expensive. Plus, I really like the torqueiness (spelling?) of the TDI engine.

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Jan 2013, 16:54

Just make sure you're ok w/ the feel of the dead start lag (if automatic trans). Besides being an automatic

, it's the only thing that would make me hesitate.

I admit to having thoughts four weeks ago -- when my 850 axle popped out -- of walking the 7 blocks or so from my house to Emich VW here in Denver, and seriously talking to them about buying one of these manual diesel wagons.

Post by **850 LPT** » 16 Jan 2013, 07:26

I would probably be ok with an automatic, since I commute in the greater NYC/CT area, and traffic can be dense at times around here. That's when manuals are not so much fun. Besides, I do own another fun car with a 5-speed, if I get the urge.

My next door neighbor bought a Jetta TDI sedan auto right before the new model came out, and he let me drive it the day after we picked it up from the dealer. I know what you're saying about the lag, and I would be fine with it. I think it's something you just get used to and after a while don't even notice anymore.

What I want to do is research how well these cars do as far as reliablity. I'm guessing they're ok but I don't really know anything about them. I'm also going to talk to my neighybor, who put quite a few miles on his by now. And I have another friend who also ownes a TDI. We'll see, I hope prices for used ones come down soon

Post by **850 LPT** » 28 Jun 2013, 06:21

Some great news. Another car manufacturer is now offering a diesel car. I never thought I would consider a Chevrolet product, but this one looks mighty sweet:

http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-compact- ... e%20diesel

Definately deserves a closer look....and possibly a test drive when it comes out. Now, if they would come out with a station wagon as well...

shanegtr · Post by **shanegtr** » 28 Jun 2013, 19:31

850 LPT wrote:Some great news. Another car manufacturer is now offering a diesel car. I never thought I would consider a Chevrolet product, but this one looks mighty sweet:

http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-compact- ... e%20diesel

Definately deserves a closer look....and possibly a test drive when it comes out. Now, if they would come out with a station wagon as well...

Well, we already have the wagon version here

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Jun 2013, 19:57

I drove a manual TDI Golf and loved the thing. Little lag, very quiet, even the engine, and very strong.

Drove the diesel Cruze too recently. Very well equipped - nicer and quieter than mine. Immense turbo lag from a stop, but once it spools, the thing is a friggen torque monster. Floored, it's about as fast as the gas engine. But part-throttle or up a hill, it would kick it in the butt. The diesel is much more clattery outside the car than the VW TDI, but it's cool that there is one.

I wouldn't buy either though. Too expensive and VW has had sooo many problems with the high pressure fuel pumps to make me wary of owning one after the warranty is up.

shanegtr · Post by **shanegtr** » 28 Jun 2013, 22:44

jblackburn wrote:I wouldn't buy either though. Too expensive and VW has had sooo many problems with the high pressure fuel pumps to make me wary of owning one after the warranty is up.

for what its worth, I dont think any of the CRD engines on the market now are going to be any different for long term life. The higher the fuel pressures used the cleaner the diesel needs to be, I dont think the cleanliness of what comes out of the pump is up to the task.

Post by **850 LPT** » 22 Jul 2013, 11:36

shanegtr wrote:
jblackburn wrote:I wouldn't buy either though. Too expensive and VW has had sooo many problems with the high pressure fuel pumps to make me wary of owning one after the warranty is up.
for what its worth, I dont think any of the CRD engines on the market now are going to be any different for long term life. The higher the fuel pressures used the cleaner the diesel needs to be, I dont think the cleanliness of what comes out of the pump is up to the task.

This has nothing to do with the technology of the pumps or the quality of the fuel. It's the owners that forget that they own a diesel and fill up with gasoline and blow up their pumps and go "oops". Then they go back to the car manufacturer and claim all kinds of things on warranty.

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Jul 2013, 12:14

850 LPT wrote:
shanegtr wrote:
jblackburn wrote:I wouldn't buy either though. Too expensive and VW has had sooo many problems with the high pressure fuel pumps to make me wary of owning one after the warranty is up.
for what its worth, I dont think any of the CRD engines on the market now are going to be any different for long term life. The higher the fuel pressures used the cleaner the diesel needs to be, I dont think the cleanliness of what comes out of the pump is up to the task.
This has nothing to do with the technology of the pumps or the quality of the fuel. It's the owners that forget that they own a diesel and fill up with gasoline and blow up their pumps and go "oops". Then they go back to the car manufacturer and claim all kinds of things on warranty.

Some, yes. But the pumps are very sensitive to ANY contamination of diesel fuel in the holding tanks in the ground (be it water or trace amounts of gasoline mixed from tanker trucks).