I've heard that the timing belt in the 1.9 TDI required replacement at 20,000
mile intervals at a dealer expense (if you want to hang on to your long engine
warranties) of around $350!  Is that true?  If that is true, do you know how
much you have to drive a TDI to save the expense of lower gas mileage gasoline-
powered Jettas?

Donald Baxter
'85 Vanagon GL
Iowa City, IA
> Philip,
>
> A friend of mine has been driving a new 2002 Jetta TDI wagon for at least 6
> months now.  He says it is an awesome vehicle: solid, very smooth,
> accelerates very well, very comfortable, gets 50mpg like they advertise.
> This friend is a real gearhead, has driven and worked on old Rabbit diesel,
> Toyota MR2 on a racing setup, and a new BMW Mini.  At this point, I'd be
> willing to bet that the last car he'd give up is the Jetta TDI.  It is
> certainly on my list, and I did own a an '81 Jetta Diesel and an '82 Westy
> Diesel, at different times.
>
> Chris Radcliffe
> chris_radcliffe@mindspring.com
> '90 Westy Auto "Blue Whale"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Philip Chidlaw
> Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 8:56 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: OT - soliciting Jetta TDI reviews
>
>
> I would appreciate any experienced feedback from Jetta owners and the
> TDI in particular.
>
> My wife and I are considering the very short list of modestly-priced
> 2003 model year wagon-oid vehicles as her new daily driver. She needs a
> new wagon.
>
> Can anyone relate their experiences with recent model-year Jettas and/or
> the 1.9 TDI?
> Are Jettas any good?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Philip Chidlaw