I would cheerfully buy another VW diesel.

I  had a 2001 Jetta TDi with 340890 miles on it when I was "sandwiched"
on Rt. 66 in Northern Virginia.

It did not burn any oil, still had the original clutch in it, and was
getting on average 49.7 mpg (and on its fifth? timing belt).

I was planning on replacing the clutch and running it another 300k+
miles, but.....

The car was totalled (and I almost bought it back (salvage) for a
vanagon, but decided not to, too many projects to do here).

We went out and found a 2012 TDi on a dealers lot and purchased it about
2 weeks ago (6th speed manual transmission version).

As others have mentioned, *Do* the timing belt when required, along with
the water pump, rollers and tensioners.

If you plan on working on it yourself, seriously consider getting a
vag-com to "talk" to the car's electronics.

Howard

On 11/02/2012 08:13 AM, Pete O wrote:
> I know we have some TDI powered buses on the list.
>
> I am taking delivery a 2003 Jetta TDI SportWagen next Tuesday.  It has 120K
> on the odometer, has been professionally inspected and seems to be in good
> shape.
>
> Just wondering how many other list members drive Passat or Jetta TDI's and
> their opinion of them?
>
>
> Pete
> '87 Westy "JoesVan"
> '79 Westy "Aardvark"
> www.busesbythebeach.org