I want to buy a TDI for my girlfriend and found a 2002 but it has a auto trans, that is slipping pretty bad, I can get a pretty good deal on it but how much will a new trans cost for it? and what is the most I should pay for the car.

 

I'd ask over here http://forums.tdiclub.com/. That is exactly the reason I bought a 5 sp.

 

The mindset on the TDIclub is in 2 camps on the Auto trans:
1) Avoid it like the plague
2) Budget for conversion to 5sp or 6sp trans.

There is at least one TDI preferred supplier offering conversion kits...search on the club site for bleachedbora.

HTH

Tony

 

That era auto trans was a piece...
Why I searched forever for a 5spd... Sorry no help on cost

 

thanks for the replies, I think I will keep looking for another car

 

NUN YA RAM, I would only get a manual tranny on a TDI for the same reason as a Cummins, so you can maximize the torque of the diesel engine. We bought an 06 Jetta TDI 5speed for my wife & it has 80,000 miles with no trouble. At first she wanted an auto but I convinced her to get the 5speed & after she learned to drive the manual, she loves it. I agree with the other guys about looking at TDI club, they have lots of great info.

 

I've had three Jetta TDIs (two '99s, and my current '06). All have been manuals, and I've never even replaced a clutch. You'll get fewer headaches and better mileage (one of the big reasons to buy this car, in addition to the sporty performance from a 90HP engine,) and the autos are highly problematic.

So I concur with the "keep searching for another car" opinion. Oh, and X2 on Fred's TDI forums...very similar attitude on there as in here. Lots of folks with lots of TDI experience. If you're having a problem or are thinking of a mod, chances are someone on there has already had it or done it.

 

I've got a 2000 Jetta TDI with a 5-speed; my best friend bought an '01 with the automatic cuz I've had only the best things to say about the critter (including a 700-mile round trip with at 57.2 MPG!!! Started out with a "to the fillcap" tankful, got home with just under 1/4 tank).

After about 15k (144k on the clock) the tranny went south and he ate a $2900 rebuild bill. I think they saw him coming.

BTW, I just got an Upsolute tune- added 20+ hp and 45ft-lbs per the installer's experience. Avg MPG has averaged 51 on my commute, up 4 from pre-tune. When I can keep from enjoying the new power, that is.

 

I think that little TDI engine is the 2nd best engine out there (behind the Cummins of course). I've got an 07 Honda Element I drive for work & it would be the the perfect car if Honda would put a similar engine in it!

 

Lets hope they are listening, I told my local Honda dealer I wanted that very combo when they finally get their diesel out......

 

I know Honda is supposed to be coming out with an Accord diesel soon. Let's hope they expand it to the Element.

 

I'd also say go for a 5speed. I've owned two jetta tdi's, they are great cars. Never had an auto because they get 5-7mpg less in those year cars.

Stinkindiesel - upsolute was like the first chip manufacturer for these cars back in the day- it's a smoky program that will ruin a stock clutch quickly (due to earlier torque peaks than other programs), and there are definitely more refined options out there now.. hate to say that since you already got it but fyi..

 

Good notion! I've owned several imports and so with that, let me offer a few things to think about in your search:

First off - this is a German car. It's also FWD.

Secondly, due to the above, NOTHING relate to a transmission will be cheap to repair or replace.

Third - it WILL break sometime. If it's not now, it may be soon.

Fourth - it's going to COST a lot to set it right again.

So I would strongly suggest that you find a good import garage - preferably indipendant, and have them do a complete check out on a car before you buy it. Spending $100 now, may well save you spending $3000 a few months down the road.

 

Major item to look for in any used tdi purchase - timing belt. Check to see if the timing belt has been changed and when - this is a $500-700 job. Depending on the year and trans, the intervals are different..00-02 autos I believe had 60k intervals and manuals 80, in 03 or somewhere around there an updated 100k belt kit came out. It can be used on the older models 98-02 as well.

 

Rumor is that Subaru is also coming out with a diesel model, that would be sweet, too. Someting to give VW a run for their money and force them to improve quality. Not that the Jetta TDI is a bad car, but it could always be better. Apparently Audi is also trying to bring something called the Audi A4 allroad:

http://www.motorauthority.com/2010-a...how-debut.html

Looks promising, too bad I'll never be able to afford it. But it's good to see more diesel passenger cars coming to the American market. That has to be a good thing.

Oh, and X2 on the timing belt. I just had mine done at the dealer (I know, but I don't want anything to do with working on the TDI engine) when the car hit 80K, and it was an $800 job. So check it out when buying used, because if it breaks 'cause it wasn't changed when it was supposed to, it WILL cause catastrophic engine failure.