Author Topic: Test Drive: 2012 VW Golf TDI wagon (Read 3694 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 01, 2012, 03:05:26 am »

Winnipeg contributor Haney Louka reports on the cold weather performance of his recently acquired VW Golf Wagon TDI diesel.

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JohnM · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2012, 05:47:42 am »

This is a great package and I've watched amazed at how long it took to bring the wagon over here. I guess it would have been a slow seller in the US so VW didn't bother.

If everyone who drove an SUV upgraded to one of these, we would be making progress.

It seems the reliability issues are basicall gone with this model and I'd like to believe that VW is capable of stepping up to the first level in this regard. On the other hand, Haney's Mazda 6 has a less than sterling reputation and I'm sure the Golf will be at least as good.

Too bad the TDI doesn't come in a Trendline version but for some reason after all of these years, they still don't seem to have the diesel production capacity to keep up with demand and so wrap it in a higher margin package.

This is surely the car I would have bought 5 years ago and I expect Haney will love it long term.

Cheers,
John M.

tpl · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2012, 05:50:04 am »

Quote

While I happily priced out a manual-equipped Mazda6 wagon with a diesel engine on Mazda’s UK site, the costs related to shipping it home and converting it to left-hand drive would have pushed it well beyond our budget.

Not to mention the cost of bribing several layers of federal and provincial bureaucrats!

tazcubed · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2012, 06:59:25 am »

Now, if they only brought across the Passat wagon, then I'd consider it. That said, I'd prefer any car to have all wheel drive (just a personal preference). I don't see why they can't incorporate it with the diesel.

AP · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:27:23 am »

Has plenty going for it IMHO. Hard to think of very many vehicles combining this kind of economy, driving dynamics and utility. My reluctance is the reliability.

AP · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:33:36 am »

Quote from: CD_Editor on February 01, 2012, 03:05:26 am

And trust me, if the car can keep my wife warm, it can keep anybody warm.

Oh my, I hope she doesn't frequent autos.ca.

In the interests of full disclosure (since this is a review of your personal car) did the prospect of a favourable review impact the price negotiation?

airbalancer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2012, 07:46:07 am »

is there any children in this family?
I find the rear seats in the Golf to be tight
also strange that you wanted a $1000 nav because it show diesel station , you would think there an app for that

In southern Ont finding diesel is no problem to find

hemusbull · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:03:58 am »

There isn't any other hatch with stretched version. Sounds to me like extended 3 series for chinese market...Anyway, if they put 4-motion this one here gona be winner for me! The only issue like with any VW is reliability and...price. But beeing one class itselfs solves the problem for a limited customer base.

OliverD · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:34:33 am »

Interesting article, especially since I too own a 6 wagon with a manual transmission (and so does my dad). I'm probably going to keep it for quite some time. I do like the Golf wagon but I think the more likely replacement would be a used BMW 328i wagon. Only problem is they are tough to find with both a manual transmission and the sport package.

nlm · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:54:15 am »

Quote from: OliverD on February 01, 2012, 08:34:33 am

....the more likely replacement would be a used BMW 328i wagon. Only problem is they are tough to find with both a manual transmission and the sport package.

And have less cargo but more money, although at least leasing is a viable option with BMW's artificially high residuals.

Congrats on the new car. It does get check marks in many of my own categories too.

Mike · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:55:19 am »

Quote from: AP on February 01, 2012, 07:27:23 am

Has plenty going for it IMHO. Hard to think of very many vehicles combining this kind of economy, driving dynamics and utility. My reluctance is the reliability.

I drove one of these for a very short period of time and was blown away by how good it is. I want to get a tester to show the gf as we both like small wagons.

tpl · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:09:05 am »

No HID lights available in Canada on any Golf except the GTI. For me that is close to being a show stopper. Pity, 'cos I have liked every diesel I have every driven.
My 4 VAG products over 25 years have been reliable. ( But I did NOT own a Mk IV Golf)
All but one of my local stations sell diesel.
Don't care about a heater taking some time to get hot...the GTI is not brilliant in that respect either.

I might or might not get another DSG but I would not spend money on a built in Nav as my Garmin works well enough ( as do paper maps printed off from Google Maps)

curly · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:13:15 am »

Thanks for all the feedback. We absolutely love the new car.

Regarding reliability, I too am curious to see how the car will do over the long term. Even though the Mazda6 in general doesn't have the best reliability stats, ours was darn near perfect over the 7 years we drove it so the Vee Dub has some big shoes to fill.

AP: I bought my car the old-fashioned way, and a "favourable review" was not discussed. I have known the sales manager at one of the local VW dealers for 20 years since he sold my sister a 1992 GTI, so there's a relationship there for sure but no back-room deals in exchange for favourable press.

We would have looked at a slightly used A4 Avant to get the AWD but they haven't sold them with a stick since the 2009 redesign, and we wanted something newer.

Haney

Winterpeg · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:32:38 am »

Quote from: AP on February 01, 2012, 07:27:23 am

Has plenty going for it IMHO. Hard to think of very many vehicles combining this kind of economy, driving dynamics and utility. My reluctance is the reliability.

Quote from: curly on February 01, 2012, 09:13:15 am

Thanks for all the feedback. We absolutely love the new car.

Regarding reliability, I too am curious to see how the car will do over the long term. Even though the Mazda6 in general doesn't have the best reliability stats, ours was darn near perfect over the 7 years we drove it so the Vee Dub has some big shoes to fill.

AP: I bought my car the old-fashioned way, and a "favourable review" was not discussed. I have known the sales manager at one of the local VW dealers for 20 years since he sold my sister a 1992 GTI, so there's a relationship there for sure but no back-room deals in exchange for favourable press.

We would have looked at a slightly used A4 Avant to get the AWD but they haven't sold them with a stick since the 2009 redesign, and we wanted something newer.

Haney

Agree with everybody on the reliability question mark. I really like the "new" Bug with the improvements in just about all areas.

Wish Haney and Co. good luck on the new "addition". I know the seat heaters will be tested to great lengths here in the 'Peg...not so much now, thank the lord.

dutch · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:00:50 am »

Congrats on the new car! Have always liked the idea of the VW diesels, just have been afraid of the rest of the car falling apart......

We are looking to get rid of "stan the minivan", and the idea of a wagon is appealing. Keep us posted on the heat issue during the next cold snap here in Winnipeg. I know the front seats are good, just want to make sure the kids in the back are warm too!

Spheric · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:34:38 am »

Good informative article.

The only thing I would change about the Golf manual transmission are the gear shifts. I find the gear throws overly long and almost agricultural compared to the flick of the wrist short throws I found in previous Japanese cars I've owned.

johnny2017 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:37:41 am »

We bought our Comfortline w/DSG and Pana-roof last July in the same Platinum Grey Metallic and have put about 11,000 problem-free clicks on it to date. There were 2 minor recalls that were addressed at our first dealer service last month.

Since the last redesign, Consumer Reports has rated the Golf as above average for reliability so perhaps those memories about older models can stay as memories.

The seat heaters are awesome and though we're having a mild winter here, heat has never been an issue and I didn't even think about it til someone brought it up here.

You are gonna love this car!

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:10:16 am »

Nice article Haney. Though I don't think it should be referred to as a "test drive" - you paid for the vehicle with your own money, it should be an "owner's review", or something like that. Obviously the review was highly positive (you wouldn't have bought it otherwise!), so the "test drive" designation is somewhat disingenious. The title implies that the vehicle tested is a typical manufacturer press vehicle (assigned for you to test), for which you may or may not have such a favourable opinion. But since you purchased it, there really is no chance of a "negative" review. Then again, how many truly negative reviews are published anyways? (Versa? Versa? a la Ferris Bueller...)

That being said, I find these types of owner reviews more useful than a press fleet review. The explanation of why the car was purchased, what the concerns were before purchasing (cabin heat, diesel availability, etc.), and the much longer time frame on which to base the review make the article more useful to the reader.

I too was really tempted by the Golf Wagon TDI - loved the torquey TDI, and I thought the manual shift feel was just fine. Only complaints - back seat is a little small, and the seatback adjustment dial is a pain (should have power seats at that price). But obviously neither of those complaints would be deal breakers. Every time SirA pops up with a favourable comment for his Golf Wagon, I get a twinge of regret. But then I think of what the Golf Wagon TDI costs - $31.5 + freight + Tax = $36,300 in SK, and more in MB. And that's paying cash - financing would push up the cost close to 40K. And no discounts available here in SK. I'm not saying the Golf Wagon TDI isn't worth the money, I just didn't want to spend that much on ANY vehicle. But if I was going to spend that much, I think it would be on this one.

opg210 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:12:46 am »

Congrats Haney! I agree you will love this car, we've had ours for 18 months and love it.

A few notes of ownership:
- as someone noted, it is a bit tight in the back with kids. However, we have two in booster seats back there and I sit between them occasionally on road trips to stop the fighting. I'm ~ 6ft and it's not miserable back there.
- we had an issue with injectors, not sure if this is common. we test drove the automatic and saw that it upshifts at something like 1500-2000 rpm in regular driving, really low. We got the manual and upshifted similarly since it's a diesel and we thought if the auto box did it, we might as well too. But it turns out this fouls the injectors (according to the dealer, after replacing 3 of them!) so they recommend upshifting higher and blowing the carbon out every now and then. Not a problem!

Other than that a very well rounded package and fun to drive every day.Great on the highway and in the curves too.

JohnM · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:19:20 am »

Hyper milers are basically luggers so this injector fouling issue is of concern.

I guess it calls for an occasional Italian Tuneup. I never believed this until I took my rough running Alfa Berlina out on a highway and kicked it in third. Some bucking and hesitation initially but after that, it started to sing and ran like a Swiss Alfa for weeks afterward.

Haney, what does the Golf turn at 100km/hr and where does the fouling become a problem?

Cheers,
John M.