Topic: Long-Term Test Update 2: 2013 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI Diesel

[Autos_Editor]

It continues on at the same thrifty efficiency, now in quiet serenity, and hasn't seen a load it can't handle.

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[quadzilla]

Good article and although I understand how hard this would be to do all the time, it would be great to see more like this.

[hemusbull]

Here it comes: great article plus a priceless personal experience. Bravo!

[canuckystan]

Your personal touches to your articles make them a real pleasure to read.  FINALLY someone questions whether spending $30k on a new car (vs their current car) is actually worth it or not.  It's nice to read something that actually sounds like a human being wrote it, and not cribbed from a manufacturer's media kit. 

Anyway, I always enjoy your articles, thank you.

[SaskSpecV]

FINALLY someone questions whether spending $30k on a new car (vs their current car) is actually worth it or not.  It's nice to read something that actually sounds like a human being wrote it, and not cribbed from a manufacturer's media kit. 

Seconded.  Jonathon, I'm not sure VW Canada will be so happy about your thoughts on the relative value of new vs used VW wagons - but it's great to see a real-world financial perspective from an auto journalist.  Well done! (though I'm still secretly booing you for buying the tiptronic on your 1.8T!)

[jyarkony]

thanks guys,

i doubt VW would object to me praising the value of their used vehicles--i mean, how often does that happen? their depreciation means they are really cheap to buy into (except diesels), and if you luck into one that is relatively reliable, it's gold.

I don't think many would argue that used cars are the better value, but new car shoppers ant the peace of mind of warranty and greater likelihood of a reliable vehicle. used ccar shoppers accept that risk along with the lower prices.... i'm in a unique circumstance (new cars every week/month) that means it would be pretty crazy to take on the expense of a new car.

if i drove thousands of km in my personal car, it would give me a different perspective.

[Brig]

You still have your cupholder???  Mine snapped off four years into ownership (or thereabouts).  I do agree that it was a fun thing to pop out when it did work - confused quite a few passengers. "What is that, a clothes drying rack?"   

Very enjoyable read, Jonathan.

[D70]

Reading this in Portugal where I'm half way through a 19 day rental of a Renault Megane wagon with a 1.5 L 110 hp diesel 6 spd manual with 62,000 km

No turbo lag, instant torque, great handling. 1063 km on the first tank, 60 L.capacity  about 5 L per 100 km diesel is approx $1.84 a litre

no rattles, fantastic turning circle, low profile tires rough on the cobble stones

http://flic.kr/p/dx7W3n

[jyarkony]

You still have your cupholder???  Mine snapped off four years into ownership (or thereabouts).  I do agree that it was a fun thing to pop out when it did work - confused quite a few passengers. "What is that, a clothes drying rack?"   

Very enjoyable read, Jonathan.

I remember reading about how rare it is to find a Jetta with the cupholder intact when I was researching my purchase. I keep expecting it to break and don't like letting passengers use it, because they're so rough with it. And getting a wide cup back into it while driving is its own art form...

[jyarkony]

Good article and although I understand how hard this would be to do all the time, it would be great to see more like this.

Unfortunately, there's only so many personal cars we have access to... Better yet, we need Mike to do more Final Drives, but the guy's a prima donna and only wants to drive AMG tanks and Subarus...

[Mike]

Now if I could just get an AMG Subaru

[jyarkony]

Now if I could just get an AMG Subaru

Could the Outback take that twin-turbo 5.5? Hmmmm.... I bet fobroader would fly out to drive that...

[Ace]

Good stuff Johathan, Keep those articles about diesels, FGC and tires coming  .
Does anyone have any experience with "chip tuning"? I'm considering flashing my TDI, that will boost power to 175hp and 295ft lbs. Check out www.unitronic-chipped.com. 

[Fobroader]

Now if I could just get an AMG Subaru

Could the Outback take that twin-turbo 5.5? Hmmmm.... I bet fobroader would fly out to drive that...

Amg subaru......I would crawl to drive one!!!!

Sent from my Galaxy S3

[Solstice2006]

Great article.  Always have been a fan of the Golf Wagon, but it is so difficult to find a good deal on a TDI, so I gave up.  Hopefully the 2014 Mazda6 diesel will be priced $2500 cheaper.  And maybe depreciate a bit more than the TDI.

[redman]

Always great to read a sincere article without biased abound.

The only thing stopping many in N.A. picking up a VW TDI in my opinion is the price differential that we have to incur here for diesel compared to the rest of the world. One has to do massive Km annually to justify the up cost compared to the usual ICE.