Author Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI (Read 16502 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** April 16, 2012, 04:06:23 am »

The Golf TDI is not only frugal at the pumps, it is also nice to drive.

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tpl · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2012, 05:32:21 am »

Quote

Although great on their own, the DSG and turbodiesel are not great in combination for driving around town. There is an initial delay at throttle tip-in due to either DSG clutch engagement, turbo lag or both.

The guy at my local VW dealer has on e as the courtesy car and he has siad exactly the same thing.
I guess VW needs to reflash the DSG for the TDI.
Interesting it doesn't do the same on my GTI unless it is really cold and then only for the first few starts of the day.

sailor723 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2012, 05:44:48 am »

I have to think that pricing the AT at $2300 doesn't do much to help sales of an already pricey car. What's the demand for automatics in North America?...92-93% of cars sold ?

tpl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2012, 05:58:18 am »

Quote from: sailor723 on April 16, 2012, 05:44:48 am

I have to think that pricing the AT at $2300 doesn't do much to help sales of an already pricey car. What's the demand for automatics in North America?...92-93% of cars sold ?

DSGs are usually $1400 but indeed in the TDI Highline it is mandatory so I guess the prices is sorta combined with the diesel.

I have a suspicion that VW Golf drivers have a higher takeup of manual transmissions than with some other brands.

JohnM · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2012, 06:56:23 am »

I'm sure I'd enjoy the Golf Wagon TDI as much as the author but compared to the Prius V it is expensive and not as efficient.

Much better as a driving proposition though so there is a clear choice but under no circumstances can this car be regarded as a value proposition.

Cheers,
John M.

Jaeger · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:02:52 am »

If only it were a manual transmission, we could finally have appeased the strident "I want a manual-diesel-wagon dammit!" crowd. Who never seem to drive anything like that themselves, but that's a separate issue.

Jaeger

Mike · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:04:00 am »

Quote from: Jaeger on April 16, 2012, 08:02:52 am

If only it were a manual transmission, we could finally have appeased the strident "I want a manual-diesel-wagon dammit!" crowd. Who never seem to drive anything like that themselves, but that's a separate issue.

Jaeger

and awd

Jaeger · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:05:12 am »

Quote from: Mike on April 16, 2012, 08:04:00 am

Quote from: Jaeger on April 16, 2012, 08:02:52 am
If only it were a manual transmission, we could finally have appeased the strident "I want a manual-diesel-wagon dammit!" crowd. Who never seem to drive anything like that themselves, but that's a separate issue.

Jaeger

and awd

Dang - forgot that bit. Okay, it totally sucks, then.

nlm · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:18:34 am »

Is the loss of the diesel paired with a manual new for this year? I thought this combo was offered before in the wagon?

OliverD · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:39:37 am »

Quote from: tpl on April 16, 2012, 05:58:18 am

Quote from: sailor723 on April 16, 2012, 05:44:48 am
I have to think that pricing the AT at $2300 doesn't do much to help sales of an already pricey car. What's the demand for automatics in North America?...92-93% of cars sold ?
DSGs are usually $1400 but indeed in the TDI Highline it is mandatory so I guess the prices is sorta combined with the diesel.

I have a suspicion that VW Golf drivers have a higher takeup of manual transmissions than with some other brands.

It isn't mandatory on the Highline. It's a $1400 option just like elsewhere in the Golf range.

tpl · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:46:22 am »

I could have sworn it was part of the Highline package on TDIs...but I have just checked and you are correct of course.

The Highline is the one that offers the DSG as an option rather than the slushbox.

Ace · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:11:22 am »

Quote from: Jaeger on April 16, 2012, 08:02:52 am

If only it were a manual transmission, we could finally have appeased the strident "I want a manual-diesel-wagon dammit!" crowd. Who never seem to drive anything like that themselves, but that's a separate issue.

Jaeger

Right on!!

Danno001 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:13:49 am »

Pricey when compared to the competition - Mazda 3 hatch comes to mind. It would take a serious amount of Kms per year to overcome the $10,000 price difference in fuel savings. Power train needs sorting out, same low speed issues as the Focus DSG IIRC.

quadzilla · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:32:03 am »

Quote from: Danno001 on April 16, 2012, 09:13:49 am

Pricey when compared to the competition - Mazda 3 hatch comes to mind.

Not if you are looking for a large on the inside wagon. The only other car I can think of that comes close to interior space it he Elantra Touring.

Mike · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:43:16 am »

Quote from: quadzilla on April 16, 2012, 09:32:03 am

Quote from: Danno001 on April 16, 2012, 09:13:49 am
Pricey when compared to the competition - Mazda 3 hatch comes to mind.

Not if you are looking for a large on the inside wagon. The only other car I can think of that comes close to interior space it he Elantra Touring.

Funny you bring this point up, Jonathan and I were trying to fill-out the list of competitors for this wagon and were having a hell of a time thinking of many.

Ace · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:01:16 am »

When I went shopping for my Golf TDI a year ago, I ordered the very well equipped Comfortline model specifically because I didn't want a sunroof, leather seats and automatic transmission.
Price.... $26,875.00 + $1,365.00 Total $28,240.00.

Mike · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:04:57 am »

Quote from: Ace on April 16, 2012, 10:01:16 am

When I went shopping for my Golf TDI a year ago, I ordered the very well equipped Comfortline model specifically because I didn't want a sunroof, leather seats and automatic transmission.
Price.... $26,875.00 + $1,365.00 Total $28,240.00.

IMO - that's the one to get, but I do love sunroofs and leather seats

opg210 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:06:24 am »

I think availability might be limiting sales, and I don't understand that...when we got ours in 2010, we had to wait >2 months to get it, the dealer actually quoted 3 months, fortunately we didn't need it quickly. And we didn't get anything exotic, just the Highline with the manual (hmmm, maybe that is exotic...). We could have had any variant of gas engine model right away, not sure why VW doesn't up the production on these.

We searched the alternatives and the expensiveness is pretty subjective I would say. Yes it's expensive vs. the Prius V maybe, or definitely compared to the Mazda5 which was second on our list, but then again it's cheap compared to the Audi version, which isn't really all that different (go ahead and hammer me Audi diesel drivers). We didn't find anything comparable that drove as nice as this thing, had great interior space relative to its size, and was economical. 2 yrs later we still love it.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:11:32 am »

Quote from: Mike on April 16, 2012, 08:04:00 am

Quote from: Jaeger on April 16, 2012, 08:02:52 am
If only it were a manual transmission, we could finally have appeased the strident "I want a manual-diesel-wagon dammit!" crowd. Who never seem to drive anything like that themselves, but that's a separate issue.

Jaeger

and awd

and HIDs.

redman · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2012, 10:22:08 am »

As much as I like diesels, haven driven a few in Europe, I admit the like has it's boundaries. I like most drivers can justify a mild up charge for the diesel engine but diesels in N.A. are a niche product unlike overseas and come with niche pricing beyond the costs and beyond any savings for the average haul consumer to justify. Price them right and make them available and the industry will see greater diesels sales as the word gets out.
Beyond the fuel saving the feel of tons of torque at low RPM is fantastic especially when taking a slow tight turn going up a mountain. I felt like a unstoppable billy goat. It really inspires confidence in tricky situations.