We do...and a 3.0 too

 

You're asking pretty much whether they'll hold up to do exactly what they are designed to do. The only reason the entire world doesn't have diesel in everything with four wheels is either because, a) gearheads such as ourselves prefer the sound of gasoline engines, and b) major diesel taxation and/or extreme government ignorance - Sweden, US and Switzerland to name a few. Their newest 2.0TDi engine could quite possibly be the most brilliant engine ever constructed in terms of performance vs. consumption.

The only major diesel faults VAG has ever had was with the 1999-2001 2.5TDi's in the A6 (head gasket etc) and the V10 TDI, more so in the Phaeton than the Toe-rag. Lots of electric gremlins in that thing as well as an underdimensioned gearbox for that torque. There's always a row of at least 3 different Phaeton V10s with busted trannys whenever I visit my shop.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm leaning toward the A3. I'll bet they'll be tough to get once gasoline hits $5.00/gallon later this year.

 

Not tough, impossible, unless you want to pay $ over MSRP

 

Emissions is the holdout here, plus the fact that they are considerably more expensive and unlikely to make that deficit back at the pump.

 

I have over 40,000 miles on my 2010 Jettat TDI and it still feels new. I haven't had any problems and it has been a great commuter. I modified the suspension, wheels and tires since my commute is on a very windy mountain HWY and it is a great overall ride.

 

having a TDI as a daily driver is pretty sick. i mean, i travelled a round trip from Montreal to Hampton Beach (600 mi) in the same day, and i have enough fuel for an extra week.. with a 40-45$ tank.. it's amazing!

i can easily go up to 800 miles with a tank.. witch is not that bad hein!?

 

Like I said, government ignorance

Emissions isn't black and white - and all recent studies have shown that diesel pollutes way less toxic stuff than a gasoline engine, but mainly different ones altogether. So it's pretty subjective really. And since all the veggie treehuggers are getting their panties up in a bunch over CO2, they should be loving the diesel. And all the politicians trying to get their votes along with them . . .

And yes. Agreed on the financial part. Even though an A3 2.0T and a 2.0TDI are roughly the same price to buy here, you'd have to cover a significant amount of miles in a year (30K or so) before it makes any financial sense, because whatever consumption saving you do will be eaten up by the much higher tax rate to buy and own a diesel car - and the cost of actually filling it up is, idiotically, pretty much the same. Diesel fuel used to be at least 30% cheaper a few years ago. However, an A3 TDI will absolutely murder the 2.0T in just about any everyday situation short of a 0-60 sprint and top speed.