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2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

I'm in the market for a fuel efficent vechicle.

Well, after about 2 weeks of test driving it has come down to two vechiles that are still hold interest for me.

1) 2009 VW Jetta TDI (Clean diseal engine)

2) 2009 Toyota Prius (II)

I heard numerous things about reliability problems with the previous VW.. but heard good things about the newly designed 2009 Jetta TDI..

Test Drive:

I really like the way Jetta TDI handles the roads, it felt very nimble and really quick on the move, i guess it's because of the bigger torque versus Prius? I also the like the looks of the Jetta better, i dunno about the Prius, it's a great car and super reliable but the looks is really an "acquired taste" if you know what i mean...

I'm just wondering if anyone here has any input on these two vehicles especially the 2009 VW TDI.

I'm not going to put links for the reviews of these two cars because anyone can just do a quick Google or Bing...
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dirtyjeffer
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1 edit

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

i do like the Prius...it's a toyota, so you know it is well made...it gets great fuel economy, so it is a smart choice...but, the smart money is in the Jetta...the diesel is only a $2300 price premium over the gasoline model (in Canada), but get substantially better fuel economy over the gas models (your government may offer rebates on these too, so look into that)...as well, diesel is (currently) less expensive than gasoline...diesel engines last longer as they are more "heavy duty"...they are less complicated as they have no ignition system (spark plugs, wires and high voltage ignition systems)...i believe you can also go much longer between oil change intervals as well.

the main thing is the carbon footprint...i mean, if you are buying one of these cars to be "good for the environment", the diesel wins again...the Prius, as cool as it is, has something like 500 pounds of batteries in it, and who knows how much that will cost to replace down the road, and what about all that waste??

for fun, have a peek:

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Dirty Jeffer,
You have posted a load of rubbish.
said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

diesel engines last longer as they are more "heavy duty"...they are less complicated as they have no ignition system (spark plugs, wires and high voltage ignition systems)...i believe you can also go much longer between oil change intervals as well.
The engine in the VW is far more complex than nearly any gasoline engine, including the one in the Prius.
General statements about oil change intervals are useless; refer to the owner's manual.
As for "heavy duty"-ness determining lifespan, that is a crock. A modern diesel engine has a number of ancillary components that have a high likelihood of requiring replacement or repair over the life of the vehicle.

said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

the main thing is the carbon footprint...i mean, if you are buying one of these cars to be "good for the environment", the diesel wins again...the Prius, as cool as it is, has something like 500 pounds of batteries in it, and who knows how much that will cost to replace down the road, and what about all that waste??

for fun, have a peek:
(youtube clip)
Hello?
The battery in the Prius is 86 pounds, not 500.
»https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPort···fpb=true (open the Prius second generation PDF to find the battery weight)
The Prius weighs (2010 MY) 243 pounds less than the VW. Less material = less waste (using your logic)
Prius 3042 pounds (edmunds)
VW 3285 pounds (edmunds)

As for the carbon footprint?
The overall fuel economy of the Prius is better than the VW.
In addition, the per km CO2 output of the VW is about 20% higher than that of the Prius.
(Prius 104 g/km, VW 130 g/km)
»www.tdicurious.ca/2009/02/faq-%E···-diesel/
»www.hybridsynergydrive.com/en/pr···ons.html

Please go spout rubbish somewhere else.

As for the OP's question, he needs to decide based on
-driving dynamics (win for the VW)
-tactile/sensory feedback (diesel is a dealbreaker here for me)
-reliability (win for the Prius) »www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars···y-ov.htm
-economy (hands down win for the Prius for me - I am 90% urban stop and go commute)
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by 3SGTE See Profile :
Dirty Jeffer,
You have posted a load of rubbish.

no i haven't.

quote:
The engine in the VW is far more complex than nearly any gasoline engine, including the one in the Prius.
General statements about oil change intervals are useless; refer to the owner's manual.
As for "heavy duty"-ness determining lifespan, that is a crock. A modern diesel engine has a number of ancillary components that have a high likelihood of requiring replacement or repair over the life of the vehicle.
a diesel engine is not very complex, and i can't say exactly for sure about the VW one, but in most cases, diesel engines use cast iron blocks and heads, which are less susceptible to warping and gasket failures...as well, less oil changes is important...for one, it may save money in terms of maintenance, but that also means you aren't using so much oil (after all, it is supposed to be a "Green" car)...the engine principle is the same in both vehicles, with the difference being the VW will have a simple turbo-charger and direct injection diesel fuel delivery to the engine...the atkinson cycle engine in the Prius is comparable in "complexity" to a standard Otto cycle engine, but then you also have the more complex electrical systems involved in charging the batteries, integrating the electric motor to the drivetrain to work with the engine/transmission, the regenerative brake systems, and the high voltage battery pack itself...then of course, the Prius uses a CVT in place of a manual or automatic transmission (those are also fairly new and the reliability is up in the air on those)...the Prius is FAR more complex, and i know you know a lot about cars, so you should realize that.

quote:
Hello?
The battery in the Prius is 86 pounds, not 500.
»https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPort···fpb=true (open the Prius second generation PDF to find the battery weight)
The Prius weighs (2010 MY) 243 pounds less than the VW. Less material = less waste (using your logic)
Prius 3042 pounds (edmunds)
VW 3285 pounds (edmunds)
ok, i was wrong on the weight of the battery, as they have reduced that over the years, but my point still stands about the cost and longevity of it...you don't have to worry about that with the VW at all...i remember a few years ago, they were saying that used hybrids aren't worth a dime for resale because of that fact...the estimated the replacement batteries would be in the thousands of dollars (originally, it was something like $8,000, but i am sure that has come down over the years, but it is still going to VERY expensive)...in contrast, the resale value of the TDI VW's are VERY good...i don't know where you live, so perhaps diesels are not very common where you are (for some reason, Americans don't like diesels very much), but here in Canada, over 50% of EVERY VW sold is a TDI model...and buying a used one brings in top dollar...they work very well, get great gas mileage, are a nice car to drive/own and are quite reliable.

quote:
As for the carbon footprint?
The overall fuel economy of the Prius is better than the VW.
In addition, the per km CO2 output of the VW is about 20% higher than that of the Prius.
(Prius 104 g/km, VW 130 g/km)
»www.tdicurious.ca/2009/02/faq-%E···-diesel/
»www.hybridsynergydrive.com/en/pr···ons.html

the carbon footprint doesn't just come from the tailpipe...if you watched the youtube video, you would see my "point"...take a look at how those batteries are made, and factor all that "carbon footprint" into the equation, and you will see that the REAL CARBON FOOTPRINT is significantly higher.

quote:
Please go spout rubbish somewhere else.
i'm not spouting rubbish...i think i have explained my points very well.

quote:
As for the OP's question, he needs to decide based on
-driving dynamics (win for the VW)
-tactile/sensory feedback (diesel is a dealbreaker here for me)
-reliability (win for the Prius) »www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars···y-ov.htm
-economy (hands down win for the Prius for me - I am 90% urban stop and go commute)

hey, don't get me wrong, i like the Prius too...i just think a lot of people look at some marketing material and think its the best thing since sliced bread, which it isn't...the VW won "Green Car of the Year", because it truly is an environmentally friendly vehicle, not just in terms of sipping fuel, but in terms of its impact on the Earth to produce it...i think the VW would be the better "driver", and while i would agree with you on the reliability of Toyota over VW, the several people i know who own them have had NO issues whatsoever (i am talking newer models, like 2006 and newer)...you mention the tactile/sensory feedback being a dealbreaker, which leads me to believe you have some preconceived bias and/or have not driven the new models...they are no different from their gasoline counterparts...economy will differ depending on how you drive and where you drive (temp, etc)...in real world tests, both cars get comparable fuel economy...of course, my point above comes into play down the road...when you want to sell your vehicle in 7 years, what is a used Prius going to be worth versus a used Jetta TDI, knowing that those batteries are going to need to be replaced in the near future?...i think there are lots of things to consider here, but there is more to picking a new car than looking at the brochure and commercials with lots of pretty flowers and sunshine.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Just a reminder, that this is a fact-based technical forum. That's not to say that opinions, when requested, are not welcome. But please do be careful that what is posted as a fact is, in fact, a fact, and not conjecture, an untruth, or a disguised opinion.

Readers are encouraged to verify claims made by other posters.

It's also best not continue to refute someone who when presented with hard truths and facts digs up more "facts". Thank you.

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1 edit
Just a quick reply this time.

1. That video is entertainment only. The supposed "information" about nickel for the battery and lifecycle costs are fabrications from a report that has been debunked thoroughly. (see PDF below)

2. Nothing about the engine on the VW is simple. You are far off target on that.

3. The Prius does not use a metalbelt-type CVT in place of an A/T or M/T. It uses a planetary gearset and a pair of motors. By varying motor speed and load, this ratio resulting from the planetary gearset is varied continuously.
EDIT: Has never used a metalbelt type CVT

4. 85% (or better) of a vehicle's carbon footprint comes from vehicle operation. Not from manufacturing. (see PDF below)

5. Just as with other grossly inaccurate claims, your battery price is also grossly inaccurate. It currently stands at $2300.
»www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/24···cheaper/

The nickel thing, lifecycle cost exaggerations, debunking of Prius VS SUV and others are thoroughly explained in the following PDF:
»www.pacinst.org/topics/integrity···rius.pdf
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by 3SGTE See Profile :
Just a quick reply this time.

1. That video is entertainment only. The supposed "information" about nickel for the battery and lifecycle costs are fabrications from a report that has been debunked thoroughly. (see PDF below)
of course it is entertainment, but it does have some merit.

quote:
2. Nothing about the engine on the VW is simple. You are far off target on that.
it isn't any more complicated than the Prius, which was my point (in fact, it is probably more simple).

quote:
3. The Prius does not use a metalbelt-type CVT in place of an A/T or M/T. It uses a planetary gearset and a pair of motors. By varying motor speed and load, this ratio resulting from the planetary gearset is varied continuously.
the older ones use a CVT (at least, that is what it was called before)...either way, it is not a simple manual or "more common" automatic transmission.

quote:
4. 85% (or better) of a vehicle's carbon footprint comes from vehicle operation. Not from manufacturing. (see PDF below)
all new cars are very good in terms of emissions...the subtle difference between either car is negligible.

quote:
5. Just as with other grossly inaccurate claims, your battery price is also grossly inaccurate. It currently stands at $2300.
»www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/24···cheaper/
i already said it has probably come down in price, but that is still going be at least $2600 plus tax, plus whatever the cost is to install them...those are costs you simply don't have with the diesel car.

all i am trying to say, is to objectively look at both cars...you seem to really push the Prius, for probably no other reason than it is a Toyota, but there are other options, and they should be considered as well.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

I push neither.
I merely correct that which is wrong.

The OP can make his decision based on facts, not bs.
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comp
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

I would say consider the 2010 prius

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said by 3SGTE See Profile :

I push neither.
I merely correct that which is wrong.

The OP can make his decision based on facts, not bs.
i wish i could agree...you seem to slam the VW diesel pretty hard, and it isn't deserving of it...i have two friends who own them and they are very good cars, and i am not a VW fanboy (i am a Ford guy), so that's saying something.
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said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :
said by 3SGTE See Profile :
3. The Prius does not use a metalbelt-type CVT in place of an A/T or M/T. It uses a planetary gearset and a pair of motors. By varying motor speed and load, this ratio resulting from the planetary gearset is varied continuously.
the older ones use a CVT (at least, that is what it was called before)...either way, it is not a simple manual or "more common" automatic transmission.
i just wanted to point out, that i never mentioned anything about a "metalbelt-type CVT"...i simply stated that they use a CVT transmission, which most people don't like...the Prius (and the other hybrid Toyota models) DO in fact use a CVT transmission...Ford also used them for a couple of models in their Five Hundred and Freestyle models over the last couple of years, but dropped them and went back to an automatic transmission.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

Ford also used them for a couple of models in their Five Hundred and Freestyle models over the last couple of years, but dropped them and went back to an automatic transmission.
.... which is a shame. I had a Ford Freestyle with the CVT in it, and it was great. No concerns at all - and a much "simpler" transmission in terms of moving parts.

Long-term reliability 20 years down the road TBD, but it was fun while I had it.

Now I have an '08 Ford Fusion with a traditional automatic, and it's OK, but I actually enjoyed driving the CVT!

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by dennismurphy See Profile :

Now I have an '08 Ford Fusion with a traditional automatic, and it's OK, but I actually enjoyed driving the CVT!
you are the minority...even the Nissan Maxima with the CVT is getting it listed as in the "CONS" side...it might be one of those things that people warm up to, but the word is verdict is still out on CVT's and whether they are better or not.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

my wifes CVT in her freestyle i like alot. I have a 6-speed auto and it is eh

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

yea, despite their great reviews, remind me again how well the Five Hundred and Freestyle sold again??
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

freestyle's sold very well and are still around under the taurus label. the five hundred was a POS

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by comp See Profile :

freestyle's sold very well and are still around under the taurus label. the five hundred was a POS
freestyle's did not sell very well, and while they did relabel it the Taurus X, it has also been discontinued and is not made anymore...the Five Hundred is the same car, so it can't be a POS (and was rated fairly well)...the current Taurus (which is also about to be completely replaced) is nothing more than the Five Hundred with a new grill and powertrain...the new Taurus however, is completely revised, inside and out.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

from reading around the net the freestyle did quite well for the 3-4 years it was around. it never had a shot though once ford released the edge

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1 edit

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

hey, don't get me wrong...the freestyle is a good vehicle, and received strong reviews, but in terms of sales, it (and the Five Hundred) were a flop...it is why they re-labaled them as the Taurus, and why they have a completely new model coming in as we speak...and the "X" version has been dropped...not because it wasn't any good, but because it wasn't selling.
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1 edit
said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

snip

Re-read my post.
Stop and consider what "ratio ... is varied continuously" might mean. My post describes transmission operation and construction.

Other manufacturers have mild hybrids that couple a conventional (metalbelt type CVT) with a small electric motor. This method is not used for the Prius.

As for the "most people don't like CVTs" statement, that is ridiculous. Many manufacturers have successful CVT models.

Edit:
fixed broken quote tags

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Nissan is about the only brand really pushing CVT's, and their popularity is partially due to the fact that if you don't take a manual transmission, you get their CVT.
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Not to argue for either vehicle, but diesel engines are inherently simpler. They have no throttle body or ignition. Also, diesel engines do last much longer than gasoline engines.

There's a big reason why the trucking industry uses diesel engines - my last Freightliner had 833,000 miles on it (original engine). Ran like a champ.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by PolarBear See Profile :

They have no throttle body or ignition.
All modern emissions legal diesels have throttles.


A throttle is necessary in part to make the EGR function correctly.

The following is a quick list of controls used on a modern diesel:

Exhaust fuel injector
Throttle body
EGR valve
High flow EGR cooler and bypass valve
Urea injector, Urea tank and Pump
Piezo injectors plus high voltage driver module
De-NOx catalyst
Catalyst
Diesel Particulate Filter (in exhaust)
Wide-band O2 sesnors
Pressure Differential sensors
EGTs
Electronically controlled high pressure mechanical fuel pump
Turbocharger with electrically controlled variable vane mechanism (an integral part of the system)
Low-compression (relatively speaking - among diesels)

Image of exhaust system - post turbos


PLEASE NOTE:

None of this means that I am talking s**t about Diesels.

What has been done of late is an incredible technical achievement. The point is that terms such as 'simple' do not apply to new diesels.
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Any "study" done by a "marketing research group" should be investigated thoroughly, the potential for conflict of interest is too high and you should challenge their results. The methods they use to get their conclusions may not stand up to the light of day. That difference is the difference between fact and "spin".

Both cars give great mileage, either one is a decent pick.
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1 edit
Dirtyjeffer,
Diesel is ok but buyers have a diesel learning curve which the Prius does not have.
Diesel fuel can gel, it also may have to be treated with additives to keep microbes under control. Fuel treatments like this:
»www.powerservice.com/bk/ may be needed to keep filters from clogging, and few automotive maintenance tasks are messier than purging the air from a new diesel fuel system filter.
Your oil change SWAG/reality is exactly opposite, diesels may require more frequent changes because of fuel contamination of the oil...but it really does not matter except the impression you left that diesel was trouble free. It is manageable but not a free ride.

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by PrntRhd See Profile :
Dirtyjeffer,
Diesel is ok but buyers have a diesel learning curve which the Prius does not have.
i don't get it...why do you guys hate diesels so much??...there is no learning curve...you drive it like you do any other car...the only difference is, when you fill up, you put diesel in the tank instead of gasoline.

quote:
Diesel fuel can gel, it also may have to be treated with additives to keep microbes under control. Fuel treatments like this:
»www.powerservice.com/bk/ may be needed to keep filters from clogging, and few automotive maintenance tasks are messier than purging the air from a new diesel fuel system filter.
nope, not needed...unless you guys have crap fuel down there...you just fill it up, and drive...my friend gets almost 1200 kms on a tank of diesel (mostly highway driving as he is a corporate account rep that spends a lot of time on the highway...his fuel savings are pay for the car payment, which is why he bought it)...also, our diesel (and i would assume yours is the same) is Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel, so it is much cleaner than the diesel from 20 years ago that perhaps many of you are still thinking about.

quote:
Your oil change SWAG/reality is exactly opposite, diesels may require more frequent changes because of fuel contamination of the oil...but it really does not matter except the impression you left that diesel was trouble free. It is manageable but not a free ride.

i never said it was trouble free, but it certainly isn't the complex mess some of you guys seem to make it out to be.

i think a good thing would be for the OP to take both vehicles out for a drive...compare what you get for the price, and check to see what the other costs are for the vehicles (maintenance, battery replacement for the hybrid, brake jobs, etc).

as i said, the new TDI Jetta Clean Diesel won "Green Car of the Year" for a reason.
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The VW comes with Carefree Maintenance Program. That's something to consider. All scheduled maintenance for 3 years is done and paid for by VW. Add that up and you have a considerable savings. »www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/vw-a···-models/
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mityfowl

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Personally I think I'm getting sold on the Pirus for an in town vehicle or something with this amount of engineering.

I love the idea of regenerative braking but I have no idea of the long term costs.

I think Toyota offers a 100,000 mile bumper to bumper on the Pirus for like $900.

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by mityfowl See Profile :

I love the idea of regenerative braking but I have no idea of the long term costs.
Regenerative braking is quite literally a free ride. The systems required to implement regenerative braking are already on the vehicle as part of the primary propulsion system.
One consequence is reduced wear on brake pads - however that isn't an additional cost.
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mityfowl

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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

I doubt if you are correct that there are not additional costs associated with regenerative braking and the storage of that energy.

Brakes wear out and so do alternators and batteries.

This isn't the thread but I would like to more about the pitfalls and costs, true costs of this type of technology. I really doubt weather Ford or GM would have brought or could have ever brought this technology to the market.

I'm not buying it yet though.

xkunalx

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West Chicago, IL

personally, I would go with the TDI since both vehicles have similar MPG and the TDI is more fun to drive. The TDI has free maintenance and looks more mainstream than the Prius. Both however, would be great choices and you're unlikely to go wrong either way. Good Luck.

dirtyjeffer
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another thing that wasn't mentioned was price.

now, i don't know what they sell for in your area, but a nicely equipped Prius up here is about $32,000...the top model is just over $36,000...a nicely equipped Jetta TDI is about $27,000 or the top model with Leather and Moonroof is just under $30,000...that is a good $6,000 less expensive...as well, diesel is about 15-20% cheaper than gas (currently up here)...and it looks like both will probably qualify for some government rebates.

here is some more info on the TDI: »tdi.vw.com/

this will help debunk the myths about "learning curves" with a diesel (because they apply to hybrids, not diesels) and the issue about them not starting in the cold (as it gets plenty cold up here, and there are plenty of them around).

i'm not saying you should get the TDI, just keep it on your short list...that's all...they really are very good cars.
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Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Here is a Price comparator:
»autos.yahoo.com/car-compare/over···eghost=1


Pricing


Anyone can get real prices.

In addition, there are also options at the bottom of the page to allow anyone to select the options that are important to them.

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dirtyjeffer
Oh Yeah
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join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed


2 edits

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by 3SGTE See Profile :

Anyone can get real prices.
well, you guys seem to have better prices on the Prius' than we do...the US and CAD prices on the VW aren't too far off (the base TDI for you is $22,700 and for us it is $24,275 for a difference of $1575...but they are WAY off on the Prius (the Touring model is $24,270 for you and $31,345 for us for a difference of $7,075).

have a look: »www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects···e%2ehtml

and the VW: »www.vw.ca/vwcms/master_public/vi···dan.html

that said, even if they are the same price, i still think the VW is worth considering, and despite the fact Toyota makes great cars, i would still pick the VW...the VW has more "fun" stuff, still gets great mileage, has included maintenance, a strong resale value, i don't have to worry about all that battery pack down the road and it may even have a better warranty...i think the biggest deal breaker is, up here, the Prius is also about $5000-$7,000 more...considering you will get about the same amount of range per tank of fuel, and the lower cost of diesel, they will both be about the same price to "fill up" even if the VW does use a little more fuel...another "problem" i have is, not very many people buy the hybrids up here...for one, it is because of their price...secondly, in the colder climate in the winter, they don't get very good range at all (although, that is supposed to be improving), but i think the verdict is still out on these...Toronto purchased a whole bunch of hybrid buses for their public transportation system about 2 years ago...the latest batch of hybrids were cancelled, and they are going back to diesels...the hybrid buses were $750,000 each, compared to less than $400,000 for the new diesel buses, and about half of the battery packs in the buses have already had to be replaced (they were told they should last about 5 years...many of them have only lasted just over 18 months)...i think they stated the battery packs were something like $60,000 each (per bus)...also, after analyzing the fuel savings (which was touted as between 30-40% savings), they found they were saving less than 10%...they scrapped the remaining order of hybrids and are sticking with the diesel buses (they are still newer technology, high efficient diesel buses)...but many people aren't too happy with that fiasco, as that was a lot of money wasted.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability.

3SGTE
ST215W
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join:2000-11-23
there
clubs:

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

The Camry Hybrid is a far better deal in Canada.

I drove my father's from Windsor to Scarborough (380 km/236 miles) and averaged 5.8 l/100 km with speeds between 120-140 km/h, also including stop and go rush hour traffic in Toronto.
(40 US MPG)

Also, FWIW, the new Prius includes a heat exchanger in the exhaust system to promote faster warm-up. This improves real world fuel economy (although it doesn't affect the official ratings)

Exhaust Heat Recovery System

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Striving for Parfection.

dirtyjeffer
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by 3SGTE See Profile :

The Camry Hybrid is a far better deal in Canada.
how so?

it is $31,000 for the base model, which is $3000 more than the well equipped "mid level" Jetta and $4000 more than the base model Camry Hybrid in the USA.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability.

seaquake
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-23
Millersville, MD
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS

If you are considering the Prius you should also consider the newly released Honda Insight. They look virtually identical and the Honda starts under $20K. I'm not saying it's better than the Prius, just suggesting you compare the Insight to the Prius before making a final decision.

dirtyjeffer
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

meh, if you are going to get a hybrid, you might as well get the Prius...the Insight is marginally better in fuel economy than a civic.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability.
puzz1ed

join:2005-02-20
Markham, ON

Diesel fuel is cheaper now but that is not a given. Last year it was significantly more than regular gas. An eventual economic recovery will increase demand for diesel and probably prices.

»www.thestar.com/Business/article/654194

Also, as was cited, the Prius is notably more expensive in Canada than in the US for some reason.

dirtyjeffer
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Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by puzz1ed See Profile :

Diesel fuel is cheaper now but that is not a given. Last year it was significantly more than regular gas. An eventual economic recovery will increase demand for diesel and probably prices.

»www.thestar.com/Business/article/654194
it is not a given, but at its worst, it is comparable to gasoline...considering the increased efficiency, you still end up ahead (vs a gasoline powered car).
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability.

Fobulous
Premium
join:2002-08-14
Missouri City, TX
clubs:
·Comcast


1 edit
Thanks all for valuable information.

I went and test drove the Honda Insight as well but did not care for the ride that much. To me the TDI is still the move fun to drive..

My local Shell is selling Diesel for $2.40/gallon well below Grade 93 Super Unleaded..
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mityfowl

join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Why are you comparing diesel to super premium?

Fobulous
Premium
join:2002-08-14
Missouri City, TX
clubs:

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

Because when i drive Gasoline engine vehicle Super Premium is what i put in it..

Jim Gurd
Premium
join:2000-07-08
Plymouth, MI
·Comcast

Re: 2009 VW Jetta TDI or 2009 Toyota Prius

said by Fobulous See Profile :

Because when i drive Gasoline engine vehicle Super Premium is what i put in it..
Unless your vehicle knocks on regular you are wasting your money paying extra for premium. The octane rating is the measurement of a fuel's resistance to detonation. If it doesn't detonate on 87 octane then you can use it without a problem and save the extra cost of premium because premium will offer you no benefit whatsoever.

The only exception to this rule is for vehicles equipped with a knock sensor. My Subaru Impreza WRX has one and calls for premium fuel. I can run 87 octane and it will retard the ignition timing to prevent knock. If I run premium the engine will automatically detect and adjust the timing to take advantage of the higher octane fuel.

The bottom line is that if your car doesn't have a knock sensor and it runs well on 87 octane you don't need premium, period. If you do have some knocking try going with 89 octane and see if that makes a difference. It's still less per gallon than the cost of premium. Most people who buy premium don't need it.
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dirtyjeffer
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed

here is some info on mythbusters "Diesel Diaries"...now, it might be an "ad" of sorts for the vehicle, but its points are true.

»dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbus···diaries/
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability.

markwp2001
Spreadhead
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join:2002-05-25
Long Beach, MS
If long term reliability is a factor, there is no doubt that Toyotas, generally, are much more reliable than Volkswagens.
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matt5

join:2001-10-06
Lagrangeville, NY

Lot of miss information here.

First off a 09 diesel vs 09 gas the diesel is either as complicated or more under the hood. Everything now is electronically controlled just like a gas motor. The idea is simple, making it work now is not. Don't forget all the emission junk as well on a diesel now.

Their is a learning curve for a diesel, not much but still.
Gas, get in, turn key, go.
Diesel, get in, glow plug, wait, start. Cold weather (this may not matter for the OP) either plug it in at night or crank the everliving hell out of it and hope she starts. Few people I know run covers on their diesels in the winter to keep them warmer. Winter the fuel is "watered" down to help prevent gelling, etc, etc.

Regenerative breaking is 100% a free ride, and it will save on brakes as the electric motor will do the breaking (to a point) and turn the inertia of the car into electric rather than heat.

As glow plugs have been said, diesels do have an ignition, and you will never start one when cold with out. They do go bad, and need to be replaced as well as the relay that controls them.

Truckers use diesel motors because of the great low end torque, the greater power per unit of fuel, among other things. If you took a gas motor for pure hauling I'm sure you will get a ton of miles on it too, remember highway driving is much easier on a vehicle than city.

Diesel fuel where I am in NY was about 1$ a gallon more last year than gas, almost hit $5/gallon. Might have even hit 5$/gallon. I believe right now it's about the same price as regular.

Bottom line if you are going to do a large amount of city driving, the hybrid is going to work out well because of all the stop and go. If you do a large amount of highway, check out the diesel or maybe a non hybrid. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to drive a diesel but it is different than a gas.

Nemokrad

join:2002-04-24
Miami, FL
You also get a $1300 tax credit with the Jetta TDI: »www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxLeanBurn.shtml
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