Jetta TDI

[howam00]

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Originally Posted by homehardwood

I for one have no interest in the hybrid market. Yes they be slightly more efficient for in town driving but my 04 Corolla gets 35-40 highway. That is good mileage and the upside is I don't have to drop $5-6000 5 years down the road on batteries. It is a novel idea but if they can't be produced cheaper then they just don't pencil out. The environmental impact difference is probably(my uneducated opinion) negligable do to the hazardous production of the batteries. There will no doubt be someone here who will argue my points, so educate me with the facts.=)

I don't know all of the facts but as a Prius owner I know that batteries are no where near $5-6k. Maybe in 2000 they were but now they are around $1k give or take $200. Its a relatively cheap replacement now (labor might be close to as much as the battery) and I am not aware of many having to do this. Priuschat.com has many more experts that can give details but most are seeing over 300k miles before they need replaced. Even for those that drive way more than average they'll likely last 15 years. In that time frame I expect that the battery replacement will be as cheap as a 60 or 90k mile tuneup. Not to mention that a 2010 Prius has no belts, chains or anthign to replace ever 60k miles. Less overall maintenance = cost savings

I do far more city driving so the 58 mpg we get around town was more important than a highway figure but I know others drive the freeways 40 miles a day and need great highway mileage versus city. There is a cost factor to geting a hybrid but a new Prius is cheaper than a Jetta TDI and can run on the cheaper regular fuel.

sounds like you made a smart choice for a good highway mileage car that finds your needs without spending big bucks.

On a side note to the pollution of producing the batteries, it is widely known that the actual emission output fro mthe manufacturing plant is miniscule compared to the tail pipe emission of the car being produced. the batteries are recycleable and the new Li-polymer batteries in the Hyundai/Kia cars are non-toxic. Somewhere there is a video of the chairman or CEO drinking the battery fluid to prove that it is safe. I have no doubts that mining of the Li is un-friendly to the environment like all mining is but I doubt it is worse than any average mining operation.

[howam00]

Crap that was long, sorry.

[joydsilva6987]

i drove the jetta but i think ford feista is better one its my my personal view may be you like something else

[topgut]

I drive a 97 Passat TDI.

Just drove >1000 miles on a round trip. MPG was 47 at 70 MPH.

I love the car and would recommend it to others.

Its simple as far as the electronics go compared to the newer TDI's.

Belt changes are now 100 K miles with the new belts available.

It treats me good etc.

Have a good day...........J

[Bugman]

I've heard Clark Howard talk about a company that makes an aftermarket kit for the Prius which I think he said would bump the mileage up to 80mpg..They are going to install one on Clark's Prius for free . It adds a plug-in to charge over nite and changes to computer programing as to how it switches back to and from gas to electric. So far I have yet to see a hybrid I like or is any where near cost effective to operate . I read one consumer article that said you have to put 275,000 miles on a Prius before you get your money's worth , if you compare it to other similar sized cars at a lower price that get almost as good mileage..

[blue7.3]

Originally Posted by howam00

Crap that was long, sorry.

Don't be sorry. Actually informative posts, especially based on real-world experience, are somewhat rare. I'm not in the market for a Prius but appreciate the info none-the-less.

-pete

[gnorthern]

After all I read about Ford Fusion Hybrids I was reserving ranting and raving about Jetta TDIs about being my favorite high mpg vehicle until I saw a Fusion hybrid. After putting over 300 miles on a Ford Fusion Hybrid this week, I would defintely buy a Jetta TDI if I was buying new this week. We are a family where an electric car makes sense since my wife never drives long distances without me, so that may not be true next year.