In a dilemma in the search for a new daily... Opinions?

[gtiador]

I'm getting ready to sell my 01 GTI 1.8T to buy a different daily. I really want something with 4 doors, so I've been looking at B5 Passats and Mk4 Jettas. I figure I'd stay with a 1.8T since I'm familiar with it, so these are my best two options. I just can't decide.

I like the looks of the Jetta over the Passat, but I'd really like the extra legroom in the Passat. Any other opinions that could help aid my decision?

Here's some pics for good measure:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x299/vwvoid/S5000364.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/spitfire481/PO20080301_0008.jpg

[JETTAone420]

hahah i was in the same boat as u... except i only wanted a passat if i could find a w8...which i couldnt...and i know vr6's so i just went back to another jetta.

[jwill'sMK4]

i say go with the jetta so we can help u with mods and stuff i dont kno too many ppl with modded passats so u may end up having to take the car in to get stuff done to it whereas with a jetta most of the ppl local to u are familiar with the transverse 1.8t engine

[jordan]

jetta wagon with r32 swapppppp

[gtiador]

i say go with the jetta so we can help u with mods and stuff i dont kno too many ppl with modded passats so u may end up having to take the car in to get stuff done to it whereas with a jetta most of the ppl local to u are familiar with the transverse 1.8t engine

true. the longitudinal motor in the passats would definitely be something to get used to.

jetta wagon with r32 swapppppp

that would be sooooo rad, but i have no where near the time/money for such an undertaking. plus i have a sweet mk2 to work on :D

thanks for the opinions guys. keep em coming!

[themandillon]

i know they are rare but have you given thought to a 4 door golf with a 1.8t?

[ohheycheckmeout]

i say wagon for either... but i like the lines of the jetta wagon alot

[gtiador]

i know they are rare but have you given thought to a 4 door golf with a 1.8t?

i did for a little, but if i was going to take that route, i'd just rather get a jetta. as for wagons, i'd rather stick with a sedan. less to wash :D but really, i just prefer sedans, unless we're talking about an A4/S4 avant or something. the B6 passat wagons are sick though. i just don't have 40K to spend on a new daily

[themandillon]

i would do a jetta over a passat. its roomy enough, but still has modding capability

[gtiador]

i would do a jetta over a passat. its roomy enough, but still has modding capability

yeah. plus they're waaaay easier to find with lowish miles AND a manual trans. well, i think i'm a bit closer to a decision. thanks guys

[T-Red]

A modded Mk4 Jetta TDI wagon is the best possible car in the current fuel-price environment. And with diesel over $5/gallon, this might be the right time to find a bargain.

Nothing against the 1.8T -- though I would be wary of a Passat with that engine. Too many of them with sludge problems.

[jwill'sMK4]

A modded Mk4 Jetta TDI wagon is the best possible car in the current fuel-price environment. And with diesel over $5/gallon, this might be the right time to find a bargain.

Nothing against the 1.8T -- though I would be wary of a Passat with that engine. Too many of them with sludge problems.


so r u saying with diesel being over $5/gallon ppl r looking to sell them for cheaper?

[gtiador]

so r u saying with diesel being over $5/gallon ppl r looking to sell them for cheaper?

i think he means that as well as the fact that diesel burns slower/lasts longer than gasoline so it would be cheaper. but i'd have to disagree with the dollar per gallon difference between diesel and premium. plus i'd be starting back at the drawing board with a diesel motor. i wouldn't even know where to start with under-the-hood maintenance and modifications.

so far i'm leaning towards a jetta, although if i find a reflex silver 5spd passat 1.8t with black interior, i'm gonna take it :D

geez i'm picky...

[jwill'sMK4]

i think he means that as well as the fact that diesel burns slower/lasts longer than gasoline so it would be cheaper. but i'd have to disagree with the dollar per gallon difference between diesel and premium. plus i'd be starting back at the drawing board with a diesel motor. i wouldn't even know where to start with under-the-hood maintenance and modifications.

so far i'm leaning towards a jetta, although if i find a reflex silver 5spd passat 1.8t with black interior, i'm gonna take it :D

geez i'm picky...

even tho diesel is so expensive now i still would take a TDI in a sec the motor lasts forever u dont have to worry about emissions and there r a good amount of mods that u can do to them

if i could start all over i'd start with a TDI

[gtiador]

even tho diesel is so expensive now i still would take a TDI in a sec the motor lasts forever u dont have to worry about emissions and there r a good amount of mods that u can do to them

if i could start all over i'd start with a TDI

really? i didn't know you could take it that far with a tdi. i always figured it didn't like too many mods.. i assume you could upgrade the intercooler, but could you do say, a k04?

[Slapshotnerd]

no A4?

[gtiador]

no A4?

i want a vw :D
nah, i wanted an a4 for a loooooong time. but since getting into vw's, i really prefer the look of a jetta or passat to an a4. plus, they're kind of pricey in comparison.

[T-Red]

so r u saying with diesel being over $5/gallon ppl r looking to sell them for cheaper?

I think so. With diesel costing about $1/gallon more than regular unleaded, someone who wanted to sell anyway might be persuaded to knock even more off the price.

A stock Mk4 TDI (1998-2003) has 90 hp and 155 lb/ft of torque. But for about $1000 plus labor, bigger nozzles and a stronger clutch and a retune will get you about 140 hp and 230 lb/ft of torque. Another $2000-2500 (turbo and intercooler) will get you up to about 180-200 hp and maybe 300 lb/ft. Beyond that it gets very expensive, but a few owners in the US and many more in Europe have dyno'ed between 300 and 400 hp.

They are not as fast off the line as a tuned 1.8T. But it is very satisfying to accelerate up hills in top gear, passing a long line of 6's and V8's. And to run all day at 80-90 mph and still get 40-45 MPG.

After the first race in the new Jetta TDI Cup series, run at Virginia International Raceway, it was reported that the mostly-stock 2009 Jetta TDIs averaged about 25 mpg. Now imagine what kind of fuel mileage a 1.8T or VR6 would get if you drove it like a bat out of hell.

[gtiador]

man, now i'm thinking tdi might be the way to go. it's got the gas mileage, durability, and if i'm not mistaken, it comes in a jetta and/or passat. does anyone have any info on tdi tuning?

[jwill'sMK4]

really? i didn't know you could take it that far with a tdi. i always figured it didn't like too many mods.. i assume you could upgrade the intercooler, but could you do say, a k04?

u cant uses a k04 but there are turbo upgrades for the tdi

[gtiador]

u cant uses a k04 but there are turbo upgrades for the tdi

info? links?

[T-Red]

info? links?

The place to go for all things TDI is www.tdiclub.com . Start with the FAQ, then browse the TDI Power Enhancements forum. http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

[gtiador]

thanks T-Red. i've actually browsed through tdi club a couple of times before just for fun. after finding out so much about diesel stuff i may have a whole new direction to look in.. thanks guys