'02 VW Golf GLS TDI vs. '02 VW Jetta GLS TDI

[N8Magic]

So i'm buying a Golf or a Jetta TDI in the next week or two.

I am leaning towards the Golf, as I loved my last hatchback car. BUT, a lot of people I have talked to say I am crazy for buying a hatch, and I should buy the Jetta instead. Which would you prefer?

BTW, I am buying the TDI for commuting, so no "Get a VR6/1.8T" comments please.

 

[N8Magic]

*bump* back to the front page.

 

[BigSmooth]

They are very similar (obviously) but I would go with the Golf. Not only is it cheaper, but it is also more practical.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Definitely hatchback. Craziness? Craziness is what I have: a trunk. Trunks have poor utility. When I brought home a 24" Tau TV, I had to sit it on the passenger seat, unboxed, in order to get it home. With a hatch, I could have just plunked the whole damn thing in the back.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Wouldn't the diesel be a bitch in the winter?? I heard diesel engines are hard to start in the cold due to their hot plugs?

If you need passenger room go for the Jetta (although its still small), if you need cargo space go for the Golf.

 

[BigSmooth]

<< If you need passenger room go for the Jetta (although its still small), if you need cargo space go for the Golf. >>


Actually, the 4-door Golf has more passenger volume than the Jetta. The difference is tiny, though.

 

[StageLeft]

<< Wouldn't the diesel be a bitch in the winter?? I heard diesel engines are hard to start in the cold due to their hot plugs?

If you need passenger room go for the Jetta (although its still small), if you need cargo space go for the Golf. >>

VW diesels are fine these days.

The jetta and golf are exactly the same except that the jetta has a trunk and costs more. They have the exact same (or nearly) cargo volume. However the golf has better cargo room because you can put the seats down and have a large cube instead of a misshapen trunk. Although the jetta is nicer to look at all you're doing is paying more money for a less convenient trunk.

 

[Nemesis77]

<< Wouldn't the diesel be a bitch in the winter?? I heard diesel engines are hard to start in the cold due to their hot plugs? >>



Negative. Well, we did hear about "modern diesel cars" not starting up in the morning few years back. But that was when we had -40 degrees celcius in here.

What IS worse with diesel in the heating. That's because the engine is alot more efficient than a regular petrol-engine (smaller fuel-consumption), smaller amount of the produced energy is turned in to heat (which is used to heat the interior).

 

[Haircut]

Is this the VW Jetta that you are looking at?

Just asking because it is called the Bora in the UK, if it is the same then the front and rear legroom etc. is exactly the same in the Bora and the Golf.
The Golf is slightly lighter and so is a bit quicker as they have the same engine.
With the Golf having a higher load area I would probably choose it over the Bora.

 

[BCYL]

Definitely the Golf...

Hatchbacks are so much better when carrying large objects... when I bought my home threater system, everything came in this one huge box... all I had to do was flip down the rear seats of my hatchback and slide it right in...

With a coupe or sedan it would have been impossible to carry... I would either have to take it apart into smaller pieces or pay extra to have the store deliver...

 

[N8Magic]

<<

<< Wouldn't the diesel be a bitch in the winter?? I heard diesel engines are hard to start in the cold due to their hot plugs? >>



Negative. Well, we did hear about "modern diesel cars" not starting up in the morning few years back. But that was when we had -40 degrees celcius in here.

What IS worse with diesel in the heating. That's because the engine is alot more efficient than a regular petrol-engine (smaller fuel-consumption), smaller amount of the produced energy is turned in to heat (which is used to heat the interior). >>



In Canada, both the Golf and Jetta come with heated seats standard. You get nice and toasty real quick.

 

[iamwiz82]

<<

<< Wouldn't the diesel be a bitch in the winter?? I heard diesel engines are hard to start in the cold due to their hot plugs? >>



Negative. Well, we did hear about "modern diesel cars" not starting up in the morning few years back. But that was when we had -40 degrees celcius in here.

What IS worse with diesel in the heating. That's because the engine is alot more efficient than a regular petrol-engine (smaller fuel-consumption), smaller amount of the produced energy is turned in to heat (which is used to heat the interior). >>



hence the reason most truckers cover up the air going to the radiator in the winter, to promote heat.

 

[Nemesis77]

<< In Canada, both the Golf and Jetta come with heated seats standard. You get nice and toasty real quick. >>



ALL cars in Finland have heated seats standard . And to my knowledge, Volvo has heated steering-wheel as well (optional). By heating I mean the warm air you get from the valves inside.

 

[N8Magic]

bumpity, bumpity.

The poll is a tie right now.

 

[tweakmm]

Jetta

 

[RossMAN]

I know nothing about either model but I'd go with whichever the VW fanboys suggest and whichever is cheapest.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just bought an 02' GS TDI Golf automatic for wife, & love it, first tank of fuel yielded 42 mpg. I tend to like hatchbacks, and bought the Golf as it was a loss leader for a local VW dealership for $15,999, took 4 days of arguing, but they came through. My dad bought the 1st model year of the Rabbit in 76', & I've owned a diesel Rabbit previously. they're awesome cars & have a neat cult following.

now for a little linkage:

VWVortex

New Beetle.org

Fred's TDI Page The true TDI fanatics hang out here

Upsolute reprogram your diesel for better mileage/HP/torque

All have active TDI forums & classifieds (just scrounged up some NB 16" factory alloys with tires for $400 shipped from VW Vortex)

Might I suggest a TDI Jetta Wagon? New to the US market & seems to be getting quite a bit of attention...

 

[Lars]

I would get the Jetta.

 

[vi edit]

I'll never buy another car with an even number of doors.

Hatchbacks are a blessing if you want to haul anything of any significant size

 

[DSTA]

The Golf, no question. What's the point of a four door in that class?

 

[Stifko]

I'd get the Golf. They have a great rear end. I just got a rabbit gti for cheap!

 

[teriba]

I have a 2000 Golf and I love it. Jetta's are just becoming too common, almost like Civics.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Ok go for Golf, it looks cooler!

The reason I asked about the Diesel is cause my uncle had an old Jetta diesel that had trouble starting up in winter. But it was a nice car.

Jettas are built well, my friend has a '97 one..I drove it...feels real good and tight.

 

[yakko]

Go with the Golf.

 

[Thegonagle]

Golf. Hatchbacks rule in practicality, and the Golf, with it's squareback, is one of the most practical of the breed without being called a wagon.