I recently changed job and now commute 40 miles to work. I am thinking to trade my 06 TL for a 2012 VW golf TDI.

Any comments or advice will be greatly appreciated

 

It's obviously a downgrade in luxury and overall comfort, but the mileage is the only thing backing up the Golf. Have you considered a 2010-2011 GTI? Retains the sportiness and mileage. Just a thought...

 

if you need to make a change, which just seems silly because the TL is a commuters dream, 40 miles is nothing! and your after diesel............335 D all day!

 

I never understood why people would trade cars because of a commute. The TL is great on the highway, I rarely average less than 30mpg.

While the diesel would be better than that, how long would you have to keep it to get your money back?

Is the TL paid off?

 

Thank you all for the comments/suggestions. Honestly I don't feel it is so much of downgrade going for a golf TDI. GTI is great but does not offer
much mileage over TL.

 

I really don't see good reasons for this. If you had an old V8 truck I can see that but I think TL is pretty good on gas considering it's power.

I am assuming that 2012 is a new car so you will start making payments on it or your current ones will be higher, not to mention the depreciation.

How long do you think you will have this job?

 

Any VW would be a downgrade.

VW/Audi are the only companies with electrical issues. They're both the same company btw.

 

ever considered a motorcycle? the honda cbr250r starts at $4,000 and has an EPA at 77MPG. no need to trade in at that price plus insurance is real cheap

 

I commute 118 mi and the TL is not only the best for it in terms of comfort and noise, but it also get 30-32 mpg.

 

Think about it this way. If you buy a new VW Golf TDI, you will pay about 20,000 bucks, than insurance, than maintenance price, so all and all, you will end up paying way more money than what you would pay for the gas on you TL. Oh yeah, and not to mention the headache when you will have to drop off your VW at dealership for all of the electrical problems that you will encounter. So.... if you ask me, I will put that 20,000 in a saving account, the monthly insurance premium in my pocket and will keep rocking.... errr... i meant running, my TL. Just my 0.02..

 

If you want a new car, get a new car. Don't do it for the fuel savings.

 

Oh... and I forgot to mention that, Diesel is not readily available in all the areas. I cant say how it is where you live at OP, but in my location, we have every 4th or 5th gas station that carries Diesel, and not to mention, Diesel around here is about 8 to 10 cents more per gallon, than the premium. So, dont decide on the "money saved on gas" alone. Look at the over all saving that you will have, if any. Now if your TL is out ready to die and you actually NEED a new car, than its a different story. This will be my 0.04 cents now.

 

A Jetta would be a pretty major downgrade in performance, comfort, space, features and luxury vs the TL. Also, IDK if you've read any reviews, but the vast majority of them say that the new Jetta is inferior to the previous generation and is nowhere near the top of the small car segment.

The Tl's mileage really isn't bad anyway. Keep it under 65 and you should get over 30mpg easily.

 

i dont know where you guys have been getting your information but vw/audi does not have any more electrical issues then any other make out there. I was a vw/audi mechanic for 10+ years working for both private shops as well as big new car dealers and rarely come across true electrical problems with them.

now i will say this that vw/audi had issues back in the mid 80's but those days have been long gone.

ill agree with everyone here that any VW on the current market will be small a downgrade to the TL now pretty much any audi will be a giant upgrade over the TL. but dont let others make the decision for you.... if you feel a TDI Golf will suit your needs the best by all means do it but i would seriously consider all the options out there.

 

TDI + reflash = mega torquez IMO. We have a new Jetta TDI wagon in the family, great riding and driving car. If a TDI was an even trade for me, it would be a really hard decision for me.