[chittychittybangbang]

Many thanks, will add to the FAQ.

That price point is very attractive but it sounds like the sunroof is standard. Most of the car's I've had have sunroofs but that doesn't mean I want them. I bought them all used so there wasn't much choice. No sunroof could have lowered the price a little.

Someone posted pics of the ignition column blank for the keyless access (called KESSY) on the Golf. It looks horrible.

I don't see mention of independent rear suspension anywhere so I assume the GTI/GLI gets IRS while all others get torsion beam. This wouldn't be a big deal except that if the body is designed to use either, you don't get the interior space advantage of a torsion beam vs. IRS. (IRS takes up more space). It's possible the SEL gasser w/ sport package is IRS but it doesn't say.

I though the Jetta was keeping the RNS 510 instead of getting the RNS 315? Very strange.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

Updated the buying guide for 2011 VW Jetta TDI in this post and FAQ article:
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2726

VW really did a job stripping this thing. The base car doesn't have:

keyless entry? (how much does that cost to add at the factory?)
AC? (Are you kidding me?)
power exterior side mirrors? (Not that big a deal since how often do you really adjust them unless you have multiple drivers)
"minus RCD 310 radio" (Does this mean you get a blank block off plate where the radio is? If there's no radio I doubt they bothered putting in speakers or any of the additional wiring, so good luck adding a radio)
rear drum brakes (Not that big of a deal since most people don't know the difference)
it does bring back the 2.slow engine with 115 hp / 125 lb-ft

No offense, but if you buy one of these base cars you're going to pay more in depreciation at resale time vs. the S model. Who the heck is going to buy a modern car without AC? At least the 15" steel wheels come with hubcabs....

The 2011 Jetta TDI vs. the 2010 Jetta TDI changes:
independent rear suspension replace with torsion beam
no front seat lumbar adjustment except with nav package on driver's side.
The OEM navigation system RNS 510 replaced with RNS 315 GPS

 

[chittychittybangbang]

I don't see any mention of headlights. Therefore, I can safely assume that the base model doesn't have any You must hold a flashlight out the window at night.

However, I don't see any mention of the much anticipated xenon headlights for the Jetta TDI or SEL.

lol...at this point it's plausable....

If there's no HID option than the Golf will become more expensive than a Jetta.

I rechecked the listing, some items that are absent : 110V (household) outlet in the center console.

They also changed the rear trunk articulation. Pics are in the FAQ thread.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

The mk5 Passat was actually a bad seller compared to the mk4. The mk4 was based off the Audi A4, priced right, and VW sales in the late 90's- early 2000s were pretty strong. The mk5 Passat is based off the Jetta and went up in price. It didn't help that the mk5 Jetta grew so much that it's about the size of a mk4 Passat. People would go into the showroom looking at the Passat and walk out with a Jetta.

Which brings up a good point. It appears that VW is lowering the Jetta to make room for the Passat replacement (NMS). From the spy news that I've read, the NMS will have the same 2.0L TDI common rail engine. I don't know if it'll use adblue to meet emissions since the car will be bigger and heavier and will put more strain on the engine. Power is about the same as the 2.0L engine in the mk4 2005 VW Passat TDI so there's more than enough torque to move the car.

Something to think about : The 3.0L Touareg engine is longitudinal (front-back) The 2.0L engine is transverse (side-side). I'll bet the NMS engine bay is transverse so it won't get the 3.0L TDI engine. My best guess is that the 3.0L TDI engine will go in a 2012 Audi A4 TDI for the US because it has a longitudinal engine bay and of course, future Touareg.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

2nd, it was in reference to this post on autoblog where they tested a Jetta SEL

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/21/2011-volkswagen-jetta-first-drive-road-test-review/

The average consumer couldn't care less about steering feel, and the Jetta's on-center sensation delivers with a light touch and an overall lack of feedback. Compared to the electronically controlled tiller on our TDI, the hydraulic rack's steering effort is Corolla-light from lock-to-lock, with only a slight tightening when pushing through the bends.

This only means that the SEL is confirmed as having hydraulic steering. However, since the 2011 VW Jetta TDI is based off the SE trim with convenience package, I assume it's also hydraulic steering but this is not yet confirmed.

Don't know if it's cheaper but electric steering is simpler (no leaking high pressure hoses and 1 less pulley on the serpentine belt), and it saves fuel. The new Jetta is about 75 lbs lighter despite being 2.9" longer.