[chittychittybangbang]

"I see posts on how a TDI lasts forever but it doesn't matter if you sell the car by 100,000 miles. In that time you've paid the premium for the diesel engine but have you gotten that value back?"
I'm taking delivery of a 2010 Golf TDI soon (wish I had a firm date) as to paying off the premium for the diesel, I've already done it with the 1700 Fed tax credit, and the $0 state (CT) sales tax incentive. Total tax savings $3200! Of course I couldn't get a basic unit like I could with the gas Golf, nor could I negotiate anything...

And it's not just about cost vs. savings, IMHO the TDI engine is what makes the car.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

Historically, VW hasn't had great automatics. The 2004-2006 mk4 autos seem to be better and the DSG transmission (flywheel excluded) has had this recent batch of problems but otherwise seems pretty good. The flywheels since the mk4 generation in general have been somewhat klunky or problematic simply because they are 2 pieces instead of 1. Why VW DMF dual mass flywheels seem to have more problems, I don't know, probably because I don't play with other makes of cars and just don't hear about it.

Having said that don't freak out and sell a car because you think you might have a problem. You wouldn't sell your house because a pipe burst and a car is almost as large a financial commitment. And in general, any manual transmission will be more reliable than automatics just because they are so much simpler. Less components, no computer, no wiring harness, less spots for fluid leaks = more reliable. Having said that, I was looking for a DSG car but only got a manual because it was priced right. I ended up having to replace the clutch and flywheel but the price was about the same as buying the DSG flush tool and fluid/filter or having an independant mechanic do the service.