Joined
·
135 Posts
I thought I would share my experiences with my one week old TDI Golf.
In short this car was made for me. I LOVE this car like I have never loved a car before. My list of previous cars over the years have been 1987 Ford Escort GT, 1990 Ford Saleen Mustang, 1988 Toyota Celica Altrac Turbo, 1986.5 Toyota Supra n/a, a 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo and a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. I have also owned several full sized pickups and one 1999 Ford Explorer.
I have to say that everything about this car has my name all over it. It literally fits like a glove. I honestly believe that there is no other car that could be such a perfect match for me. BTW, I am 5'10" and 170 pounds and I have been thru the very best aggressive driver training schools.
THE GOOD:
I averaged 44.1 mpg today on a 136 mile trip. I averaged 67-73 mph, on a pretty level freeway but there were a few traffic clogs for maybe 4 miles that bogged traffic down to 0-35 mph of stop and go traffic.
The standard stereo is very good with no complaints that so many people have been complaining about. Maybe they have been comparing it to some $2000 aftermarket stereo.
Performance is awesome for a 140 horsepower diesel. Look at my cars above to see what I am comparing it to. The 6 speed manual trany is very smooth, easy and positive. The clutch, once you get use to it, is very acceptable. It took me about one day to completely get use to it, however one still has to give it a lot of "gas" if you're starting out on a steep hill or the car will stall.
Comfort levels are wonderful, both in driving position, relationship to the instrument panel, etc.
Handling is very nice for a non-sports car.
It is simply amazing that the car feels so much bigger than what it actually is. The room inside for occupants is great!
The turning radius is an absolute wonder!!!!!! I think I could turn a 360 in my garage!
THE NOT SO GREAT
I still have not figured out the center console armrest. This thing is adjustable in height and fore-aft movement, but its very hard to really figure out how to raise it up and down.
The ignition is annoying if you stall the car. You have to completely turn the car off then turn the key again to get the car started. This could create a compromising condition and possibly an accident by someone hitting you if you stall your car and are unable to get it started again and back under way in a swift movement.
If you live in a hilly community where there is a high likelihood that you will be stopping on big hills, this car with a 6 speed manual trany is not for you. I HIGHLY suggest going with the DSG if you live in a place like San Fransisco, Seattle, etc. Today I was in a line of traffic on a 9% grade hill, which is really freaking steep hill and I literally had to push the accelerator completely to the floor while I was releasing the clutch to prevent it from stalling. I was not impressed with this one bit.
The rear wiper's intermittent stage is set to close together. I personally think it should be set at a longer interval.
The back window is hard to keep clean/dry if the road is wet. In fact this is the worst car I have owned for this issue. I do not know if its the design or the fact that I have the Votex rear roof spoiler.
The three heater/air conditioning controls knobs are very hard to see either at day or nite. Meaning you simply can not tell if its set at air vents, defrost, foot or the temperature. These controls should be designed in a way that you can simply feel what position they are set at like soo many other cars.
I personally hate the daytime running lights. I am certain that something euro is in the works to correct this problem very soon for me.
_________________
My issues or complaints are very minor and I can live with them...mostly. Again, I am in love with my car.
In short this car was made for me. I LOVE this car like I have never loved a car before. My list of previous cars over the years have been 1987 Ford Escort GT, 1990 Ford Saleen Mustang, 1988 Toyota Celica Altrac Turbo, 1986.5 Toyota Supra n/a, a 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo and a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. I have also owned several full sized pickups and one 1999 Ford Explorer.
I have to say that everything about this car has my name all over it. It literally fits like a glove. I honestly believe that there is no other car that could be such a perfect match for me. BTW, I am 5'10" and 170 pounds and I have been thru the very best aggressive driver training schools.
THE GOOD:
I averaged 44.1 mpg today on a 136 mile trip. I averaged 67-73 mph, on a pretty level freeway but there were a few traffic clogs for maybe 4 miles that bogged traffic down to 0-35 mph of stop and go traffic.
The standard stereo is very good with no complaints that so many people have been complaining about. Maybe they have been comparing it to some $2000 aftermarket stereo.
Performance is awesome for a 140 horsepower diesel. Look at my cars above to see what I am comparing it to. The 6 speed manual trany is very smooth, easy and positive. The clutch, once you get use to it, is very acceptable. It took me about one day to completely get use to it, however one still has to give it a lot of "gas" if you're starting out on a steep hill or the car will stall.
Comfort levels are wonderful, both in driving position, relationship to the instrument panel, etc.
Handling is very nice for a non-sports car.
It is simply amazing that the car feels so much bigger than what it actually is. The room inside for occupants is great!
The turning radius is an absolute wonder!!!!!! I think I could turn a 360 in my garage!
THE NOT SO GREAT
I still have not figured out the center console armrest. This thing is adjustable in height and fore-aft movement, but its very hard to really figure out how to raise it up and down.
The ignition is annoying if you stall the car. You have to completely turn the car off then turn the key again to get the car started. This could create a compromising condition and possibly an accident by someone hitting you if you stall your car and are unable to get it started again and back under way in a swift movement.
If you live in a hilly community where there is a high likelihood that you will be stopping on big hills, this car with a 6 speed manual trany is not for you. I HIGHLY suggest going with the DSG if you live in a place like San Fransisco, Seattle, etc. Today I was in a line of traffic on a 9% grade hill, which is really freaking steep hill and I literally had to push the accelerator completely to the floor while I was releasing the clutch to prevent it from stalling. I was not impressed with this one bit.
The rear wiper's intermittent stage is set to close together. I personally think it should be set at a longer interval.
The back window is hard to keep clean/dry if the road is wet. In fact this is the worst car I have owned for this issue. I do not know if its the design or the fact that I have the Votex rear roof spoiler.
The three heater/air conditioning controls knobs are very hard to see either at day or nite. Meaning you simply can not tell if its set at air vents, defrost, foot or the temperature. These controls should be designed in a way that you can simply feel what position they are set at like soo many other cars.
I personally hate the daytime running lights. I am certain that something euro is in the works to correct this problem very soon for me.
_________________
My issues or complaints are very minor and I can live with them...mostly. Again, I am in love with my car.
