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Maybe the Memphis area is worse than normal but around here diesel costs 10-15% more than regular gasoline
Take the 29/40 rating of the TDI Jetta and reduce it by, say, 10%.
Now it's 26/36
That's the same average economy as the Cobalt manual gets at 25/37 on regular gas for practically half the price.
I realize the VW is probably a more pleasant car to drive but for twice the price? I thought we were trying to save money by getting a fuel efficient car?
I have owned a VW Jetta TDI (2001) and I can tell you these are great motors. I would consistantly average 48MPG on the highway. The 2006 Jetta was sold in TDI form (the current jetta platform), and the car got the same mileage. They are actually selling today for around their original retail prices, so they didn't depreciate at all. Those EPA numbers are low, low, low. Just wait for some real world reports.
Don't know what the person talking about not winning people over is trying to say. The car is already on waiting lists around the country. All in all, it's a very good alternative to the Prius. Virtually the same mileage, in a much more fun to drive car. The fit/finish and build quality in VW products is also generally very, very good.