Upgrading from 2006 2.0 FSI Comfortline Golf to new Jetta - what engine size??

[leela]

***apologies - have posted this in newbie section, but in case no one reads those posts, wanted to ask the questino here - we are keen for quick replies as going car shopping tomorrow!***

Hi. Newbie here - (a girl and not a car head so excuse silly question!)

Due to expanding family, we have decided to upgrade our 2006 2.0 litre FSI Auto Comfortline Golf to a new Jetta.

However the engine sizes have all changed. We are considering either a petrol or diesel engine, but don't want to downgrade from what we have in terms of power.

The sales person at the dealers told us that the 118TSI DSG is the closest to our 2.0 litre golf. I know its turbo, but a 1.4 litre - is that really close to what our old 2.0 FSI petrol engine on the 2006 golf?

The other model we are looking at is either the 77TDI DSG (1,6litre) or the
103 TDI DSG. (2.0 litre diesel)

the sales guy said the 77TDI wouldn't be as powerful as what we've got.

So.... can someone tell me what the closest match would be for us in petrol and diesel -so that we feel we are driving a car as quick as what we have with the Golf.

Also, is it worth considering demonstrators? We are looking at;

2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1KM MY10 118TSI DSG - $31,990 drive away
2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1KM MY10 77TDI DSG - $29,990 drive away
2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1KM MY10 103TDI DSG - $30,990 drive away

do these look like good deals? Which model do you think?

and finally..... is $17,000 fair as a trade-in price for our golf?? (45,000 ks on it)

thanks - and sorry for long post!!

[Bizi]

Welcome leela!
The Jetta is still, in reality, a better-equipped Golf, with a boot! The boot's the only real extra space, but at 527L it's a very spacious boot!

I have the 2.0TDI and it would likely be the better one for torque and overtaking power, but then you should really try both as the 118TSI could be something you enjoy more. It would be less nose-heavy and so will probably feel a bit more pleasant on turn-in. I love my 2.0TDI's buckets of V8-like torque.

I am not an expert on ths but if you found an excellent demonstrator like the '10 103TDI above and can negotiate an even better deal (less than the $14k changeover you've indicated) then you may hae a bargain!

OF the three, I'd prefer 103TDI (torque and incredible economy and no need for premium fuel, just use BP diesel every time) then the 118TSI and wouldn't touch the 77TDI.

As you may be aware, last week the Jetta 103TDI scored Best Medium Car 2010 Australia's Best Cars awards (Australian motoring organisations NRMA etc) still say this 2006 design is STILL a better overall car than any other medium car made since! Google it and check it out. However it's going to be replaced late 2011, so negotiate a hard bargain.

[Getti]

I agree with all the points Bizi mentioned.

My pick would be between the 103TDI and 118TSI, but both very different cars to drive. If fuel economy is important, I suggest the TDI is the better choice. Otherwise, demand to drive both cars and see which one you would prefer.

Bizi raises a good point on the new Jetta next year. If you can wait 12 months on buying a new car, this is worth considering.

I would think $17k is reasonable for your current golf, although you may get more with a private sale.

Happy car shopping.

[Brendan_A]

Welcome.
The Jetta is an awesome car! The boot space is really good in the Jetta. I get to drive a MK6 Golf with the 118TSI engine and the Wife's 2.0TDI DSG Jetta. The 118TSI engine is supercharged and turbo charged, so it's not short on power. Will have more power than your 2.0FSI Golf. The 118 is the Kw rating of the engine. I think the 2.0FSI in your Golf has 110kw? The 118TSI in the Golf is a quick car and the power is very smooth. The TDI Jetta feels quicker cause of the torque but it's not.

The 2.0TDI Jetta is a great car to drive! The torque is awesome, it will sink you back into your seat! The economy is great and matched with the DSG makes it an all round good car to drive.

I'd go with the 103TDI. But still drive the 118TSI to compare cause you wouldn't be downgrading in power to your current Golf. That price on the 103TDI Jetta, is that brand new? Cause that's a good price!

Wouldn't go the 77TDI. I found you really had to work the engine to get it going. Too small of a engine for the size of the Jetta IMO.
Good luck with it all!

[jessv3]

Agree with all of the above, the 103tdi is the pick of the bunch. It may not be as out right quick as the 118kw but its more of a pleasure to drive because of the huge amount of low down torque, i also find its better matched to the DSG gearbox then the 118kw because it spends more of its time down low then up high. Your old 2.0fsi will feel slower & is more thirsty then both the 103tdi and 118kw so it will be an upgrade either way.

As a side note, If you can try and find a 147kw 2.0tfsi jetta in your price range then thats the pick, its the award winning gti engine..

[anthony]

Good luck with your car shopping,the Jetta is an awesome car,and has won many awards,both here,and overseas.

Let us know how it all goes.

I would be more inclined to get a brand new one,nice and shiny out of the box...

[leela]

HI.
thanks for your answers. We drove both the 118TSI and 103TDI DSG and loved both. Put in an offero on a grey diesel demo, but unfortunately we couldn't agree on a final changeover price. This dealer was offering much less than a previous dealer on our 2006 Golf. So, we had to walk away - very disappointed but a budget is a budget.

Decided to sell our Golf privately -which will give us a bit more to play with and buy in the new year.

Have a couple of repairs to do on the golf - my husband ran the windscreen wipers one day while it was dry and this scratched the windscreen(not sure if the scratch is in the glass or scratched into the factory tint)

we also have a broken knob that the string for the parcel shelf hangs from. VW parts quoted $270 to replace it as apparently you need to replace the whole interior panel! What a pain - and I guess we'll have to pay to have the panel installed (assume that would be VW service?)

Pain - would have been easier just to trade it in but there you go. Christmas timning not good - will delay things about a month. Ho hum...

Thanks for all yoru advice - it helped us narrow down what we want.