Originally Posted by
lhbernhardt
So I pulled the trigger on a replacement for my Subaru Legacy L wagon (being traded in). I decided that AWD was less important than fuel economy for my long drives to get to interesting bike rides, so I am accepting delivery of a brand new turbo-diesel Jetta TDI coupe next Monday or so.
I have ordered it with the 6-speed manual (REAL drivers shift their own gears, thank you), the 17" wheels (which look way nicer than the standard 16") and the electric glass sunroof (looking forward to my long drive to do some Cali Triple Crown rides in May!).
The Rodriguez fixie will fit neatly in the trunk with the wheels off, and I don't have to pull the cheesy cover over it to hide it. But the 2012 Jetta is built on the same chassis as the longer Golf wagon (not the sedan, as was the case pre-2011), so if I fold down the rear seats, I should be able to sleep in the combined rear seat/trunk space.
Now I just need to get the Yakima towers for the aircraft doors so I can carry the tandem. The best thing about the TDI is that it gets 50-60 mpg on the highway (4.6L/100 km), so although diesel costs more in the US, it's far from enough to offset the additional mileage. Oh, and it's the same TDI that's used on the LeMans-winning Audi R-8 race car! Bonus.
L.
But the LeMans cars have Paddle shifters, all F-1 cars have paddle shifters, all WRC cars have paddle shifters and the best high fuel mileage Hybrids use CVTs. So only NASCAR drivers must be real drivers because they still have a H pattern with a clutch.
Just kidding I know there is a loyal following to the old H pattern and manual clutch even if they are fading fast. The TDI has been the only VW I would consider if I were even thinking of another ICE power car. Good choice.
