looking at possibly buying a 2003 vw golf tdi with 79k miles...anything i should be aware of? common things that break? something i should prepare to fix in the near future?

6/5/2007 1:15:21 PM

everything

6/5/2007 1:16:49 PM

i should know...everything? or...everything will break?

6/5/2007 1:32:04 PM

most common point of failure would be the turbo

but otherwise, it's pretty solid.

6/5/2007 1:50:52 PM

turbo being how expensive to fix/replace?

6/5/2007 2:05:27 PM

along with all the amenities, power windows, door locks, seats, etc will crap out

6/5/2007 2:06:36 PM

window problem was '99-'01

the door latch has shitty soldered connections, and get screwy, but there's an easy fix (once you get everything apart).. details on vwvortex.com

other than that, you're about due for a timing belt if it hasnt been done.

for research, check out http://www.tdiclub.com

6/5/2007 2:12:22 PM

make sure you have the correct timing belt for the number of miles... i think you change @ 50k and at 115k

6/5/2007 10:03:16 PM

I test drove a red one about 2 years ago somewhere near Clayton... I think they were asking for $15k at the time, but either way, it seemed slow, even with the turbo. But from what I can remember, if I had bought it, it would have been because of how comfortable it was -- lots of room, nice interior.

6/5/2007 10:57:47 PM

my dad has a jetta tdi, kind of similar. Its slow as all hell.

6/6/2007 2:16:36 AM

gotta be faster than my saturn sl1

meh, it was a passing fancy...i don't NEED another car, but i want a 5-door hatchback like nobody's business (and diesel would be nice)

not for $7k more than i can sell my car for, though

6/6/2007 12:16:45 PM

not to mention the MPG... very good gas mileage...

6/11/2007 10:11:42 PM