Belichick’s New Ride: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI DSG
The beating that Volkswagen has been taking over this emissions cheating debacle has been epic, and not wanting to be one to miss a bandwagon, or a chance to beat a dead horse…I’m gonna throw in my two cents. First, however, I am going to make fun of the New England Patriots Cheatriots by introducing this next car as the perfect ride for Bill Belichick or Tom Brady…just gotta let a little air outta the tires first. Find this 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI DSG here on eBay
bidding for $4,156 with 1 days to go, located in Thomaston, CT.
Even with the current panic around #Dieselgate, I am still a firm believer in the value offered by the modern TDI equipped Volkswagen. Sure, they will lose a few MPG and HP after the dealer flash, but the basic torquey turbo 4-banger and solid chassis is still the same.
The power under the hood is a 2.0 liter turbocharged, common rail injected TDI inline-4 diesel that is rated at 138 horsepower and 236 ft-lbs of torque. This is the vehicle that is currently being skewered in the media, because the calibration is biased toward good smog results during the EPA test and good fuel economy/torque/power when not. Cheating aside, it is a great engine and works well with VW’s slick “direct shift gearbox” (DSG) or an available 6-spd manual.
See another oil burner for less? tips@dailyturismo.com
Has anybody thought that maybe they can't reprogram the ECU without bad results? I could see the engine running hotter, exhaust running hotter, etc… they may be detrimental to the car's life span.
Yep I tend to agree, cuz otherwise the recall could happen right away, and would only take about 15 minutes per car.
My guess is that to fix it with a software change means either a substantial hit to driveability, fuel economy, maintenance cost, or some combination thereof.
What will be most important, of course, is finding a good aftermarket tuner…
Shouldn't be that hard to go back to stock if they decide to reflash instead of buying the cars back. I'm sure a tuner somewhere can just mirror a stock ECU and reflash back to stock.
Yeah, that is probably the hold up in the recall – figuring out how to make it un-tamperable.
And yes, people are not going to like their TDI-s as much as they did when they bought them. The Class Action lawyers must be rubbing their bony hands in glee.
If VW is not able to turn back on the particulate filter without adversely impacting fuel economy or performance, you can expect a whole lot of oompah-oompah from the class-action bandwagon.
I have to think that an SCR retrofit of the fleet on the road would cost them a sum no one wants to think about. Hell, if Merkel can subsidize Greece and a few million Syrians, they can throw government money at propping up VW, right?
I am guessing that most people will opt to not get anything done, if there is a way to avoid it. Aftermarket tuners will also thrive, as many will get reverted to "original" in areas where it is federally mandated, but not state enforced.
We don;t have emissions inspection in SC but I would be afraid that the feds will prevent the states from licensing the TDIs . About a week before all this broke, I was ready to order a new TDI Sport Wagon. Now getting a great deal on a gas one. Local VW dealer says business is off 90%. Honda dealer next door is almost empty…everything sold!
Could be good if VW is forced to buy back all the errant emissions cars, someone might turn a profit on this. On the other hand, they might de-tune all the diesels making them preform fairly badly to meet the emissions standard, which might be ok if one can avoid the de-tuning and has a miscalibrated moral compass.
Could be good if VW is forced to buy back all the errant emissions cars, someone might turn a profit on this. On the other hand, they might de-tune all the diesels making them preform fairly badly to meet the emissions standard, which might be ok if one can avoid the de-tuning and has a miscalibrated moral compass.
Well the Germans should know the Diesel better then anyone. My question is how did they avoid detection for so long somebody knew this was going on and kept quite. Vw has enough problems with there other cars Audi etc this will be interesting or maybe Bankrupt them wonder if Fiat is looking for a dirty partner.