The title is the question. Seems like a ton of these in my area for $2,500 or less. Mostly non-GTI and mostly gas. Could be convinced to pay more for a TDI.
The title is the question. Seems like a ton of these in my area for $2,500 or less. Mostly non-GTI and mostly gas. Could be convinced to pay more for a TDI.
I think this is the generation with 2.0L gas as standard. The later gen got the 2.5L 5 cyl gas. In both cases, be sure to consult www.fueleconomy.gov Neither is a MPG king even with manual trans.
The 2.0L is rated at 21/24/28
The 2.5L is rated at 19/22/28
Thank you for that.
This should be seen by the context of me currently driving a 5.3LS crew cab Sierra. Even 21mpg looks great in comparison.
Im actually toying with an early Prius but I’m not sure they’re common or desirable at $2,500.
What makes the right commuter for you?
Is it all MPG? Even if that means a harsher or buzzier ride? If such, '11 & '12 Ford Fiestas with manual trans and trunk are really cheap. Real examples will run about $3.5k with 99k. Of course, expect stripped like crank windows. However, that's a pretty new car and low miles for cheap.
If more about comfort, less fatigue and a quiet place to pass the time, try a Toyota Solara 4cy. All the good of a Camry in a 2 dr package that does not appeal to those with small kids so less demand. $2,500 should get you a '03-'05 with under 140k miles.
In reply to John Welsh :
I’m in a bit of a “difficult” situation here. The 10 min TO the highway is hilly and curvy. The 10 min after the highway is even more twisty and even more hilly. The 15 minutes in between is boring, straight and flat.
(I’ve also daily-driven a Samurai with no doors or top on 33” Super Swampers everywhere so buzzy is ok but so is comfortable 
)
I always hated the Mk4 VWs. Less fun to drive than almost everything that came before and after, and they introduced the "Everything is plastic!" engine components along with the timing belt-slaying 1.8T (VW published the change interval as 100k and then they all started breaking at 60-70k...so VW got sued).
I have a buddy who is a VAG-only mechanic and he says the Mk4s are what keep him in business. He always said if you absolutely have to have one at least make sure it's not an automatic because they all fail around 100k. I was told if you want a 1.8T to do the timing belt immediately regardless of when it was last done, plan on replacing the coil packs with 2.0T units, replacing everything plastic under the hood (with aftermarket metal parts if you can afford it) and then cross your fingers because even if you do everything right they can throw weird secondary air injection codes and other emissions-related faults out of nowhere.
The interiors are nice and the bodies hold up well but they are the car that gave VW its reputation for chronic CELs along with the B5 Passat. I have a few buddies who went down the Mk4 TDI path and their constant maintenance costs and downtime totally offset the fuel savings. The 2.0L 5-speed cars are pretty reliable from my understanding, but not sure I'd want a 1.8T, TDI or VR6 now that they have all been beaten on for 18 years.
Mk4 owner here
DO NOT get a 1.8T unless you are fond of the MIL (CEL).
For a commuter the TDi or the 2.0L are your best bets. The 2.0L isn't a great commuter car, if it involves freeway driving, due to the gearing. They are really geared for City use and their economy drops on the freeway. They are only rated for 29 mpg (US). Mine is averaging 29.6 mpg on a mix of freeway and county roads. There are lots of other options out there that get in the 32-35 mpg range. That's almost 20% difference, which is not a small amount.
Any TDi you find is going to have huge mileage and be a good $2K price premium.
I enjoyed my 1.8t cars. As soon as VW did the final recall for the coil packs the '01 GTI went years without a CEL. The '03 wagon was solid. Never a CEL or squeak, buzz or rattle. And yes, EVERY automatic Mk4 I have encountered had trans troubles.
I would also assume that at this point the really problematic ones have been retired. That era is at the bottom of their depreciation curve so just buy the nicest one you can find.
I would much rather have another MK4 VW than the missus much newer Kia.
MK4 commuter here. I adore my BEW TDi 5 speed for my 80 mile commute, good fuel economy, doesnt drive bad, and is decently quick, oh and blazing hot heat and ice ac. These cars are getting older so be ready to do some maintaining soon as you get it.
ebonyandivory said:In reply to John Welsh :
I’m in a bit of a “difficult” situation here. The 10 min TO the highway is hilly and curvy. The 10 min after the highway is even more twisty and even more hilly. The 15 minutes in between is boring, straight and flat.
This sounds like a good environment for a 3 series BMW if you want something balanced towards the twisty section that will still be a reasonably comfortable highway cruiser.
MadScientistMatt said:ebonyandivory said:In reply to John Welsh :
I’m in a bit of a “difficult” situation here. The 10 min TO the highway is hilly and curvy. The 10 min after the highway is even more twisty and even more hilly. The 15 minutes in between is boring, straight and flat.
This sounds like a good environment for a 3 series BMW if you want something balanced towards the twisty section that will still be a reasonably comfortable highway cruiser.
You’re not kidding. Do you know how many times I’ve talked myself out of an E39/E46 over the years?
Those generations don't sell for that much more than a VW Golf nowadays... 
I bought a 4-door ALH TDI golf in march and have put 5k miles on it so far. It has a lot of miles on it (280k miles) and has a few minor problems, but so far it has been extremely reliable and I've averaged 45mpg.
One of the rear turn signal bulbs has an unreliable connection. I've fiddled with it 3 times and gotten it to work for a bit, but then it goes out shortly.
The interior plastics get soft and sticky. Pretty gross, really.
I need to invest in the VCDS (formerly vag-com) software to do general diagnostics and such.
As a former VW tech who worked at the dealership during the early MK4 era I always recommend 2.0, 5speed, and NO power anything (windows, sunroof, locks, whatever). Thank Lopez, their purchasing head, who beat the suppliers down for low ball prices on subsystems which led to cheap electrical parts. That being said I miss my 1.8t wagon with power everything and heated seats.
Is the advice the same for the New Beetle?
I loved my MKIV VR6 GTI...for four years and 80k miles. Great on the highway, good in the corners. Sold it while there was still time left on the CPO warranty. Did have issues with coil packs and melting fuse boxes.
My parents have had a few MKIV TDIs. Great cars of you have a good indie mechanic nearby. Quick enough and super efficient. Suspension and wheel upgrades should be easy to find for any MKIV.
How many HP does the 2.0 have? 120?
In reply to ebonyandivory :
Yes, they are about the same. The TDI ones are good when they work but can be rather temperamental and take a number of special tools to maintain.
I loved my TDI. Drove it for 70k miles and sold it for nearly what I paid. Timing belt, brakes and glow plugs were all it needed. A friend vought it and put another 120k miles on it trouble free and still has it and loves it. I averaged nearly 50mpg, and 650 miles to a tank.
Please don't... Coil packs and crayons
MK4 TDI Jetta owner here had one with manual everything and 5 speed was a great commuter for 5+ years it ended up getting replaced with what I consider to be it's big brother which also comes with big brother bills the E350 Diesel Mercedes
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