I was reallly close to getting a Honda fit. But once i read about the Golf TDI i decided to wait and get the Golf. I just want a car thats fun to drive, reliable, and is a hatchback.
Which car do you think is the best comparing the two?

Golf tdi:
Price - ~22k
45 mpg highway
140hp turbo diesel with torque :P

Fit:
~16k
35mpgish hwy
117hp 1.5l engine with not too much torque

 

What a choice...

I'd wait to see the final numbers (mpg, cost) on the Golf before you make a decision.

Check out this review of the Golf:

2009 / 2010 Volkswagen Golf VI 2.0 TDI Diesel - First Drive Review - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Gives a combined 34 Mpg (lead foot I'm sure)
Cost (Italy): $34,600 (considered large and luxurious in Italy)
Available (US): December 2009

We're only getting the 2.0 L, not the 1.8 the rest of the world is allowed to get; it's the same engine as the Jetta TDI.

I'm guessing the numbers will look something like this:

MPG: 32/44 (sure you could hypermile it to 50+)
Cost: $19,500+ Base Model (Jetta starts at $22K, Rabbit at $17K)

Forgot my opinion:

If up-front costs aren't a concern, then I would go Golf. Otherwise, I would go for the Fit Sport (probably a couple more standard features).

Just saw this link giving mpg (MT) as 35/49. Very Nice.

-P

 

i actually think the vw will have quite a bit standard, maybe even more so than the fit (the rabbit i used to have did at least.)


the price for this is going to be the biggest issue, as is maintenance.

i'm going to chime in on the newer golfs because i belive i'm one of the only, if not THE only member on this site who has any experience with them, not just a bad experience with an older mkIII or IV.

the tdi will probably be reliable, but just keeping going with basic maintenance costs is going to be the biggest difference wallet wise between it and the fit. ( i miss a lot about my rabbit...i dont miss how much the cost of ownership was.)

granted, the first 3 years/36k you will be gravy since all that maintenance is included. but depending on how much you drive (i.e.like me which is a lot) that could counteract itself quickly.

mileage wise, even if diesel is more expensive, the tdi will own the fit hands down. (and the range will be colossal.)

i predict it will handle better and feel more connected to the road than the mkV, but i would be suprised if it matched the fits tactility in steering. (it will probably grip harder and be much more stable at higher speeds, as is typical of vw's and german cars in general.)

you cant go wrong with either choice, but both cars are on seprate if not similar missions.

one thing is for sure: as lovely as the Ge8 is, there will be NO CAR that can match the interior of the new golf in its price range, or several thousand dollars above it. of that you can be certain.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing an actual price estimate for the US. I'm sticking with my prediction of somewhere just below the base Jetta TDI and above Rabbit. Wonder how much the gasoline Golf with go for?

You are probably right in terms of what will come standard, I just remember talking to the sales dude when I was looking at Rabbits and he was nickle and diming me on everything (ipod jack, floor mats, wheels, etc.).

Also, I'm going to agree with you on the interior--all that will be left after nuclear annihilation will be the cockroaches and the interiors of VWs. Those things are made to last, though the mom's Jetta TDI (2001) seats collected lint on the same levels as the GD, if not worse. She kept a lint roller in the glove box at all times.

The only experience I have with golfs and jettas are through my dad, who sold them for 5 years, and my mom (2001 Jetta TDI). Hers was pretty bare bones, but it was a really nice drive. The golfs dad brought home as demos were nice, though spotty in terms of reliability and expensive to fix/maintain (according to him), as you said.

It seems like the newest Rabbits, at least from what I've heard, is breaking that habit VWs have of inexplicably breaking down (mom's starter broke, twice, couple of electronics issues, stereo stopped working, etc.).

I'm guessing the new Golf will carry on the Rabbit's apparent improvement in relability.

If MPGs are really going to come in at 35/49, I agree it will seriously beat out the Fit, especially if you add hypermiling (40/55 at least). Sure wish they'd give us that 1.8 though--that would seriously beat out the Fit.

Read somewhere they are considering a Golf TDI Hybid @ 69 mpg. Probably just a rumor.

-P

 

I don't know about that I drive a 08 Rabbit in the winter (long story) and I own a 09 Fit. While the Rabbit is a 2.5 gasser the car should be similar.
The VW feels much more substantial, it is a bigger heavier car. The quality of the interior is nicer. The gauges suck I can not see the red lettering. The controlls are more complicated. It is a really nicely finished off car.

The Fit is more fun to drive, it is not nearly as fast as the VW but sportier. It has more usable room. The gauges are better laid out and easy to read. Much better MPG (gas vs. gas).

The big thing, the Rabbit needed it's Synthetic oil changed at 8,000 kms at $100.00 a pop. I just had my Fit changed at 14000 kms (it was only at 30% but I couldn't wait any longer) for $44.00 (all prices in Canadian dollars). The Rabbit is much more costly to maintain (the VW dealership did have free coffee and cookies however). Here in Canada they really are not in the same ball park as to intial price. The VW is much more expensive.

If they were the same price, or close I would buy the VW, (I really like Diesels), but be prepared for a shock at your first service.

 

Oh man!

I havent heard about this car yet!! I've been going back and forth from getting a new fit sport at the start of next year or a VW GTI!! Though the fit is cheaper, gets better mpg and is cheaper to own than the GTI, the GTI seems like it'd be a wayyyyy funner car!

I may get a Golf TDI now for sure! My sister has a 2009 Jetta TDI and gets 40-44mpg average. I'd expect the golf to do the same if not a little better. She's had no problems so far and had a 1999 bug diesel that had 166,xxx miles on it and never gave her one problem.

Thanks for posting this, this will most likely be my new car in ealy 2010.. I'll compare it to the new fit when the time comes and make my choice then.... that is if I don't decide to screw MPG and get me a Ford F250 power stroke diesel! muahahahaha

 

We've owned a 2004 Jetta tdi since new and it has almost 200,000 miles on it so far. I traded my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee (CFC program) for a 2009 Fit sport for my wife to drive. I get the Jetta, and after a timing belt change and a detail, the Jetta will look like brand new and I will drive it for another 100,000 miles.

You have got to want to own a diesel though, not all gas stations carry diesel, especially in urban areas, diesel is smelly if you get it on you, they require special oil, and the timing belt change every 100,000 miles can cost $800 to $1000. You can never forget and put gasoline in the tank because that will ruin the engine, a $10,000 costly mistake that is easy to make.

I love the torque, we get 45 mpg on average and the Jetta is quiet, smooth, and sporty. The $6000 difference buys a lot of gas though and unless you are willing to keep the tdi as long as we are going to keep ours it doesn't make financial sense to buy a diesel. That is why we decided to try the Fit for a change.

 

the new golf tdi seems like a great vehicle, but the question is when it will be available in the usa. its introduction into the usa has already been postponed multiple times. now car and driver magazine is saying it will get here in december. we'll see if that happens. if/when it finally does get here, there will be a waiting list and you will pay out the nose for it. i hope you have patience and a fat wallet.