RiverC0il Goes for a Test Drive: CT 200h, JSW TDI, Mazda3, & Elantra

[skidmarks]

Just over 2k miles. I don't expect any bump. I'm satisfied with what I am already getting.

@Geoff... no hypermiling here. If I was hypermiling, I wouldn't have driven at 65-70 during much of the drive. Much as I love fuel efficient driving, a couple extra bucks ain't worth loosing half an hour or more on a long trip for a couple extra MPG. I don't hypermile. I just drive efficiently. Hypermilers do some F'd up stuff...

Congrats on the car! I love VW's. My Wife's 2009 TDI SW has been averaging 44-45MPG for the past two years but she doesn't have a heavy foot. I wonder what highway speed would give you the best MPG? I can't stand to go much under 70 and never get over 30MPG with my Golf (gas) 2L.

BTW What are you doing for snow tires? In the first picture the VW has Toyo's on them, the second pictures Conti Contacts...... I think I'm going to puchase some Blizzack WS70's next week.

[riverc0il]

BTW What are you doing for snow tires? In the first picture the VW has Toyo's on them, the second pictures Conti Contacts...... I think I'm going to puchase some Blizzack WS70's next week.

I went with General Artic Altimax. I've ran the WS60s on my previous car and loved them. But I was stunned at online reviews of the Altimax. TONS of former Blizzack owners praised the General's as being superior AND costing a ton less. They got their first work out today climbing and icy K Access Road. Not a full work out for sure, but two thumbs up so far. Can't even hear them, sound just like my all seasons.

[Geoff]

I went with General Artic Altimax. I've ran the WS60s on my previous car and loved them. But I was stunned at online reviews of the Altimax. TONS of former Blizzack owners praised the General's as being superior AND costing a ton less. They got their first work out today climbing and icy K Access Road. Not a full work out for sure, but two thumbs up so far. Can't even hear them, sound just like my all seasons.

I was amazed at how the traction on the WS60 went to hell at less than 15,000 miles. I ditched them for Nokians a year ago even though they had tons of tread left.

The Nokians I had on my first GTI lasted the life of the car (I sold it with 145,000 miles). I gave them away to a friend with a beater Jetta a few years back and he ran them for a winter.

[Nick]

My first car was a VW Golf, then I had a VW Passat. The passat... I loved the car's driving and interior but f-in despised the repair bills on that thing. I think VW has had some serious improvements though in qulaity since that car (a 1995 MY).

Looking at a Tiguan now for my wife.

[MR. evil]

Just picked up a 2012 Golf TDI this morning. This thread was a very big factor into getting the car.

[riverc0il]

Cool, enjoy it!

Over 8000 miles so far and still loving my TDI. Averaging 39.1 MPG since inception (actual recording, not using the car's computer) and that is with 4+ months of winter tires and a little less than that on winter diesel. Just scored a best tank of 45.9 MPG recently, I can tell winter diesel is out and regular supply is back in. Should be able to get an even better best tank with regular tires back on. With the summer coming up, I am expecting to get the overall average over 40 very quickly.

Interestingly enough, I am not impressed with highway miles (for the record, I have the extra weight of an auto). It is difficult to keep the MPG much over 40 when driving 65-70+. My best MPG is all country roads with 40-55 MPH, especially the hills where I can pulse and glide.

Panoramic sunroof is amazing. I haven't closed the shade once since I got the car.

I think after 6 months the honeymoon phase may be over. But it is hard to be unbiased after dropping $28k on a new toy. Of course I am going to love something after sinking that type of money into it. And I do have a few criticisms of the car, notably I could have used another inch or two of floor space in the back for my skis (they fit, but cramming four pay diagonal (with a pair of 186s) isn't as easy as it should be for a wagon (they all fit, but the tips occasionally stuff up the passenger door--okay, perhaps that is a vain criticism). The biggest issue is not enough places to put stuff in the front. The front passenger area needs more trays, cubbies, and holders. A sunglasses holder on the roof would have been great (okay, sunroof dials are there). And of course, highway MPG at 40-42 MPG when doing 65-70ish on the flats isn't awe inspiring compared to 50-60 MPG on back country roads. But that difference is par for course with any car, still I was expecting better on the highways when doing 70. I just don't drive 70 any more. The SD/Media player is complete and total rubbish. I can't handle big SD cards (I think 8 or 16 is the limit, I wasted money buying a 32 without reading the fine print) and sorting isn't great. Very surprising this isn't better quality in this day and age.

Any ways, I love the car still and am looking forward to having it for a dozen years or more and pushing the odo well over 200k.

[o3jeff]

Just picked up a 2012 Golf TDI this morning. This thread was a very big factor into getting the car.

Pics?

[deadheadskier]

Just picked up a 2012 Golf TDI this morning. This thread was a very big factor into getting the car.

Curious why the Golf over the Jetta. Was there a substantial difference in price? I seem to recall part of the reason of wanting a new car was you wanted more space than what you had in your Accord Coupe. Speaking of which, is the Coupe for sale?

[Geoff]

And of course, highway MPG at 40-42 MPG when doing 65-70ish on the flats isn't awe inspiring compared to 50-60 MPG on back country roads.

Your highway MPG should improve quite a bit with the warmer and more humid weather.

[riverc0il]

Your highway MPG should improve quite a bit with the warmer and more humid weather.

Yea, I attribute my recent MPG jump not just to regular diesel but also to the warmer weather. It is astounding how much MPG drops off when taking short trips in the winter during which the car barely warms up during the trip.

Drove to Boston last night to see Les Mis and for kicks I tried to average around 60 MPH or so. Computer shows 50 MPG (actually was closer to 51.5 on the way down and those numbers are both counting a few minutes of city driving) both ways which is more likely 48 real MPG or so. So Prius like MPG is possible even on the hghway if you drive just a little under the limit and really work the accelerator with the topography.