I have a 2000 New Beetle TDi manual, and generally it has behaved rather well. I purchased this vehicle with about 110k miles, and have added 10000 miles in just about a year.
I am considering the purchase of a second TDi - this one is a 2000 Jetta GL TDi. It has 212000 miles, with a single owner. I know the mechanic who has done the maintenance; and I know that most of the miles were put on by driving about 100 highway miles a day.
The following work has been done on the car: a) engine rebuild b) timing belt about 10000 miles ago - don't know if the water pump and tensioner were done at the same time, but I can find out c) New leather for the seats (1.5 years old) d) Newish tires (about 10k miles on them) e) Battery is about 2 years old
Oil changes have been done regularly at 6 months / 5000 miles.
I am concerned about the auto trans. My mechanic tells me that this would be his concern too, however - he has never come across a TDi auto transmission that has failed on any '98 - '04 New Beetle, Jetta, or Golf. And I'm told that the auto trans on the diesels is a little more rugged than the auto trans for the 1.8l turbo gasoline engine.
So - what are your thoughts? Setting myself up for an expensive repair in the near future, or take a chance? The price is pretty good ~ $4000
Thanks, AC