Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryland
Alot of the newer manual transmissions tend to be geared for performance driving, instead of better gas mileage now, so the mpg gap is closing with newer and newer cars.
|
That might be so, but not in this particular case of the TDI engined Volkswagens. The gasser manual transmissions you find in the GTI or VR6 equipped models are in that performance bent. The TDI 5/6 speeds are geared differently for the diesels, and, in general, they're more economy minded ratios.
Keep in mind, dieselbeetle -- irregardless of the 4 spd auto, or 5 (or not easily found in N. America 6 ) spd. manual transmissions for the TDIs are geared differently than any gasoline engined model. This means you have to get a tranny, if you're swapping, from another 1.9L diesel, or the gear ratios will make it undrivable.
If you dig around on places like TDIclub, you'll find people are quoting nearer the $1500-2000 mark for a 6 speed to be brought in from Europe. There's quite a bit of plumbing to change too, if you went from an auto to a manual.
Are you trying to see if you should justify the cost of a swap in your current car, or are you thinking about hunting for a manual transmissioned TDI Beetle instead of your current auto?
I haven't driven an auto model, but the only argument I can say is non technical: Driving the 5 speed manual is more FUN than an auto.
