I haven't had a small vehicle since I shot that buck with the 16,737,000 grain projectile a few years back.

I have the (dubious) opportunity to pick up a 2004 VW Passat TDI with a poorly shifting transmission for relatively cheap.
The symptoms :
Seems to start in 2nd or so.
Wouldn't shift down a few times when driving up a small hill.
Maybe a few other little times that just didn't feel right.

I generally work on old cars and only work on the new ones with a gun to my head. I have pulled old NA VW diesels and transmissions back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Does anyone here have a TDI or know about transmission issues?

I thank you kindly in advance for your helpful advice.

That's a great idea, Mike! You need a project.

Auto or manual?

How cheap? They can be bought pretty cheap in good working order lots of times.

Ah, no. It's about 1.5 hours away.
Engine runs fine. Not much blowby. Doesn't smoke.

Spoiler: show

Manual. $1700. I haven't been looking, so maybe that's not as good a deal as it seems to me?
I figured that was about 1/3.

EDIT : It's an automatic, not a manual.

My neighbor bought a nice TDI beetle for 1800. Has done nothing to it for 2 years except a wheel bearing.

My Jetta Wagon has 340K and just keeps running. 99-2003 was mostly a mechanical engine. The pump has some electronics, but not much. In 2004 VW switched to electronic injectors, parts are more expensive and a few more issues and less MPG. Around 40. Not junk by any means though. The big question is what shape is the car in? If you really want a good mileage car look for a 99-2003 with a manual, but a 2004 5 speed will do you fine. Transmissions should be easy to find as they were tough and common. Make sure it is a TDI trans as they are different. Is that a 6 speed? If you don't drive more than say 15k a year, it may not worth the hassle of having an older rig that needs maintenance. I know you have tons of spare time though. 1700 is pretty decent. What do you mean a manual doesn't downshift when you go up a hill? You know that's your job right?

Oops, my mistake Matt. Brain was thinking automatic, fingers typed manual.
Automatic, 6 speed. We definitely prefer the manual.

OG, I don't see the wagons sell for anything close to that Beetle... But haven't paid much attention lately.

Gotta be a passat or will a jetta work?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/ ... 23016.html

We had a 2003 TDI Jetta. About 200K it had massive loss of power. For us, the costly maintenance of the VW wasn't worth the fuel savings or headache. YMMV.

Looking back over the years since we got rid of it, taking it to a mechanic that knows VWs (not the dealer, who I think is part of why it kept breaking) might have been worth giving it a second try.

My 2006 Jetta TDI started giving me lots of transmission problems (6 speed auto), like there wasn't enough fluid in the box. The transmission is sealed at the factory and there's no easy way to add more. Took it to my mechanic who discovered it was indeed low on fluid because it was missing an upper seal. So, he put in several quarts of fluid that VW is very proud of, replaced the seal and no more transmission problems.

I don’t know anything about the 6 speed auto. I know the 03 and older automatics are absolutely garbage. A manual conversion is 1500 or so. Worth it if you have a real nice car that you like. Not sure about converting an 04. I’m sure it’s been done but I believe they use a 6 speed manual. Definitely going to cost more. A donor car is usually the best way to do it since a ton of parts are needed for the conversion. A clean manual TDI can be had in the 5k range.

I'm not the picky type, Jetta would work fine.
I like the body damage - I could use it as a farm vehicle without worrying about it.
If I was closer I'd look at that. 2+ hour drive. gah...

Well rats! I didn't get that far thru the pics! I read the ad and it didn't mention it at all!

My bad, Ill try a little harder next time!

I was serious. If I was not 2 hours away I'd buy that if it was mechanically sound, and not otherwise trashed.
I might even do something to the other side so they match. hah

Ah, just looked at picture #10 again. Looks like that damage is structural and has the driver's side rear wheel riding at an angle.