My Passat only came with one key (private seller) and you don't have to tape the whole key under the dash, the plastic bead from inside the plastic part of the key (that's your RFID chip) is much smaller and can be secured with superglue. Otherwise it's $60/key for my 99VW, I hear the newer ones are worse. I do wish I had the TDI instead of the 1.8 Turbo gas model.

Stealership in Anchorage quoted a friend $250 to get one key for a Jetta she bought used.  Claimed they had to look up the code and then get the key made and shipped in from Germany.  She sold it and bought a Ram.  Nice fast car though.

I very much like my 2005 Jetta TDI.  Mine was free as my father ceded it to me when he gave up driving.  Currently it has just over 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Not sure I would suggest one to someone who isn't a serious diesel head.  Your situation might fit with the long commute.  Most urban commuters won't recoup the extra initial expense in fuel savings over the time they keep the car, given the premium the diesel adds.

I guess what I am saying is watch the numbers closely.  I get just over 40 mpg around town.  My office is 5 minutes from my home.  Given the price difference between gas and diesel here I would be better off if looking at a new purchase to buy a gasser and put the difference in price in a good CD. I would never catch up looking at a total cost of ownership.

And I ain't no diesel hater.  Currently planning and saving to do a cummins swap into a 78-79 bronco at some point in the next 5 years.  I love everything about diesels, they just aren't for everyone.