Well, I finally got some seat time in an '09 Jetta TDI. I've owned a VW before but not a TDI. It is quiet, but has a different character & sound than a gasser.

Power delivery is punchy but narrow, as expected of a modern turbodiesel. 2-3,000 RPM is the "meat" of the powerband. The shifts in the DSG are nearly imperceptible by the seat of the pants. You see the tach move and the sound of the engine change, but it is probably the smoothest transmission I've ever felt, short of a CVT.

The car got up to 80 mph fairly effortlessly. I don't know if I'd call the car "fast" but power was more than adequate. My wife, who drives a 2004 Acura TSX said it "put her back in her seat." It felt comparable overall to the TSX in power, but the delivery was different, obviously.

Personally, I'm waiting until the TDI Sportwagen becomes available. I won't pay a penny over sticker, although I've heard a lot of dealers are asking over sticker.  

I can't wait until some other diesel cars are available. Supposedly it's gotten better, but I still don't trust VW's quality. I heard Honda and Subaru will have some in '10 or '11. I might wait until then for one.  

whats the sticker price for a 2009 jetta tdi?  

$21,990 for the sedan, $23,590 for the Sportwagen.