TT quatro? maybe

[ECPERFORMANCE]

Well i`m thinking of selling the Eliseand getting something else. As much as I love the car, at this point I need to start saving up for a house. So I need something I can drive year round (we get snow up in Canada lol) and that would be a little cheaper.

I`m the type that always needs something different, witch is what started me of looking at the lotus in the first place. I started looking at the Subaru STI and a couple other cars, but there are a bunch of them around here already...Then it hit me, what about the Audi TT? There are only a couple around town so it would still be different. The used ones go for farly cheap, 2002-2003 go for around 14000. And the Quatro should be good in snow. I know some people would probably blast me for having it out in the winter. But if I can get one for 14000, I really don`t care. If it`s good in the snow and saves me from having 2 vehicules...it will be going in the snow.

I know this is a complete different car then the Elise. From what I have seen they seem really nice, inside and out. 225hp turbo would probably only be a little slower then the Elise (due to the weight). I could live with that.

So what do you guys think? any experience, good or bad?

[QuadCamSix]

The Audi is a good car but I wouldn't say its different. I see those things practically every day. Some members here will probably flame me for saying so but, if you need AWD you may want to consider the Volvo S60-R. I traded my 04 in when I purchased my current Elise. Check out some vids on youtube. There is even one of the R beating up on an elise at the track.... funny stuff.

['Nova]

The TT is good, but it's not much more practical nor as light as you'd think it should be (due to the AWD). For not much more penalty in lbs, you can get an S4. Neither one will be as good on track or as fun, but Quattro is fantastic for year round use. I still miss my old S4 for that reason.

[serpent]

I've driven a couple of TTs and i have not been impressed. Sure the acceleration feels fast () but i have friends with MR2s/sTis, Evos that can run circles around it. Then theres that small thing about how the TT looks like a chick car...

my opinion: ok car, not for me.

[Icedog_16]

I loved my TT and, at least in Tampa, there aren't a whole bunch around (certainly not like a BMW, but not as rare as a Lotus). The only ones you see on a regular basis are the 180hp models since they were the only ones with automatics until the DSG gearbox - kind of like the fact that there aren't a lot of S60Rs, but there are a lot of S60s around.

Based on what you've said, I think you will, too. The car is more practical, roomier, and more comfortable than a Lotus; however, it is no Lotus - slower, more understeer, less feedback, more body roll - as long as you can come to grips with that (and throw a few mods on it ), you'll likely be OK.

[...m...]

...i can't speak to the TT specifically, as it might still manufactured in germany instead of mexico, but i've been very disappointed in the long-term quality of my turbobeetle - its powertrain has been wonderful (and different from the quattro), but everything else not-so-much...given that the older TTs share the same platform, manufacturer, and designer, i'd be reticent of a similar long-term ownership experience...

...it's also worth noting that, mile-for-mile, the cost of ownership for my turbobeetle has been about double my elise...

[ECPERFORMANCE]

[quote=QuadCamSix;1332705]The Audi is a good car but I wouldn't say its different. I see those things practically every day. QUOTE]

Around town here there are only a couple.

As far as tracking performance. I won`t be tracking it, theres no tracks around here.

As for needing AWD, I don`t really need it. I`m just thinking it might be nice to have. In winter it would be good, and in the summer...well I guess you won`t have that FWD spin if you leave a little to fast.

I`m not set on the TT. But I can get one for fairly cheap, and even the older models look nice.

The STI would be really fun, but there are a bunch of stock one around here. So unless I can get a modded one for cheap (good luck with that).

I would like to stay cheap, 10 000-14 000

Any other options?

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by ...m...

...i can't speak to the TT specifically, as it might still manufactured in germany instead of mexico, but i've been very disappointed in the long-term quality of my turbobeetle - its powertrain has been wonderful (and different from the quattro), but everything else not-so-much...given that the older TTs share the same platform, manufacturer, and designer, i'd be reticent of a similar long-term ownership experience...

...it's also worth noting that, mile-for-mile, the cost of ownership for my turbobeetle has been about double my elise...

The TT's made in Gyor, Hungary. FWIW, I honestly cannot think of a single problem my TT gave me in 39 months of ownership; it's still going strong as a friend of mine has it. The only problems I know he's had were the info center in the instrument cluster (covered by class-action settlement), a bad convertible-top microswitch in the windshield header, and a window motor - and that's in seven years.

My Elise was a completely different affair and it ultimately cost me A LOT - time, money, and aggravation. (Thank you, may I have another - I guess I'm a bit of a masochist )

So, based on the experience we've each had, I guess YMMV.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

The TT's made in Gyor, Hungary. FWIW, I honestly cannot think of a single problem my TT gave me in 39 months of ownership; it's still going strong as a friend of mine has it. The only problems I know he's had were the info center in the instrument cluster (covered by class-action settlement), a bad convertible-top microswitch in the windshield header, and a window motor - and that's in seven years.

On the other hand, my 225TTQ was so bad I had to lemon-law it. In the first year I owned it, it was in the shop for six weeks. When I finally hired a lawyer to cut through the runaround the dealer was giving me, he asked what kind of car I was talking about and I told him, he laughed and said he had done a few TTs before, and in general he had the Audi rep on speed dial.

[CrusaderTBC]

I have a 2000 (week 10 build) TTQ as my daily driver. 145k miles and still going strong. If you want a TT, I'd say the new TT-RS looks interesting

edit: oh.. the TT-RS might not make it to US shores.. as an alternative, the 3.2L V6 S-Line TT might be good.

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

I had an 02 TT 225 (ALMS Series, which in my opinion, looked much cooler with the RS wheels and unique paint/interior). I had it for 2 years, did 30K miles and never had a problem.

I really enjoyed the TT, but if I were to go back to an Audi for AWD now, I'd look at an S4 instead. Less unique looking, but a rocket in comparison

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by CrusaderTBC

I have a 2000 (week 10 build) TTQ as my daily driver. 145k miles and still going strong. If you want a TT, I'd say the new TT-RS looks interesting

edit: oh.. the TT-RS might not make it to US shores.. as an alternative, the 3.2L V6 S-Line TT might be good.

The TT-RS would most like be in the high $60K to $70K range if it made it here. The current MKII TT now come in the 2.0 quattro and the TTS. The 6 cylinder has been discounted but you could probably get a good deal on a left over.

In terms of handling, the problem I have with the Quattro (2.0 and TTS) is that they put more power to the front (85/15 I believe) under normal driving. So, the dynamics will be like a front wheel drive car.

Personally, I think the TT is a good everyday sporty car but it's not a sport car in the league of the Elise or Boxster and probably a little bit below the Z4/SLK due to the front wheel drive bias.

[ECPERFORMANCE]

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

Personally, I think the TT is a good everyday sporty car but it's not a sport car in the league of the Elise or Boxster and probably a little bit below the Z4/SLK due to the front wheel drive bias.

Ah that would be find for now. With the money i`ll be saving from selling the Elise and the truck, I don`t mind sacrifising a little performance. It`s not like i`m pushing the limits on the Lotus anyway. The roads around here are WAY to crappy for that.

Thank for all the opinions.

[macdady2424]

If you're looking for a TT, I would try to go with a 2002 - 2004 225. For some reason, they had less issues then the earlier and some of the later one. My 2002 has had no issues but the LCD Pixels starting to fade (all audis do that eventually) and an airbag controller issue. To me, kinda minor, but still a pain. Common audi electrical issues. And yes, they were made in Hungry.

One major thing to watch out for is the timing belt. They recommend changing after 105K miles. I suggest buying a car that either just had it changed or you get it changed right away. They seem to blow around 80k miles, way before the recommended 105k.

As for the drive, I think it's way slower. I don't feel like mine is fast, the lotus feels much faster. The shifting and clutch is also much different then one would expect. Shifts feel slow due to the softly sprung clutch, but I like the feel of the shifter, throw seems smaller then the Lotus.

As for the winter, as long as you put good snow tires on the car, this car is awesome in the snow. I use it year long and love driving in the snow b/c it means fresh tracks when I go skiing. So I do drive a lot in snow, even before the roads are plowed. The only issue is you don't have the ground clearance to bust thru your plowed in driveway or over anything else.

[Michael_In_Hoboken]

Oh, and one other thing I didn't realize until after I bought my 02 225....the TTs don't have the true Quattro AWD system that all other audis have. Audi couldn't put true quattro in due to size/dimension restrictions. So they compromised with system they refer to as Haldex. It utilizes a clutch-like device in order to control the power distribution.

I drove it all year round, in the winter snow etc. and was always happy with performance (even with non-snow tires), but I wished I would have known that info before purchasing, as the traditional quattro system was one of the main draws of the car.

[Minnis]

Crudson traded one of the first US TT's on his Elise. I remember him saying his car had terrible electrical problems. I sold new TTs an they were fun, but not on par with the competition. TTS was fun.

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by andykeck

On the other hand, my 225TTQ was so bad I had to lemon-law it. In the first year I owned it, it was in the shop for six weeks. When I finally hired a lawyer to cut through the runaround the dealer was giving me, he asked what kind of car I was talking about and I told him, he laughed and said he had done a few TTs before, and in general he had the Audi rep on speed dial.

Like I said, YMMV.

[kestrel74]

SMoseley ( Transio ) had one.... maybe he'll reply here..

[DeanG]

I drove a friends FWD TT convertible a few years ago. It felt like a lot like my 1991 M100 only bigger, heavier, slower.

[Sweet Adrenaline]

Funny.

Just saw a Silver 2009 TT this morning on my way to work, and it totally caught my attention...I was thinking, "Wow, that is a sexy looking car!"

I saw it first in my rear view mirror and was wondering if it was a R8 approaching (mmmm...love R8's) and then when it pulled along the side of me, it was wasn't the 8, but a little, shorter version with the letters TT on the back...

It was a new one for me...

I would love to drive one...and a R8 while I'm at it!