TT Owners, unfair or an astute observation ?

[HTP99]

I seem to remember that the TT wasn't particularly praised for its handling when the original was launched.

As for Dubai, I know a few that have been and all have said that they loved it; when I asked what was there to actually do out there; apart from shop, eat and spend a fortune, they couldn't really answer. I have absolutely no desire to go.

[Emeye]

[redacted]

[Rick1.8t]

Twin2 said:

So off to the dealership, bought a mk2 with 20k miles for something like £17k, cash of course, and he loves it. It's been nearly a year and the only downside is Mum berating him for being a "sad old man".

You do realise the means of paying for a car is not so worthy an achievement that you need to tell people you dont know online, dont you? You going to tell your powerfully built director daddy that you infomed the internet of his financial prowess?

Kind of a typical nonsense statement, and almost the kind of thing they are taking the piss out of in the article...

[Ari]

Baryonyx said:

I did the rare thing of paying cash for a TT 225, which I loved. For about ten minutes. It developed faults on the way home after buying it and I handed it back for a refund the next day.

Really? You strolled back into the showroom with your now used (albeit for one day) Audi TT and they meekly handed you all your money back when you demanded it?

Must be a first.

[HTP99]

Rick1.8t said:

Twin2 said:

So off to the dealership, bought a mk2 with 20k miles for something like £17k, cash of course, and he loves it. It's been nearly a year and the only downside is Mum berating him for being a "sad old man".

You do realise the means of paying for a car is not so worthy an achievement that you need to tell people you dont know online, dont you? You going to tell your powerfully built director daddy that you infomed the internet of his financial prowess?

Kind of a typical nonsense statement, and almost the kind of thing they are taking the piss out of in the article...

I think Twin2 may have been taking the piss with his "cash of course" statement, particularly as there is a hardcore section of people on PH that berate others who purchase a car on finance.

Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 21st May 13:03

[Limpet]

The mk1s are now too old and cheap to be driven by "try-hards" (as we call them), and with good early cars now readily available around the £2k mark, by definition they must be being driven by people who can afford them, and who aren't necessarily image obsessed.

I quite like them. SWMBO and I often said we'd have a nice mk1 as a second car if only it was a 2+2. Occasional child ferrying is unfortunately essential.

I think the creative finance / can't afford it bit goes way beyond the Audi TT. What is it we are borrowing as consumers, a billion a month roughly?

[anonymous-user]

There is a general issue with the 'credit generation'. Audi, BMW and Mercedes all attract certain buyers who see the cars as 'aspirational' brands. As for the TT I have only driven the earlier car and it was nicely put together but very numb, as most modern Audi's tend to be. The very fact they made a diesel version shows exactly what the manufacturers intentions are, not to mention if you start applying 'S-line tax'. It has always been style over substance, nothing wrong with that and judging by the sales they are doing something right. Not for me but each to their own.

[Twin2]

HTP99 said:

I think Twin2 may have been taking the piss with his "cash of course" statement, particularly as there is a hardcore section of people on PH that berate others who purchase a car on finance.

Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 21st May 13:03

Exactly what I was up to, seems to be a running joke on here...

[blade7]

A few times I've thought about TT-RS as my next weekend toy but I see loads FWD TTD's and the RS doesn't look different enough to make me want to spend £25k on a 6 year old one.

[Garvin]

I've had three TT's, two Mk1s and a Mk2 - all from new and owned for three years apiece? The first Mk1 was horribly unreliable and suffered all the generic faults they are renowned for - without a warranty it would have been wallet ruining. Having said that all early Mk1s should have been rectified by now! The subsequent two were paragons of virtue.

Dynamically they are nowhere near as bad as they are made out to be and are about one of the best screwed together cars with a very classy interior. Build standard is way better than the BMWs I have owned!

[Mr Tidy]

Garvin said:

I've had three TT's, two Mk1s and a Mk2 - all from new and owned (or is that leased/PCP'd?)for three years apiece? The first Mk1 was horribly unreliable and suffered all the generic faults they are renowned for - without a warranty it would have been wallet ruining. Having said that all early Mk1s should have been rectified by now! The subsequent two were paragons of virtue.

Dynamically they are nowhere near as bad as they are made out to be and are about one of the best screwed together cars with a very classy interior. Build standard is way better than the BMWs I have owned!

Well each to their own, but glad you enjoyed yours!
I sold a Seat Leon Cupra in 2005 when I bought my first BMW and if my Leon is typical of VAG build quality and dynamics then a BMW is by far the better option. Plus my main dealer Leon service with cambelt cost £600 in 2003!- BMW's use a chain rather than an elastic band so rather cheaper maintenance!
Bought a Z4 Coupe last year and any sort of TT was not even an option - TT V6 has less power, is not RWD, etc. Don't care if the dash is prettier, just want it to drive well!
And I'm a skinny wage slave - maybe I should leave now....
Especially as I bought it cash!!!!

[Baryonyx]

Twin2 said:

Which seems to me to be the other half of the TT demographic around here. The 50s-60s gentleman who wants a "sports car" but still thinks with his head and needs 50+mpg.

I've always thought people who consider them sports cars were well off the market. It's neither a sports car in format, nor in style. If you're after a sports car that you can use every day, get a Z4 or a Boxster. The TT isn't a sports car, and it has suffered for the association with the aforementioned cars since it was new because really, it's a canny little GT car that does most things well but nothing exceptionally.


To continue to buck the trend on TT owners, a colleague of mine has just bought a TTRS. She's done well with it. She'd bought an R8 last year, which was about the fifth car in her household and the one she drove the least. The dealer rang her up, telling her a customer had been in after a used R8 in the spec she had bought, and would she be interested in handing it back, plus £5000 on top. She rarely used the R8 because it wasn't very practical (nowhere to put her handbag, in her own words) so now has the TTRS which she reckons is a better car for day to day use. Some folk have all the luck! At least I get to hear the TTRS on the regular now, it sounds great.

I'm browsing the TT classifieds again, thinking about making the move next year as I doubt my Jaguar will see another cheap/justifiable MOT.

[Philplop]

Limpet said:

.
I quite like them. SWMBO and I often said we'd have a nice mk1 as a second car if only it was a 2+2.

What are they if not a 2+2?

[Garvin]

Mr Tidy said:

Garvin said:

I've had three TT's, two Mk1s and a Mk2 - all from new and owned (or is that leased/PCP'd?)for three years apiece? The first Mk1 was horribly unreliable and suffered all the generic faults they are renowned for - without a warranty it would have been wallet ruining. Having said that all early Mk1s should have been rectified by now! The subsequent two were paragons of virtue.

Dynamically they are nowhere near as bad as they are made out to be and are about one of the best screwed together cars with a very classy interior. Build standard is way better than the BMWs I have owned!

Well each to their own, but glad you enjoyed yours!
I sold a Seat Leon Cupra in 2005 when I bought my first BMW and if my Leon is typical of VAG build quality and dynamics then a BMW is by far the better option. Plus my main dealer Leon service with cambelt cost £600 in 2003!- BMW's use a chain rather than an elastic band so rather cheaper maintenance!
Bought a Z4 Coupe last year and any sort of TT was not even an option - TT V6 has less power, is not RWD, etc. Don't care if the dash is prettier, just want it to drive well!
And I'm a skinny wage slave - maybe I should leave now....
Especially as I bought it cash!!!!

Seat! That'll be the cheaper end of the scale to VW which, in turn, is the cheaper end of the scale to Audi! I also assume that you are unaware of the BMW timing chain issues which have resulted in quite a few owners having 'expensive' maintenance, or is that repair, thrust upon them.

I have a E89 Z4 as a daily driver - this is the second one and they were/are replacements for the TTs. It is not a sports car - very good GT car, but not a sports car (same as the TTs TBH). The build quality, quality of materials and shut lines are no where near comparable with the Audi's.

It runs alongside the Range Rover, MX-5 and Ferrari I also own . . . . . . . . . all bought for cash!

[Emeye]

Philplop said:

Limpet said:

.
I quite like them. SWMBO and I often said we'd have a nice mk1 as a second car if only it was a 2+2.

What are they if not a 2+2?

That;s what I was thinking - unless we are talking the roadster?

There is a window of child ages that fit - if they need a full seat it is a struggle as the passenger seat will be so far forward you will find it hard to get an adult in the front. 4 - 11 probably ok.

[hman]

St John Smythe said:

Have to admit it is always a certain 'type' of person that tends to brag about a holiday in Dubai. They all without fail come home and tell everyone how 'expensive' everything was there.

I get treated like royalty over there, my business associates literally will not let me pay for ANYTHING ( apart from the hotel and plane to get there).

I would never go there on holiday (just why would you, unless you like searing heat and sandstorms) but on business with the people I know YES PLEASE.

[Twin2]

Baryonyx said:

I've always thought people who consider them sports cars were well off the market. It's neither a sports car in format, nor in style. If you're after a sports car that you can use every day, get a Z4 or a Boxster. The TT isn't a sports car, and it has suffered for the association with the aforementioned cars since it was new because really, it's a canny little GT car that does most things well but nothing exceptionally.

I feel like many parts of the post were misunderstood. I put "sports car" because it isn't one but to people like my dad, it looks "sporty", "trendy" etc but then they drive it and realise it's not too far away from the A4 they've been trundling about in and hey presto they buy it.

[Limpet]

Emeye said:

That;s what I was thinking - unless we are talking the roadster?

There is a window of child ages that fit - if they need a full seat it is a struggle as the passenger seat will be so far forward you will find it hard to get an adult in the front. 4 - 11 probably ok.

Sorry, that's what I meant. SWMBO would want the roadster.

[Sticks.]

I've had mine 7 years now. I needed something a little bit practical alongside the Z4 and firstly had a 330d Touring, which was fine but a bit big; then a 120d which was always back at the dealer's; but for the same money got the TT.

It's not slow, a reasonably practical two-seater, reliable enough, and does distances comfortably. This sums it up well, I thought.

Baryonyx said:

... The TT isn't a sports car, and it has suffered for the association with the aforementioned cars since it was new because really, it's a canny little GT car that does most things well but nothing exceptionally.

Btw the V6 uses chain not belt iirc, and the Z4 Coupe will be more fun, but you won't get a frdge in the back