Discussion
I was going to tack this onto the thread about the RS, but I decided to start a new one instead.
I'm donning my flamesuit as I type this, but if there's one car that represents a negative image for me, it's the Mk 1 TT. Don't ask me to quantify this prejudice, because I can't.
It's probably about the only car I wouldn't want to drive because of a perceived image, which is saying something because A) I drive an MX5 and B) I generally couldn't give a hoot.
So, educate and enlighten me about the Mk1 TT - am I wrong? Are they actually pretty good cars?
I'm donning my flamesuit as I type this, but if there's one car that represents a negative image for me, it's the Mk 1 TT. Don't ask me to quantify this prejudice, because I can't.
It's probably about the only car I wouldn't want to drive because of a perceived image, which is saying something because A) I drive an MX5 and B) I generally couldn't give a hoot.
So, educate and enlighten me about the Mk1 TT - am I wrong? Are they actually pretty good cars?
I think even as a 'car person' you have to admire the design of the MK1 TT - it's a pretty well-proportioned car with a nice sillouette. The MK2 I couldn't give a toss about, but I wouldn't turn down a free one either.
A lot of people just think a TT is a Golf in drag (I used to be of the same opinion) but the build quality and cabin are a really nice place to be and let's face it, a turbocharged Golf is still a 'quick' car by most peoples' standards.
I'd love a MK1 TT and I don't even use any hair styling products. The fact that my Mrs wants one too some day isn't because they're a girly car - they're just a very 'nice' design.
A lot of people just think a TT is a Golf in drag (I used to be of the same opinion) but the build quality and cabin are a really nice place to be and let's face it, a turbocharged Golf is still a 'quick' car by most peoples' standards.
I'd love a MK1 TT and I don't even use any hair styling products. The fact that my Mrs wants one too some day isn't because they're a girly car - they're just a very 'nice' design.
It's a great looking car no doubt. The current image for the MK.1 is a bit wierd however, seems to appeal to young people due to low prices which often leads to some questionable modding. Certainly around my area there are several TT's with dodgy kits and overly smoked lights.
As for the actual car by all accounts it's a good engine let down by the chassis. I think the biggest issue is a light rear at high speed which leads to instability. (I'm no expert, that's what I've read here before)
As for the actual car by all accounts it's a good engine let down by the chassis. I think the biggest issue is a light rear at high speed which leads to instability. (I'm no expert, that's what I've read here before)
TheJimi said:
I think the high speed stability issues only affected the early cars without the lip spoiler.
Spoiler (optional), ESP, and altered control arms were the items retrofitted to "cure" the oversteer present on the early MK1s. Cars should have documentation as to whether all the services were carried out.TT Mk1
A lovely looking car, hats off to Audi that it went from such an amazing design prototype to a production model and still looked like the prototype. Very nice inside, when it was launched it was unique with that interior and still feels a special place to be, for not much ££.
They are not amazing to drive but they are plenty fast enough for most people and those who tend to buy them couldnt care less if it was FWD, 4 WD or even RWD they are not interested in such things its just a pretty looking coupe. Also inside is very cramped, A pillars too large and feels like you are in an enclosed space due to high window sills and stepped dash.
Bad points - now they are getting old they can be horrendously expensive to run, even using a trusted local garage a TT quattro is not a cheap thing to repair. Dashpod, turbo, drive shafts, waterpump, ABS ring, lambda sensors, fan ecu, traction/yaw sensorts can all add up to a small fortune to sort.
A lovely looking car, hats off to Audi that it went from such an amazing design prototype to a production model and still looked like the prototype. Very nice inside, when it was launched it was unique with that interior and still feels a special place to be, for not much ££.
They are not amazing to drive but they are plenty fast enough for most people and those who tend to buy them couldnt care less if it was FWD, 4 WD or even RWD they are not interested in such things its just a pretty looking coupe. Also inside is very cramped, A pillars too large and feels like you are in an enclosed space due to high window sills and stepped dash.
Bad points - now they are getting old they can be horrendously expensive to run, even using a trusted local garage a TT quattro is not a cheap thing to repair. Dashpod, turbo, drive shafts, waterpump, ABS ring, lambda sensors, fan ecu, traction/yaw sensorts can all add up to a small fortune to sort.
I had a MK1 TTR for 5 years and started a business revolving around them. My honest opinion is that as standard they are nothing special to drive, the ride height on pre-facelift models is comical and the speed and handling were average at best (My remapped MK4 Golf GTI was faster than a 225bhp TT)
That said with a little bit of fettling they are awesome. I had mine remapped to about 265bhp and 300lbft, uprated the suspension on adjustable coilovers, changed the arb's and made loads of other tweaks resulting in a completely different beast.
I loved it, the only car I have owned that I loved rather than just liked.
But hey we all like different things. I would have a Misano/Phantom QS in a heartbeat as long as it had the Recaro Pole Positions.
Charlie
That said with a little bit of fettling they are awesome. I had mine remapped to about 265bhp and 300lbft, uprated the suspension on adjustable coilovers, changed the arb's and made loads of other tweaks resulting in a completely different beast.
I loved it, the only car I have owned that I loved rather than just liked.
But hey we all like different things. I would have a Misano/Phantom QS in a heartbeat as long as it had the Recaro Pole Positions.
Charlie
I had a MK1 TT from 2002 to 2004. The first version of the TT was a very fluent, coherent design, and a very rare example of a manufacturer releasing a production model that looked almost identical to the prototypes - unlike the Alfa Brera which looked great in prototype form, and nothing like as good in production form.
Of course once the marketing managers got their grubby hands on the TT, and insisted on a face-lift that included changing the front grille, the wheels and rear valance, it all started going down hill. It went even faster down hill when they diluted the range by introducing 2wd versions and weedy 150 bhp engines.
The MK2 TT - overweight looking with it's raised waist line and fanny front grille - I'm not in the slightest bit interested!
Of course once the marketing managers got their grubby hands on the TT, and insisted on a face-lift that included changing the front grille, the wheels and rear valance, it all started going down hill. It went even faster down hill when they diluted the range by introducing 2wd versions and weedy 150 bhp engines.
The MK2 TT - overweight looking with it's raised waist line and fanny front grille - I'm not in the slightest bit interested!
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