Sunday 5th February 2017

Audi TT (MkI): Catch It While You Can

Once a pricey fashion statement, the original Audi TT is now firmly in the 'clearance' section

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As you're reading this on PH, we'll assume you probably aren't a dedicated follower of fashion - after all, most of us here rather revel in the fact that we wouldn't know a Christopher Kane camisole if it jumped up and hit us in the face. But pity, for just a fleeting moment, those who are.

It can't be easy. If being achingly hip (is that what the kids still call it these days?) is your thing, keeping abreast of the latest trends is a full-time occupation. And no self-respecting fashionista would be without at least some awareness of the most chi chi automotive accessory (that's 'car', to the rest of us) going.

For a design that's 20 years old...

Once, that honour fell to the Audi TT. Its crisp curves made it instantly, searingly trendy, even before you stepped inside to a world of knurled bits and dimpled bobs, and lovely slabs of polished aluminium. It didn't matter that it wasn't as sharp as some other cars out there; this was the car of the moment.

Thing is, that moment's passed now, and as a result, the original TT's long since fallen from grace among the fashionistas. And driving enthusiasts haven't exactly snapped up all those examples floating around on the used market, turned off by the TT's reputation for being... well, a little bit effete. Handsome though it has always been, its inert steering and chassis have left it in the shadow of some other, more genuinely involving rivals.

But let's not get too carried away. The TT was never a disaster to drive, just rather plain. But it did have plenty enough pace to make progress (in 225 form, at least), a fantastically styled and built interior, and of course, all-wheel drive, which not only endowed it with a whole heap of traction, but also made it the sports car you'd probably want to be driving in greasy or icy conditions. Sounds like an appealing daily or year-round toy.

What's more, now that the TT is no longer the fashion icon it once was, it's getting to be remarkably cheap. Assuming, of course, that you stick with the standard models; the Quattro Sport - the TT that genuinely did stack up as a driver's car - is still going for lofty prices, unfortunately.

While researching this article, we came across a 225 Roadster with 101,000 miles and a full service history going for just £2,300 in a private sale - sadly, it had been snapped up by the time of writing, but we did find this tidy-looking 225 Coupe with under 100,000 miles and a comprehensive history, for sale at a shade under £3,000. Or for the same price, this one with 80,000 miles, albeit with a history that suggests it's been serviced on mileage, rather than time. Pay a little more, and you can easily get a 225 with a very reasonable mileage and a solid history.

Not all that to drive, but who cares for less than £3K?

Is this as low as they'll go? Probably, what with daggy examples now down below the £2,000 mark. And of course, this is a car destined for classic status. With all the hype that once surrounded it (let's not forget that spoiler recall, of course) and looking the way it does, it couldn't not be.

Even putting aside the investment potential, though, these prices make the Mk1 TT hard to ignore. No, it isn't the sharpest tool in the box, but for this sort of money, who cares? For very little outlay you get all that traction, a decent slug of power, a cracking interior and styling that still looks great. And anyway, who among us wouldn't be proud to adopt a fashion craze 15 years too late?

[James Junior]

Love these despite their reputation. Such a great piece of design both inside and out. Aged very gracefully. Cannot believe they're nearly 20 years old now.


They're not the most focussed of cars and a bit softly sprung as standard, but have lots of grip and the 225 is a punchy and efficient little motor that responds well to tuning. With a set of coilovers and a remap these are quick and good looking little cars.

Think a lot of their reputation is undeserved.