RE: (Nearly) 25 years of the Audi TT | PH Video

[anonymous-user]

I don't think anyone is doubting the TT is a capable car, and therefore makes a decent daily.

The downfall is how the thing feels. It's just too dull, like most VAG products and the handling - even the most recent ones IMO - just too inert, numb with little to no feedback. It then begs the question you may as well be in the more practical Golf or whatever from VAG. Dare I say the TT looks was always writing cheques the rest couldn't live up to.

Again, that wouldnt matter with using it as a daily. At no point however would you want to go 'just for a drive' in one. Far too sensible and frustrating for that.

[s m]

VeeFource said:

Is the TT any worse to drive than a Golf GTI or R (depending on the drivetrain)? I'd find it hard to believe it is with the wider track & lower centre of gravity but the Golfs are widely praised for how they drive.

.

Back when the Mk1 225 was new it was favourably judged compared to the contemporary Golf Gti

CAR magazine Annual Handling review 1999

[2Btoo]

VeeFource said:

Is the TT any worse to drive than a Golf GTI or R (depending on the drivetrain)? I'd find it hard to believe it is with the wider track & lower centre of gravity but the Golfs are widely praised for how they drive.

A lot of it is down to the market they are competing in. A Golf competes in the hatchback class (practical, four doors, big boot but poor handling.) Compared with the rest of the class it has good handling.

A TT handles slightly better than a Golf but it competes in a significantly higher class; one where you don't get the practicalities of four doors, big boot etc etc etc but you do expect a MUCH better driving experience. And that's where the TT fails; the driving experience is that of a Golf (plus or minus a bit) which simply isn't good enough for the class it's trying to compete in.

[jtbay]

I've not yet sampled any of the high performance versions, but have recently purchased a 2007 Mk2 TFSI with only 16K on the clock and I have to say I love it! It's not a barnstormer and the steering feels a little wooden but it is immense fun and a really practical everyday little sports car, just like the video tells us. #cheapmotoring

[jay27]

Yes, thanks for that. Balanced summary of all three TTs, but still glad that I deliberately bought into a 2006 TT that I can use every day after 1999 Lotus Elise 135 Sport and 1958 Frogeye.
It was three years with Elise that led me to the TT quattro sport.
A wet day, greasy country lane with one mile straights, low speed downhill curves that challenge even a local former GP driver.
I followed what looked a like a simple 225 hp Mk1 TT. Just couldn't make a dent in straight line acceleration, but the surprise came in the corners. The TT doesn't tell you much, but it gets the job done, particularly in frequently rain-tossed Britain. I tried tricks acquired so painfully on motor cycles, racing, rallycross and rallying. The Audi remained stably ahead. All whilst I worked up a sweat and some heart fibrilations in the Lotus, gap static over 3 miles hard going.

I loved the Lotus, just the best in driver involvement that I've owned, but the Audi does have some 4x4 and accelerative skills that Piston Head thankfully does not rate over driver appeal. It's not a fashionable driver's car, but plenty of 225 quattro TTs about at dirt cheap money that could be made a quicker drive than my TT.
So why did I spend more (£7490] on the limited run quattro sport TT ?
Like the T-plate Elise 135 Sport Elise and the fun-packed Frog, I think it is likely it will not depreciate...And I do enjoy driving it enough to appreciate the torque-laden power band, traction and practicality bonus.

[redbaron924]

I had a 54 plate mk1 3.2 v6 dsg for 9 years, the best car I've ever owned. That engine is just superb, the sound and instant throttle response addictive and you would have to be doing something completely mental to get anywhere near understeer on public roads. All the above plus great looks, possibly the best interior ever and so well made. By the way, I raced Porsches for many years.....

[VeeFource]

2Btoo said:

VeeFource said:

Is the TT any worse to drive than a Golf GTI or R (depending on the drivetrain)? I'd find it hard to believe it is with the wider track & lower centre of gravity but the Golfs are widely praised for how they drive.

A lot of it is down to the market they are competing in. A Golf competes in the hatchback class (practical, four doors, big boot but poor handling.) Compared with the rest of the class it has good handling.

A TT handles slightly better than a Golf but it competes in a significantly higher class; one where you don't get the practicalities of four doors, big boot etc etc etc but you do expect a MUCH better driving experience. And that's where the TT fails; the driving experience is that of a Golf (plus or minus a bit) which simply isn't good enough for the class it's trying to compete in.

I didn't think there was a huge jump in terms of driving experience between a hot hatch and a sports car for the road. Race tracks yes but having read a lot of the sports cars vs hot hatches & GT86 vs XYZ threads there seems to be plenty that find hot hatches just as or even more fun in the real world. So I still find it bizarre the TT is as slated as it is.

[HighwayStar]

VeeFource said:

2Btoo said:

VeeFource said:

Is the TT any worse to drive than a Golf GTI or R (depending on the drivetrain)? I'd find it hard to believe it is with the wider track & lower centre of gravity but the Golfs are widely praised for how they drive.

A lot of it is down to the market they are competing in. A Golf competes in the hatchback class (practical, four doors, big boot but poor handling.) Compared with the rest of the class it has good handling.

A TT handles slightly better than a Golf but it competes in a significantly higher class; one where you don't get the practicalities of four doors, big boot etc etc etc but you do expect a MUCH better driving experience. And that's where the TT fails; the driving experience is that of a Golf (plus or minus a bit) which simply isn't good enough for the class it's trying to compete in.

I didn't think there was a huge jump in terms of driving experience between a hot hatch and a sports car for the road. Race tracks yes but having read a lot of the sports cars vs hot hatches & GT86 vs XYZ threads there seems to be plenty that find hot hatches just as or even more fun in the real world. So I still find it bizarre the TT is as slated as it is.

I think it depends what the driving experience means to the individual. I’ve often read X is no good because you’ll be beaten off the lights by a Golf GTI etc.. Or today 400bhp is the minimum require for a sports car to be good/fun/relevant...
I’d say all 3 TTs I’ve had were faster point to point on my favourite roads but the 205 GTI/Clio 16V & GTi-6 that preceded them were way more fun and rewarding on the same roads.
The MK1 TT is a wonderful thing, great for what it was. I liked the way I could feel the power shifting around underneath. It had bags of charm but it was never a car I got up early Sunday morning to drive.
The TTS was bloody fast, loads of grip... took it to Wales, Evo triangle. I enjoyed the trip but the car just didn’t give me anything, just speed. It never really made me grin, put a smile on my face when I was on it.
My 981 CS is probably a tad slower but for me, it’s what I want from a car.
The TT is a good car, decent looks, sporty, well made... for some it promises more than it delivers. Me, I knew what I was buying until I got what I wanted.