Audi TT - At Current Prices - What Does PH Think Now ?
Audi TT - At Current Prices - What Does PH Think Now ?
Author
Discussion

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I like many others have looked upon the TT as style over substance and would rather take a 350z etc over one.

However I was looking for a winter hack as 420ft lb + RWD + greasy lanes = too much fun on the school run.

I can't stand traction control nor the steering juddering in my hands as I pull away sharply so thought I'd take a look at 4WD cars.

I have to say that the TT 225 Quattros seems to offer a great value package.

Now they are so cheap compared to what are NOW their rivals on price they seem a great option (admittedly I haven't driven one) or should I just get a 330 and stick a set of winters on ?


rob.e

2,863 posts

308 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
You mean mk1 tt? that's mk4 golf chassis based so a pretty old design..

They are quick and grippy but not much fun to drive - you need a test drive i think.

If its for "school run" duties you may struggle with space, the rear is very cramped. An S3 is the same engine/chassis but obviously with more space.

smile

TameRacingDriver

20,585 posts

302 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
RWD car with winters on will still be better in the snow / ice. Obviously AWD with snow tyres better still.

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Yes - usual budget drift started looking for a £1k FWD winter hack...

turned into looking at 4WD...

150bhp turned into 225bhp...

but for £3k it seems silly not to consider them.


(My kids a 3 and 5 and I can't stand the looks of the A3)

kambites

71,544 posts

251 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with them, as long as you don't expect it to handle like a sports car or want to put adults in the back. What's the worst that can happen for 3k? You aren't going to lose much in depreciation.

Pentoman

4,835 posts

293 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
There is undeniable substance to them - in the form of torquey performance and no wheelspin. They're grippy in cornering and for many that's good enough. The ride is fine and the handling adequate. You've mentioned the style. So that's what you get, really. They're not interactive to drive, fun, nor are they capable on a track. They're not exciting and have no particular balance or delicacy. A BMW 330 is a big beast though and not really the same sort of car. The E46 is also completely overrated but it's been a few years since I drove one.

The Mk2 TT is better than both, and with more performance too even from the 197bhp engine. But it too has a point where you realise you've got everything there is. When you notice that grip and acceleration are the only tricks available. Where is the real fun? I even thought the V6 was lacking.

They all just serve to show why M3s, Boxsters, Elises, cossie Mercs, RenaultSports, S2000s, 968s and the rest each exist. It pains me to say that too.

Leins

10,463 posts

178 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Pentoman said:
There is undeniable substance to them - in the form of torquey performance and no wheelspin. They're grippy in cornering and for many that's good enough. The ride is fine and the handling adequate. You've mentioned the style. So that's what you get, really. They're not interactive to drive, fun, nor are they capable on a track. They're not exciting and have no particular balance or delicacy. A BMW 330 is a big beast though and not really the same sort of car. The E46 is also completely overrated but it's been a few years since I drove one.

The Mk2 TT is better than both, and with more performance too even from the 197bhp engine. But it too has a point where you realise you've got everything there is. When you notice that grip and acceleration are the only tricks available. Where is the real fun? I even thought the V6 was lacking.

They all just serve to show why M3s, Boxsters, Elises, cossie Mercs, RenaultSports, S2000s, 968s and the rest each exist. It pains me to say that too.
Really? Care to explain further?


Something about the Mk1 TT that has always appealed to me, especially in Quattro Sport form. Fairly quick, quite well built, 4WD for crappy weather, and just about the right proportions for me. Love the (front!) seats in the QS too

jjones

4,489 posts

223 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
nice cabin, looks decent and hides age well. 225 comes with xenons, aircon etc. make sure you fit winter tyres though, the haldex copes ok in the snow but without the correct rubber you are not getting anywhere near the best poor weather performance from it.

Kentish

15,169 posts

264 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I had one for a few years; they feel very different to a Mk4 Golf and of course there was no 4 pot 1.8 225bhp quattro Golf AFAIK.

They respond really well to a remap and you can do a lot to improve the little handling niggles.







Edited by Kentish on Tuesday 23 October 11:37

kambites

71,544 posts

251 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I was surprised at how similar the chassis did feel to the mk4 Golf.

For for a 3k winter snotter, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 23 October 11:34

Kentish

15,169 posts

264 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
jjones said:
nice cabin, looks decent and hides age well. 225 comes with xenons, aircon etc. make sure you fit winter tyres though, the haldex copes ok in the snow but without the correct rubber you are not getting anywhere near the best poor weather performance from it.
Ordinary summer tyres fitted in my pics here but with good tread.

It went anywhere I pointed it in snow, sheet ice was a bit different - still went well but stopping was more interesting.


E30M3SE

8,493 posts

226 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
(My kids a 3 and 5 and I can't stand the looks of the A3)
Are 2 children not going to cause a problem with a TT?

V8RX7

Original Poster:

28,982 posts

293 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
V8RX7 said:
(My kids a 3 and 5 and I can't stand the looks of the A3)
Are 2 children not going to cause a problem with a TT?
I haven't checked but I don't think so, they fit in my RX7.

If it's particularly tight I put one in the front with the seat forward a bit and one behind.

I did google a lot about putting kids in the front and airbags and came to the conclusion that as long as they are in a small front facing seat and it's not pushed far forwards they are fine.

jjones

4,489 posts

223 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Are 2 children not going to cause a problem with a TT?
no passenger seat forward as child in it means loads of room for the one in the back

alfasud1

181 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I was never a fan of them and thought they had "had their day", but a black mk1 went past last night with some 18" BBS wheels and it looked ace. Maybe I'm finally warming to them.

HarryW

16,036 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Actually quite an underated car imhe, well appointed a good good and comfortable tourer, it is no sports car. It has to be a cab though, the coupe fails my eye test.

It just so happens my misses has a 225 cab in the garage thats done 200 miles in the last year, in a very rare Merlin Purple too, been pondering dusting it off and moving it on as we have a FL2 for the white stuff now and its just loosing money sitting there.

Fox-

13,575 posts

276 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Don't the typical niggly irritating running costs associated with an aging 200bhp performance car not make it a bit of a non-starter for a winter hack? Better off with something you don't need to waste money fixing. What about a Legacy?

HarryW

16,036 posts

299 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Fox- said:
Don't the typical niggly irritating running costs associated with an aging 200bhp performance car not make it a bit of a non-starter for a winter hack? Better off with something you don't need to waste money fixing. What about a Legacy?
Is that a peception of the TT or experience?

Fox-

13,575 posts

276 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
It's a perception of most cars of its type. They start to become a bit of a labour of love - which is fine if you love the car and its ownership is a hobby, but for an A to B school run winter hack you'd probably get a bit fed up of it.

I guess the TT could be ultra-reliable but similar 1.8T powered stuff doesn't seem to be bulletproof at 10 years old and you've still got the £100+ a corner 17-18 inch wheels etc etc.

Seems like the sort of car you buy when you fancy a nice car and are happy with the costs associated with that rather than a winter hack. Please don't think I'm being anti TT - I actually quite like them smile

J4CKO

46,887 posts

230 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Add some boost, an uptated haldex controller and perhaps tweak the suspension and I beleive they are a lot more fun, I nearly bought one off my wife's friends husband but he sold it before I was in a position to buy, looked great in black, he gave it away as a part ex, I was gutted.

I dont thinkt he perfect car exists and it depends on your priorities, have driven an S3 and that was impressively quick but a bit aloof, with the TT you get the traction, fairly decent turn of speed, looks and that interior, I always was sceptical until I sat in one, they feel very special.

There are too many for them to go massively up in value but I dont think they will drop much now, they will always have a value, cant imagine we will see them in SOTW unless massively leggy, doggy, broken, 180 bhp and in sludge green.