Looking at an Audi TT, am I mad?

Brookert

Brookert

Brookert

Soldato
Joined
13 Dec 2010
Posts
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Would like to know the thoughts of fellow motors posters. Im currently looking at getting something more exciting than my 1.25 fiesta. Nothing really wrong with it, but I've had it over 3 years now, and its boring me to death.

Im looking at the 1.8t 225ps audi tt coupes. Probably an 02 plate with around 75k-80k miles, so about £4-5000. I know this isn't going to be the king of reliability, far from it probably. Im looking at these cars as I think they still look fantastic, and they have good performance with reasonable fuel economy.

Is there anything else I should consider? What are peoples thoughts on the tt?
 
You'll get a lot of negative opinion on the TT. People will point out it's basically a Golf in a frock which of course it is. They'll also point out it's far from cheap to run or reliable, which again is true.

But to be honest if you've got the cash to keep one going I still think a decent Mk1 TT is a fantastic looking car and the performance from the 225 is ample. They are more grip than handling and the steering is typically Audi - lifeless - but frankly on balance I tihnk they are pretty decent cars. Something like a Leon Cupra R is probably faster and more fun - it isnt blighted with Quattro - but the Leon looks like a **** hatchback whereas the TT looks like a flash Coupe.

I've not driven the V6 only the 225 but I have driven the newer V6 A3 and the Golf R32 and if the V6 TT is anything like those - and I see no reason why it would be hugely different - then the V6 will not really be much quicker but will be more thirsty and give the car a more nose heavy feel. And I wouldn't want an 8 year old car with a DSG gearbox.
 
My thoughts on it are as follows:

- MK1 TT looks like a girls car and isn't attractive at all. I really dislike the looks.
- That is a lot of money for a 10 year old car. A MK1 Cupra R would be similar fun (unless the TT has 4WD), but then the Cupra is not a coupe.
- Much heavier on fuel than the 180hp version.
- My thoughts are based on general knowledge, not from personal ownership.
 
Firestar_3x said:
I'd spend a little more and go for the V6 with DSG.
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I think the tax, fuel consumption and insurance is just too much on the v6

[TW]Fox;21878727 said:
You'll get a lot of negative opinion on the TT. People will point out it's basically a Golf in a frock which of course it is. They'll also point out it's far from cheap to run or reliable, which again is true.

But to be honest if you've got the cash to keep one going I still think a decent Mk1 TT is a fantastic looking car and the performance from the 225 is ample. They are more grip than handling and the steering is typically Audi - lifeless - but frankly on balance I tihnk they are pretty decent cars.

I've not driven the V6 only the 225 but I have driven the newer V6 A3 and the Golf R32 and if the V6 TT is anything like those - and I see no reason why it would be hugely different - then the V6 will not really be much quicker but will be more thirsty and give the car a more nose heavy feel. And I wouldn't want an 8 year old car with a DSG gearbox.
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Yes I definitly would not want a DSG box, More to go wrong. I also agree the v6 is a tad pointless as it provides little benefit.

OpenToSuggestions said:
My thoughts on it are as follows:

- MK1 TT looks like a girls car and isn't attractive at all. I really dislike the looks.
- That is a lot of money for a 10 year old car. A MK1 Cupra R would be similar fun (unless the TT has 4WD), but then the Cupra is not a coupe.
- My thoughts are based on general knowledge, not from personal ownership.
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The age was a concern of mine, but they condition of some of the cars being sold is quite oustanding for a car of the age. I can't stand some of the older seat interiors, they are so spartan. The models Im looking at have the haldex 4x4 system (quattro)
 
[TW]Fox;21878727 said:
I've not driven the V6 only the 225 but I have driven the newer V6 A3 and the Golf R32 and if the V6 TT is anything like those - and I see no reason why it would be hugely different - then the V6 will not really be much quicker but will be more thirsty and give the car a more nose heavy feel. And I wouldn't want an 8 year old car with a DSG gearbox.
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Sounds better, you get a better looking car and is cheaper for the same age, also i bet it's cheaper to run than a 1.8t which become a pain as they age.

With regards to DSG, it's not as much of an issue as it used to be, loads of 3rd party companys will fix the issues for you, £400 for a mechatronic rebuild, so hardly the end of the word.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Sounds better, you get a better looking car and is cheaper for the same age, also i bet it's cheaper to run than a 1.8t which become a pain as they age.

With regards to DSG, it's not as much of an issue as it used to be, loads of 3rd party companys will fix the issues for you, £400 for a mechatronic rebuild, so hardly the end of the word.
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The dsg boxes are great in these, but I would prefer a manual, just feels more engaging to drive a manual for me.

Any curveball ideas?
 
I can only imagine a 10 year old DSG box being an expensive pain in the backside. That is a long time not knowing how the car has been treated!
I know little about DSG ownership but I'd want proof of any gearbox work from a main dealer I think.
 
Similar could be said for the manuals clutch and dual mass flywheel, £700 upwards to sort those two issues out.

Whilst a DSG car is going to be more expensive to buy i think i's worth the extra risk.

Thought about about a proper sports car, something like a Mk2.5 MX5?
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
Whilst I realise the TT might be a good car, £5000 for a 10 year old car with the same engine as a Seat is too much money for an old car. All imo of course.
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hmmmm, the way I see it. I could pay £3500ish for a tidy seat with the same engine. But the extra money would be for the nicer interior and the shape and look of the car.

^the V6 growl is lovely, but I would feel it would stretch the budget too much.
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
Whilst I realise the TT might be a good car, £5000 for a 10 year old car with the same engine as a Seat is too much money for an old car. All imo of course.
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He'd save what, 1500 quid going for the Seat? Hardly big money is it. If it were me buying, I'd want the TT over the Seat every time despite the obvious similiarties between them. The TT has fairly timeless styling and a tidy TT will always be a nice looking car. You could still park a mint Mk1 TT outside a posh hotel and not look like you got lost on the way to the Travelodge.

Lets face it, the TT is not a car you buy for its driving dynamics anyway. It's bought for the way it looks inside and out as much as it is for its performance. If it was all about the drive you'd buy something else.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3858863.htm

Lovely looking things.
 
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Very true fox. The main reason I looking at them is because they are an improvement in quality over a 1.25 y reg fiesta, but Im not interested in track day levels of performance. I want a nice place to sit for 20 miles down to portsmouth a couple of times a week, and to be able to have a bit of fun on an A road.

I would consder things like the leons/gti/fiesta st, but they lack the refinement for me (in my budget), and theres too much chav appeal to them.
 
[TW]Fox;21879025 said:
The TT will be no more refined than a Leon, though. Infact there is quite a bit of road noise etc inside.
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oh, but anything less than a fiesta is fine by me :) I think I've covered all the kind of cars I would be interested in, but I keep coming back to the TT as the design doesn't look 'old' to me. I think it will be quite a classic in many years to come.

Tax will be a bit of a pain in the bum. £190 to £460 is a bit of hike!
 
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