Audi TT Mk1

mjt

mjt

mjt

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Would getting an Audi TT Mk1 (8N) be a stupid idea?

I'm itching for something a bit fun as I sold the Caterham before the summer due to spiralling house renovation costs. Still extremely bitter about it but the house is pretty much done now so was thinking about something cheap.
An MX5 would make the most sense, but I need 4 seats so I can take both kids out at the same time, and as much as I'd like a 991 I don't have £100k to spend on a car.

I know the VAG cars from the late 90s/early 00s will hardly set the world on fire (first car was an 8P Leon Cupra 4), but they're cheap and parts are usually cheap as well.
FWD 180bhp seems to be the most common, but part of me wants to splash out on a 225 Quattro. Problem is, those are close to €10k which is stupid money for a 20-year old Audi which is hardly the pinnacle of handling and performance...

I could get a Z3, MX5 or MR2, but 2 seats makes no sense as I could use this for the school run, as well as evening blats or day trips, etc. What am I missing?
 
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What you seem to be missing is the fact 2 of the trio are RWD and the TT is front wheel drive. No one starting from scratch to build a performance car would use FWD, the only reason they appear to be the equal of RWD in competition is due to rule breaks.

Transmission losses negating the HP advantage and potential maintenance costs on an old all wheel drive car would make me avoid them. The Audi is a lot better built than both the BMW and the MX5. MX5's rust like hell. Often in places not immediately apparent.

None of the trio are anything like as performance focused as a Caterham, but I'm sure you know that... ;)
 
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996 prices have softened of late. On another planet driver engagement wise. A step up in price I agree, but when you’re considering €10k on a TT…

There are a few well loved 996’s on autotrader starting at £12k, but you might find a diamond in the rough at the bottom end of the market.
 
tom_nieto said:
996 prices have softened of late. On another planet driver engagement wise. A step up in price I agree, but when you’re considering €10k on a TT…

There are a few well loved 996’s on autotrader starting at £12k, but you might find a diamond in the rough at the bottom end of the market.
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Looked into them but they start at low €20s over here, so pushing 30 for a good one.
 
tom_nieto said:
Where’s “here” out of interest? The price difference might justify a ferry trip?
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Belgium. RHD & import tax thanks to Brexit no thanks :D
Otherwise I'd just get a Caterham for half the price they cost here :)

Just curious as to whether I've missed any 2+2 coupes/cabrios. I'm surprised that even 10-year-old GT86s are £20k in the UK..
 
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It just seems like anything interesting has rocketed in price in the last few years, and most old BMWs have been turned into drift racers which pushes the price of the good ones up.
Maybe something like a Mk7 Fiesta ST/ST200 makes sense. Just seems pointless as a weekend car...
 
I have a 2004 Mk1 TT and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. It is the 3.2 V6 version with semi automatic transmission.
The only repair it has needed from new apart from consumables such as tyres/filters/bulbs etc was a couple of coils, nothing else. It still runs really well but it has not been thrashed and is low mileage for its age (77K)
The 4 seats are not for 4 adults, it is strictly two adults and two kids as the rear two seats do not have much knee room. Something for the OP to consider if they need 4 seats for adults?

We are looking for a Q5 and I cant decide if I should trade it in as part ex if any dealer would take it or just keep it for occasional sentimental use.
 
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Bint Box said:
I have a 2004 Mk1 TT and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. It is the 3.2 V6 version with semi automatic transmission.
The only repair it has needed from new apart from consumables such as tyres/filters/bulbs etc was a couple of coils, nothing else. It still runs really well but it has not been thrashed and is low mileage for its age (77K)
The 4 seats are not for 4 adults, it is strictly two adults and two kids as the rear two seats do not have much knee room. Something for the OP to consider if they need 4 seats for adults?

We are looking for a Q5 and I cant decide if I should trade it in as part ex if any dealer would take it or just keep it for occasional sentimental use.
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If you've got space and can afford the tax & insurance, etc. just keep it for sure as I can't imagine it'll lose much value.
 
mjt said:
If you've got space and can afford the tax & insurance, etc. just keep it for sure as I can't imagine it'll lose much value.
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I agree, I checked the online sites and they gave a value of around £2500 to £3000.
The car is almost impeccable, I prefer to kep it on the drive than take thats sort of money. If it loses any more value it will be negative equity.
 
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I wouldn't buy an Audi TT if you're looking for anything remotely fun, because they're not. They're absolutely solid as a rock inside and outside - like an old Volvo kind of solid - with an amazingly well made interior for the type of car. But "fun" is not something that comes close to entering the vocabulary when describing them.

The steering is heavy but dead, the whole car feels like it weighs the same as a house (which tbh, from how solid it feels, I wouldn't be surprised if it did) and as a result the 225 versions aren't even *that* quick. With an aftermarket cone air filter and a Forge DV though they make very cool turbo noises. The seats in the back are none existent. Think of them as a shelf rather than seats. I'm 5ft9 and there would be no way anyone with legs could sit in the back behind me.

I bought one for like £1200 that needed a few bits doing and it was nice enough to work on, albeit there was not a lot of space in the engine bay. It's a quirky car and I had "fun" owning a cheap car and doing bits to it, but I wouldn't even dream of spending 10k EUR on one!

The BMW 130i I've got now is head and shoulders above it in all areas.
 
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Gaygle said:
I wouldn't buy an Audi TT if you're looking for anything remotely fun, because they're not. They're absolutely solid as a rock inside and outside - like an old Volvo kind of solid - with an amazingly well made interior for the type of car. But "fun" is not something that comes close to entering the vocabulary when describing them.

The steering is heavy but dead, the whole car feels like it weighs the same as a house (which tbh, from how solid it feels, I wouldn't be surprised if it did) and as a result the 225 versions aren't even *that* quick. With an aftermarket cone air filter and a Forge DV though they make very cool turbo noises. The seats in the back are none existent. Think of them as a shelf rather than seats. I'm 5ft9 and there would be no way anyone with legs could sit in the back behind me.

I bought one for like £1200 that needed a few bits doing and it was nice enough to work on, albeit there was not a lot of space in the engine bay. It's a quirky car and I had "fun" owning a cheap car and doing bits to it, but I wouldn't even dream of spending 10k EUR on one!

The BMW 130i I've got now is head and shoulders above it in all areas.
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That's the feedback I was looking for, cheers :)

Seems like what I want doesn't exist in my budget, as a hot hatch like a Fiesta or 130i is pointless as I have the i3S. Boo :(
 
If you don't mind FWD then... Mini Cooper S? The early supercharged version (R53). Basically a supercharged go kart.
 
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Hades said:
If you don't mind FWD then... Mini Cooper S? The early supercharged version (R53). Basically a supercharged go kart.
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Just been looking at these incidentally. Definitely in budget but quite a bit which can go wrong has me slightly weary. But then even late R53s are almost 20 years old..
Certainly not interested in an R56 :p
 
Ooo, an R53 is a great shout. I loved mine and "supercharged go-kart" is an accurate description. The steering is so precise and the car goes exactly where you point it, the millisecond you move the steering wheel.

I put R56 discs on mine (plug and play mod), along with Meister R fully adjustable coilovers, Airtec intercooler, JCW intake and a 15% smaller supercharger pulley. It put out around 220bhp and was a proper cracking little car. If you're getting one, make sure you get a facelift and a 2005-> one as they come with the LSD included in the Chilli pack too. Not the best LSD in the world tbh, but better than not having one!

Just checked Vehicle Smart for my old one and it seems like it must have died in late 2019 :(
 
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