Audi TT insight.

Within the next year I am replacing my 1994 Toyota 4-Runner and the 2001 2WD Ranger. I need something that can comfortable haul a 2500 lb. trailer so I'm leaning toward a Honda Ridgeline. I need more than one car so I was thinking about some disposable econobox, maybe even step up to a Rabbit or GTi.

I rode on my buddy's Audi TT last night. Seems nice, he doesn't like all the creature comforts but he will appreciate them more in 30 years. A little claustrophobic, the backseat is mostly for decoration, but he's getting 32 miles per gallon with it. He suggests finding a pre - somebody or other injection system car. The later ones are trouble. {he's a mechanic at a European only shop]

I've never owned an Audi, any thoughts on these?

Thanx, Dan

Edit: I think his was a 2005 or 2006.

I like TTs. Early units are REALLY expensive and pretty Beetles. 1.8T is available in two guises, 185hp and 220hp, later ones even get a VR6. Transmission is snick-snick nice, The AWD version will never get 32mpg but the FWD one will. Both are fun, I like the AWD version with the manual a hair better.

If you like a GTi and don't need to carry groceries, the TT is for you.

I don't know or care to know much about them. All i needed to know was this:

DO WANT.

The new one is equally hawt:

The new one is way hawter, in my opinion. But way out of my comfortable finance range.

93celicaGT2 wrote: ...but way out of my comfortable finance range.

That's why I'm looking at '04s.

No a big fan. In my opinion, there are better deals for the money. I have seen S4s for the same money.

96DXCivic wrote: No a big fan. In my opinion, there are better deals for the money. I have seen S4s for the same money.

A TT might leave you a bitter and broken man.

An S4 WILL.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/1621804128.html

2000 Audi TT Mileage 103,000 Two Tone paint job, Sport suspension and sport steering wheel, New Bremmerkraft 18 inch rims and tires, 5spd manual, new computer chip FWD 205HP, Front Cross-drilled rotors, BOSE sound system, Custom BOOST and OIL pressure gauges and pod. Under hood painted to match exterior, Limo Tint, Summer and winter floor mats. Just replaced timing belt, water pump, belt, tensioners, Brakes, etc, Every oil change Mobil 1 full synthetic. Have Receipts for everything even oil Changes!!! I also have old timing belt water pump and tensioners to prove they were changed!!!! Runs and Drives Excellent!!! derekbulszewicz@hotmail.com

93celicaGT2 wrote: A TT might leave you a bitter and broken man. An S4 WILL.

True.

Nothing to add other than that they have possibly the best interior of any sports car in recent years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl8bFW5v6gk

Having had the pleasure of both working on and driving in Beastt (as well as another TT or two), I can say you won't be dissapointed in your purchase.

Beautiful car, but kind of porky and front-wheel-drivey :). AWD makes the first issue worse, but does take care of the second.

Haven't driven the newer ones, but didn't care for the syncho-derived AWD system when compared to the more typical Audi quattro systems...

And my E36M3 convertible would get about 29mpg on the highway... IMO that's a lot more car for only 10% poorer mileage...

Bill

914Driver wrote: I rode on my buddy's Audi TT last night.

They are a lot funner from the inside. Try riding in it next time.

wcelliot wrote: Haven't driven the newer ones, but didn't care for the syncho-derived AWD system when compared to the more typical Audi quattro systems...Bill

I'd like you to expand on this statement if you can.

While I haven't driven an Audio Quattro other than a couple of A4's, I have driven a lot in an R32 (think of it as a V6 TT Quattro in drag) and an STi a lot. Despite the internet wisdom that any Haldex based AWD system is crap compared to 'real' systems in Scoobies, Evo's and 'real' Quattro's, I can honestly say I would take the R32 any time over the STi in the real world. To me the R32 is hands down better. People harp on about it being FWD and a delay for the rear drive to kick in. I've just never felt it in the dry, in the wet or in the snow. Now I've never autocrossed the R32, but I have autocrossed the STi. I can't argue that an STi or Evo makes a better ultimate autocrosser, but the cars are aimed at different markets. For me I absolutely dig the R32 and if I didn't work for Ford and own my C30, an R32 would probably have been in my driveway for a number of years now.

They're uh, quite ugly.

My experience with the TT was on the ice where it did not feel as stable/predictable to me as the quattro system. It really did seem to be a fwd with the rear kicking in on occaision... while even the quattro 1 system (with an open/locable) diff... even with all the push from that heavy, too far forward engine... never gave me that sense.

I suspect it may have to do with what you came from. If you are a front wheel drive fan, it's logical that you may prefer the VW system...

One of the purported benefits of the "reverse" synchro system (as in the Porsche C4) is that the car still feels like a RWD... not surprising the reverse would also be true.

I'm not trying to make a judgement on which system is actually better... just which I preferred. Bill

Wasn't there a feature on these cars in the magazine last year?

I like our TTS...

wcelliot wrote: My experience with the TT was on the ice where it did not feel as stable/predictable to me as the quattro system. It really did seem to be a fwd with the rear kicking in on occaision... while even the quattro 1 system (with an open/locable) diff... even with all the push from that heavy, too far forward engine... never gave me that sense. I suspect it may have to do with what you came _from_. If you are a front wheel drive fan, it's logical that you may prefer the VW system...

Hmm, interesting. I've never felt that, but I've never driven one on pure ice, just snow and to me it was seamless.

I'm not a particular fan of FWD/RWD/AWD, I'm a car fan. I grew up driving RWD believing FWD was the work of the devil. These days I realize that each has it's own uses and merits. I've owned just about every combination of vehicle you can imagine and liked them all for different reasons.

My DD happens to be FWD, but that's because there was nothing that met my criteria that was AWD or RWD. All things being equal I'd probably opt for RWD, but all things are never equal, well not since Toyota offered FWD and RWD versions of the Corolla at the same time!!

It really did seem to be a fwd with the rear kicking in on occaision

If you stand next to one thats launching hard you can actually see the delay between front and back. Im remembering this from like 6 years ago, though, for what its worth.

Also, what kind of mileage do $10k Porsche Boxster's get? hint hint.

I'd love to drive one of the original TTs as a daily driver because they're a rare thing: a show car that escaped to the road. It's either that or a Stratos

If you're just slogging through traffic, you're not going to notice handling. But you will love that clean exterior and the interior detailing. I've always felt the 350Z should have paid more attention to the difference between aluminum and painted plastic - Audi knows. I'll take mine in silver, and I'd be tempted to cover up the rear windows like the original showcar. You have to have the right wheels, and I'd be strongly tempted to fit moon discs.

So what was my friend talking about with the pre - ____ injection?

I set my cruise at 75 every morning on the way to work. If someone comes up behind [not often] I politely move. This morning I got on, set the cruise and stayed in the right lane for about five miles while another set of headlights stayed in the left lane 1/4 mile back.

As I eased into the middle lane the headlights were still there. I fiddled with the radio, turnd down the heat, checked the mirrors, where'd he go?

Ah, hovering in my passenger side blind spot; why would you change from far left to far right lane when there's hardly any traffic? He hovered for a bit and as we got near an on ramp he booted it up 5mph and squeezed between me and a slower truck. He squirted left of the truck, dove in front of him, cut off the car getting off the ramp, then headed back to the middle lane again. Maybe he was bored and needed to shake things up.

I dunno. It was 6:15am, don't care.

It was a TT with Canadian plates.

Dan

914Driver wrote: ....Canadian plates.

No further explanation necessary. A Ridgeline?!?!!?!