I have an itch for an Audi. I want a TT Roadster.

[Jesda]

Please opine.

What usually goes wrong? What powertrain configurations should be avoided? Seems more sensible than my idea from last year, a Porsche Boxster.

[Ace2cool]

My buddy blew his turbos from being boosted 25+ psi on stock K03's the size of moon pies. Required an engine pull. Other than that, Electrical gremlins are terrible in Audis.

[BusyBadger]

Electrical gremlins are terrible in Audis.

^ This...

*and* the timing belt issue.

The TT felt "all style, no substance" to me. Underpowered and just kind of blah. I'd go with a Boxster, at least then I'd be getting a German car that was built in Germany (if you buy a "newish" one).

But the interior of the TT has always looked amazing to me.

[Bubba1]

Electrical gremlins are terrible in Audis.

^ This...

*and* the timing belt issue.

The TT felt "all style, no substance" to me. Underpowered and just kind of blah. I'd go with a Boxster, at least then I'd be getting a German car that was built in Germany (if you buy a "newish" one).

But the interior of the TT has always looked amazing to me.

They are nice, though you might have to stop sooner at red lights in order to see the overhead traffic lights due to the lower roofline. I also usually knock my shin on the console a few times before adjusting my position, but overall it's a pleasant driving car. The 225 hp quattros have some oomph to them, more desireable than the lower end model.

The electrical gremlins are common. I would also suggest staying away from the DSC (flappy paddle) transmission and go with the traditional 6 speed manual. You don't want to be out of warranty when that DSC transmission acts up. Great to use, painful to repair. As far as the timing belts, the issue is timely replacement. We Americans tend to focus on mileage milestones for timing belt replacement and ignore them until that mileage. Audi timing belts deteriorate over time too, accelerated by hard use. So if you buy a fairly low mileage TT that's like 6+ years old, better check the timing belt, 'cause it might need one despite being well under the mileage target.

[Ace2cool]

Another good point about the 6 spd vs. the paddle shifters. My buddy has a Golf GTI with the paddles, and if his trans wasn't still in warranty, he'd be paying $2500 because it won't shift past second gear due to (you guessed it) an electrical problem.

[frapjap]

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/configE ... lYear=2011

Cheaper, more reliable, and just as fun- brand new!

In more detail though:
Two of the executives where I work got very fed up with their TTs. One was a newer model, the other was the bubbly type. Electrical problems abound on both examples, but the issues got worse when they became mechanical. Failed wheel bearings at 45k and 60k, respectively. A clogged oil pump or something that required a deep cleaning on the older model. One complete R&R on the newer model. Power steering failure on the older model, a transmission that wouldn't leave first gear on the newer one (electrical). Heated seats failed (newer model). Each one of these required a trip to the dealer. A very expensive trip. Both of them liked their cars and bought them new, but ultimately got rid of them before 70,000 miles.

[sx moneypit]

This^^^^^^

[Jesda]

The mechanical stuff seems reasonable. Timing belts every 50k, wheel bearings every 50k, nothing too terrible to me.

The weird electrical stuff bugs me more since they cant be predicted or prevented.

[sbird1]

I will never buy Audi/VW until they stop building cars with junk electronics. I also hate the quality of their interiors. While the TT looks nice, I don't think I'd ever buy one.

[Amays U G37S]

Jesda, you can't get in that you silly.

If you're going to buy that, just buy a G37.

Luxury car, room for your doggy, nice sized trunk and fast! Plus not all the big repair prices like other luxury cars.

[Kompresshun]

Personally I wouldn't go near a TT, but i'm pretty leary of anything made by VW/Audio within the past 10 years or so.

Have you thought about a Saturn Sky? I also vote for a Miata, but I think if I were in the market for a small roadster, the Sky would be at the top of my list. Honestly though, with the kind of money you're talking about, why not just buy a C5 Corvette?

[frapjap]

Honestly though, with the kind of money you're talking about, why not just buy a C5 Corvette?

was waiting for this suggestion to show up. People usually respect brown people in Corvettes.

[Amays U G37S]

Ya I wish I would of went with a used C5 vette for my first choice of a new/used car over the 240. I regret the purchase. But the G does turn heads. The vette just isn't really *daily* worthy anyhow. and its kinda smushed to the ground so being ran over in Atlanta is always a possibility considering everyone has 4x4 something with Skyjacker lifts on them everywhere.

[dre1507]

lol, amays, Miami is no different. you'll see at least 10 bottom or near bottom of the line-up cars from all manufacturers on 22's or higher on a daily basis. And that's not counting the "Donks" and 300's and chargers and magnums.

Jesda, this is the next thing i see you in. Unless you already have one that i don't know about.

[OriginalWheelman]

Jesda, you can't get in that you silly.

If you're going to buy that, just buy a G37.

Luxury car, room for your doggy, nice sized trunk and fast! Plus not all the big repair prices like other luxury cars.

It's more about the desire for a new driving experience I expect. He's driven lots of Infinitis before, and wants to experience what Audi is about.

[Amays U G37S]

Ohhhhhh! Gotcha.

I thought Jesda had an older Audi before? Maybe not.

I know that list is quite lengthy in length.

[zacmil]

I also vote for a Miata, but I think if I were in the market for a small roadster, the Sky would be at the top of my list.

I test drove a Solstice GXP (or whatever the turbocharged trim is) with my dad once and it totally blew our minds. It was absurdly fast and handled quite nicely too. In fact, we followed it up by test driving a Miata. My dad (who has been in love with the Miata for like a decade or two) couldn't enjoy it after driving the Solstice.

[ADDirishboy]

nice sized trunk

Sorry, carry on.

[twofortyesecks]

I had an 01 TT coupe 225hp. I would recommend no one else ever buy one, ever. There were constant problems, big and small, from the heated seat knobs falling into the dash, to the timing belt snapping in motion at 52k miles, and everything in between. If I can remember correctly it was in the shop over 20 times in two years. Luckily I had a full warranty, but as soon as my warranty was about to expire I got the hell out of that car.

It's a shame because I do like the look of them and how they feel inside. I'm one of the few that likes the high belt lines.

Performance wise it was kind of a turd. It had bad understeer and felt fairly unstable at high speed (100+).

DO NOT WANT!

German engineering Hungarian manufacturing.

[driverdriver]

Jesda, Have you sat in one?

It feels like your sitting in a bathtub with 4 wheels.

[Oatmealman]

The tt's are junk.I personally own a 96 a4(see sig) and love the hell out of it.its fast(after being boosted),reliable,and handles great,and the quattro in the snow is better than(honestly every awd car ive ever driven,including my girls 08 sti),and being its so old the parts are cheap,easy to find,and have tons of fixes for the parts that arent reliable.

The 1.8ts are really reliable when built properly and fun to drive in stock form.If you just wanna go fast cheap and fairly reliably and not worry about maintenance costs a b5 s4 would be a great choice.The 2.7t is a amazing motor that pulls from low rpm all the way up and just doesn't stop,is bullet proof,the manual trans is strong.If you really wanted to have some fun a 40/60 diff makes for some fun through the corners with a bit of throttle.

[Jesda]

Not really considering other sports cars. The TT is one of those "new to me" things. If they're as frightening to own as many VW/Audi products from that era can be, I'm content to just hang on to what I've got.

Seems like the best choice for reliability and fuel economy is the base 1.8 with FWD and a 5-speed manual, which would make for a stylish cruiser. That timing belt is worrisome since there's some reports of them going at 45k. If the replacement belt lasts longer, then its not so much a concern, and thats what I'd like to find out.

Chewing the fat, pondering it... just bought a die cast Maisto TT last night to play around with.

[driverdriver]

VW/Audi products are still a nightmare to own now as they where when I owned mine. The DSG transmission failed on my neighbours '10 VW Jetta TDI which only has 25k miles on it. The dealer and VW customer service are giving him the runaround on a rental. Some things never change.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Jesda, what are you smokin?

Spokane is doing weird things to you.

[alms24sebring]

I thought we had this conversation with PoorManQ and his Jetta wants not too long ago. I personally dont trust nazi-mobiles. theres a pretty good list in here already about how not to buy.

Get the caddy, its more you anyways

[Bubba1]

Jesda: For years, you've been on record for liking Miata's, but appear to have purchased everything except one. Could it be time to cross over to the dark side of the force and finally buy one??

I have a good friend who bought a 1st gen base model TT FWD and 5 speed new. He had it for about 5 years and had reasonably good luck with it, doing many track events with it. He did tweak/lower the suspension a tad, but It was a pleasant little car, I think he got rid of it just as little things were just starting to go wrong with it, (he traded it on an Exige S).

[Jesda]

Jesda: For years, you've been on record for liking Miata's, but appear to have purchased everything except one. Could it be time to cross over to the dark side of the force and finally buy one??

I'm not after a roadster. I'm specifically after a TT.

[Amays U G37S]

48 hour refund if you don't like it.

Just bring it back.

Or go rent one.

[Empty V]

I didn't read any of the posts so sorry if this is redundant. I've got 3 friends with Audi's. A DEA agent, a surgeon and a programmer. All 3 have had issues but not sure what any of them are. I know all 3 of them said that they wouldn't buy another because of the hassle.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

For some reason I really, REALLY like the TT. Love how they look (Especially the newest gen...drooool). However, I can't see myself owning a a used one and Audis are just too damn expensive new for what you get.