RS TT .. does practical outweigh the downsides
Discussion
I really want to tick this box but the "not proper sports car" .. "yeah it has a 5-pot but still not good as a Porsche flat-6 etc." .. pushed me to alternatives when I considered one before. So given that I want a practical car (test: "can it carry 2 4k monitors or two sets of golf clubs?") I can live with the not-quite-a-sports-car vibes. Anything else anyone didn't like about the car - looking at new'ish 2020/1 model - or is it so bad to drive? For reference I loved the Audi S1 and hoping the TT RS is a bigger version of this.
What box are you trying to tick? I was very close to going for a TTRS as I found it to be a great car when test driving it and knowing the car had significantly more capability than I could ever extract out of it.
In the end I wanted a car that would make me look back at it when I'd parked up and walked away, make me smile from ear-to-ear when driving it and something that just felt 'special'. Obviously those criteria are hugely subjective but I ended up swaying instead for an AWD F-Type and each time I see a TT I know I made the right choice for myself. If money was no object it would've been a current shape V12 Vantage, but that just isn't happening anytime soon.
The TTRS is a fantastic car, it just didn't tick my criteria.
In the end I wanted a car that would make me look back at it when I'd parked up and walked away, make me smile from ear-to-ear when driving it and something that just felt 'special'. Obviously those criteria are hugely subjective but I ended up swaying instead for an AWD F-Type and each time I see a TT I know I made the right choice for myself. If money was no object it would've been a current shape V12 Vantage, but that just isn't happening anytime soon.
The TTRS is a fantastic car, it just didn't tick my criteria.
J1990 said:
The TTRS is a fantastic car, it just didn't tick my criteria.
I am about to rid off my E92 M3 as it hardly gets used and OH (and my mum!) has suggested I trade in two cars for a car I actually use. In your example the car 'that would make me look back at it when I'd parked up and walked away' was the M3 but it was never a car I jumped in and liked driving. I suppose that was the Audi S1, so I thought maybe the TT RS would tick both boxes (I think they look fantastic). The F-Type does look great I admit and of course an AM is driveway porn. Darn maybe I will just get a Yaris GR to drive (and look at the M3 and the cavernous boot)!Agree, about performance overkill - if all one needed was a car that sounded great and did 3.5s 0-60s then the TT RS work. However most of us actually want to drive (or look at) a car, and at this point, other factors come into play. The fact that you like driving it means it probably still ticks that box - some test drives might help.
I bought one of the first MK3's hoping it'd be my last ever car for me to keep, as I'd always liked TT's.
The 5 cylinder engine is epic.
The noise it makes when coming on the power is addictive, it's like an angry growl that gets louder, and more intense. Especially between buildings/tunnels etc.
I would have kept it if it wasn't for the rubbish gearbox, and the rubbish Audi dealer local to me.
They promised me an update would sort the gearbox, and a new exhaust would cure the rattle, but neither came to fruition after 12 months.
It wasn't as quick mid range as I expected. Sure on paper it can do a 3.6 secs 60mph dash, but that's down to clever launch control.
Without the launch control I think I remember one of the magazines timing it at 4.6secs to 60mph.
Subjective/personal I know, but I thought it was a good looking, purposeful, sports car.
They make a lovely little crackle upon start up, certainly sounds like a sports car firing up.
Practicality is great with the back seats folded down, lots of room then for two people with luggage.
I'd strongly advise a long test drive. Include some roundabouts as that's where the gearbox can get confused and delay giving you power.
Maybe they've improved the post 2016 one's?? They certainly needed to.
People love to slate TT's of any level, depends what you want from your car.
As a daily that can get a move on it's great.
If you want a sharp tool sports car then an Elise would be my choice.
The 5 cylinder engine is epic.
The noise it makes when coming on the power is addictive, it's like an angry growl that gets louder, and more intense. Especially between buildings/tunnels etc.
I would have kept it if it wasn't for the rubbish gearbox, and the rubbish Audi dealer local to me.
They promised me an update would sort the gearbox, and a new exhaust would cure the rattle, but neither came to fruition after 12 months.
It wasn't as quick mid range as I expected. Sure on paper it can do a 3.6 secs 60mph dash, but that's down to clever launch control.
Without the launch control I think I remember one of the magazines timing it at 4.6secs to 60mph.
Subjective/personal I know, but I thought it was a good looking, purposeful, sports car.
They make a lovely little crackle upon start up, certainly sounds like a sports car firing up.
Practicality is great with the back seats folded down, lots of room then for two people with luggage.
I'd strongly advise a long test drive. Include some roundabouts as that's where the gearbox can get confused and delay giving you power.
Maybe they've improved the post 2016 one's?? They certainly needed to.
People love to slate TT's of any level, depends what you want from your car.
As a daily that can get a move on it's great.
If you want a sharp tool sports car then an Elise would be my choice.
Had mine since 2018, had the MRC Treatment to engine & gearbos (dsg) , seats down 2 golf bags etc no problem ...When just pootling around town/ local etc could you put with the excessively harsh crashy ride? I couldn't so I had a MSS kit fitted with adjustable MQB Rear Sway Bar plus Hunter machine corner weight set up & ...well still like it..I think for the performance & road holding they are(even now) a bargain ...
CG2020UK said:
Sticks. said:
TT has a more flexible load space, albeit with fewer seats.
Having had experience of both it certainly doesn’t. 
don't know, but it did 'adjust' the handling a little. 
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