Audi TTS - thoughts?

[Herbs]

Thinking of purchasing a TTS - 17k-22k ish.

I'll leave off my reasoning till later as interested to hear peoples thoughts.

[Trevor555]

I like them.

Manual gearbox for me please.

And I think they'll depreciate slowly now.

[Browter]

I've owned 2 other VAG cars with the EA888 and over 300 BHP and a friend at work has owned a final generation TTS which I've driven. Can't really see the point of them to be honest. Very impractical body shape with no real benefit other than if you love the look.

The EA888 I don't see the appeal of. Feels like an on/off switch compared to something like a B58. Messed around with all the modes of throttle mapping & gearbox but never found anything really decent. May be better with a manual.

[shtu]

It's like all smallish coupes - not hugely practical, it's a 2+2 at best, you won't be carrying 4x 6 footers.

The TT/TTS itself is very much "Golf in a sharp suit" in terms of what it is and how it drives. Many people like it for that, equally many will hate it because it's not 6 or 8 cylinder and RWD.

As such cars go it's easy to live with, decent value, and a car that doesn't really need to be thought about. Running costs are low, parts are (mostly) cheap and easily available, there's a small number of common issues, equipment levels are good if you pay attention when buying, luggage space is about as good as you'll get for the type. If your life revolves around leptons and a dab of oppo, buy something else, but it'll be something more spartan and expensive.

I'd suggest the auto suits them far more than the manual, and you may struggle a bit there. Of 125 on Autotrader, 10 are manual.

One thing that has played in it's favour so far is that there hasn't been a replacement for the Mk3, so the cars haven't aged particularly. The minor facelift isn't to everyone's liking, but it didn't change much either, so an early model can look much the same as ones almost a decade newer.

[Belle427]

I like them too, wouldn't mind one in a year or two when our lease deal ends on another car.
Personally I would go auto but I prefer it that way now.
Not much to dislike really, they look great and can be remapped easily if you fancied livening it up a bit.

[davek_964]

Ours is a normal TT - and old. I dislike it because I just can't get comfortable in it, but as a car it's pretty good. Fwd is irritating, but the engine is lovely, handles ok, interior has aged pretty well and is decent quality.

[fflump]

Herbs said:

Thinking of purchasing a TTS - 17k-22k ish.

I'll leave off my reasoning till later as interested to hear peoples thoughts.

Reasoning can be useful as the usage case can influence whether other cars offer more for less. Obviously you it’s a better looking but less practical packaging of the 4 pot GTI with a premium but the engine is tuned to a higher level I’m pretty sure so quicker performance. They certainly seem to retain their value well so a pretty good buy from that perspective

[samoht]

Personally I'd be buying a 987.2 Cayman for that budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608235...

[fflump]

samoht said:

Personally I'd be buying a 987.2 Cayman for that budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608235...

Caymans are great but that is still a 17 year old car with 114k miles on the clock.

The TTS at this budget is a totally different proposition in terms of age and mileage.

[Mirinjawbro]

Had Daytona grey mrc stage 2 MK3

Stock felt not much faster than the mk2 211 ps TT.

Boot is pretty good with back seats folded.

On a 70mph run I maxed out at 32mpg. ( 6 gear version)

In the end I got rid as the 4wd system broke. Had the pump cleaned and serviced. Didnt work

Next quote was over 2k.

[Its Just Adz]

My mother had a string of them, she loved them.
Great looking car, comfortable, quick enough in all weathers.

Just sold her Final Edition which is now on AT.

[Dift]

Ive always been fond of them, the Mk2 TTS I thought drove very well.

It wont be as dynamically accomplished as a Porsche, but that I suspect is the point, you get a lot more everything else.
I would have one quite happily.

[Black_S3]

I’d struggle to go for one ahead of a c43 or M240i in that price range.

[Prohibiting]

samoht said:

Personally I'd be buying a 987.2 Cayman for that budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608235...

Damn that’s nice. I’d rather have that!

[maz8062]

They're very well made, but boring. Fast but soulless. The rear seats are a waste of time, but you have the space. They look good, but they're boring.

A Cayman would be a better choice, or buy the standard TT.

[cerb4.5lee]

Lovely to live with for me, but not fantastic to drive though in my view. The Mk2 TTS version anyway.

[Sticks.]

cerb4.5lee said:

Lovely to live with for me, but not fantastic to drive though in my view. The Mk2 TTS version anyway.

Similar for the Mk3, easy to live with, but with better interior/tech and stiffer ride.

Very practical as a two seater, forget the back seats for passengers. Feels a bit chunky to me, and you have to learn to use the DGS. 40mpg possible, good tyres expensive.

Had mine 9 years now, nothing's gone wrong, looking for another.

Would recommend as a daily but not for pure driving pleasure.

ETA make sure you get one with the optional packs and DSG/Haldex service is due @ 40k iirc. Matrix lights are poor.

Edited by Sticks. on Saturday 10th October 11:56

[Jamescrs]

Quite like them, for me they have a much better image than the S3 which seems to attract a lot of undesirable people but I get they are far less practical than an S3

[Venisonpie]

I think they're a decent option if you don't need the convenience of a traditional hatch but want a decent and reasonably pacey motor. The previous image is long gone and they go rather un-noticed which is a big positive. As above they avoid the criminal fraternity as they can't fence much loot or carry all their bretheren.

[Herbs]

Thanks all,

Background: I love 2 seater convertibles and owned a variery a 911's, Elise's, Z4M's, standard Z4;s, MX5's SL's, SLK's, M3's, Vantages, S2000's, Supra TT, RX7 you get the idea.

I tend to alternate between small sports cars and larger comfortable cars like the SL500, a couple of Q7's. Normal hatches and saloon's dont really do it for me.

Mrs Herbs has an Evoque hybrid and I tend to walk to work so my car is mainly used for seeing my daughter at weekends and going to football etc. Mileage is low, probably 3k per year.

I've currently got a lightly modded MX5 ND which is great to drive but tiny, gearbox is a pain when cold and in traffic.

I plan to start insuring Mrs Herbs on my car so we can share cars more - she's not the most confident driver in the world so something large and awkward to park or too lairy is out.

I've also been blessed with low running costs now compared to most of my previous cars and as I don't do much mileage and approaching 50 I love something to drive for fun but its not the most pressing criteria.

I was thinking of another SL but likely too big for her to drive comfortably so although i've ruled out the TT plenty of times over the years, its now starting to appeal especially with the hatch and rear seats/boot. Its also a quattro, auto (which if I value my gearbox is a must) safe to drive and has a nice interior which is a must for me plus strong reliability.

Appreciate it won't be the best drive in the world and it remains to be seen if I can cope with that, plus not having a convertible but life is short and I can always sell again but it seems to be ticking a lot of boxes.

The one annoying thing is that they dont seem to come with memory seats so will need to test out how annoying changing the different setups each time would be.

Evora would be very high on the list but just a bit out of budget for this. SLK55 is an option, what are the running costs like?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610066... is another option.

Edited by Herbs on Saturday 10th October 17:06

Edited by Herbs on Saturday 10th October 17:17