MK3 Audi TT Advice Please

[O-S-R]

Hi all, been a while since I posted on here, had the same fleet of cars in the family for 8yrs and busy period moving house twice, life stuff etc.

Long story short I've decided on a TT as a nice daily, I come from Golfs and still drive a MK4, but while the newer GTIs and R models are smart, they're just a bit samey to me. A mate suggested a TT and after previously dismissing them as a "hairdressers car" I went and sat in one and was pretty taken, never thought of a couple before and I like the space they fill; not a hot hatch, basically a golf in a suit, nice interior, sporty and not a Boxer/Cayman.

My conundrum is whether to go with a base model TT "40" of which there are plenty that seem to around £20k for 20k milage examples, or the TTS which come in at 50k ish miles for the same money?

I've done some research and definitely wanting MK3, and not the 1.8tfsi model. Is the TTS a better buy given increased mileage or do I focus on getting the cleanest, lowest mileage TT? From my research they seem pretty reliable with the water pump housing being the only major issue, but not sure when that manifests itself?

Any advice welcome!

[O-S-R]

Thanks for the reply, I think I'd always regret not getting the TTS if I went for the base model TT. Any particular issues to look out for in your experience?

[O-S-R]

Haha thanks for the replies all, it seems consistent that everyone who's owned one says they're great cars for the money. I'm excited ito be on this journey as to me it's something different, and way fancier if that's the right word than other cars I've owned.

I hear you about the base model TT and a remap, my MK4 is stage 2 and plenty fast enough for what it is (230hp reliable, basically maxed out on stock internals) and tbh I granny it around as I've owned it for 16 years and it's worth more in sentimental value than anything else. I kinda don't want to mod this one if I can help it, but I know I'll be a bit disappointed if I spend £20k on a car that I then feel I need to mod to make it quicker?

I'm also hoping this one keeps a bit of value so I can trade up over the next few years, I'd love a TTRS and Ultimately an R8 if I can get there but I've never owed anything nice enough or had the funds before to play the trade up game - how's a modern remapped car affected on sale do you think?

[O-S-R]

Any R8 haha, I've always liked them! Not looked in any detail though but I think a TT of some form is a reasonable stepping stone, got a hard cap at £20k really.

I also feel the cheaper end of the R8 market is higher miles/ high owners, maybe doesn't matter too much if they have history etc but feels like it's true supercar territory with more to go wrong and bigger bills?

Edited by O-S-R on Tuesday 25th June 22:37

[O-S-R]

I had a brief look last night and yeah I can imagine - I saw one on AT or the Bay (can't remember) and it had had 14 owners!!

I'd rather have lower mileage and nice base model TT than a rough R8, but will see if I can strike the balance and get a TTS at the top end of my budget.

[O-S-R]

Dr G said:

..a really, really bad idea. Just don't.

Unless of course you want to spend £10k+ on it to end up with a worse car than simply buying a better one in the first place.

Agreed!