Why is an Audi mkII TTS similar in price as Cayman 987 2.7L?

[SierraBravo]

Hi All,

I'm currently going round and round on this age old debate settled in so many threads if you're looking to use either the TTS MkII or the Cayman 987 2.7L as your daily car.

Why are they even similar prices?!

Everyone says the Porsche is more inspiring, sounds better, better drive. The Audi is maybe better on paper, a safer bet, does it actually cost less to run and maintain?

I just now cannot get my head around why they're basically the same price for similar mileage examples, all within £10-13k. I still kinda really want the Audi but feel like I'm being stupid not to get a Porsche 987 Cayman now.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Bennet]

Here is your answer:

SierraBravo said:

I still kinda really want the Audi

[TREMAiNE]

SierraBravo said:

Why are they even similar prices?!

Whilst being vastly different cars, they're aimed at a fairly similar market.
Though I imagine the Audi appeals to a wider audience overall which helps with values.

For me personally, Audi doesn't make a car I'd want to part with my money for, I'd be going for a Cayman all day long, albeit an S, not a 2.7, even if that meant waiting a few more months to save up a bit more cash.

Ultimately, test drive both and buy which one you prefer, don't worry about why they're priced similarly.

Edited by TREMAiNE on Wednesday 14th October 12:33

[Krikkit]

The Cayman will unquestionably cost more to repair and service, doubly true if using the main dealers.

The other part of it is that the TT is desirable - everyone likes Audis, regardless of how they drive.

I'd have the Cayman, but if you had a TT-S it wouldn't be a bad choice.

[anonymous-user]

If you put the Audi TT in the sub heading of 'sports cars' (which I dont, but Audi and most sales figures do) then it is by far and away the best seller. That translates to the used market, where people want them and appeal on a wider scale than a Cayman. Especially the TT S model which will be desirable as it's essentially a nice looking Golf GTI.

As a daily it would be okay, but if you're looking for more thrill the Cayman is a better bet, even in 2.7 form. Obviously it will cost a lot more to run in terms of servicing, well I assume it will.

I've driven loads of TTs of various trims and spec and whilst its decent enough, I cant help feeling I'd be better in a more practical VAG product with the same engine, such as a Golf or Octavia or Leon. Even an S3! Youd have to like the looks, I suppose.

[Tim bo]

Krikkit said:

The other part of it is that the TT is desirable - everyone likes Audis, regardless of how they drive..

What?!?

Let me just read it again, to make sure I got it right.
Yep, it says everyone likes Audis

Oh dear.

Can I be the first in this thread to assure you that everyone most certainly does not like Audis.
Nor is the idea that the TT is desirable a ubiquitous idea. Hateful-looking little bubble cars.

[maz8062]

I honestly don't get the fuss about these Audi TTS' - a TTRS, yes, but a TT with the same engine as a Golf R? I'm not sure. I think the TT's look good but the rear seats are useless for adults, so bad that your head would be resting on the rear screen - not good,

The Cayman 987 generation are good cars but they are a hard and firm ride, for sure.

Good luck whatever you choose.

[lost in espace]

Bore score in the 987.1 S take care if buying. Non S unaffected, 987.2 out of your price range.

[Chubbyross]

I know which car would get me out of bed at 5am to drive on the empty roads. Clue: it’s not the Audi.

[J4CKO]

Suppose it is down to how well they sell second hand and what they cost new.

Audis arent cheap cars even relative to Porsche, currently, an Audi TTS is just over 47 grand list and a base Cayman is just under 47 grand, not allowing for discounts, options and whatever but can see why there are in the same ball park.

But, the TTS is a couple of engines up off the base and has 300 bhp, the Porsche is the base engine with 300 ish bhp,

I think people see Porsche > Audi and I suppose it is, but its not a million miles off and lots of overlap.


It so boring people getting so sniffy and pompous about Audis, they make some pretty good cars, TT has sold well for a reason.

[Ultrafunkula]

Having gone from an Audi S3 to a Cayman S, the TTS would definitely be cheaper to run. The S3 delivered a more muted but more comfortable driving experience than the Cayman so depends on what you want, for me the Cayman is more of an occasional use car than a daily (although you can, mine was my only car). The TTS would also be more practical with back seats...

[Tim bo]

J4CKO said:

It so boring people getting so sniffy and pompous about Audis, they make some pretty good cars, TT has sold well for a reason.

Yes indeed, and I agree. It was the sweeping statement that 'everyone likes Audis' which tickled me and required a contrarian view.

[Nefos]

Ultrafunkula said:

Having gone from an Audi S3 to a Cayman S, the TTS would definitely be cheaper to run. The S3 delivered a more muted but more comfortable driving experience than the Cayman so depends on what you want, for me the Cayman is more of an occasional use car than a daily (although you can, mine was my only car). The TTS would also be more practical with back seats...

Is the S3 reasonably more cheaper to run than the Cayman S? I am planning to get one of them when the car market is a bit more stable, and running costs worries me

[Krikkit]

Tim bo said:

Krikkit said:

The other part of it is that the TT is desirable - everyone likes Audis, regardless of how they drive..

What?!?

Let me just read it again, to make sure I got it right.
Yep, it says everyone likes Audis

Oh dear.

Can I be the first in this thread to assure you that everyone most certainly does not like Audis.
Nor is the idea that the TT is desirable a ubiquitous idea. Hateful-looking little bubble cars.

Sorry, what I meant was in the general population, not among PHers

I'm not an Audi fan either.

[anonymous-user]

J4CKO said:

Suppose it is down to how well they sell second hand and what they cost new.

Audis arent cheap cars even relative to Porsche, currently, an Audi TTS is just over 47 grand list and a base Cayman is just under 47 grand, not allowing for discounts, options and whatever but can see why there are in the same ball park.

But, the TTS is a couple of engines up off the base and has 300 bhp, the Porsche is the base engine with 300 ish bhp,

I think people see Porsche > Audi and I suppose it is, but its not a million miles off and lots of overlap.


It so boring people getting so sniffy and pompous about Audis, they make some pretty good cars, TT has sold well for a reason.

That's just the thing, if I were going to buy a car costing more than the usual fare, I'd want it to be better than 'pretty good', especially when the same parent company can sell me pretty much the same car cheaper and in some ways better spec/drive etc.

[Ultrafunkula]

Nefos said:

Ultrafunkula said:

Having gone from an Audi S3 to a Cayman S, the TTS would definitely be cheaper to run. The S3 delivered a more muted but more comfortable driving experience than the Cayman so depends on what you want, for me the Cayman is more of an occasional use car than a daily (although you can, mine was my only car). The TTS would also be more practical with back seats...

Is the S3 reasonably more cheaper to run than the Cayman S? I am planning to get one of them when the car market is a bit more stable, and running costs worries me

The S3 was surprisingly cheap, insurance was the same as the Cayman but not bad. The S3 and probably the Golf R too are about as cheap to run as a Focus ST for general running costs.

[SierraBravo]

So if base the audi tts getting me 35mpg avg. (Probably too conservative)
£740 fuel at £1.15

Porsche getting 27.5mpg avg.
£940 fuel at £1.15

5k a year (currently)

So fuel difference is not a lot.

Brembo pads and discs tts £250
Porsche £4-500

Can anyone with experience tell me here if that's about right or the porsche isnt actually that more expensive to run

[Monkeylegend]

Maybe AWD drive makes the TT more desirable to some and holds up values versus the Cayman.

[cerb4.5lee]

SierraBravo said:

So if base the audi tts getting me 35mpg avg. (Probably too conservative)
£740 fuel at £1.15

If it is the S-tronic you won't get 35mpg. The one I had(2012 TTS) only returned 27mpg over the 67k miles I did in it(I was hoping for 35mpg though to be fair).

[J4CKO]

Argleton said:

J4CKO said:

Suppose it is down to how well they sell second hand and what they cost new.

Audis arent cheap cars even relative to Porsche, currently, an Audi TTS is just over 47 grand list and a base Cayman is just under 47 grand, not allowing for discounts, options and whatever but can see why there are in the same ball park.

But, the TTS is a couple of engines up off the base and has 300 bhp, the Porsche is the base engine with 300 ish bhp,

I think people see Porsche > Audi and I suppose it is, but its not a million miles off and lots of overlap.


It so boring people getting so sniffy and pompous about Audis, they make some pretty good cars, TT has sold well for a reason.

That's just the thing, if I were going to buy a car costing more than the usual fare, I'd want it to be better than 'pretty good', especially when the same parent company can sell me pretty much the same car cheaper and in some ways better spec/drive etc.

Depends on what its being pretty good at, the TT has a bit more space and practicality and is more desirable to its target market.

They drive better than internet lore says, and I think the additional engagement of the Cayman is perhaps wasted to an extent, the prevalence of Auto gearboxes in both secondhand attests to that. Ok, autos arent that bad these days but if you are after as much invovlement as an enthusiast, in this type of car, an auto seems a bit of a compromise. Not being all purist as we all have our reasons.