Discussion
I'm thinking of replacing my TVR S3 - one option is a 225 TT (don't ask). Test reports appear to treat this car unfairly "poor man's Boxter" 'er its a damn sight cheaper, and "Golf in a frock" - apart from minor details such as totally different rear suspension and 4 wheel drive!
Any comments from owners, (or thosewho decided not to become an owner) welcome.
Any comments from owners, (or thosewho decided not to become an owner) welcome.
We've got a TT in the household. Good car - quicker than the TVR S3 too. Don't expect much 'driving experience' compared to a TVR though. Insurance may be tricky so get a quote first (costs my girlfriend £1k and she's er, old enough to get it cheaper). Easily tuned to 260-270hp which makes them around V8s/Chimaera 4.0L territory in a straight line. 4WD is a nice backup in the wet, but turn off the ESP - bloody thing bogged me down sliding around a roundabout yesterday in the dry - could see I would make the exit, applied throttle and it cut the friggin' power.
T/.
T/.
I own a TVR Chimaera, my other half has just ordered a 225 Roadster after we took it for a test drive, I have also driven the coupe round Mallory. After my drive at Mallory I took a serious look at the TT as a replacement for the Tiv, but it just did'nt cut it in the sound / acceleration department, but it is so much better than our current E46 325 coupe (pile of S***E), and an E36 M3 which I also test drove,this is only (my view). It is so easy to drive, and drive fast, it's not blistering in a straight line by any means, but is very re-assuring in its handling, and as for build and looks, especialy in yellow. anyway did'nt get one myself but am so looking forward too driving my other halfs in June, 4 mth waiting list! hope this helps.
Nik
Nik
I tried a 185 TT around a circuit I know well. my right foot was always in the full down position, either on the throttle or the brake. Very tedious. Brakes faded quickly and the car was so, so sure-footed that I got bored. the 225 may be different. I think that they are a triumph of style over practicality and driving experience.
Felt very similar to the VR6 Golf that I used to have, better handling but without the torque and the space in the boot.
R
Felt very similar to the VR6 Golf that I used to have, better handling but without the torque and the space in the boot.
R
I've got a mate who bought a new 225 TT Roadster, it's a nice car, felt very much like any other Audi to drive, fast but quiet - more like an Audi 80 convertible than a sports car. My mate thought the S3 I had at the time was a much better car, but not so practical for everyday use.
Cheers,
JSG.
Cheers,
JSG.
we've got a 225 Coupe & I'd echo a lot of the scentiments already expressed here.
Very surefooted but not the most involving drive. Stock brakes will fade if you are taking full advantage of the car - there's a favoured Brembo upgrade which takes car of that.
Do try it with the ESP turned off. I have the same experience of this as Trefor - it's forever nannying me when trying to power out of switchback bends/roundabouts & junctions.
Thing is I don't like to have the ESP off all the time because with 18" wheels, the tyres are a bit on the pricey side.
We've had no mechanical problems in 6500 miles, and being as we imported it directly with all the fruit and 18" wheels, it's worth on a forecourt here practically what we paid for it in Germany last autumn.
Go one - try it - we've had no regrets and plenty of fun in ours..
I drove from Basingstoke to Hexham a couple of months back in one go - 360 miles including 40 miles of lovely North Pennie twisties at the end. Most enjoyable, not at all tiring and yet entirely relaxing.
Also, IMO the Coupe is a much more coherent and practical car than the soft top. Not only to you get the bench back seats, but you get a lot more bootspace. And how anyone with a modern TVR can call the TT claustraphobic, I don't know - it's much the same apart from your gear lever isn't stacked up on milk crates in the middle
Oh, and passengers get a footwell in TTs
Very surefooted but not the most involving drive. Stock brakes will fade if you are taking full advantage of the car - there's a favoured Brembo upgrade which takes car of that.
Do try it with the ESP turned off. I have the same experience of this as Trefor - it's forever nannying me when trying to power out of switchback bends/roundabouts & junctions.
Thing is I don't like to have the ESP off all the time because with 18" wheels, the tyres are a bit on the pricey side.
We've had no mechanical problems in 6500 miles, and being as we imported it directly with all the fruit and 18" wheels, it's worth on a forecourt here practically what we paid for it in Germany last autumn.
Go one - try it - we've had no regrets and plenty of fun in ours..
I drove from Basingstoke to Hexham a couple of months back in one go - 360 miles including 40 miles of lovely North Pennie twisties at the end. Most enjoyable, not at all tiring and yet entirely relaxing.
Also, IMO the Coupe is a much more coherent and practical car than the soft top. Not only to you get the bench back seats, but you get a lot more bootspace. And how anyone with a modern TVR can call the TT claustraphobic, I don't know - it's much the same apart from your gear lever isn't stacked up on milk crates in the middle
Oh, and passengers get a footwell in TTs
Thought long and hard about a TT - got one overnight for a test drive and ordered an S2000 instead.
It is a very capable car, it covers ground well and feels planted. With ESP off it can be chucked around wet corners and stays true.
But....
I don't like the turbo lag, this is just a personal preferance but it's not for me.
The chassis and steering don't communicate anything much, I'm used to this because I drive an A3 currently but I want my sports car to feel like a sports car.
I don't like the Haldex AWD system, it transfers power front to back based on torque sensors, the car is not predictable in the sense that my Integrale was, ie. you know where the power will be and must drive accordingly. The electronics seem to keep everything in check but there is little driver involvement - brake, turn in, floor it.
If you want a fast stylish car then the TT is great, but if you want a car you have to drive, look elsewhere.
It is a very capable car, it covers ground well and feels planted. With ESP off it can be chucked around wet corners and stays true.
But....
I don't like the turbo lag, this is just a personal preferance but it's not for me.
The chassis and steering don't communicate anything much, I'm used to this because I drive an A3 currently but I want my sports car to feel like a sports car.
I don't like the Haldex AWD system, it transfers power front to back based on torque sensors, the car is not predictable in the sense that my Integrale was, ie. you know where the power will be and must drive accordingly. The electronics seem to keep everything in check but there is little driver involvement - brake, turn in, floor it.
If you want a fast stylish car then the TT is great, but if you want a car you have to drive, look elsewhere.
Have to admit that had the Missus not been contributing (vehemently 
) to the buying decision, the S2000 might have been where our money had gone..
But I was never as happy with VTec as I am with a turbo - and a replacement dump valve (doesn't have to be one that makes a noise!) all but does away with the lag.
) to the buying decision, the S2000 might have been where our money had gone.. But I was never as happy with VTec as I am with a turbo - and a replacement dump valve (doesn't have to be one that makes a noise!) all but does away with the lag.
I had (last week) a 225Hp Audi TT Sportline on test last week, very disappointed. Dull was the word to sum it up....it does everything well but just has no involvement, bounces off the limiter without you hearing anything !
Also the red outside & white leather interior was horrid, oh and anyone over 6' will be looking down to see out the windscreen.
My 212Hp Accord Type-r is as quick and so much more fun....I also shocked an S3 this weekend around Milton Keynes roundabouts when I reeled him in.
Also the red outside & white leather interior was horrid, oh and anyone over 6' will be looking down to see out the windscreen.
My 212Hp Accord Type-r is as quick and so much more fun....I also shocked an S3 this weekend around Milton Keynes roundabouts when I reeled him in.
Trefor..... a good point well made ! the girls like a TT.
As I tell all my colleagues at work, a car choice is all about what you want from the car, I wanted a drivers tool, some prefer a pose car or a bird puller..... thats why I have a S Tiv in the garage
That said if I hadn't got the S, I would of had the S2000 Honda over the TT just because I like to be different.
As I tell all my colleagues at work, a car choice is all about what you want from the car, I wanted a drivers tool, some prefer a pose car or a bird puller..... thats why I have a S Tiv in the garage
That said if I hadn't got the S, I would of had the S2000 Honda over the TT just because I like to be different.
Its a personal choice after all, so I wish sme of you guys would be a bit less damning about them.
I have had TVR's and audis, and think there both great but for different reasons.
I for one think there great for two reasons:
Oulton Park, they now have a stack of TT's (180) for their one day driving packs. You get a lap with a touring car driver, and he made the thing go way faster than I thought it would, and it handled brilliantly (he turned the gadgets off too!). Ive been round oulton park a few times, and this was the most fun.
2) I had an S4, audis other flagship (5.5 to 60; 240bhp v6 twin turbo 2.7L) nothing slow about it. When trundling along a long windy dual carriage way, a TT went past, and I gave chase for fun, I couldnt gain on him and he pulled away on the bends (S4 is a bit sloppy) while we hung around at 150mph for 10 miles. So I had a chunk of respect for the car after that.
I have had TVR's and audis, and think there both great but for different reasons.
I for one think there great for two reasons:
Oulton Park, they now have a stack of TT's (180) for their one day driving packs. You get a lap with a touring car driver, and he made the thing go way faster than I thought it would, and it handled brilliantly (he turned the gadgets off too!). Ive been round oulton park a few times, and this was the most fun.
2) I had an S4, audis other flagship (5.5 to 60; 240bhp v6 twin turbo 2.7L) nothing slow about it. When trundling along a long windy dual carriage way, a TT went past, and I gave chase for fun, I couldnt gain on him and he pulled away on the bends (S4 is a bit sloppy) while we hung around at 150mph for 10 miles. So I had a chunk of respect for the car after that.
Any Tiv really, its the exhaust note you see....
In reality, I got married last year so... but I had a Westfield when we met.
In my experience, girls like a modern sports car, most would be more impressed by a 1.6 MX5 than a V8S in the pulling stakes.
Then again if the car is the best thing about the package on offer then perhaps the driver should consider changing his strategy !!
In reality, I got married last year so... but I had a Westfield when we met.
In my experience, girls like a modern sports car, most would be more impressed by a 1.6 MX5 than a V8S in the pulling stakes.
Then again if the car is the best thing about the package on offer then perhaps the driver should consider changing his strategy !!
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