Winter commuter..Audi TT Coupe???

[lendaddy]

Looking to spend less than 10k and want a somewhat interesting AWD car that gets >20 MPG. These seems to fit the bill...thoughts?

I still have my Tundra and the wifes SUV so "it's small" doesn't bother me.

[Tim Hancock]

Dude... WTF????

[sc_rufctr]

It's basically a Golf with a different body. Not a bad thing really.

I drove one for about 10 weeks when I was interstate for work. It felt like my MK3 but with less power. You could do worse.

[fastfredracing]

It is the only Audi I would ever think about owning. The motor is mounted transversely, changing timing belts, water pumps, drive belts etc, is not that bad. Plan on the normal Audi tax. They are quick, and fun to drive.

[Adam]

I just sold mine, an '07 (8J) Coupe.



A truly brilliant car, I miss it already but I needed a usable back seat.
Was a great commuter, easy to park, good on fuel and had plenty of power to keep you entertained.

[MMiller]

I had a 1st gen for about 2 years. 225hp version. Quick, fun to drive and was reliable. Up graded sway bars dial out the understeer. It was competent in adverse road conditions.

Only downside for me was a very limited view out the cabin- even out the front.

[Laneco]

10K with awd and "interesting?"

A few years old Subaru WRX.

angela

[vash]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

It is the only Audi I would ever think about owning. The motor is mounted transversely, changing timing belts, water pumps, drive belts etc, is not that bad. Plan on the normal Audi tax. They are quick, and fun to drive.

my funnest shadetree mechanic job was to change timing belt on a bud's TT. it was so much fun..alot of work, but it was awesome and very very satisfying. cant explain it.

took us all day..at the dealership i think the job was "up there" in cost.

[JavaBrewer]

I have been driving a '01 TT coupe for 7+ years now. Bought it used private party (not CPO) with 30K miles and now have 90K on it. Issues to date are pretty minor.

- Dash pod died. Common failure for Audi. New replacement ~ $1K. I did a full aftermarket rebuild for $350 that is warrantied.
- Oil dip stick and feeder tube (plastic) crumbled. $15 in parts and DIY install.
- Turn indicator switch died. $25 in parts and DIY install.
- Brakelight switch failed 2x. $25 in parts and DIY install.
- Headlight switch failed. Don't recall the replacement cost but again DIY install.

Wear items:
- On third set of brake pads and second set of rotors.
- Timing belt and water pump replacement $600 from a local independent.

Overall the car has been carefree. I did a performance chip + DV soon after I picked it up which really brightened up the motor. Stock 225 HP now is 250 HP and pulls strongly up to 5K RPM - I would need to upgrade the exhaust and intake plumbing to get additional HP and RPM - the engine runs out of breath with stock system. The hatchback is great - fits far more than you would think. The rear seats are small but worked just fine for kids 10 and under. I think Audi did a fine job with the TT - the interior still looks new and materials are top quality.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Dude... WTF????

HA

Yea I know, but the 1.8 has a great reputation. Lots of good info and help here, thanks guys! They actually get really good reviews for reliability and the comments here seem to reinforce that.

The WRX is also a great option and one I have considered but they seem to be dipped in gold based on the prices I've seen.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I have been driving a '01 TT coupe for 7+ years now. Bought it used private party (not CPO) with 30K miles and now have 90K on it. Issues to date are pretty minor.

- Dash pod died. Common failure for Audi. New replacement ~ $1K. I did a full aftermarket rebuild for $350 that is warrantied.
- Oil dip stick and feeder tube (plastic) crumbled. $15 in parts and DIY install.
- Turn indicator switch died. $25 in parts and DIY install.
- Brakelight switch failed 2x. $25 in parts and DIY install.
- Headlight switch failed. Don't recall the replacement cost but again DIY install.

Wear items:
- On third set of brake pads and second set of rotors.
- Timing belt and water pump replacement $600 from a local independent.

Overall the car has been carefree. I did a performance chip + DV soon after I picked it up which really brightened up the motor. Stock 225 HP now is 250 HP and pulls strongly up to 5K RPM - I would need to upgrade the exhaust and intake plumbing to get additional HP and RPM - the engine runs out of breath with stock system. The hatchback is great - fits far more than you would think. The rear seats are small but worked just fine for kids 10 and under. I think Audi did a fine job with the TT - the interior still looks new and materials are top quality.

Thanks! My boys are 7-8 so the backseat is no big deal. I have no intentions of taking another couple out for dinner in the thing but being able to stuff the boys back there is a must.

What kind of mileage do you see in the real world?

[JavaBrewer]

Since I work from home about 90% of my driving is around town - 20 mpg average with a very heavy foot. A recent road trip to SF Bay area got me 32 mpg on the highway driving 75-85 mph traffic permitting.

[pavulon]

Doesn't western Michigan lake-effect snow pile up pretty deep and quickly? Is ground clearance a non-issue? I know snow tires make a huge difference but TT's appear to have relatively little in the way of ground clearance. How about a Subie XT?

[azasadny]

Mazdaspeed3 and Bridgestone Blizzaks get me through the southern MI winters with no problem. The Mazda3 is FWD but the Mazda6 is AWD... The Blizzaks are incredible!

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Mazdaspeed3 and Bridgestone Blizzaks get me through the southern MI winters with no problem. The Mazda3 is FWD but the Mazda6 is AWD... The Blizzaks are incredible!

AWD in the six is pretty recent though isn't it? Too recent to stay under the $10k price cap I think. I do like the Three a lot though.

[lendaddy]

A quick search seems to put the six in my range... hmmm

[azasadny]

I believe the Mazda6 has always been AWD. I'm more familiar with the Mazda3 and the hatchback is very practical. I can fot 4 adults and put their gear in the back, no problem! 63k miles on my 2010 and no problems at all!

[Sarc]

Yep, the speed6 has always been awd. Fair warning though..3 Michigan winters have not been kind to our normal 3. Rust has developed in the b-pillars and door sills, and several other 3s I've seen have suffered the same fate. I'd go for the TT myself but I don't think I can shoehorn a car seat in back.

BTW, isn't the 2.0 the preferred engine to the 1.8? I always thought the 1.8's reputation wasn't the greatest.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Yep, the speed6 has always been awd. Fair warning though..3 Michigan winters have not been kind to our normal 3. Rust has developed in the b-pillars and door sills, and several other 3s I've seen have suffered the same fate. I'd go for the TT myself but I don't think I can shoehorn a car seat in back.

BTW, isn't the 2.0 the preferred engine to the 1.8? I always thought the 1.8's reputation wasn't the greatest.

Looks like the Speed6 has always been AWD but not the normal 6. I have also discovered the Subaru Legacy GT and or B Spec.....less money than the six.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Looks like the Speed6 has always been AWD but not the normal 6. I have also discovered the Subaru Legacy GT and or B Spec.....less money than the six.

I had a Legacy GT wagon. Excellent car only let down by the automatic gearbox, but you can find them pretty easily in coupe form with a manual. Really nice driving car, the flat four makes good Porsche-esque noises and it was freaking fast with a Cobb AccessPort, intake, and downpipe. It's like a WRX STi for grown-ups.

You could also look at the Volvo V70R and S60R, both quick AWD cars that can be had with a stick or auto. You can also find AWD BMW E46 sedans pretty easily.