Awhile back I commented on what I feel is the definition of a "Great Car." In short, a great car (or truck, or SUV, or minivan) is a vehicle that can do at least two (or more) things really well. For example, the Jeep Wrangler is a very good vehicle for what it's supposed to do, but what it does well is pretty much one thing, so it isn't a great car in my opinion. Some could argue a great car has purity, so something like the Wrangler is a great car. Some could argue that, but not me.
Using this as a guideline, the 2008 Audi TT is a great car. I just drove a V6 version home and back, complete with DSG transmission, and this is a car that does many things really well.
When I was driving home I was in a hurry to get to a business before it closed. I was also in standard-issue afternoon PCH traffic, and I was talking to a co-worker on the (hands-free, of course) phone about various work-related topics. In short, I needed to make good time on a crowded thoroughfare with minimal distractions (and no, talking on the phone isn't a distraction, at least not for me).
The TT delivered. I put the transmission in "Sport" mode and forgot about it, but the car was consistently in the right gear whether I was shooting through traffic holes or slogging along at 0-5 mph. No third pedal necessary. I was also comfortable, with all the right controls in proper reach and plenty of room. The cabin was also relatively quiet -- unless the 3.2-liter V6 engine was revved above 4,000 rpm. At some point on my drive home I realized, "Hmm, this Audi TT does the commuting thing really well."
On my way into work I decided to detour off PCH and do a Mulholland run. Now I put the TT's transmission in manual mode, put the suspension in "Sport" and focused on going around corners instead of commuters. As many of you know, DSG shifts as crisply as a slushbox but with greater responsiveness (and efficiency in terms of horsepower reaching the wheels).
While the TT's handling isn't Cayman or Evo -- or even Miata -- great, it still handles...really well. This Audi has always felt a bit porky to me (the convertible even more so). But the 3.2-liter V6, with 250 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque (peaking at a low 2,500 rpm), has overcome the car's lethargic legacy. As is so often the case, when a potentially great car needs fixing, simply add power.
And so it is that the Audi TT has attained great car status. It looks great, inside and out, and it works as a pure commuter vehicle that offers solid comfort and luxury (love the audio system, and MMI is a beautiful interface, even with its minor quirks). It also works as a play toy on twisty roads. It won't thrill you like a Cayman or Evo (those are great cars, too, BTW), but it will get pretty close while snapping off those rapid-fire DSG shifts.
Is it the best car in its class, or for the money at roughly $50,000? Probably not, though it might be depending on your priorities (it's still an excellent design statement -- moreso than the Cayman, 1 Series or just about any other sub-$50,000 car).
Regardless, it is a great car.
By chavis10
on March 24, 2008
06:20 AM
Doesn't the A5 cost the same as this thing? If it does, there's no comparison between the extruded Mini Cooper above and the flawless looking A5. I just saw one at the auto show with the S-Line package and to me it looks even better than the S5 since it lacks that faux metallic finish on the mirrors. The TT looks like a toy while the A5 looks like an expensive and classy grand tourer worthy of its price.
By ahightower
on March 24, 2008
06:49 AM
I wish a detour on Mulholland was an option on my commute. You get in late and it's okay because you were actually "working", testing out the car.
By gabbo241
on March 24, 2008
06:50 AM
I agree Chavis. I saw an S5 on I-540 (Raleigh's outer ring road) a few days ago. It LED 'mascara' running lights first caught my eye about a half mile back. Cruising past in red with huge gunmetal wheels, it looked like a very substantial bahn burner. The same day, I saw a gray TT and thought, "well, that's a very handsome car." I was thinking implicitly, "...for 35 grand..." I had no idea the TT's price could achieve such lofty heights. It's riding on a golf (nee Rabbit) platform, if I'm not mistaken!
By 1487
on March 24, 2008
07:04 AM
The TT was a fadish fashion statement and this current car is soon to be old news. I have seen a few on the streets and no one does a double take. The car has a unique look on the outside but the inside is now corporate Audi and totally unoriginal. The worst part about this car is the price. At $50k they are out of their minds. This is a glorified Golf after all. Give me a REAL sports car like the Vette for that money. If I had to have a European car I would take the 335 coupe or A5 over this subcompact design experiment.
By chavis10
on March 24, 2008
07:19 AM
The TT would bode much better in the $30-40k range. The R32 is better looking and probably more practical with the same mechanicals underneath so the mark-up on this car is simply ridiculous.
By ahightower
on March 24, 2008
08:14 AM
I agree the TT seems a bit overpriced, and I agree the previous generation was a more unique and exciting design in its day. But, R32 better looking?... that's debatable to say the least.
By blueguydotcom
on March 24, 2008
08:34 AM
This is the main car I see losing with the arrival of the 1 series. At a starting price of 35k for the TT with a 2.0T, FWD, the 135's 35k starting seems like a bargain:
RWD
300 hp
Real room for 4
4 year included maintenance (even when Audi used to offer this it wasn't really included...nickel and dime artists)
Heck, the 128 at 30k is a much better deal too:
RWD
230 hp
4 year maintenance
The TT with a V6 is obscenely priced at 41k. For that kinda jack the 135 is a screaming bargain and the 128 seems downright cheap. Considering the 128 offers performance on par with the 3.2 V6 TT, there's little justification for the TT.
Take a look at convertibles in this price range and again Audi must be smoking serious crack.
By sabastian
on March 24, 2008
09:49 AM
The TT always seemed like a more logical proposition to me with the smaller, 2.0T engine. It cuts the price down quite a lot, and you really aren't losing a lot of performance. Sure, at that point its pretty easy to say that the GTI is pretty much the same car for thousands less, but the TT is a bit lighter, a bit lower, and to my eyes at least, much better looking inside and out. Obviously purists will argue that FWD has no place in a sports car, and they're right, but for those of us in the snow belt RWD isn't always a plus.
That said, the V6 TT is taking it a little too far. There are a lot of other cars that I would have for $40k-50k. The A5, though differing in its mission, is one. The Cayman, Boxster, SLK, and 335i are a few others.
Has anyone else heard the rumors of an up-coming Audi R4? From what I've heard, it will be a much more honest shot at creating a true small sports car.
By daytona_500
on March 24, 2008
02:15 PM
Haha, I dont think an Audi can ever be the best car for the money. Never have, probably never will. Audis are way overpriced, God alone knows why.
For $50K I'd rather have a 335i, or a Corvette, maybe even the G8 GXP or Camaro and save the rest.
By estreka
on March 24, 2008
04:10 PM
I'd rather spend $50K on a used GT-R. Or a Cayman.
I will say, though, one of the fastest SCCA racers in my region is a 4-cylinder TT. It's almost as fast as Rowen's CR-X.
By yankeez
on March 24, 2008
05:37 PM
The TT always reminded me of what a modern day VW Karmann-Ghia might look like (remember those?)
By kurtamaxxxguy
on March 27, 2008
08:39 AM
Ya wants da Audi cachet and da german performance, ya pay the price. It's that simple, I guess.
Remembering a drive in an Audi A3 3.2; yes, it cornered like a slot car and the interior was nicer than the Japanese competition. But the DSG clunked and stuttered on downshifts, and city street potholes were a no-no.
By g_k
on March 29, 2008
09:20 PM
"(and no, talking on the phone isn't a distraction, at least not for me)."
I wonder how many accidents have been caused by that sort of attitude? Do you honestly feel that your awareness of what's going on around you isn't affected when you're involved in a conversation, even if it's with a hands-free phone? Hopefully, you'll be honest enough to write about your inevitable accident.
By editor_karl
on March 30, 2008
01:18 AM
I'll tell you what I honestly believe -- I honestly believe that assuming NOBODY can drive safely and talk on the phone is like saying EVERYBODY over the age of 70 is too decrepit to drive safely or EVERYONE at age 16 is old enough and mature enough to drive safely. Or EVERYONE who drives at 55 or slower on the highway is driving safely while EVERYONE exceeding the speed limit is driving dangerously.
It amazes me when people assume we're all identical. I can think of people -- lots of people, actually -- who break each "rule" I've stated above. Sixteen-year-olds that are still years away from being able to handle a car. People who are unsafe at any speed over 40. Eighty-year-old folks who still drive better than many 30-year-olds. We all know laws are compromises between what the government hopes MOST people can handle and what MOST people can't, but like any compromise it's a pretty sloppy answer to the question. There still isn't a law against talking on the phone (a hands-free law begins in California in July) but plenty of people want one.
These are often the same people who can't stand the idea of someone going over 85 mph or smoking a cigarette or owning a gun. We're all morons and it takes Mother Government to keep us on track.
Whatever.
You mentioned in my other post that I must see all sorts of people almost hitting me on my motorcycle while jabbering on the phone. I do. I see lots of people almost hitting me in my cars while jabbering on the phone. I ALSO see lots of people almost hitting me on my bikes or in my cars who AREN'T on the phone. Once again, the phone (or the gun, or the rate of speed, or the age) aren't the problem, but the individual idiot who can't handle these situations, is.
You can want people to follow all sorts of "safe" driving rules, but until you legislate a law stating "no idiots allowed behind the wheel" someone will always be doing something stupid on the road, even if you add a thousand laws.
As usual, the only realistic option is to assume everyone else is an idiot (regardless of age, speed, cell phone in hand, etc.) and drive accordingly. As a motorcyclist I'm surprised you don't already know this.
By gogiboy
on March 30, 2008
11:22 AM
Karl--
I agree substantially with much of what you just posted, but I'm less concerned with individual distractions than with the cumulative affect of dozens of gagets that are now standard fare in cars and trucks. I have no doubt that you and many other responsible adults use good judgement.
However, I took an informal survey of my college students and discovered that 95% are text messaging while driving. Now I'm not saying that text messaging is any worse than applying makeup, or reading a paper or reaching for some item that fell on the floor--activities that occur daily and are unregulated. But I am scared, perhaps because I so often commute by bicycle, that there are far too many drivers doing everything, but driving. Lets's face it, the car seat has replaced the couch as the defacto lounge chair for many Americans. You know as well as I that we can be in the right (legally) on a motorcycle or bicycle, but the distracted yahoo surrounded by 3000 lbs of metal and plastic always wins the engagement.
Now as to your original point. The TT has always appealed to me stylistically, but $50K is a lot to pay given the other choices. Then again, Karl, you could get three for the price of your Ford so everything is relative. By the way, I'm not suggesting you sell the GT!
By billymay
on March 31, 2008
06:50 PM
I drive an 08 TT 2.0T, and I love the car (leased it last September). It's white/beige and gets a lot of attention, including 3 people over the last 2 weeks stopping to look and ask about it in the parking lot at the gym and at a restaurant. Men and women. (My other car is an older Ferrari and, while it gets more attention, the Audi is suprisingly not far behind in drawing compliments and starting discussions.)
I agree with the price comments on the 3.2. Mine stickered at $41K (heavily optioned), and you could easily get one under $40K without the full leather package -- which, honestly, you don't need -- or the 18" wheels.
I found the old TT compromised. This one hits the sweet spots, and has a generous cargo area for a two-seater. It's not a track car, but I've yet to find a real world driving situation that leave you wanting more.
As far as being a GTI underneath, it seems to borrow the best parts of that car and then build on them with an aluminum body and an upscale interior. In short, it is more car.
The base price is $34K-ish, I think. For <$40K, the TT is the best two-seater daily driver out there, and easily the coolest. For $50K, I'd agree that it's not a compelling value. Also, I'm not as keen on the MMI as Editor Karl is. I think the iPod interface is kind of a kluge. Overall, though, if you can get by with a two-seater and need to have just one car, the new TT is superb.
By g_k
on March 31, 2008
09:33 PM
Interesting response to my previous post, but the question I asked wasn't answered: "Do you honestly feel that your awareness of what's going on around you isn't affected when you're involved in a conversation, even if it's with a hands-free phone?"
Let me put it another way - would you engage in a cell-phone conversation while racing on a track? Driving in a heavy snowstorm with limited traction? Or any similar situation where you really feel the need to concentrate on the task at hand without distractions? Or how about a relaxing commute when something suddenly surprises you and you don't react as quickly as you might have if you weren't engaged in a phone conversation? Or, if your normal level of driving awareness is represented by a number - say 100 - does that level remain the same when you're on the phone? It doesn't drop just a tad - to 99 maybe? Do you really believe it's still 100, or do you feel you've got enough extra skill/mental capacity to lower your attentiveness and still be safe (enough)?
Just for the record, I don't agree with any of the general assumptions you listed in your response. I try not to use the word EVERYBODY as there's just too much variation among individuals and their driving skills. The only general statement I'd make is my original one - ANYONE who states "(and no, talking on the phone isn't a distraction, at least not for me)." is kidding themselves. The amount of distraction varies enormously, as does an individual's ability to still drive safely at the same time, but if you feel your driving is completely unaffected by your cell-phone usage I think you're providing a textbook example of cognitive dissonance. Good luck.
By editor_karl
on March 31, 2008
10:13 PM
You're right. I don't listen to the radio or talk to passengers while driving on a racetrack either. Guess I'll stop doing those things too in a car on public roads. I'm sure you never partake in such irresponsible behaviour.
Then I'll be 100-percent focused all the time while behind the wheel -- and nothing bad will ever happen, because being 100-percent focused will eliminate all possible chances of an accident, just like talking on the phone makes them completely unavoidable.
Glad to hear you don't agree with any of the general assumptions I listed. It's good to know that you only make blanket assumptions regarding phone useage while being so incredibly balanced about every other driving-related topic.
Yup, sounds like an honest response.
By estreka
on March 31, 2008
10:46 PM
My ex actually drives better while on the phone. When she's concentrating on a conversation, her mind isn't wandering off. There's nothing scarier than riding along with her when she sees a giant banner along the road that says "Shoe Sale!" She's a god-awful driver anyway.
By g_k
on April 11, 2008
08:48 PM
You still haven't answered my question - "Do you honestly feel that your awareness of what's going on around you isn't affected when you're involved in a conversation, even if it's with a hands-free phone?"
Lots of activities distract from driving - talking to a passenger, changing radio stations, checking out a good-looking babe in the next lane, etc., etc. And the way people deal with these distractions also varies a lot. However, in my opinion, people that drive while talking on a cell phone seem to act as if they're more distracted than if they're doing any of the other things mentioned above - or maybe it's due to the fact that the distraction lasts for a longer period of time. You obviously don't agree, but I'd suggest you look at your original post and substitute "(and no, talking on the phone isn't a distraction, at least not for me)" with "(and no, driving after having couple of beers doesn't affect my abilities)" and see how ridiculous your point of view is. It's pretty much the same argument, isn't it? "Other people may be affected, but not me!"
If you do respond, how about answering my original question? You can still make all the assumptions you want about how I feel that EVERYONE who drives while talking on a phone is dangerous, and how I seem to feel that NO distraction should be allowed, but just answer the question, OK? And one more request - try not be so pi**ed off - I just asked a question, I didn't accuse you of anything. And you still have a nice bike.
By nljohn
on April 28, 2008
04:31 PM
Just bought the 2008 2.0 Coupe (Red) for the wife and she absolutely loves it, all her girlfriends rave over it.. Got a trunk that's surprisingly larger then I would have thought. Mileage with the 4 cyclinder is very good. It will stay her car though, I do fit in it but the seats are a little narrow, and i'm brushing up against the ceiling but it is fun to drive a short distance..
By tlutzy
on May 2, 2008
07:04 AM
Hi Karl,
I just ordered a 3.2 coupe with magnetic ride suspension, S-tronic, 18" wheels, navigation with iPod and premium sound system. It's white with black/saddle brown two-tone interior. This will be my fourth TT and I'm more excited than ever. It is a step up from the first iteration in every respect. I've had the S-tronic before and am hooked...can't do without it.