Sorry, but I can't past the fact it looks like a hot tub on 4 wheels. I mean yeah, I love cars and I love hot tubs, and sometimes you can create a glorious marriage of both.
@layabout returns: I think you'd be surprised, while it's a bit slower than the Evo, the TTS has some serious pace, particularly on very tight roads (its size helps there).
More relevant is the charachter, the pops, whistles and whines, AWD and paddles are going to appeal to the Evo/STI generation a lot more than a Z4's traditional roadster feel.
this car NEEDS a manual gearbox badly... too subdued in normal mode and too hyper in sport mode. The car needs to be driven at 9/10ths to allow the trans to work right... and that turbo lag when leaving from a stop is not fun.
I have to agree with much of the sentiment that has already been expressed about the TT. Sure, it's nice. Sure, it's fast. Sure, it drives and handles well.
But in the end, it really does strike me as being a GTI that spent a lot of time perusing the Victoria's Secret catalogue.
Is it Heidi Klum sexy? Yes. Sexier than a good, gently used M3? Not by a long shot. And by the way, don't let anyone tell you that being the first is all-important. Sometimes, a little experience and break-in time can do wonders, especially if you're not the one that has to deal with any drama that might come packaged with that whole thing. Just make sure the car was treated like a lady.
I'm not talking about dynamic performance. I am talking about perceived value and a personal opinion. In my personal opinion, no, a brand new $55k Audi TTS is not the match of a $28k used E46 M3 in value. I would take the BMW any day.
@Maymar is breaking in the commenting system...:
I wish my family of four were cool enough to make that statement true.
(FF 20 years..."Hey Pops, remember when you sold the Pilot for that old BMW with frameless windows? That thing sure sucked in the snow, but it was an awesome car to take to the prom.")
@pauljones: Fair enough, dude, it's all personal opinion, I don't mean to be offensive. Heck, if you told me I'd be standing up for a TT today, I wouldn't have believed it. And you're right, Corvette could be in that sentence just as easily. And generalizations/stereotypes tend to come into existence due to their being some truth to them.
Plus, if memory serves me, you're a Mustang fan, so you're golden in my book (it's a good book).
@Maymar is breaking in the commenting system...: Honestly, I love Mazda5s. I thought they were going to change the world and make the CUV irrelevant. If they ever make a two-door version (and yes, they still have to be sliding doors on both sides) I might have to start a family.
@It's a Camaro: that 1.9 L also went in to the new beetle... which ran quite well w/it (after a few programming and suspension mods).. made for a fun little car, whether manual or not
Dude you need to water the grass at your secret retreat, it's looking pretty sallow.
Good read re: Evo/Zed 4 comparison and trying to break the awd loose (glad you didn't push it too far*). There's lots of complaining about the price tag, but that's a foregone conclusion when you go deutsche.
All kidding aside, I lurve Audi products and found the supercharged A6 I drove in the Spring stunningly fast....but once that warranty/free service runs out, aiyeee!
@Al Navarro: awesome to see the word 'lurve' used in a comment. just discovered it a few months ago on the (npr) show 'a way with words'... and it's nice to see it used! why have i not heart clickied you before....??
@chrystlubitshi: whoah whoah, whoah... whoah.... is... is that..?? a sparkly star i see?... when did i get this..?
i feel blessed with luck this month! (first a promotion at work.... which keeps me from what little jalopnik time I had as soon as i started working again) and now this... hmmm...
@joshman: You are essentially getting that 2.0T engine in the Avant. It is just tuned differently for about 45 more hp. In all likely hood it is just software.
The 1.8 and 2.0 turbo engines handle tuning and boosting like no ones business. I'm more familiar with the 1.8T engine since I have one. That engine can easily handle 300+ hp with minimal effort(new turbo, injectors and chip flashing), 400hp with some more work. There are several WV tuners out there getting over 600hp in the 1.8T engine. So I imagine the 2.0T is very similar with regards to tuning.
That is unless you are thinking of the Inline 5 2.5T engine in the TT RS.
It's still a TT. Unfortunately, this should have been the first iteration of the vehicle because the previous version has completely tarnished my view of these cars. Though, this may be a nice sports car, it still resonates as the wannabe sports car that's less sport and more posh.
God Audi makes lovely cars. However, after my experiences with my '01 A6 2.8Q wagon, I don't think I'd own another one. They're like an unbelievably hot call-girl who rocks your world and then shanks you in the face when you fall asleep.
07/20/09
07/20/09
"..On the mountain roads around my secret Pennsylvanian retreat..."
I tried to publish the image I had of the secret location, but the hamsters are too crafty...
07/20/09
07/21/09
I guess that depends on whether or not you think Wes is a beasty. I have no direct knowledge to either confirm or deny this suspicion...
07/20/09
This, however, is not one of those times...
07/20/09
07/20/09
More relevant is the charachter, the pops, whistles and whines, AWD and paddles are going to appeal to the Evo/STI generation a lot more than a Z4's traditional roadster feel.
07/20/09
Having ran a last-gen 225 coupe for a few years alongside a Caterham, I assure you that can be fun to drive.
07/20/09
To be honest, for that kind of cash I'd rather have a car that's trying a little harder to kill me.
(ok...there's going to be an image in here somewhere)
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
this car NEEDS a manual gearbox badly... too subdued in normal mode and too hyper in sport mode. The car needs to be driven at 9/10ths to allow the trans to work right... and that turbo lag when leaving from a stop is not fun.
07/20/09
You are using the paddles, right?
07/20/09
In my above comment, I am referring to the trans when not using the paddles.
Also, it is great to see the TTRS will have a real gearbox.
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
But in the end, it really does strike me as being a GTI that spent a lot of time perusing the Victoria's Secret catalogue.
Is it Heidi Klum sexy? Yes. Sexier than a good, gently used M3? Not by a long shot. And by the way, don't let anyone tell you that being the first is all-important. Sometimes, a little experience and break-in time can do wonders, especially if you're not the one that has to deal with any drama that might come packaged with that whole thing. Just make sure the car was treated like a lady.
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
I'm not talking about dynamic performance. I am talking about perceived value and a personal opinion. In my personal opinion, no, a brand new $55k Audi TTS is not the match of a $28k used E46 M3 in value. I would take the BMW any day.
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
Insert Se7en and the stereotype is actually TRUE, btw.
07/20/09
I wish my family of four were cool enough to make that statement true.
(FF 20 years..."Hey Pops, remember when you sold the Pilot for that old BMW with frameless windows? That thing sure sucked in the snow, but it was an awesome car to take to the prom.")
07/20/09
Plus, if memory serves me, you're a Mustang fan, so you're golden in my book (it's a good book).
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
Jetta TDI part 3
07/20/09
07/20/09
Good read re: Evo/Zed 4 comparison and trying to break the awd loose (glad you didn't push it too far*). There's lots of complaining about the price tag, but that's a foregone conclusion when you go deutsche.
* http://jalopnik.com/5318442/fifth-gears-tiff-needell-actor-john-barr...80-mph-crash
Edit: Unmatched ().
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09
You mean the anti-freeze leaks from said "mighty engine"?
All kidding aside, I lurve Audi products and found the supercharged A6 I drove in the Spring stunningly fast....but once that warranty/free service runs out, aiyeee!
07/20/09
07/20/09
i feel blessed with luck this month! (first a promotion at work.... which keeps me from what little jalopnik time I had as soon as i started working again) and now this... hmmm...
07/20/09
07/20/09
The 1.8 and 2.0 turbo engines handle tuning and boosting like no ones business. I'm more familiar with the 1.8T engine since I have one. That engine can easily handle 300+ hp with minimal effort(new turbo, injectors and chip flashing), 400hp with some more work. There are several WV tuners out there getting over 600hp in the 1.8T engine. So I imagine the 2.0T is very similar with regards to tuning.
That is unless you are thinking of the Inline 5 2.5T engine in the TT RS.
07/20/09
07/20/09
07/20/09