Don't know why reviewers insist on forcing this car into "sports car" (whatever that is) comparisons and denigrating it based on some nebulous category. Audi created a fast, nimble and fun to drive car augmented with AWD capability which pretty much puts it in a class of it's own.
I think it's always helped me in judging the TTs to think of them as all-weather hot hatches with sleeker bodies for people who don't really need the rear seats, rather than comparing them to dedicated sports cars. Honestly I haven't driven a MK3 TT RS, but I imagine it drives quite a bit like my MK7 Golf R, but with a better soundtrack, more power, and a nicer, more intimate interior. That sounds like no bad thing to me.
Got a mk2 TTRS myself but with the stronic gearbox. I don't think I will ever get rid of it. The car is just immense for what anyone needs (sans carrying more than 1 passenger comfortably. Simple remap takes it to just over 400hp and 600nm torque. Sub 3.5 to 60 in nearly any condition and road surface type. Will do 185-190mph. Just insane!
I agree, the best mix of man and machine, but not so deep into it that you still have some tech to it, while the mk1 has a radio and everything else is a DIY job, and the mk3 is the equivalent of Siri
I liked the final summing up of the TT - it emphasised that these are actually very capable cars. Not a back road weapon like a Cayman, not a super practical everyday hatch like a Golf and not a continent crushing tourer like a Jag XK or similar, but, a very good compromise of the three (as long as you don't need to fit adults in the back seat). And in the MK1, possibly the most iconic car design of the last quarter century. Not a bad package really.
I got a mk1 it's 17 yrs old and with no rust .it only does 5k a year now and looks great. You can buy them cheapish .so there's no depreciation you can do a lot worse I'm sure
I believe the TT peaked with the MK2, the MK3 doesn't have that turn head appeal the top of the range MK2's have! Audi spoilt the MK3 as new style sharp angled lights don't suit the natural curved/sporty shape of the TT.
@@steveoz32 MK3 was inspired by R8 you cant say its a bad thing. MK3 TT is quoted as cheaper R8 for a reason. and I still think it looks fantastic tho I have MK2 and its awsome
I've just purchased a 2010 Mk2 TT RS after a very expensive love affair with an Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 v6 which tried to eat me out of house and home. The Audi is a ok car to drive but I miss the quicker steering rack of the GT, it's not as engaging to drive, but at the same time it's MUCH more planted on the road and you can floor it without fighting it to keep it between the roadside ditches. I had a Quaiffe limited slip in the GT but the TT RS is still in a different league when it comes to getting the power down and staying controllable. They really do fit the stereotypes, the Alfa was all Italian waving arms and 'look at how pretty I am' whereas the TT RS is Germanic quiet efficiency and 'lets get this done properly' I don't miss the V6 in the GT as much as I thought I might, the 5 cylinder in the TTRS has a naughty bark to it. Not as smooth as the GT but noticeably more torque and power makes it quite fun to drive. The seats are also a disappointment after the wonderful seats in the GT. I've got an 8.5hr drive to Scotland coming up and i'm quite apprehensive as to how I'll be feeling once I get there while in the GT I used to look forward to it All in, yes there are things i'd change, quicker steering, better seats, more up to date satnav, and that feeling that everyone looks at you and thinks 'Mid-life crisis'. I know it's never going to be a sports car like the Cayman I considered (the flat back screen/hatch of the Cayman always puts me off from certain angles, not to mention IMS Bearing horror stories) but i'm really enjoying the TT RS for now. Yes I could have had a more practical A3 but f*ck giving people lifts...make em walk! There are so many TTs, TTS, and TTRS around though there's no exclusivity as there was in the GT, mind you the 2nd hand spares should be slightly easier to source :-)
steve wallace I’ve had all the three versions of TT and now have a Cayman S, IMS isn’t something usually associated with the Caymans very much tbh.. Caymans are more, regular oil changes and watch for bore score but you can side step that by buying after 2007/2008 as it is much more related to the earlier and weaker engines I read on the forums. TTRS a great car and I am considering next as they make a great used buy
@@officerponcherrello1182 I also read about the bore scoring issues and to be fair I just didn't want to risk having to to do an engine rebuild at some point in the future after owning the money pit Alfa with it's myriad of problems. The TTRS platform just seemed a little more sensible proposition with the layout of the car being front engined etc. Plus the only Caymans I could find were not the best kept examples and I needed a car before the Alfa went pop
Absolutely love my Mk2 TTS. I owned 2 MX5’s before this car and I still think this is a great car to really push on a good mountain road. Basically a Golf R with a nicer interior and body imo.
I've really enjoyed my mk 1 TT Quattro over the last four years. She's never put a foot wrong. An incredible car for the money. You must remember mine is twenty one years old, I paid £1500 for her, I would like to think it's increased in value. An all round great car for banger money.
Awesome video! My favorite out of the TT, is the Mk1 3.2 quattro, cause that engine sounds amazing, especially with a proper exhaust and downpipes. Cheers
Totally agree, had a 3.2 Quattro for 6 years and loved it. Went to a 2007 Boxster that I also loved. Last year I changed it for a 2012 TT RS.... and I regretted it almost immediately!!! Sold it after 2 months to go back to a base Boxster (2010)...
We had a 2005 TT with the 225 HP engine which was a wonderful car. We now have a 2018 TTS. I prefer the older car which had a much better quality interior. Winter tires on these cars make them unstoppable during the winter.
The thing i always liked about the TT is that it can carry 2 bikes and 2 big backpacks and still is kinda fun to drive! Not many cars can claim that combination in that price bracket
For the guitarists among us, it's the Leo Fender Factor. When he designed and built the first Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars in the 1950's he got it right first time. Later sophistications never really added to the original concept. That's why the Mk1 does it for me. The shock of the new tends to get smoothed out down the years. Faster, grippier, yes but that original fun factor is lost. Great car journalism.
I own a mk2 TT but it’s the Quattro trim with a V6 3.2 liter engine and I’ve done 150,000+ miles in the last five years and it’s only failed me once. It’s the perfect everyday sports car coupe in whatever variant of Volkswagen it sits in. I feel like practicality and reliability is more important than performance on cars like these regardless of it being an Audi.
The Mk2 surprised me here. Can you do one for the Audi R8? Would love to see a comparison between the R8 V8 Manual, the R8 GT, R8 V10 Plus Manual, R8 LMX, R8 V10 Plus gen 2, R8 RWS and R8 V10 Performance.
Possibly the most boring video idea I've ever heard, why don't they include all the different trim levels too, and make sure to have both a RHD and LHD of each.
Might sound boring to you but would be very useful for me or anyone else looking to get an Audi R8. Pretty much finding out which one is the best to get. You're taking it too far though suggesting trim levels and RHD/LHD. The suggestion I made have reasons, the V8 Manual for being the original R8 that journalists loved, does it still stand up now?? The R8 GT was the low weight and R-tronic only limited edition version, did the weight saving and extra power make it better than the standard R8 v10?? R8 V10 Plus Manual was the highest power manual R8 you could get and the last Manual r8 too, how does it drive and is it better than the V8?? R8 LMX is the last hurrah for the gen 1 with the S tronic gearbox, more power and was even more limited with only 99 cars worldwide, how does the S-tronic compare to Manual and R-tronic, is the extra power noticeable, does it feel special, is it the best gen 1 R8?? The R8 V10 Plus Gen 2, how does it compare to the gen 1?? R8 RWS, the only rear wheel drive R8, how does it compare to 4WD versions?? R8 V10 Performance, is the newest and most powerful R8 the best??
Way too much, maybe have the manual V8, manual V10, V10 Performance and RWS. You don't really need the GT because R-tronic is shit, why have first gen V10 Plus when it's only available as an automatic (S-tronic) and you have that in the second gen, difference between second gen V10 Plus and V10 Performance is hardly noticeable, maybe the only difference being that Performance sounds worse because of the particulate filters but I'd take the Performance for the comparison because you kinda need the car that's on sale right now. Spoiler alert; manual V8 is the best value, manual V10 is a crazy machine because it's manual and it's got a V10, V10 Performance is a great everyday supercar and you should buy it rather than the Honda NSX even though it's lost that something about it and lastly RWS isn't that much more fun than quattro versions which is kinda disappointing
You say that Stefan but search around and some people love the R-tronic. JayEmm liked the R8 GT more than the R8 LMX for example and its the closest thing to an 911 GT3 the R8 has had. You can get a first gen V10 Plus in manual or S-tronic but I'd rather see an LMX than a regular first gen V10 Plus S-tronic. I can agree that you can take out the second gen V10 Plus though, as you say you need a car thats on sale now and the RWS can show how the pre-facelift is.
Would really love to see Dan comparing an current TT RS vs an current TT S on the road and/or track. Would be interesting to hear an rather competent driver elaborating on the cornering capabilities of those two cars considering their considerably different front end weight.
I don‘t get that whole thing that the TT isn‘t a sportscar. There are people out there that call Opel Tigras and Mk1 Ford Pumas fun little sportscars while most of these people say that a 300+ hp, AWD, manual driving machine isn‘t.
Owned and driven all three, with the exception that mine were two TTS’s and lastly, after I’d had a mk3 TTS - the mk1 225 roadster, which I loved. The mk1 has to be driven and worked to get the best from it. The mk2 and mk3 TTS’s are very point and go - fast and in all weathers. Great cars and some fun. Not Porsche’s by any stretch but more of an exercise in getting there fast. Great review
I bought my 01 TT Roadster as a flip car and never sold it in fact I bought a second, it never even crossed my mind that I could fall in love with one of these cars.
And will always be. Car collector websites start talking about it. Will become a future sought after car !! (like the Porsche speedster that is massively replicated)
I've owned a MK2 convertible for 3 months now and it is my first TT. I haven't driven the MK1 or MK3. The MK2 has made a good everyday car so far, (even in the winter), and is fun to drive. The convertible is a two seater, which is all I need, but has a boot available irrespective of whether the roof is up or down. A fun car, for not too much money, but not without issues. I give it 8/10.
I just bought a Mk1 1.8T 225. I really really do love it. The review is quite spot on, it's a car that's just fun to enjoy and drive without having to push hard.
I own a MK 2 TT cab and never bought it with an illusion that it was a Cayman. It is however a fun car no less and still turns heads. Many new cars these days have ridiculous amounts of power and capability that can never fully be exploited. What's the point?
So true. Went from a base mk2 Boxster (250hp) to a 2012 TT RS (360hp) and regretted it instantly... all that torque is what ruins it and makes it boring to drive on twisty roads!!! Went back to a mk2 base Boxster which sounds so much better and just loves to rev!!! The power war is ruining the sports car!
so the main factor of a real sports car is to be involving ? it is ridiculus nowadays a real sports car being slower than others in the track or in everyday use..meanning lost
Having just bought a 2018 TTRS, I agree with your summation that it's a bit more of a GT than a sports car. If I dive into a tight corner, I can feel the heavy nose. It's still turns in, but it's not quite as graceful as my 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW. But on long sweepers or medium turns, the car's limits are very high, and it's so much fun to rocket out of a turn! For me, I like the Jekyll and Hyde personality of the car. In Comfort mode with the stock 19" tires, the car is actually quite compliant and quiet, which is great just cruising on the highway, but when I put it into Dynamic mode, it just gets loud and in your face, the transmission blipping the throttle on downshifts and the exhaust is so raucous! It's loads of fun, and at least here in the US, I don't see myself all the time, as these cars are actually quite rare. While I suppose a Cayman S is probably more fun to chuck around a mountain road, 95% of my driving is around town or on highways, this car is more comfortable and more practical. Spec'd similarly, the Cayman is also a lot more expensive.
Mk1 showing it's age, Mk3 modern but will never be timeless. The Walter De Silva designed Mk2 is truely timeless and still looks great today (just like the R8 and A5/S5/RS5.... All De Silva masterpieces). The 3.2 Vr6 and 5 cylinders in the Mk2 make for the perfect balance of looks, performance and sound.
2:52 "you don't get pops, bangs and crackles that you used to get" Good, that's all half-synthesised anyway, far removed from the crackles of old race cars with engines at their limits. And it's certainly not a necessity for it to be an engaging sports car. Hope the trend away from this fad continues.
I have the privilege of owning a MK2 2008 and I absolutely love it! If I ever upgrade will be to a newer MK2 as I think they look much more honest and real than the MK3.
@@ithinkimlucas1366 nice, I totally agree! And it sounds and drives great too. I'm not a fan of the sharp angles of the Mk3 and most of Audi/VW designs of late.
I've a mk 1 I've had it coming up 6 years now and love it . I can't think of anything I'd like to trade up to. When you buy a TT you know you have something special. And need to look after it . Black on black leather interior. Dashboard is a work of art .performance and economy are good rust not a problem if you keep on top of it ..why go anywhere else. .it might not be Porsche standard but still a decent car . Don't let the knockers win .
This perfectly sums up all modern cars.. they've become so capable that you can never really exploit them on the increasingly more busy roads. I had much more fun in my 2002 Fiesta, wringing its neck and 4 wheel drifting it into turns to really get the most out of it. Momentary locking of the front inside wheel when trail braking because it didn't have ABS was incredibly satisfying. These days you have to go so much faster to get the same effect. That said, modern cars are epic for everyday life and no, I wouldn't choose my old fiesta given the choice
My wife has a 2014 TTS with 32k on the odometer. I have a 2012 A4 Avant ,2.0 coil overs, bigger turbo, tune, the list continues. Although the Avant handles and performs great, I still prefer driving the TTS.
The TT has the look of a little Gran Turismo and that's the reason of her success i think.They all look great but the Mk2 for me is the perfect compromise between sporty look and pure elegance wich is the formula of a Gran Turismo
I have a 2001 Audi TT Quattro 5 speed... love it, so much fun, hardly ever drive it now. The ones you find are trashed and in poor condition, they’re becoming more scarce
Yes, they are becoming a rarer sight - certainly on UK roads - and, whilst there are a few battered examples around, most of them could be classed as 'enthusiasts' cars' if not quite ''collectors' cars'. Good fun and can be picked up relatively cheaply.
I've yet to notice any understeer on the MK3 RS on dry twisty A/B roads l regularly drive. I believe the MK3 torque vectoring is what helps quell that understeer. I find the handling and the sharper 'comfort' steering a really noticeable improvement over the MK2 RS. On the same roads however the MK2 presented occasional understeer however it was more stable under hard braking over the MK3, which can present some oversteer!
True sports cars only have two seats, i own a 2008 tt not the rs model unfortunatly . but mine has the 3.2 vr6 engine, with quattro awd and a manual 6 speed roadster drop top. What a dream to drive, love it. Sticks too the road like its on rails. I highly recommend these cars.
Love my mk2 2.0tfsi baby of the bunch but with the rs kit on her some bilsteins and a little remap she's still turning heads after 10 years of ownership
The problem with the TTRS, in particular, is the fact that you're being asked to pay quite big dollar for something that is never likely to compete with a lower end Porsche, that will feel something of a bargain. However, the base price of a TT will often look very attractive to those that fancy the trappings of a luxury looking and feeling experience, but with less of the back road mastery. There are plenty of people that just want the former and care less about the latter!
Just picked up a Mk1 TT Hairdresser Edition (180bhp FWD!) and I have to say that I am quietly impressed. It is an enjoyable car to drive and does feel more "driver's car" than my previousl C Class Coupé with similar performance. Defo recommend trying one and ignoring any preconceptions about it being "hairdresser" or naff. It's a great everyday shopper to my 911 Turbo and makes popping to Tesco that bit more interesting. It's also more interesting to drive than the current non-sporty Golfs. Forget the power (sure, 180bhp is better than many cars on the road even in 2023) - it's about the experience and it feels raw enough to be interesting at legal speeds. In fact, weirdly, it's the only car I've had where I can't stop jumping into it just to sit there (my history includes 200SX, CLK55, TVR Chimaera, MR2 Turbo, 911 Turbo, Skyline R32 GTR).
Having owned all 3 models I currently have a mk 3 2.0 tfsi, the MK2 has that something that makes it feel that little bit special which is lacking in the MK3 it almost feels numb compared to a MK2,I don't know if the reviews for the MK3 I read made me expect more from it, I'm wanting to drive a MK2 again it's not as good as I remember
I love my little Mk1 TT Sport, nice drivers car. Handles great, yes suspension is a bit ruff with multiple bumps and it's bit basic but a really fun car to drive..
I have the Mk1 and Mk2 Roadster. Both totally different characteristics yet extremely likeable. The design and build quality is way up there and I have no doubt the Mk1 will be a classic. I will be on the lookout for a Mk3 TTRS in the future to complete the collection. Fair and honest review overall.
I bought a mk1 TT beginning of lock down as one of the first proper project’s on my channel. It was in a real sorry state. Can’t wait to finally get it done and actually give it a proper drive
Enjoyable car have a Mk2 TT stage 2 + decat and it’s far more fun on B roads than my M5, simply far too heavy too much power (around 700bhp with remap)
I have a MK2 - TTS (4cyl, 2.0L Turbo, 265hp, quattro, dual clutch s-tronic paddle shift) and F%$^ing hell its quick. For the money, you just cant beat it. And quick....you can stand on the thing and point it where you want it to go and it just claws its way there at light speed with confidence.
I had a TTS for a few months and had to sell it because I found the turbo lag unbearable, that was literally the only thing I didn’t like about it, gorgeous car.
A pretty decent review of the TT across the generations, not driven a mk3, but have owned both a remapped mk1 225 quattro which was an absolute flying machine, I had it at 150mph indicated (not kph) on a German autobahn and it was still pulling, also a mk2, which is my current car, which I've owned for a few years now, ok so it's a 170 Tdi not a TTRS, but I absolutely love that car, it does everything I want or need and in a sea of sameness looks great and you don't need a second mortgage to run it, I've owned a lot of hot cars over the years including a Honda S2000 which, after lusting after one for years, I bought about 2008, didn't have it long, tbh, I found a little disappointing if I'm honest, and I prefer the drive of my current Mk2 TT Tdi... yeah I know I'm weird 🤨 perhaps now at my age now having driven like my arse is on fire, most of my life... perhaps I'm just over the driving like that, don't get me wrong, I can still mix it up if I want to though, but what with potholes and gatso's everywhere what's the point. 😇
I have a red n black mk1 quattro sport, it has the comfort seat package though, but totally agree with your assessment, I really enjoy driving it but as a second car as when I drive it I want to feel the specialness away from the norm.
I'm here for the Mk1 Quattro Sport! As a Mk4 head in the day, this thing was the halcyon dream; the pinnacle of the Golf Mk4 platform. :) That's the thing about the TT; its origins make it more "lame" than a Porsche or BMW or what have you, and priced from new they don't really make sense to buy, but if you like a GTI but want a sports car, the TT is a GTI with a sports car body and some extra nice Audi suspension and brake bits! Since I got comfortable maintaining my own Mk4s, I like the idea of getting into a TT and knowing that it's going to be way less money to fix and run than a Boxster!
Fantastic review of what is quickly becoming an iconic car be it the MK1, 2 or 3 ... I am however curious as to the location of this video as those roads look amazing
The handling and speed in these mk2s and mk3s are fantastic and yes you can drift the back end trust me I’ve done it a few times 😊👍🥇You can’t compare one car to another,they are all unique in my opinion 👍
While criticizing the cars why dont u tell the people what would make it better ...like throw 034 rear swaybar in the mk2 and it addresses the bumps perfectly
I LOVED my ‘01 225QC. Put over 200K miles on it. Drove it year round. Winter tires it went through A LOT! Bought a ‘13 TTRS couple years ago and love the engine. This car has been a fair weather only. RS means Really Stupid part prices! I was used to Audi pricing but the RS line is a whole new level.
I literally cannot understand how the Mk1 TT is not considered a great car! I have a Porsche 993 911, a Porsche RS 60 Spyder and a Audi TT 225. The Audi is a total analogue pleasure to drive, looks stunning and handles amazingly. I would get one whilst they are cheap as they will be big money in future. I owned many 205 gti's and said the same thing, now look!
Three lovely cars. The original was so innovative but Audi designers have done a great job developing the two later models which are, of course, much better cars. Perhaps the mk 2 and 3 will one day become classic. The mk 1 already is.
The front of the MK3 with the new headlights is better than the MK2 imo, but the sides and particularly the back do not look as good as the MK2. The TT always was a curvy aerodynamic smooth car (a bit feminine is some aspects hence the jealous trope about hairdressers) , the harsh angular lines of the MK3 give it a more modern and aggressive masculine look but that doesn’t necessarily look better. You’re taking a more feminine design and giving it masculine features with the MK3 it’s like taking super model Kate Upton and giving her a chiseled jawline, beard stubble and tree trunk arms, it’s different but not better.
I think when you're a motoring journalist and get to experience and compare all sorts of cars from Vauxhalls to McLarens, it's all too easy to say lesser models are not thrilling or communicative. I've not got a massive or varied car history and find driving my TTRS extremely thrilling and satisfying.
I have a 2009 TTS manual. It is SUCH a buttery smooth car to run (when it isnt sh*tting out coil packs) and the quattro setup is awesome. I get that feedback isn't great but still like you correctly stated, these cars are more akin to "back road warriors" than a "sports car."
I think it would be more fitting to do an episode on what this car is really about: the unique design. We all know it drives like a lighter, lower Golf, and that it’ll never be a real plaything. But look at it. Do some investigating on how the design came about. Talk to the minds behind the concept etc.
Always thought the OG TT was a 5 cylinder too. Realise now it's I4, 5 valve. I do yearn for a TTQS and that hasn't diminished with the newer models of TT.
Don't know why reviewers insist on forcing this car into "sports car" (whatever that is) comparisons and denigrating it based on some nebulous category. Audi created a fast, nimble and fun to drive car augmented with AWD capability which pretty much puts it in a class of it's own.
It's just a hot hatch?
I love how timeless the design is. It’s 2022 and the design of even the MK1 looks way better then a lot of newer cars being released now.
Nah. The mark 1 definitely look its age.
The mk2 looks the best
Mk1 is still a fantastic looking car.
Correction: It's the best looking TT. ;-)
Agreed!
yep: my 2 beuts here: ruclips.net/video/XPBh8omFZIU/видео.html
I get people asking me what year it is all the time
I prefer the mk2 design myself but gotta respect that mk1 for sure
I think it's always helped me in judging the TTs to think of them as all-weather hot hatches with sleeker bodies for people who don't really need the rear seats, rather than comparing them to dedicated sports cars.
Honestly I haven't driven a MK3 TT RS, but I imagine it drives quite a bit like my MK7 Golf R, but with a better soundtrack, more power, and a nicer, more intimate interior. That sounds like no bad thing to me.
I usually compare it to a Scirocco R...
Absolutely love my 2013 mk2 TTS, great to drive, turns heads wherever we go and never puts a foot wrong. We'll be mates for life!
Got a mk2 TTRS myself but with the stronic gearbox. I don't think I will ever get rid of it. The car is just immense for what anyone needs (sans carrying more than 1 passenger comfortably. Simple remap takes it to just over 400hp and 600nm torque. Sub 3.5 to 60 in nearly any condition and road surface type. Will do 185-190mph. Just insane!
What year
@@gabrielperez5919 2011
@@AlexMansworth bet bro you have a Instagram for your car I can follow I’m trying to buy a tts myself lol
@@gabrielperez5919 it's @aj_mansworth though I post all sorts of crap on there.
@@AlexMansworth What kind of 0-60 times are you getting without launching it? I mean like off the pedal.
Finally, the MK1 TT gets some love... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to change the Haldex fluid in mine. HAHA!!!
my opinion on the TT has changed over the years and i'd be quite happy with a mk2, it's a handsome car that's still analogue enough for my liking
Mine's for sale at Silverwood Cars.... you know you want one...lol
@@hindmonk want, absolutely. Can I afford one right now, sadly not
I agree, the best mix of man and machine, but not so deep into it that you still have some tech to it, while the mk1 has a radio and everything else is a DIY job, and the mk3 is the equivalent of Siri
Hindmonk. Just looked it up. Beautiful TTRS. Perfect spec for me, if only that mileage was a little lower.
I love my Mk2 TTRS so much, it‘s a manual and just the perfect car.
I liked the final summing up of the TT - it emphasised that these are actually very capable cars. Not a back road weapon like a Cayman, not a super practical everyday hatch like a Golf and not a continent crushing tourer like a Jag XK or similar, but, a very good compromise of the three (as long as you don't need to fit adults in the back seat). And in the MK1, possibly the most iconic car design of the last quarter century. Not a bad package really.
I got a mk1 it's 17 yrs old and with no rust .it only does 5k a year now and looks great. You can buy them cheapish .so there's no depreciation you can do a lot worse I'm sure
LMAO @ “MK1 is the most iconic car design in 25 years”
Chill bro it’s not an R8 it’s a little hairdresser’s car 😂
I own a mk 2 and I love it,great build quality,very reliable,quick and still pretty possy.
Still look better than most modern cars.
I believe the TT peaked with the MK2, the MK3 doesn't have that turn head appeal the top of the range MK2's have! Audi spoilt the MK3 as new style sharp angled lights don't suit the natural curved/sporty shape of the TT.
I agreed, looks like someone round the mk3 up in a vice and flattened the sides. The chunky arch's and wide looks of the mk2 is the best.
@@steveoz32 MK3 was inspired by R8 you cant say its a bad thing. MK3 TT is quoted as cheaper R8 for a reason. and I still think it looks fantastic tho I have MK2 and its awsome
I've just purchased a 2010 Mk2 TT RS after a very expensive love affair with an Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 v6 which tried to eat me out of house and home.
The Audi is a ok car to drive but I miss the quicker steering rack of the GT, it's not as engaging to drive, but at the same time it's MUCH more planted on the road and you can floor it without fighting it to keep it between the roadside ditches.
I had a Quaiffe limited slip in the GT but the TT RS is still in a different league when it comes to getting the power down and staying controllable.
They really do fit the stereotypes, the Alfa was all Italian waving arms and 'look at how pretty I am' whereas the TT RS is Germanic quiet efficiency and 'lets get this done properly'
I don't miss the V6 in the GT as much as I thought I might, the 5 cylinder in the TTRS has a naughty bark to it. Not as smooth as the GT but noticeably more torque and power makes it quite fun to drive.
The seats are also a disappointment after the wonderful seats in the GT. I've got an 8.5hr drive to Scotland coming up and i'm quite apprehensive as to how I'll be feeling once I get there while in the GT I used to look forward to it
All in, yes there are things i'd change, quicker steering, better seats, more up to date satnav, and that feeling that everyone looks at you and thinks 'Mid-life crisis'. I know it's never going to be a sports car like the Cayman I considered (the flat back screen/hatch of the Cayman always puts me off from certain angles, not to mention IMS Bearing horror stories) but i'm really enjoying the TT RS for now.
Yes I could have had a more practical A3 but f*ck giving people lifts...make em walk!
There are so many TTs, TTS, and TTRS around though there's no exclusivity as there was in the GT, mind you the 2nd hand spares should be slightly easier to source :-)
steve wallace I’ve had all the three versions of TT and now have a Cayman S, IMS isn’t something usually associated with the Caymans very much tbh.. Caymans are more, regular oil changes and watch for bore score but you can side step that by buying after 2007/2008 as it is much more related to the earlier and weaker engines I read on the forums. TTRS a great car and I am considering next as they make a great used buy
@@officerponcherrello1182 I also read about the bore scoring issues and to be fair I just didn't want to risk having to to do an engine rebuild at some point in the future after owning the money pit Alfa with it's myriad of problems. The TTRS platform just seemed a little more sensible proposition with the layout of the car being front engined etc. Plus the only Caymans I could find were not the best kept examples and I needed a car before the Alfa went pop
Here in the US I rarely ever see a TT
I've got a 2012 TT RS with United motor sport tune on it. Definitely surprises people when they try to race. So nice on back roads
Wow 25 yrs
I remember when I first saw it in So Solid Crews music video
Absolutely love my Mk2 TTS. I owned 2 MX5’s before this car and I still think this is a great car to really push on a good mountain road. Basically a Golf R with a nicer interior and body imo.
Yep! Here is a Design Documentary on the MK1 ruclips.net/video/XPBh8omFZIU/видео.html
I've really enjoyed my mk 1 TT Quattro over the last four years.
She's never put a foot wrong.
An incredible car for the money.
You must remember mine is twenty one years old, I paid £1500 for her, I would like to think it's increased in value.
An all round great car for banger money.
Ive got the QS too.. had her 17yrs.. still a very reliable car even with 210k+ on the clock
Awesome video! My favorite out of the TT, is the Mk1 3.2 quattro, cause that engine sounds amazing, especially with a proper exhaust and downpipes. Cheers
Totally agree, had a 3.2 Quattro for 6 years and loved it. Went to a 2007 Boxster that I also loved. Last year I changed it for a 2012 TT RS.... and I regretted it almost immediately!!! Sold it after 2 months to go back to a base Boxster (2010)...
And yet the 3.2 was the worst driving of the lot of them, heavy old VR6 hanging out over the front bumper.
@@ImBarryScottCSS the soundtrack and straight line acceleration makes up for it
Vr6 dsg quattro mk1 is OVERALL the most BALANCED audi tt ever, and sounds sick. Of course they dont talk about it. Audi broke rhe molds with mk1 vr6.
@@ENFDO I think the 240 qs is on the mk1
I have had a MK 2 for 6.5 years and will probably still own it when it achieves classic status.... and I've never seen a hairdresser in one
Watch out. International car collector websites speak about MK1, not 2 & 3 !!
I really appreciate Dan's car journalism and articulation. I'd watch him compare 3 generations of a potato
3 different toilet paper brands!
Lololol
We had a 2005 TT with the 225 HP engine which was a wonderful car. We now have a 2018 TTS. I prefer the older car which had a much better quality interior. Winter tires on these cars make them unstoppable during the winter.
The thing i always liked about the TT is that it can carry 2 bikes and 2 big backpacks and still is kinda fun to drive! Not many cars can claim that combination in that price bracket
For the guitarists among us, it's the Leo Fender Factor. When he designed and built the first Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars in the 1950's he got it right first time. Later sophistications never really added to the original concept. That's why the Mk1 does it for me. The shock of the new tends to get smoothed out down the years. Faster, grippier, yes but that original fun factor is lost. Great car journalism.
I own a mk2 TT but it’s the Quattro trim with a V6 3.2 liter engine and I’ve done 150,000+ miles in the last five years and it’s only failed me once. It’s the perfect everyday sports car coupe in whatever variant of Volkswagen it sits in. I feel like practicality and reliability is more important than performance on cars like these regardless of it being an Audi.
What exactly failed?
Mk2 + Milltek secondary cat bypass pipes, back seats flat, no parcel shelf = Automotive bliss!!! love'm!
great little good sounding 5cylinder baby r8
That MK1 is surprisingly likeable. I recently did a test on that road and the subsidence was, um, alarming in a C63.
Ashraf on Cars where is this road exactly please? Always on the look out for new driving roads :-)
Audi TT MK1 ❤
The Mk2 surprised me here. Can you do one for the Audi R8? Would love to see a comparison between the R8 V8 Manual, the R8 GT, R8 V10 Plus Manual, R8 LMX, R8 V10 Plus gen 2, R8 RWS and R8 V10 Performance.
Possibly the most boring video idea I've ever heard, why don't they include all the different trim levels too, and make sure to have both a RHD and LHD of each.
Might sound boring to you but would be very useful for me or anyone else looking to get an Audi R8. Pretty much finding out which one is the best to get. You're taking it too far though suggesting trim levels and
RHD/LHD. The suggestion I made have reasons, the V8 Manual for being the original R8 that journalists loved, does it still stand up now?? The R8 GT was the low weight and R-tronic only limited edition version, did the weight saving and extra power make it better than the standard R8 v10?? R8 V10 Plus Manual was the highest power manual R8 you could get and the last Manual r8 too, how does it drive and is it better than the V8?? R8 LMX is the last hurrah for the gen 1 with the S tronic gearbox, more power and was even more limited with only 99 cars worldwide, how does the S-tronic compare to Manual and R-tronic, is the extra power noticeable, does it feel special, is it the best gen 1 R8?? The R8 V10 Plus Gen 2, how does it compare to the gen 1?? R8 RWS, the only rear wheel drive R8, how does it compare to 4WD versions?? R8 V10 Performance, is the newest and most powerful R8 the best??
Way too much, maybe have the manual V8, manual V10, V10 Performance and RWS. You don't really need the GT because R-tronic is shit, why have first gen V10 Plus when it's only available as an automatic (S-tronic) and you have that in the second gen, difference between second gen V10 Plus and V10 Performance is hardly noticeable, maybe the only difference being that Performance sounds worse because of the particulate filters but I'd take the Performance for the comparison because you kinda need the car that's on sale right now.
Spoiler alert; manual V8 is the best value, manual V10 is a crazy machine because it's manual and it's got a V10, V10 Performance is a great everyday supercar and you should buy it rather than the Honda NSX even though it's lost that something about it and lastly RWS isn't that much more fun than quattro versions which is kinda disappointing
You say that Stefan but search around and some people love the R-tronic. JayEmm liked the R8 GT more than the R8 LMX for example and its the closest thing to an 911 GT3 the R8 has had. You can get a first gen V10 Plus in manual or S-tronic but I'd rather see an LMX than a regular first gen V10 Plus S-tronic. I can agree that you can take out the second gen V10 Plus though, as you say you need a car thats on sale now and the RWS can show how the pre-facelift is.
Wonderful review. I still drive my 2000 base TT and enjoy every moment.
Would really love to see Dan comparing an current TT RS vs an current TT S on the road and/or track. Would be interesting to hear an rather competent driver elaborating on the cornering capabilities of those two cars considering their considerably different front end weight.
I’ve had my 2005 MK1 3.2 quattro for few of years now and love the performance. In California I have only seen 3 others like mine.
I take my 2006 Mk1 3.2 quattro for drives up to Tahoe and back just for the fun of it
I love my MK3 TT Roadster. Superb everyday car!
i just bought my mk1 roadster, it aint much but i love it. Hope you enjoy yours
thinking about buying a Audi TT 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO 2010. It has ran 140k km already
@@snw1588 These 2.0 TFSI engines have massive problems burning oil. 2012 engines running better
I don‘t get that whole thing that the TT isn‘t a sportscar. There are people out there that call Opel Tigras and Mk1 Ford Pumas fun little sportscars while most of these people say that a 300+ hp, AWD, manual driving machine isn‘t.
Owned and driven all three, with the exception that mine were two TTS’s and lastly, after I’d had a mk3 TTS - the mk1 225 roadster, which I loved. The mk1 has to be driven and worked to get the best from it. The mk2 and mk3 TTS’s are very point and go - fast and in all weathers. Great cars and some fun. Not Porsche’s by any stretch but more of an exercise in getting there fast. Great review
I bought my 01 TT Roadster as a flip car and never sold it in fact I bought a second, it never even crossed my mind that I could fall in love with one of these cars.
Mark 1 tt the best looking.
And will always be. Car collector websites start talking about it. Will become a future sought after car !! (like the Porsche speedster that is massively replicated)
I've owned a MK2 convertible for 3 months now and it is my first TT. I haven't driven the MK1 or MK3. The MK2 has made a good everyday car so far, (even in the winter), and is fun to drive. The convertible is a two seater, which is all I need, but has a boot available irrespective of whether the roof is up or down. A fun car, for not too much money, but not without issues. I give it 8/10.
I just bought a Mk1 1.8T 225. I really really do love it. The review is quite spot on, it's a car that's just fun to enjoy and drive without having to push hard.
I own a MK 2 TT cab and never bought it with an illusion that it was a Cayman. It is however a fun car no less and still turns heads. Many new cars these days have ridiculous amounts of power and capability that can never fully be exploited. What's the point?
So true. Went from a base mk2 Boxster (250hp) to a 2012 TT RS (360hp) and regretted it instantly... all that torque is what ruins it and makes it boring to drive on twisty roads!!!
Went back to a mk2 base Boxster which sounds so much better and just loves to rev!!! The power war is ruining the sports car!
so the main factor of a real sports car is to be involving ? it is ridiculus nowadays a real sports car being slower than others in the track or in everyday use..meanning lost
Having just bought a 2018 TTRS, I agree with your summation that it's a bit more of a GT than a sports car. If I dive into a tight corner, I can feel the heavy nose. It's still turns in, but it's not quite as graceful as my 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW. But on long sweepers or medium turns, the car's limits are very high, and it's so much fun to rocket out of a turn! For me, I like the Jekyll and Hyde personality of the car. In Comfort mode with the stock 19" tires, the car is actually quite compliant and quiet, which is great just cruising on the highway, but when I put it into Dynamic mode, it just gets loud and in your face, the transmission blipping the throttle on downshifts and the exhaust is so raucous! It's loads of fun, and at least here in the US, I don't see myself all the time, as these cars are actually quite rare. While I suppose a Cayman S is probably more fun to chuck around a mountain road, 95% of my driving is around town or on highways, this car is more comfortable and more practical. Spec'd similarly, the Cayman is also a lot more expensive.
All will be classics in years to come, thanks for the reminder.
TTRS.
Classic.
Put the mushrooms down lad.
Mk1 showing it's age, Mk3 modern but will never be timeless. The Walter De Silva designed Mk2 is truely timeless and still looks great today (just like the R8 and A5/S5/RS5.... All De Silva masterpieces). The 3.2 Vr6 and 5 cylinders in the Mk2 make for the perfect balance of looks, performance and sound.
Like the review comments for the MK1, I have owned a ‘brilliant black’ 2000 Quattro for 12yrs. Perfect weekend car currently 109,000 miles
Owned all three, Loved all three :-)
2:52 "you don't get pops, bangs and crackles that you used to get" Good, that's all half-synthesised anyway, far removed from the crackles of old race cars with engines at their limits. And it's certainly not a necessity for it to be an engaging sports car. Hope the trend away from this fad continues.
I have the privilege of owning a MK2 2008 and I absolutely love it! If I ever upgrade will be to a newer MK2 as I think they look much more honest and real than the MK3.
Mk2 TT still looks modern today, I have one too it’s a lovely car
@@ithinkimlucas1366 nice, I totally agree! And it sounds and drives great too. I'm not a fan of the sharp angles of the Mk3 and most of Audi/VW designs of late.
I've a mk 1 I've had it coming up 6 years now and love it . I can't think of anything I'd like to trade up to. When you buy a TT you know you have something special. And need to look after it . Black on black leather interior. Dashboard is a work of art .performance and economy are good rust not a problem if you keep on top of it ..why go anywhere else. .it might not be Porsche standard but still a decent car . Don't let the knockers win .
Aluminium bonnet, yes, but the rest of the bodywork is steel so it is susceptible to corrosion.
This perfectly sums up all modern cars.. they've become so capable that you can never really exploit them on the increasingly more busy roads. I had much more fun in my 2002 Fiesta, wringing its neck and 4 wheel drifting it into turns to really get the most out of it. Momentary locking of the front inside wheel when trail braking because it didn't have ABS was incredibly satisfying. These days you have to go so much faster to get the same effect.
That said, modern cars are epic for everyday life and no, I wouldn't choose my old fiesta given the choice
BlackFlag94 but I could understand it if you did!
My wife has a 2014 TTS with 32k on the odometer. I have a 2012 A4 Avant ,2.0 coil overs, bigger turbo, tune, the list continues. Although the Avant handles and performs great, I still prefer driving the TTS.
The TT has the look of a little Gran Turismo and that's the reason of her success i think.They all look great but the Mk2 for me is the perfect compromise between sporty look and pure elegance wich is the formula of a Gran Turismo
I have a 2001 Audi TT Quattro 5 speed... love it, so much fun, hardly ever drive it now. The ones you find are trashed and in poor condition, they’re becoming more scarce
Yes, they are becoming a rarer sight - certainly on UK roads - and, whilst there are a few battered examples around, most of them could be classed as 'enthusiasts' cars' if not quite ''collectors' cars'. Good fun and can be picked up relatively cheaply.
I've yet to notice any understeer on the MK3 RS on dry twisty A/B roads l regularly drive. I believe the MK3 torque vectoring is what helps quell that understeer. I find the handling and the sharper 'comfort' steering a really noticeable improvement over the MK2 RS. On the same roads however the MK2 presented occasional understeer however it was more stable under hard braking over the MK3, which can present some oversteer!
True sports cars only have two seats, i own a 2008 tt not the rs model unfortunatly . but mine has the 3.2 vr6 engine, with quattro awd and a manual 6 speed roadster drop top. What a dream to drive, love it. Sticks too the road like its on rails. I highly recommend these cars.
Love the current gen TT looks, maybe looks a bit OTT in RS form...
Love my mk2 2.0tfsi baby of the bunch but with the rs kit on her some bilsteins and a little remap she's still turning heads after 10 years of ownership
The mk1 looks so much better than the other two. Just looks "right" 👌
The problem with the TTRS, in particular, is the fact that you're being asked to pay quite big dollar for something that is never likely to compete with a lower end Porsche, that will feel something of a bargain. However, the base price of a TT will often look very attractive to those that fancy the trappings of a luxury looking and feeling experience, but with less of the back road mastery. There are plenty of people that just want the former and care less about the latter!
Just picked up a Mk1 TT Hairdresser Edition (180bhp FWD!) and I have to say that I am quietly impressed.
It is an enjoyable car to drive and does feel more "driver's car" than my previousl C Class Coupé with similar performance.
Defo recommend trying one and ignoring any preconceptions about it being "hairdresser" or naff.
It's a great everyday shopper to my 911 Turbo and makes popping to Tesco that bit more interesting. It's also more interesting to drive than the current non-sporty Golfs. Forget the power (sure, 180bhp is better than many cars on the road even in 2023) - it's about the experience and it feels raw enough to be interesting at legal speeds.
In fact, weirdly, it's the only car I've had where I can't stop jumping into it just to sit there (my history includes 200SX, CLK55, TVR Chimaera, MR2 Turbo, 911 Turbo, Skyline R32 GTR).
Having owned all 3 models I currently have a mk 3 2.0 tfsi, the MK2 has that something that makes it feel that little bit special which is lacking in the MK3 it almost feels numb compared to a MK2,I don't know if the reviews for the MK3 I read made me expect more from it, I'm wanting to drive a MK2 again it's not as good as I remember
I love my TT 04, and the way it handles while driving it us a true work of art
I love my little Mk1 TT Sport, nice drivers car. Handles great, yes suspension is a bit ruff with multiple bumps and it's bit basic but a really fun car to drive..
I have the Mk1 and Mk2 Roadster. Both totally different characteristics yet extremely likeable. The design and build quality is way up there and I have no doubt the Mk1 will be a classic. I will be on the lookout for a Mk3 TTRS in the future to complete the collection. Fair and honest review overall.
I bought a mk1 TT beginning of lock down as one of the first proper project’s on my channel. It was in a real sorry state. Can’t wait to finally get it done and actually give it a proper drive
Enjoyable car have a Mk2 TT stage 2 + decat and it’s far more fun on B roads than my M5, simply far too heavy too much power (around 700bhp with remap)
Nice review but why not started with MK1 chronologically? 😅
Going to drive my 3.2 MK1 till it literally fall apart. I love this car!
TT MK 2 is on my list for 40th birthday present to myself
I have a MK2 - TTS (4cyl, 2.0L Turbo, 265hp, quattro, dual clutch s-tronic paddle shift) and F%$^ing hell its quick. For the money, you just cant beat it. And quick....you can stand on the thing and point it where you want it to go and it just claws its way there at light speed with confidence.
I had a TTS for a few months and had to sell it because I found the turbo lag unbearable, that was literally the only thing I didn’t like about it, gorgeous car.
A pretty decent review of the TT across the generations, not driven a mk3, but have owned both a remapped mk1 225 quattro which was an absolute flying machine, I had it at 150mph indicated (not kph) on a German autobahn and it was still pulling, also a mk2, which is my current car, which I've owned for a few years now, ok so it's a 170 Tdi not a TTRS, but I absolutely love that car, it does everything I want or need and in a sea of sameness looks great and you don't need a second mortgage to run it, I've owned a lot of hot cars over the years including a Honda S2000 which, after lusting after one for years, I bought about 2008, didn't have it long, tbh, I found a little disappointing if I'm honest, and I prefer the drive of my current Mk2 TT Tdi... yeah I know I'm weird 🤨 perhaps now at my age now having driven like my arse is on fire, most of my life... perhaps I'm just over the driving like that, don't get me wrong, I can still mix it up if I want to though, but what with potholes and gatso's everywhere what's the point. 😇
I have a red n black mk1 quattro sport, it has the comfort seat package though, but totally agree with your assessment, I really enjoy driving it but as a second car as when I drive it I want to feel the specialness away from the norm.
I simply love the TT, I have a manual 8J (Mk2) RS and it‘s just a perfect car. I‘m currently looking for a 8N roadster as a summer car.
1100 MK1 quattro sports made, 800 for UK in RHD and remaining in LHD. LHD mk1 QS is rare enough to be a future classic, and with a good return on top.
I'm here for the Mk1 Quattro Sport! As a Mk4 head in the day, this thing was the halcyon dream; the pinnacle of the Golf Mk4 platform. :) That's the thing about the TT; its origins make it more "lame" than a Porsche or BMW or what have you, and priced from new they don't really make sense to buy, but if you like a GTI but want a sports car, the TT is a GTI with a sports car body and some extra nice Audi suspension and brake bits! Since I got comfortable maintaining my own Mk4s, I like the idea of getting into a TT and knowing that it's going to be way less money to fix and run than a Boxster!
Fantastic review of what is quickly becoming an iconic car be it the MK1, 2 or 3 ...
I am however curious as to the location of this video as those roads look amazing
Hairdressers unite! Always thought the TT (especially the Mk1) has been quite handsome
It seems to get better looking as it gets older, quite a unique shape.
They are timeless to look at, the Mk1s at least. But that’s all they are, a design statement.
@@jochem1986 And that is why the MK1 will become a future collector, according to collectors websites. Check it out...
The handling and speed in these mk2s and mk3s are fantastic and yes you can drift the back end trust me I’ve done it a few times 😊👍🥇You can’t compare one car to another,they are all unique in my opinion 👍
While criticizing the cars why dont u tell the people what would make it better ...like throw 034 rear swaybar in the mk2 and it addresses the bumps perfectly
sway bar- haldex controller and it is ready.. they say what they want them to say my friend..well said
For those that need a fun everyday car and you don’t live near twisty driving roads than the TT RS is a great car to get you from A to B.
The TTRS is also made for these twisty backroads, last years I spend hours and hours driving there while chasing my friend in his Cayman GT4
cayman a much superior car
very very nice video and i love my mk1 q-sp forever
Had the Mk1 TT QS still the best handling car ever owned by a country mile...residual values are still high so well worth a buy to invest in!
Just got 2022 TT coupe
Awesome car and great in snow too
Beautiful cars, I owned a mk1 225 quattro once and had the best drives in it. Thanks for the great video
Mk1 Quattro Sport, all day, everyday 👊👌
I LOVED my ‘01 225QC. Put over 200K miles on it. Drove it year round. Winter tires it went through A LOT! Bought a ‘13 TTRS couple years ago and love the engine. This car has been a fair weather only. RS means Really Stupid part prices! I was used to Audi pricing but the RS line is a whole new level.
Good to know, I sometimes wonder if upgrading my 2008 standard stage 1 to an RS would make sense.
Had the mk1 V6 3.2l. loved it.
You shouldn't have sold it !! (you will regret one day)
Great video - really good review and beautifully produced
I wish there's a 3rd gen, pre-WLTP, 5 cylinder 250hp N/A 7500rpm TT roadster with a manual box.
My kind of perfection.
I love these cars I pray I own one someday
I literally cannot understand how the Mk1 TT is not considered a great car! I have a Porsche 993 911, a Porsche RS 60 Spyder and a Audi TT 225. The Audi is a total analogue pleasure to drive, looks stunning and handles amazingly. I would get one whilst they are cheap as they will be big money in future. I owned many 205 gti's and said the same thing, now look!
i didnt like the 8N tt before i drive it and now i will never sell it had it for 11 years 225 hp quattro roadster with brown baseball leather seats
77garga best interior colour that baseball brown 😉👍
Is the Audi TT a true driver’s car? Yes-- I own a MK1 and I smile every time I see it 😀
Three lovely cars. The original was so innovative but Audi designers have done a great job developing the two later models which are, of course, much better cars. Perhaps the mk 2 and 3 will one day become classic. The mk 1 already is.
The front of the MK3 with the new headlights is better than the MK2 imo, but the sides and particularly the back do not look as good as the MK2. The TT always was a curvy aerodynamic smooth car (a bit feminine is some aspects hence the jealous trope about hairdressers) , the harsh angular lines of the MK3 give it a more modern and aggressive masculine look but that doesn’t necessarily look better. You’re taking a more feminine design and giving it masculine features with the MK3 it’s like taking super model Kate Upton and giving her a chiseled jawline, beard stubble and tree trunk arms, it’s different but not better.
They’re both garbage & look like a Hyundai. Mk1 all the way.
We own the Mark 1 224HP version but the Mark 2 is by far the best. Stick shift, 5 cylinder and the best design which won't let it age
I think when you're a motoring journalist and get to experience and compare all sorts of cars from Vauxhalls to McLarens, it's all too easy to say lesser models are not thrilling or communicative. I've not got a massive or varied car history and find driving my TTRS extremely thrilling and satisfying.
TTrs is as good as any supercar on actual roads. Amazing car.
I have a 2009 TTS manual. It is SUCH a buttery smooth car to run (when it isnt sh*tting out coil packs) and the quattro setup is awesome. I get that feedback isn't great but still like you correctly stated, these cars are more akin to "back road warriors" than a "sports car."
‘Mash up of sports car, GT, B-road warrior’…. Totally agree with that and not sure what else I’d go after my Mk 3
I think it would be more fitting to do an episode on what this car is really about: the unique design. We all know it drives like a lighter, lower Golf, and that it’ll never be a real plaything. But look at it. Do some investigating on how the design came about. Talk to the minds behind the concept etc.
Always thought the OG TT was a 5 cylinder too. Realise now it's I4, 5 valve.
I do yearn for a TTQS and that hasn't diminished with the newer models of TT.