Overview & Reviews

At its debut as a concept car in 1995 and finally a production reality five years later, the Audi TT was one of the most dramatic cars to debut for the new millennium. Its organic and symmetrically styled front and rear profiles contrasted with slab-sided flanks to create a look unlike anything Audi had ever done before. Meanwhile, the TT's handsomely executed and in many ways ground-breaking interior left no discernible traces of the car's rather humble VW Golf roots.

Named after the Tourist Trophy race held on the Isle of Man (in which a predecessor of the Audi brand competed), the Audi TT is not quite a sports car, not quite a sport coupe or roadster. In essence, the front- or all-wheel-drive TT is a two-seat grand tourer. True, the coupe has a pair of seats in the back, but they are best left for little kids or used as an upholstered package shelf. For those seeking more thrills in the same package, there are the sporty TTS and TT RS variants.

Current Audi TT
The Audi TT is available as a 2+2 hatchback coupe or a two-seat roadster convertible. Only one trim and engine are available, the latter being a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission (S tronic) are standard.

Handling is commendable, but hardly anything that'll remind you of a Porsche Boxster or Cayman. The TT is ultimately more about its unique style, a comfortable ride and its all-wheel-drive system that provides the sort of all-weather traction that few small coupes offer. The turbocharged four-cylinder delivers respectable power, while the quick-shifting transmission helps make the most of that output. Still, 211 hp isn't much in this segment, where 300-plus hp is more typical. As such, for driving enthusiasts the TT's acceleration will seem subpar.

One of the TT's most notable assets is its superbly crafted interior, which boasts a sleek and modern look. Standard features include xenon headlights, leather/simulated suede upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio. Options include the S Line Competition package (19-inch wheels, sport suspension, upgraded leather upholstery), heated seats, a navigation system and nifty baseball glove-style upholstery. Though the coupe's rear seats aren't suitable for anyone taller than 5 feet, they fold down to create a substantial 23 cubic feet of cargo space. The convertible has 8.8 cubic feet, which is sizable for a roadster.

Used Audi TT Models
The current Audi TT was redesigned for the 2008 model year and represents the second generation. The general look is a clear evolution of its predecessor, though character lines are crisper and the nose adopts Audi's now signature single-frame grille. Although longer and wider than the first TT, the latest version is lighter (by nearly 200 pounds in the case of the roadster) thanks to increased use of aluminum in the body structure. It also offers a more powerful four-cylinder engine.

Prior to 2010, the TT could be equipped with different powertrain options, specified as the TT 2.0T (200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque up until 2011) and TT 3.2. The TT 3.2 featured a 250-hp V6. This was a lively engine and certainly offered more grunt than the turbo-4, but its added weight was a detriment to handling. Both engines came standard with a six-speed manual, while the S tronic transmission was optional. Quattro was always standard on the TT 3.2. Initially, the TT 2.0T was front-wheel drive only, then Audi offered Quattro as an option for 2009 before making it standard for 2010. Used car shoppers should also be aware that cars from early in this generation were available with a rather antiquated form of iPod connectivity (it would only play your first six playlists as if CDs in a six-disc changer) in lieu of the later standard auxiliary jack and optional iPod interface.

Introduced for the 2000 model year and initially available solely as a hatchback coupe, the first TT was powered by Audi's peppy 1.8-liter, 180-hp turbocharged inline-4. Buyers could choose either front- or all-wheel drive (Audi's Quattro system). A five-speed manual was standard, while a six-speed manual was optional. Along with its low-slung, avant-garde styling, the TT boasted an equally unique interior that featured polished aluminum accents, impeccable fit and finish and, unfortunately, a few ergonomic glitches such as a CD changer mounted behind the driver seat and counterintuitive climate controls.

After a highly publicized recall to fix the twitchy handling characteristics of early TTs, a roadster and a 225-hp Quattro version debuted the following year. In 2003, an automatic transmission (with six speeds) became available. But the biggest news for this generation came in 2004, when the 250-hp 3.2-liter V6 and Audi's superb six-speed automanual gearbox became available. The latter, dubbed DSG, provided rapid yet jolt-free manual-style gearchanges that put a Ferrari's F1 transmission to shame. The Audi TT stood pat through 2006, the last year of this generation.

Potential buyers should know that, although potentially fast in a straight line, this TT was never considered a true sports car due to its potentially heavy curb weight and softly sprung suspension. Still, the TT should satisfy those who prize comfort, style and all-weather capability in their sport coupe or roadster.

User Reviews:

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  Review at 12,500 Miles - 2004 Audi TT
  By Thomas Nelson - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish car that is fun to crank up and drive both slow and fast. Handles well and gets around 30MPG on the road and 25MPG around town.

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  AUDI ALMS Edition TT Quattro Turbo - 2002 Audi TT
  By PMJCB3 - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the Audi ALMS Edition TT Quattro for over two years now, and I still love getting into it! Timeless Style that continues to turn heads...

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  Concept Car Brought To Life - 2001 Audi TT
  By JAHRMB - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the most beuatiful cars to ever roll off the assembly line. The interior (especially with the baseball optic leather) is flat-out gorgeous! This car, while not a hard- core sports car, can still deliver 85% of the performance of a Prosche 911 S4 Cabriolet at less than 1/2 the price - and it has a better interior with more room for front passengers. Much better overall car than Z4 or SLK. Better ergonimics than Boxster or 911. More room and better performance than Miata. Best bang for the buck - all things considered.

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  Great Car - 2001 Audi TT
  By smfatf - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, maintenance free, and great design. Only issue with vehicle was power at lower speeds. The new 250HP models fixes this.

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  Not what I expected - 2001 Audi TT
  By jgmualumni - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car less than 1 year and Im already selling it. In that time the Mass Air flow sensor malfunctioned, the instrument cluster died, the remote works when it wants, and the dealer stripped my oil drain plug and blamed it on my local mechanic. I wont be buying another Audi.

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  If Looks Could Kill! - 2004 Audi TT
  By Biggster - April 10 - 2:00 am

  We tested other roadsters and settled on the TT because it felt "tighter" in steering and suspension. We choose the 1.8L automatic only to discover that it has four modes: normal drive, sport drive, push shift, and steering wheel paddles (Ive never seen the latter mentioned in a review). The sport drive has higher shift points for a sound and feel identical to a manual transmission. And looks? The visual impact of our neon yellow TT with black roof is stunning! Heads turn when cars pass on the Interstate.

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  Audi TT roadster - 2004 Audi TT
  By JennyH500 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I just got this car not even a week ago and I absolutly love it!!! It is so much fun to drive and I love all the features.

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  Love the Car - 2004 Audi TT
  By DebDisney - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Teh car is fun to drive and has been very reliable. I have also found that the dealerships are very responsive when I have needed service. The difference in German technology & American is night & day.

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  Perfect - 2004 Audi TT
  By Nevaeh - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car !! Great buy !! I love it !! Everyone should have one !! Best car ever !! I love this car !!

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  Cant Leave The Drivers Seat - 2002 Audi TT
  By speed07 - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Oh my gosh, this has to be one of the most fun driving cars ever. I went to a car show and was strolling around and found an Audi and there was a TT Coupe and i had to sit in it. Once closing the door I fell in love. I couldnt figure out wether it was how quiet the cabin was or how it felt like I was going fast while standing still. So when I got home I researched them and decided to buy used and got a 2002 Audi TT Coupe 225 Hp and am never getting another car until this one quits. No matter how fast your going with the quattro you can whip it in and out of the curves with no slipage and the engine keeps pumping out RPMs.