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Review 4 of 81
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2001 Audi TT 180 FWD Summary:
Less than a year after my 225 Quattro Coupe came off lease, I started to miss the TT. Just recently, I picked up a 2001 180 FWD Roadster, just to make things a bit different. I was concerned that I might be disappointed with the 180 performance, having had a 225 before, but this is not the case. The 180 Roadster rocks, like any TT will. Likewise, I don't miss the sixth gear as the ratios are so nicely spaced and the power is more than ample with the 180. I also rationalized the 180 thinking that I could always software tune it to add 30 horsepower and perhaps another 60 ft lbs of torque, but I am even questioning the need to do that. Having driven the 180 in adverse, stormy conditions, the handling was unaffected in a way that made it hard to tell the difference from the Quattro car. Sure, the Audi Quattro system has its virtues in all driving conditions, but the FrontTrak car still performs admirably and of course, still features ESP stability control.
Now a two time owner of the Audi TT, I am inclined to state that this is one of the best sports cars ever designed - period. Handling in either roadster or coupe variation is as expected in any German sports car. Acceleration is commendable if not comparable to its competitors, but anyone who buys a TT for its performance characteristics alone does not fully understand the TT. The car is a design tour de force that deviated little from its concept car roots. Its styling is still being emulated, to nowhere near its beauty, in a host of other cars. A glass windscreen, real glass rear window, excellent audio, top notch build quality and entirely unique interior make this an outright stellar sports car and certainly one of the best bargains ever in a car of this class.
As with any car, especially a sports car, the prospective used car buyer needs to carefully scrutinze the car and ensure its working order. If you find a TT in well maintained condition, jump on it. Even a fiver year old TT remains a state of the art car and thrills like a new car.
The TT remains a great car and, based on it timeless looks and performing characteristics which have withstood the test of time, is a car you will not quickly tire of. If reasonably well maintained, the TT should still have a very useful lifetime and a design that will remain unique. The TT is a drivers car for a driver who sees beyond its mere performance and sees it for the work of art that it is.
This is a car I actually did buy again. Strengths:
Very satisfying driving characteristics, top quality materials throughout, unique design and styling that, despite newer Audi desgin elements, still does not look dated, a well proven 1.8T turbo engine that can be software or firmware tuned to achieve even greater performance, highly usable horsepower and torque band that kicks in at low rpm and extends all the way up to the redline, minimal turbo lag which disappears at the rapidly rached 2500 rpm mark. Weaknesses:
Top down driving enjoyment is conducive to overexposure to the sun. Similar Products Used:
2002 Audi TT Quattro Coupe 225
2002 Audi A4 3.0
2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
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