Audi TT ROADSTER (1999 - TO DATE)
MODELS COVERED: (2 dr roadster 1.8, 3.2 petrol)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Although much of its thunder has been stolen by newer arrivals, the
Audi TT roadster remains a very aspirational piece of automotive sculpture. Whats more, a quick drive to reacquaint yourself with its talents reminds you in no uncertain terms that the years have been good to this car. It still feels funky, fresh and fun. With used examples now available in meaningful numbers, a TT Roadster makes an intriguing alternative to something like a new
Mazda MX-5 or
MG TF.
The TT is one of the most conspicuously styled cars of recent years. Everything about the design of the interior and exterior has been created with function first, but visual impact a very close second. Slide into the drivers
seat and other cars instantly seem very bland. Inside, as would be expected of Audi, everything is soft touch, beautifully damped in a motif of retro-cool aluminium, industry-functional rubber and taut, shiny leather.
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Every switch has a well-oiled motion, a solid detent and hidden 'surprise and delight' features that betray a worrying attention to detail amongst
Audi engineers. Depress the aluminium throttle pedal to the floor in one fluid movement and - click - metal on metal; an exemplar of the surgical excision of mush or flab that marks the TT. At a standstill, there's no debate; the TT leaves its rivals floundering. The roadster model is very impressive indeed, although the decapitation process has radically altered the essential character of the car. The sleek swoop of the roofline has gone, replaced by a well sculpted but chunky hood that gives the car a profile that best resembles a Tonka rendering of a
Porsche Boxster. Hood down, the car maintains its aggressive, almost caricature, buggy look.
The wheels appear larger, the frontal aspect more bullish and the unfashionable lack of tension in the flanks suddenly becomes a laudable design aspect. The options list is long and includes a curious baseball glove interior styling package that sees the upholstery trimmed in butterscotch leather with bright yellow stitching and threaded together with yellow leather tape. Whilst more reminiscent of something rejected on the grounds of bad taste by Gene Autry and almost totally lacking in lateral support, it's proved popular. The hood itself is not as slick as rival offerings from Mercedes or Porsche and although single skinned, is built to an impeccable standard, resisting wind noise admirably. A thoughtful touch is the electrically operated glass wind deflector that slides up between the seats, protecting the occupants from buffeting. Look at how slick this is, and then compare it to the system on the
Volvo C70 convertible.
Then youll realise why people want TTs so badly.
Prices for used roadster models start at £12,500 for a 1999 T plated 180bhp version, or £13,500 for a 225bhp variant of the same vintage. Audi cut the new prices of all TT models in summer 2000, and inevitably some sellers have ignored this and are still charging unrealistic prices for their used cars. Although decent used TT roadsters are now a little less thin on the ground, try to scour as many outlets as possible as there will be a large variation in pricing. Insurance for all 1.
8 TT models is Group 18, although it pays to shop around, especially if youre angling for a 225bhp car. Prices for the TT150 Roadsters start at £17,500 for an 03-plated example and values of at least £23,900 are to be expected for the 3.2-litre V6.
Check tyre wear problems. The TT is very sensitive to any errors in suspension set up and very small tracking problems can generate big tyre bills quickly. The car is also very colour sensitive. Aside from silver, the initial batch of roadsters introduced to this country wore some very unflattering colours, especially the grey that was variously described as elephant, primer or Tirpitz grey by most who saw it.
Early reliability and supply problems with ignition coils have largely been ironed out. Many TTs will have been imported from Europe. Always have a close look at the accompanying paperwork and familiarise yourself with UK specifications and options to ensure that somebody is not making a quick buck or, indeed, Euro at your expense as many European 1.8T models are front wheel drive only.
(approx based on a 1999 180bhpRoadster) Audi consumables once had a reputation for costliness, but whilst they are a bit pricier than
Ford or
Vauxhall, spares are by no means exorbitant. An air filter costs in the region of £60, whilst a fuel filter is £20 and an oil filter £30. A set of spark plugs will be around £65.
Performance of both 1.8-litre models is strong, the 225bhp cars especially so. With a rest to sixty time of just 6.1 seconds on the way to 145mph, the TT 225 will out-accelerate a Porsche Boxster.
The steering and gearchange, whilst not top of the class, are both perfectly acceptable. The turbocharged engine, which feels distant and characterless in the coupe, comes alive when every pop and whistle can be heard in surround sound. Other aspects of the roadster are equally surprising. Structural rigidity, usually the significant downside of roadsters, is notably excellent.
There's an almost total absence of scuttle shake or body flex, and the mirrors remain clear at all times. Aside from losing some visual purity and those token rear seats, the roadster loses little of the TT coupes driving appeal and gains quite a bit of its own. The 3.2-litre roadster is extremely quick, notching off the sprint to 60mph in 6.
4 seconds before running onto a terminal velocity of 155mph.
If prompted to name a best buy in the Audi TT roadster range, wed plump for either the entry-level 150bhp car or the 3.2-litre V6. The 180 and 225bhp models that built the TT roadsters success have now become rather overtaken in terms of value and performance respectively. Of course, if you just want a TT roadster at the minimum possible cost, a front-wheel drive TT180 import might satisfy but our advice would be to look for something with the steering wheel on the right side.
Avoid the dull coloured early UK models and you shouldnt go far wrong.
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