I did more research on the Audi TT to distract myself during the tedium of folding laundry.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 02/17/2019 at 19:12 • Filed to: This is what he does... Researches cars to death so he can talk himself out of it with allegedly no regrets., Tt

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Found a lot of helpful videos, including one extremely-long owner-review video of the 3.2 quattro 6MT, the one that I’m most interested in. My uneducated takeaways are as follows:

Turns out the 2nd gen only offered the VR6 for one... model... year... in the US: 2008 (first year of the gen). We just went from “scarce” to “Sportcross-scarce” territory.

While the 2.0T is more tunable, I am not a tuner, or racer, or even a particularly spirited driver . I like long pulls on the highway and linear power delivery. These are alleged strengths of the VR6.

Ad speaking of the VR6... At this point in its life, it was deemed reliable, but perhaps only by VAGCOM standards. The timing chain guides are still an unsurprising point of weakness. It’s not 4.2-in-the-S4-Avant bad/common, nor is it nearly as expensive, but the point is that this engine is not 2JZ-GE reliable. Apparently some owners just service (I assume that means replace) the guides as part of preventative maintenance so they can sleep at night. I’ve still been looking for hard numbers. One writer just had them replaced along with his clutch and water pump, etc., so he could spread his buttcheeks just once instead of several times. Other things that are not unique to the engine in terms of issues are the coils.

I was a little disappointed that it is not full-time AWD, but that Haldex thingie that only sends power to the rear I’d you really need it. I will have to drive one to see how much this matters. I admit that I love how the RWD feels in my current car (and it was the best part of my former Celica), so I wonder if this FWD-most-of-the-time TT will tickle my fancy. I’ve owned six FWD cars so please do not confuse my concern with being a RWD prude — because nothing says prude like a tape deck in my current car! Plus a car that can be used in most incliment conditions is appealing to me.

Cost of entry: in spite of the lack of candidates, these cars range from $9-12k. I suspect because 1) issues mentioned above, 2) niche car, and 3) aftermarket for the 2.0T is superior in every way so the demand for the VR6 is low on the used market... Oh, and 4) it’s a used Audi.

If I’m willing to spend a small fortune on maintenance, it could be a good car. I don’t drive a lot (which I can hope delays/eliminates a lot of those potentially painful upkeeps) and it could be a fun toy. I actually am not terrified of the prospect of this — or similar — vehicle, because if something goes wrong, meh, I have other vehicles in the stable that will get me from A to B. And if the first bad maintenance/repair is so egregious, or painful, or disheartening, or leaves me stranded, I could wash my hands of it and sell it after the problem is remedied. Cutting my losses is a skill in very familiar with (Tercel 1, Tercel 2, oh and Tercel 3).

The lack of utility what scared me a little, except when I take a whole 10 seconds to examine the idea. My current car has a backseat that is never used and a cargo space that can hold small grocery bags. An empty backseat and a low-height cargo area? Sounds like a TT to me.

Timeline: one year, maybe two, before I could even *consider* modifying or adding to the fleet. So there will be a lot of cars out there for me to research to death. Too bad a manual E91 with less than 200k miles are now only getting MORE expensive, often pushing 20k.

Aso, I seem to be going to a lot of trouble just avoid my inevitable destiny: condensing my fleet into a 2001 4x4 Tundra. You wouldn’t believe how much research I’ve done already on 2-door RAV4...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:17

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TT-RS

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2019 at 19:17

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You mean TT-R$

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:18

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A TT RS is like, my dream achievable car

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:20

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https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=503846722&zip=41042&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D41042%26startYear%3D1981%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26incremental%3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Don%26endYear%3D2020%26modelCodeList%3DTTRS%26makeCodeList%3DAUDI%26searchRadius%3D0&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2020&modelCodeList=TTRS&makeCodeList=AUDI&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=AUDI&modelCode1=TTRS&clickType=listing

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2019 at 19:24

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There exists no reality where I could afford that u_u

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:26

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It’s an Audi, you can’t afford the repairs. No one can.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:28

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This might be my favorite idea of yours. Bonus points if it's blue or yellow. And preferably a coupe 

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 19:36

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Just buy an E92 M3 with the rod bearings and TPAs done. Enjoy reliability .

Christian B > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:11

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Having driven a mk7 golf r I can say that the current haldex system does a pretty good job of mimicking how my C5 allroad’s proper torsen system puts down power. The only thing I would be worried about would be hesitation in sending power to the rear. The golf r does it seamlessly, though it is a whole lot newer. I’m not sure how much the system has changed from 200x to current year (I imagine a decent amount).

Jayvincent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:20

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as long as this is just a dream sequence, I really like the look and feel of the S5 and S7, both AWD...

Spridget > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:21

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1. Sell Lexus for $6k-$7k.

2. Sell truck for $2.5-$3.5k.

3. Buy fancy VW.

dogisbadob > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:39

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VW/Audi will never be as good as Toyota :(

Also, The first-gen TT coupe looks SO good, just too bad it has to be an unreliable piece of SHIT!!!!!!!!!

dogisbadob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2019 at 20:40

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TT-R8 :p

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:40

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This is just a re-skined v6 awd  GTI, so okay it is way different or something.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spridget 02/17/2019 at 20:42

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1. Oh God, I better get more than that.

2. Seems crazy , but that’s about what they’re going for.

3. But I want to do this without 1. and 2. 

lrawli > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 20:56

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I lucked into a used MK2 3.2L Roadster TT last year. Even after the pain of a timing chain swap and becomming intimately familiar with VCDS software, the car still puts a stupid smile on my face whenever I drive it ;)

Spridget > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 21:15

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1. Sell Lexus for more than that.

2. Sell truck to ImmoralMinority on the condition that he sell it back to you should it ever become available, thus making sure it goes to a good home and you have another shot at it.

3. Buy fancy VW.

blacktruck18 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 21:59

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Have you considered a Golf R? M ight not be quite as fun as a TT but probably close, and almost as practical as you r wagon.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > blacktruck18 02/17/2019 at 22:01

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Wayyyyy wayyyyy too expensive 2nd hand in decent condition for this gen :(

CRFTEE > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/17/2019 at 23:35

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I just got a 2006 Audi A3 3.2, basically the same car and you get the utility of a small wagon/ hot-hatch plus four doors.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/18/2019 at 00:11

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I am giggling at the idea of a reality in which you own a TT.

Ferrari Michael > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/18/2019 at 00:22

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The Haldex won't be noticeable with your driving style. Bu y the TT if you don’t need a 4 door or the Golf R if you need more space. Also, the A5 really is a dream to drive and it’s available in V6 or 2.0.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Chariotoflove 02/18/2019 at 00:37

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Por que?

actualfactual > dogisbadob 02/18/2019 at 09:34

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That’s hilarious to hear you, not a TT owner, say that because I daily an 18-year-old MKI TT with 193k miles. It has never left me stranded in a dire situation and I’ve only put ~$500 into it over the past two years minus oil changes.

By the way, “never be as good” is a grossly subjective statement. Most entry-level VW/Audi products drive far better than any Toyota and are more refined, although the cost of ownership does tend to be a little higher. All depends on your priorities my friend.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/18/2019 at 10:13

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I’m my mind, they’re not just a sports car but also a fashion accessory. It’d be perfect for, say, a male escort or...

...oh 

SantaRita > Chariotoflove 02/18/2019 at 11:23

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Your mind is wrong. I have a ‘lesser’ variant in my FWD 6MT A3, and I run it hard against s2000s, boxters, 911's M3's...Its easily as quick as any of those and I was pushing them all over the mountains, where they shine. Similarly the Golf R is explosively quick and the TT the same platform but lightened and with a w ider stance.

TT is a marvelously underrated car.

Chariotoflove > SantaRita 02/18/2019 at 11:36

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I didn’t say it wasn’t a good car. I was just having a bit of fun with an old meme.

SantaRita > Chariotoflove 02/18/2019 at 11:41

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I don’ t really know jokes, but it really c ould help you reach more of your escort clients in a timely manner.

Q uite a useful busi ness ... er... ‘ proposition. ’ if you’re into TT’s

NarrowAngleTT > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/18/2019 at 18:24

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I bought a mk2 TT with the 3.2 VR6 and a 6 speed manual 4 months ago. Maintenance is not a big deal because it’s basically a mk5 golf r32 in Audi TT clothing. So a lot of parts are interchangeable. If your a diy er maintenance can be cheap. What makes this car awesome is the motor. I love vr6 engines! With a good exhaust system they sound exotic! Keep the oil clean and the timing components won’t be a problem which is probably the only problem people have experienced. Besides that the motor is solid. Also most of the mk2 TT frame is aluminum. If you gut  the interior and lighten up as many things as possible then slap a turbo on that VR you’ll be smoking lambo’s