Because of my past generosity with my Supra, I have been able to snag many test drives from the local car community. Being known as "the Supra guy" and the reputation of my car has opened some doors for me in this regard. Even this week, I was able to get a Check Engine light scanned and cleared on my Audi TT by a local Audi/VW shop for free because "aren't you the guy with the Supra and the hot Asian girlfriend" Yes..I DID own a Supra, and yes, I have a cute GF. Also, since I'm in the USA weekly, I'm able to drive many cars there before they are here in Canada. It helps that their test drive policy seems much more relaxed too! In a given year, I'm certain the cars I test drive rival most professional auto journalists, and I'm quite certain I drive more tuned cars per year than they do. I also know many here test drive many cars yearly too. It's a way of "keeping up" with what is being offered by the manufacturers, since most of us won't buy a new car every year. Test drives allow us to stay in the loop.
But I rarely write about it here because:
A) Frankly, it may sound like pure internet BS. I doubt anyone would believe me if I told you I test drove a modded Z06, 550 Maranello and a 911 Gemballa 550 in the same week.
B) Most cars just don't measure up (in my distorted mind!). Mainly because I use my Supra as a benchmark. This might seem unfair, but the Supra was stupendous in all areas one would find in a great car. 640HP, incredible handling, amazing brakes, luscious exhaust note and civil enough that I have tossed the keys to several people on this board. It's a very rare combination and easily the best performing car I've ever owned...and still one of the best cars I've ever driven. Period. My only gripe was I wished it had better steering feel.
I'm not particularly fond of my Audi TT. Don't get me wrong..I did an amazing job on this build. It's pretty fast, handles very well, and feels a bit raw(ish). It's a cool car and is very fun to drive. Only Vmango has driven it from this board...and he seemed to really like it. He griped a bit about some of the steering (likely related to rear camber), so I went out an bought adjustable lower control arms and fixed my camber issue and the steering in one swoop. I think maybe the 4 banger is what I dislike most. It sounds..bleh. Not enough torque (though ~270TQ isn't terrible). There's just something about it I don't love...I mean, apart from the little issues that annoy me.
Well...let me tell you...the new Audi TT RS is a SPECTACULAR car and falls into the category of "special". Having read near universal praise for the car, had me wondering what all the fuss was about and was it warranted. The looks of the car aren't amazing, although quite nice, if not a bit menacing. The 19" wheels set it off nicely. The interior, while also being very nice, still doesn't really convey anything special about the car. Oh don't get me wrong..the seats are great, the build quality and materials are top shelf. You just don't saw WOW! Then you fire up the engine....
For a stock car..the engine note is pretty loud. At idle, it's not particularly lovely...but there's a hint of something special. Nail the throttle, and the car explodes forward! And OMFG...the engine sound! It's the best sounding engine this side of an LF-A. I $hit you not. Listen to some Youtube clips. It somehow manages to sound eerily similar to a V10 wail. There is no need to a radio in this car. I could listen to this sound track all day long. Put it this way..I don't even recall if the car had a stereo in it! And while the car "only" has 360HP, the mountain of torque is incredible. 343 TQ @ a mere 1650 RPM. That's no typo. That is a load of down low torque..and it stays flat to nearly redline. It's incredible. No need to shift....even though the shifter is REALLY good! Supposedly, this combo is good for 0-60 in 4.0 flat and a 1/4 mile of 12.6 seconds. It feels every bit that fast...perhaps feeling even quicker, possibly to the small dimensions of the car.
And it handles just as well. Obviously this was no track session. But on the streets, just point it and shoot. Aim it where you want and nail the throttle and it just goes. I can't imagine any circumstance on the street where you could possibly find the handling limits...or even come close to them. And you'd have to be seriously quick on a race track to find them there. When not driving it like an a$$, which is so hard given the glorious engine note that you WANT to hear every second, the car drive beautifully. This is easily a daily driver. For all seasons.
Did I like this car? You bet. I LOVED this car. There's just something about it that makes it special. It
feels special. And for me, the ever present tuning whore, this car is even more appealing. How about a stunning 403HP and a colossal 462TQ with just a reflash? And the price, while high, isn't out of this world for some and seems like a bargain. $67K CDN...but is only $57K USD. This is a ton of car for the money IMO. For a car this special...that you could drive and enjoy year round. I thought of it as a baby GT-R or baby R8.
I liked it enough to request a quote on leasing one...which I rarely (if ever) do. Doing the quick numbers, I think it will ring in around $1k per month for a lease....far more than I'd want to spend, especially with my brain reminding me "You can get a used GT-R for that kind of money!". I've also been test driving used 911 Turbos which can be had for the low $40s in the US. Though I honestly think the TT RS is a slightly better car..and as quick, if not quicker. But $20K difference is not chump change. I'm pretty big on "bang for the buck" when it comes to spending my own coin, so a 911 Turbo is more likely in my future than a TT RS. Hmmmm...maybe I can find a used one?
Anyways....I'll post up the lease figures when I have it. In the mean time, read this road test, which sounds quite a lot like my review. Oh..and be sure to listen to some sound clips.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2012-audi-tt-rs 
