Topic: Audi TT/A5

[BritWRX]

The search for a replacement for the MINI continues...I toyed with a Jeep because I like them and brilliant for winter driving but I fear that they might bore me a bit in the summer (ideal combo would be a Jeep for the winter and a Mustang/Challenger for the summer) but I need to cover the winter useability and summer fun thing with one vehicle.  Nothing sub $20k really inspires me, so I've raised the budget to $20-$30k and keep coming back to these two.

I like European cars (had VW, BMW, Mercedes, Fiat but never an Audi) and the things that I love about my MINI are its distinctive looks and character, its relative rarity, it's a blast to drive and is great on gas.  However, it does have a rather harsh ride, isn't that quick and is a bit lacking in terms of comfort and refinement.  I'm also a bit bored with front-wheel drive, as brilliant as this one is, the front-wheel drive driving experience is a little one-dimensional.

Both of these choices offer more performance, more comfort/refinement, stylish looks and AWD.  I think that the TT would probably be the more fun drive (after all the A5 is basically an A4 coupe) but then Haldex AWD on the TT vs. proper quattro AWD on the A5, so maybe that's not the case?

I prefer the look of a 2 door/coupe and to be honest, I can fit more in my MINI than in any of the sedans that I have owned thanks to the hatchback and besides, when you're other car is a van, you can put up with something a bit less practical.  It would be nice to be able to fit my two kids in though and they might just fit in the TT (they're only 3 and 5) but the A5 would certainly manage it more easily!

Is this just a bit of a folly though?  You can get some pretty nice and sporty new/nearly new cars for that money.  Elantra Sport, Civic Si, Golf GTI maybe, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, even the odd Mustang/Challenger for that money compared to a 4-5 year old Audi with higher kms, no warranty and potentially higher running costs and worse reliability but none of those cars seem like they are as good all-rounders as the Audis.   

I've found a few options already.

This TT is my perfect spec on the outside but not sure about the interior on this one but it is fairly local to me!

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/audi/tt/winnipeg/manitoba/5_34730022_20131106075031665/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ursrc=pl&urp=1&urm=1&pc=R0K%201X0&sprx=-2

This one is a bit further afield but better price and spec overall.  I'm not so keen on the white but I like the wheels and prefer the interior.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/audi/tt/calgary/alberta/5_35801194_20090108102914109/?showcpo=ShowCpo&orup=16_9_24&pc=R0K%201X0&sprx=-1

You seem to get a bit more A5 for your money.  This one's quite nice.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/audi/a5/winnipeg/manitoba/5_35665025_ct2005128104359706/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ursrc=pl&urp=1&urm=4&pc=R0K%201X0&sprx=-2

...but I like the price better on this one.  It's probably cheaper because of the manual transmission though.  i like a manual transmission but I'm thinking that this car is probably better suited to an automatic?

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/audi/a5/winnipeg/manitoba/5_36311518_20131106075031665/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ursrc=pl&urp=3&urm=4&pc=R0K%201X0&sprx=-2

So, would an Audi TT or A5 be a good option for my budget or is there better value and a better solution to be found elsewhere?

[ChaosphereIX]

A5 is sexy, especially before it became all angles

that is my vote

[rrocket]

I like the TT....but with the V6.

[BritWRX]

A5 is sexy, especially before it became all angles

that is my vote

I agree.  I find the previous-gen TT more elegant too.  Should I look at other options though?  There's some decent 2012- A4s, 3-Series and C-Class in the low 20s.  A4 is nice but maybe a bit boring, I like the styling of the new 3-Series but they're mostly four cylinders and the straight six motors are always what appealed to me about BMWs and the C-Classes (previous-gen) are nice but maybe a little old mannish?  My friend sent me a link to a 2013 Fusion Titanium for sale locally. 2.0 Ecoboost, AWD, fully-loaded, lowish kms, $17k!  That's a lot of car for the money and the Fusion is not a bad-looking thing....but for me it lacks that "X-factor".

[BritWRX]

I like the TT....but with the V6.

I had a VW Corrado VR6 with the 2.9 VR6 back in the day and it's a nice engine.  Sounds great, not bad on gas but not as good on gas as the turbo and is it much quicker?  Four cylinder probably lighter too, so better handling?  I probably don't want to go older than a 2012 MY car.  Was the V6 phased out before that, I'm not seeing any coming up in a search?

What are the pitfalls over buying an Audi over the more "mainstream" domestic and Asian options?

[valuator]

Buy a Jeep for winter and johngenx's Miata for summer

/end thread

[Audici07]

My dream car is Audi TT. 

[Noto]

My vote is the one you posted:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/audi/a5/winnipeg/manitoba/5_35665025_ct2005128104359706/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ursrc=pl&urp=1&urm=4&pc=R0K%201X0&sprx=-2

[Angry Chicken]

TT FTW!

[Scaerio]

TT all the way.  There’s something about the A5 that reeks of 80 year olds in golfing outfits.

[Noto]

I honestly have no idea on what basis you could make such a statement.  The A5 looks sophisticated and drives fantastically.

Jeff Wilson even addressed that point:

Behold this beauty and it is easy to see why the A5 has had such lasting power. Not even Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston are aging this gracefully.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-audi-a5/?all=1

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I really like the A5. Had a chance to look one over a few weeks ago. Very nice.

TT all the way.  There’s something about the A5 that reeks of 80 year olds in golfing outfits.

 

[JohnnyMac]

And the award for most "what should I buy" threads goes to BritWRX!

Seriously, you must have double digit threads on this topic from just the past year...or maybe it just feels like that.

If you're looking for value, performance, and an "x-factor" I'd probably tell you to find a low km Caddy ATS.  You can get them in 2 or 4 door, turbo 4 cylinder/V6, and RWD or AWD.  The price for them seem to drop quite a bit after a couple of years.

If you want fun to drive and reliability I'd probably tell you to get an Infiniti, again you can get them in 2 or 4 door with RWD or AWD.

As much as I like Audi A5's and TT's, if I was planning on using it as my every day vehicle I'd want something with a warranty.

[Gurgie]

And the award for most "what should I buy" threads goes to BritWRX!

Seriously, you must have double digit threads on this topic from just the past year...or maybe it just feels like that.

If you're looking for value, performance, and an "x-factor" I'd probably tell you to find a low km Caddy ATS.  You can get them in 2 or 4 door, turbo 4 cylinder/V6, and RWD or AWD.  The price for them seem to drop quite a bit after a couple of years.

If you want fun to drive and reliability I'd probably tell you to get an Infiniti, again you can get them in 2 or 4 door with RWD or AWD.

As much as I like Audi A5's and TT's, if I was planning on using it as my every day vehicle I'd want something with a warranty.

   I once listed them all off... there was a Ranger, Jeep Wrangler, Mini, 1/2 ton 4wd pick-up, Hyundai Accent, Ford Focus, Mustang vert, BRZ, Caravan, but in all fairness, he did buy the Mini & Caravan 

[Scaerio]

I honestly have no idea on what basis you could make such a statement.  The A5 looks sophisticated and drives fantastically.

Jeff Wilson even addressed that point:

Behold this beauty and it is easy to see why the A5 has had such lasting power. Not even Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston are aging this gracefully.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-audi-a5/?all=1

I honestly don't care that that you honestly have no idea on what basis I could make such a statement.     

A Jaguar E-type is a car that is ageing gracefully.  None of these 2-door coupés really do much for me.  Every time I think of them I have visions of the horrid Toyota Solara...

This is what a graceful old Audi coupé looks like:

[ArticSteve]

What are the pitfalls over buying an Audi over the more "mainstream" domestic and Asian options?

Really 


That 2014 A5 is a pretty sweet looking unit.  $34K out the door plus $3K in winter tires and rims.  So $36K   Easy/Peasy
I say just do it and end this procrastination.   TOMORROW! 

[DriverJeff]

I honestly have no idea on what basis you could make such a statement.  The A5 looks sophisticated and drives fantastically.

Jeff Wilson even addressed that point:

Behold this beauty and it is easy to see why the A5 has had such lasting power. Not even Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston are aging this gracefully.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-audi-a5/?all=1

Yeah, but that was the previous generation A5.   

[Audici07]

Actually they already have to be in a slightly different category? TT is sports A5 is 5 doors.

[Jaws]

Actually they already have to be in a slightly different category? TT is sports A5 is 5 doors.

A5= 2 door
A5 Sportback= 5 door

[ktm525]

I honestly have no idea on what basis you could make such a statement.  The A5 looks sophisticated and drives fantastically.

Jeff Wilson even addressed that point:

Behold this beauty and it is easy to see why the A5 has had such lasting power. Not even Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston are aging this gracefully.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/test-drive-2014-audi-a5/?all=1

I honestly don't care that that you honestly have no idea on what basis I could make such a statement.     



A Jaguar E-type is a car that is ageing gracefully.  None of these 2-door coupés really do much for me.  Every time I think of them I have visions of the horrid Toyota Solara...

This is what a graceful old Audi coupé looks like:

Wow does that ever look like a Celica hatch I briefly owned:

(picture is not of mine)