Hey guys,

So I'm looking for a used TT and I'd like to keep it ~$9000. Definitely *manual* and *quattro* (winters here in Iowa are the biatch ). Is that unreasonable? Do you guys think I'll be able to find a good one around that price range? Ideally a 225hp, but most likely a 180hp I imagine…

I'm originally from Portugal, so I'm used to smaller cars/engines and Audi is a very common/popular make there (mostly the TDIs). Then I saw this forum and thought about asking the "pros"…
Any specific things I should be aware when looking/test driving one?

Also, if anyone here is trying to sell one, let me know!
Thanks guys.

PS: Black would be best, but I can do red or silver!
PSS: Not roadster!

 

I can sell you mine. It is a 2003 225 quatro 6 speed 105k mile, timing belt, tensioner, idler, damper, water pump, cam chain tensioner pads, thermostat, spark plugs ignition coils were changed at 101k. So you don't have to worry about that. The bad is my cluctch start to slip but the car is still drivable, not for much longer tho. it's got 18s with lotsa tread tires. But I live in Oklahoma. If you will be around give me a shot.

 

For $9000, you'll get a 225 with high mileage and/or needing work...like above, but high mileage and needing work doesn't have to mean bad. If you're willing to invest additional money in maintenance as required, you'll probably find one that meets your needs. IMO, a "good" one will cost $12-$15K. But even good ones will need some maintenance as the older TTs are 10+ year old now.

The one above has a lot of the high cost stuff already done. Another high cost area is the suspension, which by the time the TT hits 100K miles, it is due for upgrades. Bottom line. you can get good or cheap, but rarely both.

good luck with the search.

cheers.

 

Hey man,
Thank you for your offer. Would you be able to PM me some more info on the car and some pictures?

Thanks.

Thanks for your reply.
I totally understand your point. So, in practical terms, how much should I see myself spending on a car like the above over a period of 2-3 years, driving a ~1500 miles/month? How much would a "suspension upgrade" cost me?

I really appreciate your help as I'm trying to budget and learn some more about the car and its maintenance.

 

I can just give you my own experience. i bought my 2001 225 for $9K. It was low mileage (67K miles), 2 owner, but need timing belt, etc plus suspension. timing belt/water pump, plus some other engine goodies, plus rear breaks cost almost $2K (over half was labor). then because I had a bad strut, new bilstein struts/shocks and while I was at it because of the age of the car, new tie rod ends, ball joints, drop links, eibach springs, sway bar bushings, strut top mounts and bearings, and control arm bushings. I mainly changed all of these because you have to remove some for the struts and others just because it is easy at the time. Total cost as I did the labor ($1300.) Had I paid someone to do the labor it would have been over $1000.

So, during the first year of ownership I spent about $3300 on my $9000 low mileage TT. now I'm into my second year and so far have spent about $100.

 

Thank you for the detailed reply. Really, thank you.
Also, do you guys think a 10-year old TT is able to do 1500-1700mi/month without any major issues (other than the wear and normal stuff)?? I need to commute about 25mi to school everyday and don't do much of long drives or anything…

One of the main reasons for going with the TT (other than being an Audi and smaller/nice) is Quattro: winters in Iowa are nasty and I heard the TT Quattro is one of the best cars in the snow…

 

TT quattro is heavily biased towards the front, about 80/20, so it's almost an FWD. I believe up to 50 % can be shifted to rear. However, the TT is not a cheap-to-keep car. You don't own a TT, you support it! That can be extremely difficult on a student's budget.

Personnally, if I were a student commutting 25 mi each day, in the snow, up hill, and barefoot, I'd go for a subby. Their awd is every bit as good, probably better than the TT's in snow/ice. Plus, it's cheaper and more dependable, which are both critical for a student.

Buy a subby, bank the xtra money for your TT when you graduate. You'll be happier in the long run if you've got the strength to put of the personal gratification of having a TT now versus later.

cheers

 

Honestly, I can't find Subarus cheaper than the TT… :S (at least not the WRX/STi). Am I missing something?

Also, for $1k dif, I'd rather take the Audi anytime… I personally *love* Audis (even though I do like the Imprezas).

PS: I work full-time and, even though I'm not making a lot of money, it'd be enough to support some moderate expenses with it along the next couple of years!

 

No, I was talking about a normal subbie, not a wrx. something dependable and substantially less than the TT...both in initial cost and continued maintenance.

regardless, good luck.

cheers

 

Your looking at an older used, awd turbo.... its not going to be cheap to maintain.