Audi TT is a two-door sports car that first came into the market in 1998. There are currently three generations of the Audi TT. It is assembled in Audi’s subsidiary, Audi Hungaria Motor Kft, located in Gyor, Hungary.
Each generation of the TT has a four-door coupe or a three-door hatchback, or a two-door roadster. Depending on the type of Audi TT you purchase, you get either a front-wheel or an all-wheel drive.
The Audi TT has an elegant design, a powerful engine, and great handling on the roads. Despite this, the car is cheap compared to its competitors. For example, the 2018 Audi TT costs $45,950 compared to $55,300 for the 2018 Porsche Cayman, or $59,000 for the 2018 Jaguar F-Type.
The current Audi TT comes in three trims—
- TT
- TTS
- TTRS
Though its trunk is still quite small.
Audi produces luxury cars; the TT is a good car with good reviews and a following, so what makes the Audi TT cheap? Why don’t we find out?
Reasons Why Audi TT Is Cheap
Production
The production process of the Audi TT is one of the reasons Audi TTs are so cheap. Audi had a system where they sent manufactured body shells from their Ingolstadt plant to Gyor, Hungary.
By the time the third generation of TTs came around, Audi Hungaria Motor Kft could produce the body parts and assemble the Audi TTs. This further reduced the cost of production of the cars.
There is also the fact that the Audi shares some features with the several generations Volkswagen A platform. This means the TT has the same powertrain and suspension as the cars on the A platform. This further reduces production costs.
In the end, these efforts at streamlining production and reducing costs reflect on the price of the Audi TT.
Car Size
Another reason for the relatively low price of the Audi TT is its small size. Yes, most of the cars in this category are small, but some still have a more comfortable back seat than the Audi TT. There is a bias against Audi TT because of its size.
Buyers who want a sports car with more legroom will go for some Audi TT’s competitors like the Corvette or the BMW 4 series. Some people label the TT a ladies car, even though the sexist comment doesn’t fit the car.
The Audi TT’s sizing does work against it as it is one of the reasons that make the Audi TT cheap compared to its competitors.
Speaking of competitors, here are some other honorable mentions for cheap cars—
Tech
Audi TT is a luxury car; it beats competitors like Mazda Miata‘s tech and interior comfort. This is probably why the Miata being cheaper than the TT. But when it comes against other luxury brands like the Porsche 718 Boxster or the Cayman coupe, then the TT’s tech appears basic.
The 718 Cayman, for instance, has a chronograph that measures lap times, or the Corvette that a car performance data recorder that merges video with real-time data. The BMW 2 series has adaptive cruise control and an emergency services notification that notifies drivers of an impending collision.
The availability of these superior techs in these cars affects the pricing of these other cars. Look at these cars, compare their prices, and the availability and the trend become clear. Miata with bare interior and tech is cheaper, mid-range TT is priced so, while the top of the range Cayman and Corvette reflect their tech.
Car Parts
Another reason for the relatively low price of the Audi TT is the problem with some of the car’s parts. Some of the problematic parts are:
- Cam Belt
The manufacturers’ advice says the cam belt should be replaced after eighty thousand miles. Still, experience shows that most Audi TT cam belts go bad after sixty thousand miles leading to serious engine problems.
- Water Pump
Like the cam belt, the manufacturer advises that the water pump is changed after eighty thousand miles. Like the TT’s cambelt, the water pump lifespan hovers around sixty thousand miles.
- Gearbox
There have the complaints about Audi TT’s DSG gearbox. Users say the gearbox appears to hesitate when shifting gears. The mechatronics unit is usually the culprit, and repair is quite expensive, usually costing thousands of dollars.
The failure of these parts affects the price of used Audi TTs. There were also cases of a recall of the 2016-2019 TT Quattro and Coupe Quattro. There were problems with the cars’ fuel tank heat shield bracket.
Engine Performance
Audi TT has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that generates 228hp of power and 258lb-ft of torque. This is not bad compared to the Miata’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces just 181hp and 151lb-ft of torque.
However, compared to the Porsche 718 (2.0L 4-cylinder, 350hp) or the Jaguar F-Type (2.0L, 296hp, 4-cylinder), or the Corvette Stingray daily driver with its V8 engine, the Audi TT doesn’t even compete. So while Audi TT outperforms the base cars in its category, it is nowhere near the top engine performers.
The engine performance is another reason why Audi TT is cheap.
Compare that to the Northstar engine and you will begin to understand why certain brands have a premium…
Differences Between Audi TT and Audi R8
Audi R8 and Audi TT both have the same manufacturer, are both sports cars, and use a 7-speed automatic transmission, but that is where the similarities end. We are going to use the following specifications to compare the two cars.
- Engine
- Drivetrain
- Fuel Economy
- Fuel Tank Capacity
- Seating Capacity
- Transmission
The Audi R8 has a 5.2L V10 Gas engine, while the TT has a 2.0L i4 Gas engine. The R8 engine produces a whopping 533hp of power, while the TT produces 228hp. Audi R8 uses a four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, while the TT uses an all-wheel drive.
Audi R8 has a worse fuel economy than the TT, using a gallon of petrol every fourteen miles in the city and twenty-three miles per gallon on the highway. The TT, on the other hand, uses twenty miles to a gallon in the city and thirty miles per gallon on the highway.
Audi R8 has a fuel tank capacity of 21,9 gallons, to 14.5 gallons for the TT. The Audi R8 seats only 2 people while the Audi TT seats 4 people. The Audi R8 has a manual 6-speed transmission, while the TT uses a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Both cars are great, both cars have their strengths and weaknesses, and depending on your preferences you can go with anyone.
Audi TT Target Market
Like every product in the world, the Audi TT is made with a group of people in mind. Audi TT sales TT has a picture in mind when they want to sell their cars. These are people who fall in their target market.
The TT is designed with young, dynamic, fun-loving, and upwardly people between the ages of thirty and fifty in mind. Audi TT also includes households with a household income above a hundred thousand dollars, which means they can afford a TT.
Also, they target households with two cars or looking out for their second car. Many families, especially those with children, will have a car that the whole family can fit in comfortably. Their second car can be a sporty one.
Audi TT is probably playing into the hands of those that believe the car for the feminine side of life. Between fifty to fifty-five percent of their target market are women.
Audi believes that the perfect TT owner places a premium on a sporty driving experience, loves fun to drive vehicle with a uniquely styled exterior, and loves the prestige that goes with owning one.
They also target active, flexible, and people who are love to work out. It is an added advantage is they understand innovations in new editions and crave for them. They also know these innovations might sometimes be in the form of upgrades in the car. Audi TT customers should have no qualms with getting genuine Audi parts and accessories or seeking upgrades for their vehicles.
In summary, the perfect Audi TT owner knows what they want, is decisive and purposeful, and has the means to get what they want, an artistically pleasing, high-performance vehicle.
In return, the customers expect premium service from Audi staff and quality after-sales services.
Conclusion
The Audi TT is a great car that offers a lot for its price, outperforming similarly priced competitors. While its engine might not be as powerful as some in its category, it performs better than most even at high mileage.
Its interior is better than the Miata; for example, it has good if not great tech and a good safety record. Audi TT is fun to drive, is great to drive, and has a wonderful interior. However, some people complain that some knobs are made of cheap plastic that damages easily. It has a decent fuel economy.
For the price new and used Audi TTs are going for, it is a bargain. No car is perfect; despite Audi TT’s limitations, it is still one of the top ten cars in its category.
