Anyone fancy winding up some Fiat boys ?

[Riz_RS4]

I find most things are more intresting than fiats.... [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

Riz [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[sitas3]

Nothing wrong here. The forum name is "General Car Chat", and this thread is a prime example of "General Car Chat". [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

absolutely! that is what makes this forum as interesting as what it is!

we've just been having a demo of what an RS4 is really capable of (thanks RS4John!) but i can't deny that i still have more of a desire for a Porsche than an Audi for some reason.. maybe because i either can't realistically cant afford the 993 tt that i've always wanted or i fancy my Mrs more... [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Ruical]

Does exactly what it says on the tin [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Cheers
jr

Ahhh!!!, now we know your secret for keeping the Misano missile so spotless [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] (Only kidding Bushy [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )

Andy

[Scotty]

Currently a 225bhp TT (fiat is quicker than this) but I would imagine that is a blasphemous across here as it is on our boards.

To be fair, its as much about owning it as driving it, and the looks from the gurlies in their TTs, and the jealous "I haven't seen you - I refuse to stare" looks from the blokes.

I know this will only get me slated but...

This is a good and constructive thread between fans of two marques of cars but also someone has a pop at the TT. I know there are lots of "polishers" out there but since the car is effectively the same as an S3 (with more styling and less praticality) perhaps you can enlighten me to why it is often despised. There are "gurlies" and "I refuse to stare" blokes out there but there are thses types in all cars.

What is it that makes people have strong feelings against this car?
Maybe I don't fit the stereotypical owner profile but I'd be interested in views from an "outsiders" perspective.

<ducks and prepares for abuse>

[jeffw]

The TT (especially the Roadster) is a very stylised car (like the new Beetle or new Mini) which looks very good until there are hundreds of them around.....then they start to look silly.

I think it is 'Style over Function' that puts me off....very much the 'hairdressers car'or 'Tart's Handbag' especially when it's the 180bhp FWD version (LHD). Girlie car....a uncool girlie car at that.

Don't like the styling simple as that [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

[markcanderson]

I agree, it's over styled - and it's tech just doesn't match up.

Yes I know it is now available with the 3.2V6 and DSG system... which is great - but it's too late.

It's had to put up with the poorer cousin 1.8T in various tunes and that engine just doesn’t have any character. Yes I accept that it's a good engine for tuning upgrades, but this is more because it's so heavily used in the VAG group.

Also, Audi, somewhat confusingly and I think deceivingly.. name the 4wd versions 'Quattro'. They aren't Quattros!.. the TT (like the S3)..uses the Golf system of a Haldex clutch to provide 4WD. It's not fully permanent, smacks of compromise and cost cutting and is not as effective as the 'real' quattro systems in the other Audis since it takes longer to transfer power in operatation.

Also, the fiasco when it was launched, where it was killing people with high speed breakaways on autobahns and the whole hasty recall business to fit ESP and that horrible spoiler to calm the bad handling down.

Every time I've been to the 'ring in bad weather, I've seen (and this is without exception) an S3 or TT leave the track backwards heading for some expensive redesigning... once or twice - I'd think coincidence or crap driver, but this has been several occasions...

I appreciate what people may see in them - but in my opinion, it's not a serious drivers car.

[Scotty]

I guess you're both highlighting the point I am making.

I'm not asking why the TT is not considered a drivers car this is often covered but why the TT is singled out over the S3 when it's the same car in different trim. The S3 seems to maintain a more acceptable reputation where as the TT seems to provoke strong opinions, love or hate.

[markcanderson]

You're correct though, that most of the car's dynamic flaws also extend to the S3 - so why doesn't the S3 get the same degree of sceptics?

It's probably because the TT is supposed to be the sport coupe of the two.. where the S3 is just a faster A3... more is expected from the TT.

[Cobstar]

Now, now - no digs at the S3. It's a fantastic little car - there's one sitting in my garage right now. [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]
OK so it's not an RS2 - and it's owner does rather enjoy an opportunity to take the Big Blue beast for a razz if I let him - but it's a very accomplished hot hatch and has a little more of the Q car about it than the TT.

Him indoors did consider the TT but they are two a penny round our way and a number of people said they didn't drive or handle as well as the S3. I have to admit that initially I was disappointed that he went for the S3 over the TT as I quite fancied an opportunity to pose - but he's very happy with the car. And look where owning an S3 led us - to adding an RS2 to the fleet LOL!

[Steve_Mc]

I'm not asking why the TT is not considered a drivers car this is often covered but why the TT is singled out over the S3 when it's the same car in different trim. The S3 seems to maintain a more acceptable reputation where as the TT seems to provoke strong opinions, love or hate.

Having owned both in the past I'd say the S3 handles better. The other point is that the TT is often bought primarily for its looks and ends up in the hands of the polishers (a guy in my office drives one and I doubt he could even find the dipstick), whereas S3s are clearly not bought for looks. Scotty I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you're not the typical TT driver, it's the non-enthusiast owners that perhaps have fostered the mostly undeserved criticism of the TT.

Plus the fact that one of the most voracious posters on the TT forum site actually is a hairdresser doesn't help [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[DuncS3]

Every time I've been to the 'ring in bad weather, I've seen (and this is without exception) an S3 or TT leave the track backwards heading for some expensive redesigning...

cough...cough

[NigelO]

Scotty 2 - you suffer from much the same fate as the Coupe owners. There are a vast amount of uninitiated people out there that either drive the car because of how it looks, not how it goes, or condemn the car based on what they've read or heard.

The TT is clearly a fine car, with a few known failings Drive almost any car fast enough round a corner and lift the throttle and it'll exit into the scenery (911 [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img])

The problem was that the expectations were too high (caused by Audi's own hype). Unfortunately the TT has been so popular, it has attracted image-conscious buyers, instead of true car enthusiasts. The image has therefore slipped amongs true enthusiasts, to the point that its saddled with the hairdresser tag.

Many people slate the Fiat Coupe too, as it has known problems and a serious badge-image problem (all Fiats rust away, blow engines and have sh1te electrics don't they???) Not the Coop.

The trouble is, most people that slate the TT or the Coop, haven't driven one and are invariably not comparing like for like.

Both cars drive VERY well (especially the Fiat given 220bhp though FWD) and will struggle to compete with a well driven Audi RS.

Truth is - the TT and the Coop are both ridiculously fast cars that will beat 99.5% of other cars on the road today.

I love the TT looks, despise the common-ness of it, shame about the engine noise (V6 must be lovely). I needed four seats so the Coop was a winner (also hadn't got much money, so Coop won again)

This just has to be one of the best "X versus Y" threads I've ever seen. It speaks volumes about the kind of people that drive RSs and who frequent this forum. Nice one. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[ChrisB]

What is it that makes people have strong feelings against this car?

It's because the drivers are such a bunch of big girlie men, Scotty.

Seriously, I do actually like the TT. Yes, it's been around a while and yes it does have an old platform that's now been replaced on the A3 and new Golf. Yes, a lot of ladies and gentlemen of the non-heterosexual persuasion drive them.

So what? I borrowed a 225 TT Cab (with purple leather Recaro bucket seats and matching trim!) from my dealer for a while when the RS was in the shop waiting for brake discs to turn up from Germany, and it was a hoot.

Of course, it didn't have the RS's 1G acceleration, but to tear-arse around the little country roads in rural Lincolnshire, it was great! I spent the best part of a week avoiding main roads and deliberately taking the little single-track narrow lanes across the Cotswolds.

I wanted to buy it, it was going for silly money really (the purple put most buyers off), but at the time I was saving for a new house & couldn't finance it. I've since tried to get the Mrs to change the A2 for a TT, but she likes the A2's practicality and easy town driving.

Oh, and here's a piccy or two of said purple monster!

[peterb]

(the purple put most buyers off)

But surely it would be just right for those of a 'non-hetro-sexual persuasion'!

My wife would have quite liked a TT rather than her A2, but feels that it would be impracticable for her purposes, particularly work use.

[ChrisB]

But surely it would be just right for those of a 'non-hetro-sexual persuasion'!

Perhaps. My dealer did tell me about an Audi Exclusive TT they had an order for, in bright green with red leather interior. Apparently the gentleman and his "friend" were very pleased with it...