Test drive: 2008 Audi TT Coupe
Some cars don't change much no matter how you spec 'em out. Take the Nissan Altima Coupe. It's a better handler in V6 form, but retains most of its merits with the 4-cylinder engine. Or the Dodge Caliber, which I found equally unlovable as the base-model SE and top-of-the-line hot-rod SRT-4.
But the all-new 2008 Audi TT is quite a different story. A few weeks back I test drove the drop-top TT Roadster with the top-of-the-line 3.2 liter V6 and all-wheel-drive. Now I've driven the TT Coupe with the base powertrain, a 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder (one of my favorite engines, by the way), S-Tronic automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive, and my opinion was not so favorable. It isn't any one thing -- the 2.0 has plenty of power, the front-wheel-drive version is still a decent handler, and the coupe is still a very practical body shape. But put 'em all together and the whole package just doesn't add up. Check out my 2008 Audi TT Coupe test drive for the details. -- Aaron Gold
Related: 2008 Audi TT Roadster test drive
Photo © Aaron Gold
Same price as a Porsche Boxter??? There’s nothing that Audi can build that can match a Porsche for drivability, integrity and name recognition. If they drop the price 10k, then we’ll talk…and I really love Audis…but I I love good value even better!
I completely disagree about the styling being worse than the old one, but it is a matter of personal preference, so I won’t argue. I do agree about the price, it’s pretty expensive compared to the competition, especially for what you get.