n828cl

The ground clearance is limited, so you can't push through deep snow regardless of the tires being used. We're supposed to get around six inches here today, so going home this evening might be interesting...

- Chuck

Vegas-roadster

First, few cars are as go-kart as a Cooper. Tough for a TT to feel go-kart-like when your wheelbase is so much longer than a Cooper.

I own a Mk 2 base TT and have driven a Mk 2 TTRS. How the TTRS rides and handles depends on the settings you choose, and there are quite a few you can modify. The salesman who poo-pooed the TTRS ride is full of it. He has not even seen, much less driven, the Mk 3 TTRS so he absolutely no useful information to give you.

eric strauss

… but you have three similar choices:

1) TTS
2) S3
3) VW-R

All three have essentially identical running gear and nearly equal performance. The TTS is the least practical of the three given its sloping back roof. I have owned a TT and a VW R and loved them both (granted they were previous gen/Mk versions). The R and S3 have more accessible back seats and the R is the most useful of all. The first gen TT was a radical design and a joy to own, Gen III has lost some of its edgy styling and but not gained any usability.

Happy Choosing

Eric

Huey52

1) TT/TTS = Sportscar
2) S3 = Sport Sedan
3) Golf R = Hot Hatch

All very good vehicles with differing roles. First decision is what type are you really looking for.

One of my TTS decision points was that it was more daily driver practical, to include stowage capacity, than say a Cayman. So, everything's relative.

By most stylistic accounts the MkIII TTS is far edgier than the MKI/II. The designer himself so articulated. But ultimately an eye of the beholder perception.

Again, can't lose with any of these three.

btw: impressive stowage indeed (3 bundles with seats up; 8 when down - no, not me, from a review):

Nas Toronto

I prefer the TT from the 3 mentioned. It's such a beautiful car IMO. The back seat and storage don't mean to much to me as I rarely will have anyone in the back (1 kid 5-10 times a year) and be lugging stuff around.

I have a 450H which I use as the family car.

Nas Toronto

Yeah he was referring to the MK 2 TTRS, I can't wait till they give more information on the new TTRS (not sure how long I'm willing to hold out).

Vegas-roadster

They are not "nearly equal performance." Don't feel bad, the recent Car & Driver review of the TTS said the same thing. No matter how you dress up a 4 door sedan like the A3, it can't match the performance of a sports car. About the only similarity among these cars is the engine. Car and Driver's most recent Lightning Lap track tests (IMO the most objective evaluation of the overall performance of a car) show the S3 to be a second faster than the Golf R and 3 seconds faster than the VW GTI. However, the S3 is still almost 3 seconds slower than the old Mk 2 TTS! The Mk3 TTS will leave the Mk 2 TTS in the dust thanks to the increased HP and much improved handling. When it comes to overall road performance, the TTS is vastly superior.

PhatBoyG

I find it best to drive the various cars and make your own choice. Of course, that's hard to do on a forum where it's easier to ask "What should I buy?" - but you need to drive them, period.

A hot hatch is so different from the S3, it's not even funny. The noise is different, the handling is different, and the comfort is different. The S3 is great on paper, but coming from an S6 might feel cheap and unrefined.

So go out and check them out, in person. Yourself. If you can't drive it, don't buy it.

jermarTT

With a wife and family, the money you save by getting a TTS over a money pit like a Porsche can be used for better things. If you don't want such a deep commitment, how about leasing your TTS?

PhatBoyG

With a wife and family, the faction hit you take with the S3 is significantly lessened

There's something about having four doors, and four hundred horsepower, that satisfies both needs. Of course that would be the RS3!