Vegas-roadster

I posted this on the Fourtitude forum but am posting here as a PSA.

I've been monitoring the prices of low mileage (under 20k) 2-3 year old TTs for years and asking prices are now the highest prices I've ever seen. I check cars.com and autotrader every month just for fun. The reason why prices are high is that the supply is low. Historically, there are about 70-100 such used TTs for sale nationally but recently that number has dropped to about 25.

The reason supply is low is because virtually no new TTs were sold, and more importantly leased, in the first 7 months of 2015. You may remember that the Mk 3 was a year late getting to the US as compared to the rest of the world. To fill the gap, Audi designated the last Mk 2 TTs coming off of the assembly line in 2013 as a 2015MY for the US and these were sold in the US during CY 2014. There was gap of about 18 months from early 2014 to late 2015 when no TTs were imported to the US. In fact, TT sales in the first 7 months of 2015 were single digits per month.

IMO, this situation of premium prices for used TTs is not going to last very long. Sales of the 2016 Mk 3 began in the US in August 2015 and monthly Mk 3 sales through CY2016 were at least 50% higher than any year since 2009 or since 2016. Of those late 2015 and 2016 sales, it was estimated that 60% were 3 year leases. That means that in a few months there will be more Mk 3 TTs coming off of leases per month than were sold in the US in all but one of the past 10 years. By the end of 2019 there is going to be a huge glut of used TTs on the market So if you are thinking of selling/trading your Mk 3 – do it soon, If you are thinking about buying a used Mk 3 – wait about 12 months.

milo337

Vegas-roadster

although your comment had nothing to do with my post unless you traded another Mk 3 for the TTRS. However, TTRS sales have slowed to a crawl and there will be some smoking deals on leftover new 2018s in 6-9 months.

MattRG

You can already get a good deal on a 2018 TTRS if you go through the right dealer. I think there are still a lot of dealers that are not willing to negotiate much or any because it's an RS model but not all of them are like that. A couple of us here have gotten our cars through Audi South Atlanta for well below sticker (mine was nearly $5k off). If someone is looking for a specific color or group of options then waiting longer may get you a better deal but with reduced choice and of course with the knowledge that you are buying a car that has been sitting on a dealer lot for a long period of time.

Still, your advice is good and I appreciate you sharing it with us.

SCarGuy

All well and good, but currently 51 cars exist in the US between dealer stock, port, and in transit to dealer. 0 cars currently in transit from the factory to the US, and 0 cars scheduled to be built for the US at this time (i.e. no dealers have placed orders that have been accepted).

Even among the cars here, or at port, some of those are likely ordered vehicles for specific clients.

There are always deals to be had depending on region, and allocation. But this myth of "excess inventory" is just that for now.

Fun101

!This is spot on. However, even though there will be more used TT inventory next spring, I think the 2016 will be coveted since it was the beginning of the MK3 and all the glorious design changes (hellooo virtual cockpit!). So I suspect the 16's will still fare rather well in the resale market. However, you are correct that this is probably the peak for 2016 pricing. I have a 3 year lease on a 2016 that will be up late May 2019. As much as I love the car, I will be closing in on just under 75,000 kms (46,600miles) and approaching warranty so I'll be turning it in. In the used market, my TT will be considered high mileage so it will be hard to compete with others with much lower kms on the odo. So my quest for "what's next" has already begun. Another TTS is definitely an option!

I looked at Autotrader (Canada) and thought I would share this ridiculous ad for a 2018 TTS. Maybe it's a photographer prank! LOL

2018 Audi TTS 2.0T - Etobicoke $73,454 autoTRADER.ca

Vegas-roadster

The only big negative for your 2012 is the mag ride. Mk 2 TT and TTS equipped with mag ride are having very expensive suspension failures at an alarming rate and the failures are age related, not mileage, starting at about 7 years. I have not followed used Mk 3 TTS pricing because 1. They don't sell roadster TTS in the US and 2. It has mag ride. My guess is that used TTS prices will drop much more than your trade value in 6-12 months. However, if your mag ride shocks begin to leak it will really hurt your trade-in value.

GIJoe111

Lease is ending and buyout listed at $30,283. With only 26K miles, my 2016 Audi TT seems like it's priced to KEEP. Thoughts?

Vegas-roadster

Presently, 2016 TT CPO coupes with mid-20s mileage have asking around $34K nationally according to cars.com and probably negotiated to the low $30s. I've recently seen listing as low as $28K from private sellers and indy used car lots. Even though I expect these prices to drop, there is a lot to be said for buying the car you already know inside and out.

Fun101

True. And with that in mind, I offer two potential issues that I would address before the end of warranty. One: the seat issue. I had all four seat trims fixed over the span of a year and several visits. The first seat was done with the old fix (inferior clips and I don't think the air bag was replaced), the second was done with the new fix protocol. This is important to me because if seat #1 pops outside of warranty, that's going to be a pricey repair. Two: After a car wash, I discovered water trapped in the tail lights. This could turn into a rust issue down the road so I would suggest taking a good look.

Otherwise, I have found the car to be extremely reliable.