The Good
--------
After more than a year of waiting, reading, and drooling, I picked up my 225 Quattro Coupe here at Checkered Flag in Virginia Beach (Silver/Grey). It is as beautiful as I had hoped and really brought a smile when I took her off the lot. My brother is doing very, very well in ICU (thanks for all the warm responses BTW) so I was able to enjoy the purchase of the car to some degree. Of course, I will enjoy it much more when he can ride with me (hopefully in the next couple of months).

I am used to driving a 90hp TDI. Let's just put it this way, when I accelerated out of first I nearly had a heart attack. I am NOT used to that kind of power.

I wish my Dad was around since I know he would have been impressed. He loved seeing the best the human mind and hands could create, be it a car, computer software or a nice loaf of bread. I can't think of a better example than this car. Being Italian, we both loved Alfa Romeos and Ferraris but this car is beautiful in its own right and has real "character". Anyway, took a lot of saving and number crunching but I did it. I also had to do a lot of kissing up to the wife including the install of those laminated Pergo floors she always wanted (that was a pain in the ****...ugh).

My neighbor is a german officer on a foreign exchange program. We have had many long talks about VW and Audi. When he saw the car pull up, it was like he was proud of a son or something Needless to say he loves it. German people really love their cars!

The Bad
--------
I could not afford to keep my current car (1998 TDI New Beetle) and get the TT so I had to sell her. I'm not ashamed to say that I nearly shed a tear seeing her go. I grew up with Beetles, and the car had a special place in my heart and my two daughters. I went through with it because I know I will see another one again when they are old enough to drive. She wasn't the fastest or the sexiest, but she invoked a lot of smiles and slugs from the neighborhood kids She will be missed, as will her 53MPG record ...talk about efficient!

The Ugly
--------
The bug was my demo and development car for a part-time company I started to create Clarion AutoPC software. The TT now takes on that role which means an AutoPC 2.0 (JoyRide) is probably in her near future. I sold the AutoPC 1.0 with the Beetle but fortunately, my partner has an AutoPC 1.0 in her Benz so I can do my in-car testing/debugging on hers for a while. Anyway, since the specs for the new motorized face on the new AutoPC are not quite public yet, I'm not sure how it will effect the beautiful TT faceplate. We'll have to see, but I would hate to have it yanked out. I really love that faceplate!

Thanks!
-------
I want to say a special thanks to ALL of you. You have educated me on the TT as I lurked through this forum for the past year and a half and have been very gracious. It really helped arm me with knowledge when I went to the Audi dealer. If any of you ever question why you bother posting in here day after day, all I can say is you helped me out a lot (as well as a lot of other folks I'm sure).

Arrivederci!

August Branchesi (vwbeeTTle)
30 yrs old - Now fast and sexy!

 

I will post some pics of my kids in the car and other neat stuff this weekend when it is warmer

I've already had three cars stop outside and give me the thumbs up and peace signs

I love this car!

 

I can relate to the comment about your Dad. BTW how is your Brother doing?

 

He is doing VERY, VERY well. He actually walked a short distance with a walker today and even called me up to congratulate me on the car He is itching for a test drive.

You can tell he is not quite together, but he is doing very well all things considered. His abdomen is still "open" and wont be closed up for some time (using a skin graft from his leg).

Ny Dad was ready to buy a sportscar just before he died last year. This car is not just for me, but for him too.

Thanks Jim!

 

Tanti auguri, Augusto. Hai comprato una bella macchina. Ti auguro un buon recupero per tuo fratello.

 

Good news on your bro, August. Sounds like he's on the road back.:-)

 

Grazie! I speak very little but understood what you said.

 

Congrats! I'm glad you finally got it and your brother is doing better,

 

CongraTTs!!! Excellent post! Glad to hear that your brother is better.

 

Welcome to the family!