Granted, I've only forumed (now a verb) for about a month, so I probably shouldn't open my big trap in the manner I'm about to, but this one's got my goat (by the cojones!)...

I've seen a lot of aesthetic "enhancement" of TTs on this sight and otherwise, and have to say that I am for the most part opposed to the practice. I think too many "additions" take away from the beauty of the car's lines, it's distracting.... Have you ever seen graffiti on the side of a really striking building? Maybe a Phillip Johnson or something... Chances are you wouldn't even notice the building... all you see is the graffiti. Some ***-munch's post-modernist expression of youthful angst. As I said, this does not please my goat...

I'm not talking about just wheels and rear light covers, I mean the full blown make-over. You know, things that draw the eye away from form, this car is all about form - chrome accents and big-*** rear wings for example. The TT is one of the most visually appealling, sensual designs going - personally, I wouldn't want to undermine that with a lot of shiny extraneous sh*t.

I mean the reason all those people with Honda/BMW products have to do that is because those cars are a dime a dozen - they need to be differentiated one from the next. Not only is the TT distinctive in design from other marks, it is distinctive within Audi's product line-up. Just one reason I'm opposed to the way Audi chose to redo the A4, I mean I know instant brand recognition (read: mini-A6 or homogeneity) at that level is supposed to be important, but come on... most M-Bs, BMWs, Lexus products are starting to look the exact f*$&ing same. Can consumer's really have "taste" so readily packaged and purveyed to them?

What if Audi decided its full line should take visual cues from the TT??? Stretched versions with four doors and avants and OH MY GAWD, I'M GOING TO BE SICK... Eccchhh!!!

When that happens, bring on the graffiti!!!

 

The A6 already takes visual cues from the TT. Now the A4 follows the theme of the A6. I see the similarity between those two and the TT, yes, but I still see the TT as distinctive...set apart from the rest of the lineup.

I definitely agree with you, though not as vehemently, that the TT doesn't need any major body panel modification. I'm fine with people doing minor wing changes or light covers. If someone wants to change the way the TT looks that's for them. I'm fine with mine looking stock, but sounding much different. ;-)

 

Could be cool... and certainly better than the stretch Lincolns.

Gotta agree with the general tone of your rant, but as in so many things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whether genius (Freeman Thomas) or a$$munch (GM Aztek crew, for one). That having been said, keep those wings, aero kits, stickers and other "ricey" crap away from my baby, please! Cheers!

 

from honda to Mercedes. The only reason many of them seem "dime a dozen" is that there are so many of them out there. Every Mercedes made today might have a lot of visual similarities but that's just mercedes style. With the exception of a particular lexus, nobody else has anything on the road that looks like a Mercedes. You see one and you instantly know what it is because it's strictly mercedes style. The TT is not rolling art, sorry. It's a car like any other and people are going to modify it to fit their personality and taste. Even though the TT isn't the most common thing on the road. When you see one that has different wheels, light covers, a different spoiler, etc. Regardless of your opinion of the mod, You notice it because it's not a run of the mill TT and i'm sure that's part of what the owner had in mind.

 

a 2 door A4 roadster, basically a fattened up TT for less money. The pics have been floating around for months.

 

not want to have it on my car or even like it; but I love way people express their individuality through their TTs. :-)

 

...want to make THEIR car better or different in THEIR eyes. I figure I can have an opinion and comment on whether I like or dislike a mod on someone else's car but I certainly expect the owner of the car to take my opinion with a grain of salt. They should do whatever makes them happy (within the confines of the law). Live and let live! The way I see it, I get some "say so" about someone else's mods when I start paying their car payment.

 

Take Porsche for instance. When the Boxster came along, it shared almost everything with the 911 from the windshield foward. I hated it at first. I said to myself "Now why would I go buy a 911, when I could buy a Boxster for $30k less, do a few performance upgrades, and get a body kit for the tail end and have a car that looks almost identical and performs close to the 911, and spend much less than $30k doing so?" -- Granted, at the time, I couldn't afford either car, so I was asking myself very rhetorical questions.

About 6 months later, I realized that the Boxster was a unique car on its own, and it was cost effective for Porsche to do this. Since then, they've listened to the tons of 911 enthusiasts who have complained, and are now re-designing the nose more and more each year. Next year we're supposed to see a very distinct front-end on the 911, at least, when compared to the Boxster.

My point? Porsche experimented with something. It worked, at least, the outcome was likely what they expected. They listened to their customers, and are reversing the process, so to speak. I think it is necessary for an auto maker to try things like this. If the A4 ends up with a TT nose, who cares? At least it's not an Aztek nose...

Awesome auto manufacturers always make mistakes. Its part of the game. Back to Porsche, remember the 928? Awesome car, no question. It was better than the 911 in almost all aspects, and was poised to replace the 911. 911 enthusiasts had an absolute hissy-fit about that. The 928 stayed on the lineup for almost 15 years, never replacing the 911. Why? Porsche listened to its customers. I see nothing wrong with things like this happening. It allows for better development, and new ideas.

 

I just feel sorry for your goat.

 

Well said.