Yeah, you can tune, but can you really accomplish major things?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,018
Likes: 0
Yeah, you can tune, but can you really accomplish major things?
Here's my thing:
I love my 225 TTQC, but I made the mistake of driving a Boxster and I'm very much in love.
I used to think my TT handled well, but, and I've said this before, where the TT feels as if it corners on rails, the Boxster feels like it's a monorail. The TT sticks to curves, the Boxster doesn't even feel like it's in a curve, it feels like it's being sucked down into the pavement.
Add the understeer I never realized the TT had until I drove an S2000 and the Boxster, and, well, I'm a bit disillusioned by my TT.
So for the past month or two I've been shopping S2000s and Boxsters, but I'm curious if there's anything that can really be done to improve the TT's handling all that much or if it all comes down to the fact that no matter how you slice it, the TT is no more than a FWD car on the Golf platform and thus will never really perform like a sports car designed from the ground up to be one and is starting with the disadvantage that it weighs 800 pounds more than either other car to begin with.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the power of the TT, it's just its handling isn't as good as I thought it was.
So, suggestions? (Anything but springs - the car is low enough the way it is...)
Or is it time to trade the TT?
I love my 225 TTQC, but I made the mistake of driving a Boxster and I'm very much in love.
I used to think my TT handled well, but, and I've said this before, where the TT feels as if it corners on rails, the Boxster feels like it's a monorail. The TT sticks to curves, the Boxster doesn't even feel like it's in a curve, it feels like it's being sucked down into the pavement.
Add the understeer I never realized the TT had until I drove an S2000 and the Boxster, and, well, I'm a bit disillusioned by my TT.
So for the past month or two I've been shopping S2000s and Boxsters, but I'm curious if there's anything that can really be done to improve the TT's handling all that much or if it all comes down to the fact that no matter how you slice it, the TT is no more than a FWD car on the Golf platform and thus will never really perform like a sports car designed from the ground up to be one and is starting with the disadvantage that it weighs 800 pounds more than either other car to begin with.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the power of the TT, it's just its handling isn't as good as I thought it was.
So, suggestions? (Anything but springs - the car is low enough the way it is...)
Or is it time to trade the TT?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,552
Likes: 2
The S2000 and Boxster are great purpose-built cars
At the expense of all else, IMO. If you are wanting that handling at the expense of room, looks and exclusivity (yes I see almost as many S2000s as TTs and Boxsters are EVERYWHERE), then you should get one of them.
Personally, I like the TT for the whole balanced package.
Now, if I was going to get a 3rd car, it would be a Boxster or a M3.
Personally, I like the TT for the whole balanced package.
Now, if I was going to get a 3rd car, it would be a Boxster or a M3.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 0
If you don't want to put coilovers or spring/shocks, then you should sell it.
You will never realize the TT's potential without them.
I would also be tempted to say swap out the old control arms as well.
Without those three things, yes it does not handle like a "sports" car.
I would also be tempted to say swap out the old control arms as well.
Without those three things, yes it does not handle like a "sports" car.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,018
Likes: 0
That's kind of what I thought... :-(
I don't need cargo space, I never use the back seats for anything, and whenever we travel my wife and I take her A4, so the TT is solely a daily driver and fun car for me, so it's certainly as "practical" for me to own an S2K or Boxster as it is the TT.
Exclusivity isn't what I'm going for; fun is...
Exclusivity isn't what I'm going for; fun is...
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 53,281
Likes: 2
This is easily fixed for less than $1,000 (1 mod unit)....>>
I used to drive 911's so I set out to cure the TT handling early on, and very successfully I may say. My stuff has been pretty well documented here so I won't bore anyone. Email me for details.
Steve
Steve
Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 0
Proper tires, proper suspension...a lower centre of gravity and things can get pretty good but
Bill I always thought you said that your shocks were ok??? lol I think you have more wear on them then you think... seriously proper suspension and correct tire choice will change your mind.. The S2000 is a very capable car but requires an extremly talented driver to max it out and isnt forgiving. The boxster is neutral to understeer and lacks enough power to properly utilize its weight distribution. S2000 is relatively good aftermarket wise the Boxster is very expensive much more than AUdi...look at Tech Art stuff for ideas.
Trending Topics
New Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Bill, get the S2000 and the optional hard top. There will be .......
less problems than with the Boxter and you keep the change. Ive driven both a few times and you are right on how they handle compared to the TT.
The Boxter is a great car but the S2000 is as good in all the important areas except maybe the steering wheel "feel" (just my opinion). Also, the S2000 has that great top end power rush when all other engines have run out of breath. I would take the S2000 as a daily driver any day.
But when it really comes down to it they are both great cars and either would be a good choice.
The Boxter is a great car but the S2000 is as good in all the important areas except maybe the steering wheel "feel" (just my opinion). Also, the S2000 has that great top end power rush when all other engines have run out of breath. I would take the S2000 as a daily driver any day.
But when it really comes down to it they are both great cars and either would be a good choice.
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 0
Different strokes...
I have heard the exact opposite with regard to the S2000 and daily driver. I don't know many people that want to drive around with rpm's over 5k.
Don't get me wrong, S2000 is a nice car, but I think a waste as a D.D since you can't enjoy any power or any tourque unless you get on it.
Don't get me wrong, S2000 is a nice car, but I think a waste as a D.D since you can't enjoy any power or any tourque unless you get on it.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 13,257
Likes: 0
A good friend has an S2000 - his 87 16V GTI is his daily driver cause
he tires of driving at the limit just going to work. I think the S2000 would make a great weekend/track car and quite frankly the UK press isn't as fond of the S2000 as the US press. Something about unstable at speed and a oversteer happy rear end. All makes for great fun the track but not on the street IMO.