Hey everyone,

Stoked to be here and learn more. Been looking for a fun car on the weekends to take to Cars and Coffee and do the 1-2 track days a year out at Road Atlanta or Atlanta Motorsports Park.

I've been shopping comparables like Cayman S. I rented a 2016 Cayman S last year and wasn't impressed. Too slow of acceleration and you had to drive it fast in the mountains to get the performance. I didnt like that 2nd gear was basically going 70mph.
I was eyeing a 718S in a nice Miami Blue near me for $76k with 10k miles on it. I like it just for the Porsche look at me factor haha

Haven't driven a TTRS but watched about 1,000 youtube videos and been reading the forums. I've found two cars near me

2017 TTS at $39k with 41k miles. I would do a Stage 2 tune to get to 397hp and maybe a sway bar + exhaust.

2019 TTRS at $69k with 11k miles. I would do a Stage 1 Unitronic to get to 475hp at the crank. As well as exhaust and sway bar.

Is 30k worth that extra 100hp? Not sure if the RS will hold value better or track that much better but I know the different engine is a beast. Just don't know if its worth it or if I would get the S and wish I got an RS. Kind of on the fence about both.


Ideally I'd like to have a fun little car with a TT Cup or Audi Rally inspired wrap and stand out a little bit with some mods. But still be able to do some fun pulls around the town and to have fun at a track without crazy understeer

 

I also found a more modded track car for $68k with 55k miles on it. The mod list is extensive, shocks, struts, tunes, pipes, brakes etc. The first 45k miles were a lease vehicle and the last 10k tracked 8 times. Worried about 50k+ miles. Should I be?

 

Two observations: 1) After watching that many TT videos you are smarter than many owners (me...?), and you really want a TT, 2) After watching all those youTube TT videos you know what the answer is... buy the TTRS of course and be done with it...

 

Some information. According to Car and Driver Lightning Lap results for non-modded cars, the TTRS and Cayman S are virtually identical performers on the track. The TTS isn't even close to those two. When I compare the routine maintenance cost of the TTs I've owned to Boxster/Cayman owners I've known, the Porsches are much much more expensive. The TTRS has always had better resale than a TTS when comparing % depreciation over time. For example, Mk 2 2012-3 TTRS with about 50K miles were selling for about 75% of original MSRP even before the recent used car price madness. MK 3 TTRS are also holding value well. That said, the resale of any heavily modded car is a crapshoot since the average buyer will not want it because they assume the car has been abused, so you have to find a like-minded enthusiast which won't be easy. I agree with Rikki that I don't think you will be happy with a TTS no matter how much you mod it.
Relative to mileage concerns, There aren't that many high mileage Mk 3s yet because they aren't that old. However, the Mk 1 and Mk 2 drivetrains have been bulletproof for 150K+ if properly maintained.

 

Getting the TTS, when you are thinking of getting the TT RS is a huge mistake.
Everything is upgraded, suspension, brakes, etc.

There's a reason they can go stage 2 E30 without having to worry (too much) about rebuilding the block or upgrading transmission components ... that's easy 600 hp CRANK.
You will never get that out of a TTS.

The way you are talking, I wouldn't even consider the TTS.

 

I have had a MK3 TTS and TTRS, and we have a Porsche in the family as well. It's the Macan, but have access to the brands other offerings and drive them from time to time at the dealer. One thing I would say is if you can afford the TTRS over the TTS, no question drop the S from the search.

Since you track, what is more important to you; handling/balance or all out speed? If its speed you are after - TTRS. If its handling and balance - Cayman S. Also do you need all year drivability (if so TTRS again).

I love the TTRS, its my wife's Daily and I drive it plenty; but the porsche is the better drivers car no question. The TTRS is very nose heavy and understeers (like most Audi's). That being the case, when you compare the TTRS to the Cayman, you have to significantly increase your spend to get the same acceleration; so you are pushed into the $100k+ range on the cayman.

Its seems llike you are leaning more towards the Audi choices, so my vote is the TTRS. We have had both the TTS (Stage 1 APR) and the TTRS; there is no comparison in the overall package.

 

The TTRS understeer is fairly easily corrected with a rear sway bar ... for sure after I replaced mine with a NeuSpeed, I could feel the back end a lot more, and it performed pretty impressively at the track.
In fact on one corner, after hitting 200 km/h on a straight, I managed to OVER steer ... for the first time ever.

 

[QUOTE=MCRN;25702250]I have had a MK3 TTS and TTRS, and we have a Porsche in the family as well. It's the Macan, but have access to the brands other offerings and drive them from time to time at the dealer. One thing I would say is if you can afford the TTRS over the TTS, no question drop the S from the search.

Also do you need all year drivability (if so TTRS again).

/QUOTE]

I will add this... in the mtns of CO the TTRS is a miserable daily driver. Too many potholes hidden by snow from grocery store parking lots to city streets to the ski area. If I head south to the desert, and am not going off on dirt roads to mtn bike, fly fish, etc, I take the TTRS. Otherwise the SQ5 is my vehicle of choice.

 

[QUOTE=Durangatan;25705207]People change to 18's wheels ... then suddenly the ride is far more smooth on the TT RS ...

 

/QUOTE]

I will add this... in the mtns of CO the TTRS is a miserable daily driver. Too many potholes hidden by snow from grocery store parking lots to city streets to the ski area. If I head south to the desert, and am not going off on dirt roads to mtn bike, fly fish, etc, I take the TTRS. Otherwise the SQ5 is my vehicle of choice.[/QUOTE]

The TTRS is a DD for most TTRS owners I know. If you have 20" rims and/or the fixed suspension I'd agree.