TT orders closed for the 2018MY
 

Just talked with my local GM. A very early close lending credence to a 2019MY makeover. Rumors are that the drive train will not be changed, unlike the Mk 2 makeover. The early close plus very poor 2018 MY TT sales (down 35% from a dismal 2017) will make the 2018 version a rare car.

That is an early close but not terribly surprising considering what we are hearing about the possible 2019 refresh. Hopefully during this late spring and summer I will get all of my test driving done and will be in the position to make some kind of decision in the Fall which might put me in a good timeframe for a 2019 order.

It makes a lot of sense if you consider that there's going to be a huge glut of TT RS is on the market now. All of the TT RS is that were supposed to have been shipped out from December through March hit when the port hold was lifted. Even if the overall number of TT RS are the same, you're talking about an entire quarter of the year with missing sales followed by an entire quarter of the year's cars being dumped onto dealer lots almost instantly.

Normally I would say that is good for the buyer
 

That is, a flood of TTRS hitting the lots at the same time. Unfortunately, with orders closed, I suspect that dealers will stick to MSRP for a while because no new TT orders will arrive for another 4-5 months, so no sense giving the product away.

No discounts in Oz on the TT RS, still retails at around $150k-$160k (AUD) which is silly money considering you can buy the RS3 for half that.

In all of New England dealerships there are currently zero new TTRS', but 22 RS3's.

Yeah I think production numbers on the RS3 are far higher as are sales numbers. The RS3 is the better daily for the great majority of folks and is a better price to performance value. I don't need the four doors and I actually value the increased cargo space of the TTRS (as well as the better seats and interior) so I don't mind the price premium but for most people I suspect the RS3 is the smarter choice if not the most fun choice.

Never look back (or forward), you'll just drive yourself crazy. :o Enjoy your new TTRS! :D